Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Keuchel sharp
Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (Arkansas Razorbacks) allowed 1 run on 4 hits in 5 innings, earning a no-decision in Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Texas Rangers. Keuchel was called up by Houston after the team placed right-hander Bud Norris on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained knee.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Keuchel (Arkansas Razorbacks) earned a no-decision in his first major league start on Sunday after the Texas Rangers scored seven runs in the sixth inning on their way to a 9-3 victory over the Houston Astros.
Keuchel, who was called up from Class AAA Oklahoma City after Houston starter Bud Norris was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained knee, gave up 4 hits and 4 walks in 5-plus innings, leaving after giving up a leadoff single to Nelson Cruz in the sixth.
“Any time a guy can come in and do what he did in his first major league start, it’s a success,” Astros Manager Brad Mills said. “He had the bases loaded in the third and the fourth, and he walked four guys, but he battled through it.
“He made pitches when he had to.”
Fernando Rodriguez ( 1-7) replaced Keuchel in the sixth and was charged with four runs in two-thirds of an inning. He walked Mike Napoli and after a sacrifice advanced the runners, Craig Gentry (Fort Smith, Razorbacks) to load the bases. Ian Kinsler followed with a bases-clearing triple.
After Elvis Andrus walked, Michael Young singled to drive in Kinsler, and Andrus scored when right fielder Brian Bogusevic was slow getting the ball back to the infield. Adrian Beltre followed with his two-run home run into the left-field seats.
Andrus had an RBI single in the seventh to make it 8-1.
ROYALS 5, CARDINALS 3 Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two-run home run with two outs in the 15th inning, lifting visiting Kansas City over St. Louis.
ANGELS 2, DIAMONDBACKS 0 Former Arkansas Traveler Garrett Richards (2-0) pitched fourhit ball into the ninth inning, Albert Pujols homered and host Los Angeles beat Arizona.
MARINERS 2, GIANTS 1 Justin Smoak’s oneout single in the bottom of the ninth scored pinchrunner Munenori Kawasaki from second base when the throw home hit Kawasaki in the back, giving host Seattle a victory over San Francisco.
YANKEES 4, NATIONALS 1 Ivan Nova pitched into the eighth inning to win his fifth consecutive start, Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano homered and New York swept host Washington.
BLUE JAYS 6, PHILLIES 2 Colby Rasmus hit a two-run home run, Brett Cecil won for the first time in almost a year and host Toronto swept Philadelphia.
TWINS 5, BREWERS 4 Denard Span had an RBI single with two outs in the 15th inning and host Minnesota rallied to beat Milwaukee.
PIRATES 9, INDIANS 5 Pedro Alvarez drove in a career-high six runs with his second two-home run game in two days, powering visiting Pittsburgh past Cleveland.
ORIOLES 2, BRAVES 0 Wei-Yin Chen combined with four relievers on a seven-hitter and visiting Baltimore won for the seventh time in eight games with a victory over Atlanta.
RAYS 3, MARLINS 0 Alex Cobb pitched twohit ball for seven innings, B.J. Upton homered and host Tampa Bay beat Miami.
TIGERS 5, ROCKIES 0 Max Scherzer struck out 12 in eight innings, rookie Quintin Berry had a career-high five hits and Detroit shut out visiting Colorado.
DODGERS 2, WHITE SOX 1 Juan Rivera tied the game in the ninth with a sacrifice fly and Dee Gordon singled home the winning run in the 10th to give host Los Angeles a victory over Chicago.
PADRES 2, ATHLETICS 1 Clayton Richard pitched into the eighth inning for his second consecutive victory and visiting San Diego avoided a three-game sweep.
RED SOX 7, CUBS 4 David Ortiz homered and Ryan Kalish’s RBI single broke a tie game to lead visiting Boston to a victory over Chicago. Matt Albers (2-0) pitched one inning to pick up the victory.