MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 27: Manager Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros talks to the media prior to a 2024 Mexico City Series game between the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Houston avoids sweep: Astros win 4-0.
After losing three close ones to the Mariners, the Astros played a solid all-around game to avoid the sweep on Thursday afternoon. It all started with an outstanding performance from Spencer Arrighetti.
After a leadoff walk in the first, Spencer appeared to be in for a rough day, but he was able to settle in and strand the runner on first to start the game with a scoreless inning. Arrighetti struck out Julio Rodriguez with this nasty cutter.
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In six innings of work, the Rookie only allowed two hits and three walks and struck out eight, all while allowing zero runs. Hopefully, this will be a preview of things to come.
Yordan Alavarez got the team’s first hit in the first inning on a rocket line drive to right field. He didn’t score, but it set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Astros got on the board at the top of the fourth with an Alex Bregman two-run shot, which was all the scoring Houston needed.
In the top of the fifth, Victor Caratini lead-off with a solo home run to right center field to increase the lead to three. That was a wise signing.
Not satisfied with a three-run lead, the Astros strung together several quality At-bats to pick up another run in the 6th via a triple from Alex Bregman and an RBI groundout from Caratini. The Astro’s offense made good contact for the rest of the game, but they would not score again.
The most impressive part of Arrighetti’s start was his finish. In the bottom of the 6th, facing the Mariners for a third time through the order, Spencer struck out JROD, Raleigh, and France consecutively to finish his day. More on that later.
The later innings have been dicey the past few days, but the bullpen did its job. Montero, Pressley and Hader combined for three innings pitched, no runs, four Ks, and only allowed two baserunners. Montero was, however, helped out by this stellar defensive play by Jeremy Pena.
