The Houston Astros got key hits from Nelson Velázquez and Cam Smith to start strong on a tough stretch of games that could decide their fate in the American League West.
The Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 Monday night at Daikin Park in the first of 13 straight games against potential playoff teams with National League wild-card contenders Arizona Diamondbacks coming to town after the White Sox (72-65), who lead the AL Central, followed by a road trip to play likely NL wild-card team Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays, who have the best record in the American League.
The win pushed the Astros' record against opponents who are .500 or better to a Major League-best 26-14 (.650). They maintained their two-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West and increased the lead over the Seattle Mariners, the defending division champions, to six games. Houston also climbed within 2 ½ games of the White Sox for the second seed in the postseason, which comes with a bye past the wild-card round.
The Astros (70-68) trailed 2-1 with two outs and **** ody on in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Smith sparked something with a triple, Velázquez delivered his first hit since the Astros claimed him off waivers three weeks ago, a two-run homer that banged off the barrier just below the train tracks in left field.
Smith helped add to the lead in the following inning. After singles by Christian Vázquez, Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes loaded the bases, Christian Walker brought home a run with a walk to make it 4-2 Astros. The White Sox opted to pull starter Anthony Kay after he struck out Daulton Varsho so righty Trevor Richards could face Smith. It didn't work. Smith ripped a 2-2 changeup down the left-field line for a two-run double and a 6-2 lead.
#astros #games
The Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 Monday night at Daikin Park in the first of 13 straight games against potential playoff teams with National League wild-card contenders Arizona Diamondbacks coming to town after the White Sox (72-65), who lead the AL Central, followed by a road trip to play likely NL wild-card team Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays, who have the best record in the American League.
The win pushed the Astros' record against opponents who are .500 or better to a Major League-best 26-14 (.650). They maintained their two-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West and increased the lead over the Seattle Mariners, the defending division champions, to six games. Houston also climbed within 2 ½ games of the White Sox for the second seed in the postseason, which comes with a bye past the wild-card round.
The Astros (70-68) trailed 2-1 with two outs and **** ody on in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Smith sparked something with a triple, Velázquez delivered his first hit since the Astros claimed him off waivers three weeks ago, a two-run homer that banged off the barrier just below the train tracks in left field.
Smith helped add to the lead in the following inning. After singles by Christian Vázquez, Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes loaded the bases, Christian Walker brought home a run with a walk to make it 4-2 Astros. The White Sox opted to pull starter Anthony Kay after he struck out Daulton Varsho so righty Trevor Richards could face Smith. It didn't work. Smith ripped a 2-2 changeup down the left-field line for a two-run double and a 6-2 lead.
#astros #games
2 months ago
