Houston Astros rally to complete sweep of Colorado Rockies

Astros extend winning streak to five

The Houston Astros became the first American League team to reach 40 wins after completing the four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies Thursday afternoon by the final score of 8-4.

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Outfielder Preston Tucker cracked things open with a loud home run to right field in the top of the first inning, giving Houston the 1-0 lead until Colorado returned the favor during the home half. Carlos Gonzalez drilled a three-run shot a 397 ft. moon-shot to right field off starting pitcher Collin McHugh following a Troy Tulowitzki strike out.

McHugh (7-3, 5.04 ERA) gave up a leadoff double to Charlie Blackmon then followed that up with a walk to DJ LeMahieu with no outs. He was up three earned runs on four hits with four free passes and eight whiffs behind 112 pitches prior to A.J. Hinch calling upon Tony Sipp in the seventh inning.

While McHugh held Colorado’s unpredictable lineup to only three runs, the Astros made it hail on Rockies’ starter David Hale despite nine batter’s falling via the strikeout. Hale (2-2, 5.28 ERA) was charged with five earned runs on 10 hits across five innings of work before Walt Weiss decided to start using his bullpen.

Houston’s 27-year-old right-hander singled to lead off the third inning with his team trailing 3-1. He would later come around to score on an RBI single by Tucker which also advanced Carlos Correa to second base.

Shortly after Correa stole third, first baseman Chris Carter cut Colorado’s lead down to one on an RBI single to left field. Both Tucker and Carter kept the rally going later on in the game, recording RBI doubles during the top of the fifth inning.

Tucker sent a shot to deep right field which allowed Correa to score yet again, giving the Astros their second lead of the game. Carter followed that up with a double to left field, pushing Tucker from second base to grab a two-run lead.

Domingo Santana busted things wide open just three innings later on a 400 ft. three-run home run to right field, driving in Jason Castro and Marwin Gonzalez to make it 8-3 late.

Wilin Rosario answered back with an RBI single during the bottom of the eighth inning, recording Colorado’s final run of the game which made it 8-4.

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