This was a game the Houston Astros (43-45) needed to win if they were going to have a shot to win their 6th straight series. It didn’t start well, but it did end well.
Astros starter Mike Burrows (W, 4-8) surrendered 3 runs in the first inning on 2 hits, 2 walks and an HBP, but would settle down to only allow 1 more run over the next 4 innings. The Astros offense, and specifically Yordan Alvarez (3×4), would have his back.
The Astros offense exploded for 6 runs in the 4th off Minnesota Twins (41-46)
ace Joe Ryan (L, 5-5), highlighted by a grand slam from Houston’s MVP frontrunner.
Three straight 1-out singles by Cam Smith, Taylor Trammell and Yainer Diaz in the bottom of the 4th would get the Astros on the board, with Diaz’ single driving in Smith to make it a 3-1 game. With 2 outs, Ryan walked Ray Delgado to load the bases. Ryan then walked Jose Altuve on a pitch originally called strike three, but Altuve challenged the call and won, resulting in ball 4 to drive in the Astros’ second run.
Alvarez then crushed a 1-1 pitch to right center for a grand slam, giving Houston a 6-3 lead.
Burrows would allow another run in the top of the 5th when Josh Bell doubled in Kody Clemens, but that was as close as the Twins would get.
The Astros bullpen combined for 4 perfect innings with 6 strikeouts. Josh Hader would strike out 2 in a perfect 9th for his 8th save.
The Astros are currently 2GB of Texas in the AL West and 1GB of Seattle (pending tonight’s game) in the AL Wild Card race.
Tomorrow’s rubber game at Daikin Park will match up Astros SP Tatsuya Imai (5-3, 5.36 ERA) vs. Twins SP Taj Bradley (6-3, 3.98 ERA). First pitch 7:10pm CT.
