George Springer powers Astros past Rockies in series opener
By David Miniel
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Final. 3. 108. 6. 135
Springer, Rasmus go deep in win
Houston Astros’ outfielder George Springer helped back up Dallas Keuchel by launching a pair of solo home runs in the 6-3 win over the Colorado Rockies, grabbing game one of this three-game set.
This team has been fond of plating runs during the home half of the first inning over the last couple of games and that didn’t change tonight. Outfielder Preston Tucker got things going on an RBI single to Brandon Barnes, sending Springer across home plate to grab the 1-0 lead early on.
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Colby Rasmus kept things going, hitting the first-of-three long balls today. It was a three-run shot to right-center field off Rockies’ starter Chad Bettis, his ninth home run of the season the plated Carlos Correa and Tucker making it 4-0.
Shortly after Houston poured it on to begin the game, Springer hit his first home run of the contest off Bettis on a fly ball to left field.
It would be a couple of innings until the Astros would score while the Rockies closed the gap in the sixth and seventh inning with Keuchel on the mound. Shortstop Troy Tulowtizki singled on a line drive to center field, allowing Rafael Ynoa to make it a four-run game, setting things up for the rest of the guys behind him in the lineup.
Third baseman Nolan Arenado cut the lead down to just three on an RBI single of his own to left field. Nick Hundley, who scored on Arenado’s single, forced Keuchel out of the game by doubling home Brandon Barnes to make it a 5-3 ballgame in the seventh inning.
Keuchel (8-2, 2.04 ERA) was charged with three earned runs on only four hits including two walks and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 frames before handing things over to reliever Joe Thatcher. Both Thatcher and Pat Neshek would earn holds in 1 1/3 innings – Thatcher picking up No. 3 while Neshek recorded his 17th of the season.
Springer added a bit of insurance to Houston’s lead, making it a three-run game on his second solo home run of the evening with LaTroy Hawkins on the mound. He picked up home run’s No. 9 and 10, finishing the day 3-for-4 at the dish.
These two teams will continue their interleague series as Vincent Velasquez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the nod to take on veteran left-hander, Chris Rusin (2-1, 3.38 ERA) with the first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. central time.