Collin McHugh leads Astros to fourth straight win

Astros starter Collin McHugh continued to dazzle hitters with his curveball, tossing seven scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals in a 3-0 win. McHugh scattered five hits and struck out nine. He didn’t walk a batter.

The win moved McHugh to 3-3 for the season. In seven starts since being recalled from AAA Oklahoma City, the right-hander has a 2.80 ERA and has held batters to a .195 batting average. Not bad for a waiver claim! Unlike Lloyd McClendon, the Royals showed some respect for the Astros hurler with their post-game comments.

"Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer and manager Ned Yost both praised the pitch, and alluded to the fact that McHugh has not allowed a hit on the pitch this season.They’re almost right.Of the 136 curves McHugh has thrown this season, only one resulted in a base hit, according to Brooksbaseball.net. Opponents are 1-for-30 with 18 strikeouts against his deuce. h/t Jackson Alexander"

Relievers Tony Sipp and Chad Qualls helped finish off the team shutout. On offense, a fourth inning RBI single by Matt Dominguez was all the Astros really needed. Alex Presley also drove in a run and collected three of Houston’s 12 hits.

The Astros go for the three game sweep in Kansas City this afternoon when Jarred Cosart goes up against Danny Duffy.