As he walked off in the 6th inning, the applause from the Houston faithful was beyond telling. The Astros had their ace back after 10 long weeks. Hunter Brown would be joined on this night by a returning Yainer Diaz. In combination they’d provide a glimmer of future promise to a club whose season frequently feels like it’s hanging on by a thread.
92 pitches later, Brown’s final line would read: 7 k’s, 3 BB, 3 scattered hits and a run allowed over 5 2/3’s.
Brown’s third start of the season would take
a while to get fully into gear. Kevin McGonigle would start things off with a single, representing the first of multiple base runners in the opening frame. Fortunately, a relay throw from Jeremy Pena would strike down Dillion Dingler at home plate. However, the next inning, the Tigers would draw first blood when Hao-Yu Lee singled home Spencer Torkelson who led off things with a walk.
The Astros would finally get on the board in the bottom of the 5th. Raynel Delgado would score on a passed ball to Issac Paredes. Delgado would go one step further, saving the best for last in the home half of the 8th inning, driving in a pair of RBI’s. Jeremy Pena would also get in on the action, bringing in Joey Loperfido with an insurance run making the final score 4-2. A week ago, Delgado was playing for Triple-A Durham, but on Tuesday night he played hero at Daikin.
The 8th inning would see the Tigers play small ball. Hao-Yu Lee would continue his hot hand, notching a double. He’d eventually advance around the basepaths and then come home on a sacrifice fly by Dillon Dingler. Bryan King allowed the run, but thanks to Delgado and company, it evaporated quickly. King would earn the victory. Josh Hader would come on to close the door in the 9th, notching his 3rd save.
Framber Valdez would return to Houston and only allow one unearned run. Across 6 innings, he’d register 6 strikeouts along with 6 hits, allowing 3 walks.
For the Astros, the “soft spot” of the schedule (which in earnest started a week ago in Anaheim) has borne mixed fruit. Now standing at 4-4 in recent contests against the Angels, Royals and Tigers, the Astros are 34-41 and still 7 games under .500.
The Astros will close out the rubber series with Detroit tomorrow with a 1:10 CDT against righthander Casey Mize who’s returning after a 3-week stint on the IL. Peter Lambert will take the mound for Houston. Lambert hasn’t dropped an official loss since May 17th verses Texas.
