Star Performer of the Week (May 21 – 27)

It started out as a promising week as the Astros won four straight games. But a pair of losses to the Dodgers over the weekend leaves us talking about what could have been. Still, a 4-2 week is nothing for this young Astros team to be ashamed of. Pitching was the word of the week as the pitchers set the tone for the outcome of most of the games.

Our Star Performer of the Week had one of the most impressive starts of the season. Lucas Harrell didn’t strike out a single hitter in 7 & 1/3 innings Friday but was dominant just the same. Harrell outdueled  2011 Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and shut down a red-hot Dodgers lineup that was only one day removed from a six game winning streak. Harrell retired an astounding 17 hitters on groundouts and gave up only five singles on the evening. Harrell walked three and allowed one run, which scored after he left the game. Harrell improved his record to 4-3 with the win.

Closer Brett Myers is this week’s runner-up. Myers appeared in three games, earning two saves and closing out a 5-1 win. Myers piled up five strikeouts and allowed only two hits in three innings of work.

J.A. Happ, Bud Norris, and Wandy Rodriguez get honorable mentions for their efforts during the week. Happ had a win and a loss, accumulating 16 strikeouts in 12 & 1/3 innings. Norris won his fourth straight on Monday before coming up short in Saturday’s contest. Rodriguez continued to pitch well, winning his only start of the week.