Houston Astros Beat Phillies 6-3 in Spring Opener
The Houston Astros played their first game of spring training on Thursday afternoon, and collected their first win by a score of 6-3. Collin McHugh was solid in two innings of work, allowing just one walk and striking out three.
Following McHugh was former first overall pick Mark Appel, who gave up three hits and a run while striking out two in his two frames. The other two runs came against Brady Rodgers in the ninth, with the Houston Astros already in control of the game. Rodgers went two-thirds of an inning and allowed three hits, which lead to the two runs. Jason Stoffel came in to finish off the game, and seal the victory for the Houston Astros.
Now for the offense! In 33 at-bats, the team accumulated just six strikeouts, and no single batter collected more than one.
The home runs came as we’ve all been expecting, but not from the usual suspects. Luis Valbuena hit a solo shot in the fourth inning, and Robbie Grossman and Marwin Gonzalez went back-to-back in the fifth–also solo shots.
Grossman finished the game 2-for-3 with two rbi, with Valbuena, Gonzalez, Jon Singleton and Alex Presley all collecting single rbi.
Other Tidbits
Asher Wojociechowski went two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk…Lefty-specialist Joe Thatcher went a full inning, giving up two hits and no runs…Jake Buchanan went a full inning, giving up a hit and a walk, while also striking out one…Appel received the win…The Houston Astros take on the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow, with Brett Oberholtzer set to start.
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