Astros get series win thanks to Pence and Wandy

The Astros may want to ask MLB to move the American League as they got their first series win since May 1st when they took two of three from the Brewers. The Astros were able to hold on to a 3-2 win against the Jays this afternoon to take two of three from Toronto.  This was a good first trip to Toronto for Houston as they had only won two of their past 12 games and were riding a five game losing streak into this series.

The Astros can thank this win to a two run home run by Hunter Pence and a strong performance from Wandy Rodriguez, who went six innings giving up only two runs and striking out six. He did struggle with the long ball today as the two runs he gave up were solo shots by Juan Rivera in the third and JP Arencibia in the sixth.  This was Wandy’s shortest start since April 13th, when he went 5.0 innings, but the bullpen didn’t let him down as Wilton Lopez went 1.1 innings for his fourth hold of the season. Mark Melancon had to work for his third save of the season going 1.2 innings and striking out three. He did however, give up one walk and two hits to make things interesting.

Hunter Pence led the Astros offense today going 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Brett Wallace got all the scoring started in the third when he brought Pence home for the first run of the game. The Astros first seven in the batting order accounted for the 11 hits today, with Brian Bogusevic and JR Towles the only Astros not to get on base. Towles has been in a big slump in the month of May, not getting a hit since May 4th and seeing his average drop from .361 to .197 after today’s game. Hopefully he can shake this slump as he had a promising April.

Chris Johnson has a been a big fan of Canada as he went 5 for 10 with one home run and five RBI over the three game series. Hunter Pence also had a great trip to Toronto as he went 6 for 14 with one HR and four RBI.

The Astros don’t have much time to do any sight seeing in Toronto as they are back home for a three game series with the LA Dodgers. This will be a good test for the Astros offense to see if they have truly improved as they have to face the Dodgers best pitchers in Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly.