Springer hits two-run homer as Astros sweep Orioles
The Sports Xchange
May 28, 2017
HOUSTON -- George Springer hit a two-run homer as part of a six-run second inning and Lance McCullers worked six solid innings as the Houston Astros capped a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with an 8-4 win on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros (35-16) completed a 6-4 homestand by pounding Orioles starter Alec Ashur (1-3), hitting for the cycle in the second inning to erase a three-run deficit.
The Orioles have dropped seven consecutive games.
Springer levied the biggest blow with a 428-foot shot to left-center field that gave Houston a 5-3 lead. His shot followed a two-run double from Marwin Gonzalez and an RBI double from Yuli Gurriel that pulled the Astros even at 3-3.
Two batters after the Springer shot, Jose Altuve slapped an RBI single to center, scoring Josh Reddick, who tripled. Houston scored the final three runs of the frame with two outs, setting the table for McCullers (6-1) to recover and roll.
McCullers labored over his first two innings, throwing 49 pitches while surrendering three runs. Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop ended McCullers' 22-inning scoreless streak with a two-run homer in the first inning, scoring Seth Smith. Schoop added an infield RBI single in the second that plated Wellington Castillo, who reached on a throwing error by Gonzalez at third base.
But once he was gifted with the lead, McCullers found his footing. He needed just 12 pitches to set the Orioles (25-23) down in order in the third. He induced a double play off the bat of shortstop Paul Janish in the fourth and, after retiring the side in order in the fifth, stranded a pair of baserunners in the sixth inning.
McCullers allowed five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.
Carlos Correa, Gonzalez and Gurriel all finished 2-for-4, with Gurriel scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs. He delivered an RBI single off Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez in the third inning before later scoring on a wild pitch.
NOTES: The Astros placed RHP Charlie Morton on the 10-day disabled list with a right lat strain. Morton experienced discomfort following his most recent bullpen session, lingering soreness that led to an examination that revealed the injury. There is no timetable for his return. RHP Jordan Jankowski was recalled from Triple-A Fresno. ... With Morton sidelined, RHP Mike Fiers will remain in the rotation and start on Tuesday at Minnesota. Fiers was removed from the rotation earlier this weekend to make way for RHP Brad Peacock, who will earn a second start after working 4 1/3 scoreless innings in a sport start against the Detroit Tigers last Monday. ... The Orioles recalled RHP Logan Verrett from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned RHP Tyler Wilson to the Tides. Verrett was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA over two appearances with Baltimore before being optioned to Norfolk on May 10.
May 28, 2017
HOUSTON -- George Springer hit a two-run homer as part of a six-run second inning and Lance McCullers worked six solid innings as the Houston Astros capped a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with an 8-4 win on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros (35-16) completed a 6-4 homestand by pounding Orioles starter Alec Ashur (1-3), hitting for the cycle in the second inning to erase a three-run deficit.
The Orioles have dropped seven consecutive games.
Springer levied the biggest blow with a 428-foot shot to left-center field that gave Houston a 5-3 lead. His shot followed a two-run double from Marwin Gonzalez and an RBI double from Yuli Gurriel that pulled the Astros even at 3-3.
Two batters after the Springer shot, Jose Altuve slapped an RBI single to center, scoring Josh Reddick, who tripled. Houston scored the final three runs of the frame with two outs, setting the table for McCullers (6-1) to recover and roll.
McCullers labored over his first two innings, throwing 49 pitches while surrendering three runs. Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop ended McCullers' 22-inning scoreless streak with a two-run homer in the first inning, scoring Seth Smith. Schoop added an infield RBI single in the second that plated Wellington Castillo, who reached on a throwing error by Gonzalez at third base.
But once he was gifted with the lead, McCullers found his footing. He needed just 12 pitches to set the Orioles (25-23) down in order in the third. He induced a double play off the bat of shortstop Paul Janish in the fourth and, after retiring the side in order in the fifth, stranded a pair of baserunners in the sixth inning.
McCullers allowed five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.
Carlos Correa, Gonzalez and Gurriel all finished 2-for-4, with Gurriel scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs. He delivered an RBI single off Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez in the third inning before later scoring on a wild pitch.
NOTES: The Astros placed RHP Charlie Morton on the 10-day disabled list with a right lat strain. Morton experienced discomfort following his most recent bullpen session, lingering soreness that led to an examination that revealed the injury. There is no timetable for his return. RHP Jordan Jankowski was recalled from Triple-A Fresno. ... With Morton sidelined, RHP Mike Fiers will remain in the rotation and start on Tuesday at Minnesota. Fiers was removed from the rotation earlier this weekend to make way for RHP Brad Peacock, who will earn a second start after working 4 1/3 scoreless innings in a sport start against the Detroit Tigers last Monday. ... The Orioles recalled RHP Logan Verrett from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned RHP Tyler Wilson to the Tides. Verrett was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA over two appearances with Baltimore before being optioned to Norfolk on May 10.
