Live Game Thread: Astros vs. Rangers 7/8/14

The Astros finally broke out of their week long funk last night with a big win over the Rangers. Surprisingly, the bats came alive against a young pitcher they had never seen before. Miles Mikolas, a converted reliever, got knocked around in the second inning to the tune of six runs. The youngster was getting too much of the plate with his pitches and the Astros took advantage.

With the Rangers sending another rookie starter to the mound tonight, can the Astros do it again? Right-hander Phil Irwin gets the start for Texas tonight — his first of the season and second of his career. Irwin, a 25-year old out of Ole Miss, has a 3.19 ERA and a 1.136 WHIP as well as a 8.2 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 479 minor league innings.

The Astros send Brad Peacock to the hill. Peacock hasn’t won in more than a month. But his last game against the Rangers was one of his best. Peacock struck out 11 in six innings against Texas on May 12th but ended up on the wrong end of a 4-0 score.

Both teams have lost seven of their last eight and are suddenly in a battle for the A.L. West basement. I’ll be joined by Lisa Weatherall of Nolan Writin with live updates during the game. A special guest from House of Houston will also be making an appearance.

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