Colon turns back clock as Rangers edge Astros
Portly pitcher perfect into eighth inning
HOUSTON — Age is only a number. Bartolo Colon is evidence of that.
The 44-year-old pitcher carried a perfect game into the eighth inning, and Robinson Chirinos drove in all three runs for the Texas Rangers during their 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros in 10 innings Sunday.
“I don’t ever think about what age I am or who is facing me,” Colon said through a translator. “I always try to do my job, and I always feel happy doing my job, and that’s what I think about.”
Colon dominated the defending World Series champions for seven innings, retiring his first 21 batters in an entertaining duel with Astros ace Justin Verlander.
Of the first 17 batters Colon faced, he went to an 0-and-2 count on 10 and struck out six in that span.
“He was doing everything he wanted to with that baseball,” Chirinos said. “So it was fun to be behind the plate and receive those pitches.”
Colon entered the eighth having thrown 83 pitches, 59 for strikes, with seven strikeouts.
He walked Carlos Correa on a 3-and-1 pitch to start the eighth before Josh Reddick lined an 0-and-2 delivery down the right-field line for a double that put runners at second and third, spoiling the no-hit bid as well.
Opposing fans in Houston gave Colon a standing ovation, and he clapped his bare hand softly against the outside of his glove.
A fan favorite all around the majors, the beefy right-hander nicknamed “Big Sexy” is on his ninth team in his past 11 seasons.
“It was probably top three games I’ve ever been involved in,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.
Two outs later, Colon was removed with the score tied at 1. As he walked off the field, he glanced at Reddick on third base, and the two shared some words.
“He looked at me and told me I was supposed to at least roll over it and not pull it like that,” Reddick said. “He and I go way back from our Oakland days. I told him great job. He’s one of the better guys you’ll see in the game.”
Chirinos homered early for the lone hit off Verlander, who struck out 11 over eight innings.
“It’s fun, but at the same time, you’re hoping for some runs there,” Verlander said about going toe-totoe with Colon. “He was painting.
It’s like, what are you going to do? You’re going to tip your cap.”
In the 10th, Chirinos launched a two-run double off Hector Rondon (1-1) that short-hopped the wall in straightaway center field. Jake Diekman pitched out of trouble in the bottom half for his first save.
With runners at the corners, Jake Marisnick struck out swinging to end it and slammed his bat to the ground. Marisnick was angry that Diekman’s 3-and-1 pitch was called a strike even though it looked outside.
Keone Kela (2-0) worked a scoreless ninth for the win.
Colon threw 96 pitches, 66 for strikes, and kept the powerful Astros off balance by changing speeds and working expertly to both edges of the plate. He struck out seven in
7 2/3 innings but ended up with a no-decision after Yuli Gurriel tied the score at 1 with a sacrifice fly.