Lucas Harrell (2-2, 4.08) vs Andy Pettitte (3-1, 2.22)
Holy schnikes, Batman! Such are the inconsistencies of a young team. One day you're in Boston and it seems like nothing can go right, then the next day you roll into Yankee Stadium and you play like worldbeaters. Houston hitters beat up on some guy named Pettitte, and Lucas Harrell kept the Yankees offense in check, snapping the Astros' four-game losing streak with a convincing 9-1 victory. The win moves the Astros to 8-18 in 2013.
On the Mound:
*Excepting his ugly Oakland start on April 7, Lucas Harrell has been everything that Houston hoped and came to expect following his 2012 campaign. He's yet to allow more than two runs in any start but that one, and tonight was no exception, with his 6.1 IP / 8 H / 1 R / 1 ER / 1 BB / 4 K line.
*Travis Blackley came in as Harrell seemed to tire. He walked a pair, but finished with 1.2 scoreless.
*Rhiner Cruz was given the reins with an 8-run lead for the 9th, but this time there was no adventure at all, as he set the Yanks down 1-2-3.
At the Plate:
*The Astros' offense erupted for 17 hits - 7 for extra bases, and second to only their 22-hit attack versus Seattle on April 9. Every Houston hitter reached base at least once.
*Carlos Corporan actually led the charge, going 4 for 5 with a double, a HR, 4 RBI, and 2 R. And he even reached base on an error the one time he was almost retired.
*Brandon Barnes was right behind, going 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, a SB, 3 RBI, and a K.
*Carlos Pena got his first triple of 2013 and went 2 for 5 with a run, a RBI, and 3 K.
*Chris Carter showed signs of shaking out of his slump, going 2 for 5 with 2 R and a K.
*Jose Altuve was his multi-hit self, finishing 2 for 6 with a double, a run, and a K.
*Brandon Laird also picked a pair, going 2 for 5 with a run.
*Ronny Cedeno has hit safely in 8 of 9 games now, doubling tonight to go 1 for 4 with a R and a BB.
*Robbie Grossman got his first hit since his double double debut, going 1 for 4 with a K.
*Matt Dominguez was the only Astro to be held hitless tonight, going 0 for 4, but he still had a walk and scored a run.
Turning Point:
Old friend Andy Pettitte started the game by retiring Altuve and Barnes, but Brandon Laird and Chris Carter followed with back-to-back singles. Another single by Carlos Pena drove home Laird to put Houston on the board, then Ronny Cedeno walked to load the bases. Carlos Corporan was next, and he began his big night with a two-run double to RF, which put the Astros up 3-0. There was much more offense to come, but that two-out rally in the 1st was all the Astros would need.
Man of the Match:
Carlos Corporan. Coming up big with his first career four-hit game, on the biggest stage in baseball.
Goat of the Game:
Everybody contributed and we beat the Evil Empire. No goat!
