Astros beat White Sox 5-4 for fourth straight win

Sunday’s 5-4 win over the White Sox extended the Astros winning streak to four games. Their third straight 1-run victory over the Southsiders ensured the ‘Stros of a series victory with game four scheduled for Monday at 7:10.

Dallas Keuchel came through with another solid effort by an Astros starting pitcher. The left-hander kept the ChiSox off balance by changing speeds and locating his pitches, earning his fourth win of the season. Through five innings the White Sox managed only a seeing-eye single off the bat of Adam Dunn. Oddly enough, Dunn’s second inning roller up the middle would have made for an easy out if the Astros would have been using their defensive shift that is routinely employed against hitters of Dunn’s stature.

Trevor Crowe scores on a bases loaded double by Matt Dominguez (Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports)

Keuchel was staked to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Matt Dominguez delivered a 3-run double off Hector Santiago. Chicago scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, chasing Keuchel  after 6 & 1/3 innings and 92 pitches. Jose Cisnero did a nice job of pitching out of trouble in the seventh, keeping the score at 3-2 and earning his third hold of the year.

Jason Castro provided what turned out to be the decisive runs, driving a 2-run homer off the leftfield foul pole in the bottom of the seventh. It was Castro’s second homer in as many days. Both came against left-handed pitchers.

The Astros bullpen was good enough to secure the win on this day. Jose Veras picked up his 14th save despite allowing a 2-run blast to Alejandro De Aza in the ninth.