Devenski earns first major league victory

MINNEAPOLIS — Chris Devenski earned the first victory of his major league career, giving the Astros five scoreless and efficient innings in a spot start Thursday night as they beat the Twins 10-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep. The Astros won the opener 15-7.

“I’ve been due for a win,” Devenski said. “It was fun. More to come now.”

Devenski allowed only two hits. He struck out five and did not issue a walk.

“I was just attacking those hitters and making good pitches,” Devenski said.

The 71-pitch outing probably eliminates Devenski from being available to pitch out of the bullpen this weekend in Toronto. The pitch count was his highest since he threw 104 pitches in a May 10 start against Cleveland.

Giles to take paternity leave

The Astros will be without their closer this weekend. Expected to go on paternity leave, Ken Giles did not travel with the team to Toronto on Thursday night. Giles was set to fly back to Houston to be with his wife, who is expecting their first child. Players who go on paternity leave can take as many as three days away from their team.

Luke Gregerson’s activation from the disabled list is expected to be the corresponding move.

Gustave reaches 99 mph in debut

In the first inning of his major league career, Astros reliever Jandel Gustave displayed both his intriguing upside and why he is far from a

finished product.

Gustave came out firing in the ninth inning of Thursday’s 15-7 Game 1 win, his heater topping out at 99 mph and his slider at 88 mph. But control of his pitches at times eluded the 23-year-old righthander, who allowed

a run on two hits and committed a fielding error.

“He was a little nervous and a little erratic, but it was nice to see 99 come out of the bullpen,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s another good power arm.”

Gustave was called up Wednesday when Carlos Gomez was designated for asignment, but his stay in the majors might not be long. The Astros will probably revert to 12 pitchers on their roster when they add Cuban third baseman Yulieski Gurriel, likely Tuesday.

Odds and ends

George Springer started in center field in the second game of Thursday’s twin bill, an occurrence that could become more common in the season’s final seven weeks now that Carlos Gomez is gone. Springer, a Gold Glove-caliber right fielder, appeared in center in seven games as a rookie in 2014 and nine games last season. “I wanted to give a lot of different looks, and he being in center field is one of them,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Obviously, Jake (Marisnick )is the best center fielder we have on the team defensively, and he’ll see a lot of time out there as well.” …

A.J. Reed recorded his first multi-hit game as a major leaguer in the first game of the doubleheader. He is batting only .152 in 66 at-bats. … The doubleheader was the 246th in club history but the Astros’ first against an American League opponent. … Reliever Kevin Chapman, called up as the 26th man for the nightcap of the doubleheader, was returned to Class AAA after the game. … Yulieski Gurriel was not in Class AA Corpus Christi’s lineup Thursday as a scheduled day off. The Hooks play three more games before the end of their homestand Sunday, which is expected to be the end of his tuneup in the minor leagues.