Astros take two from Twins, push win streak to 10
MINNEAPOLIS >> Luis Garcia and three relievers combined on a seven-hitter, Yordan Álvarez homered twice and Jeremy Peña capped a big day with three hits as the Houston Astros extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 5-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.
Houston completed a three-game sweep. Before the regularly scheduled game, the teams completed a game suspended after three innings on Wednesday night due to severe weather. Jose Altuve homered, doubled and drove in three runs in an 11-3 victory.
The Astros have given up just 11 runs during the streak with five shutouts and a 0.90 ERA over that stretch.
Garcia (3-1) gave up five hits and two walks while striking out nine in five innings to win his second consecutive start. Josh Winder (2-1) to the loss.
The Astros led 5-1 after three innings on Wednesday night when the game was suspended due to heavy rain and lightning. Kyle Tucker homered for the Astros. Bryan Abreu (2-0) earned the victory in relief of José Urquidy, who gave up one run over three innings before the game was suspended. Abreu allowed one run and struck out four in two innings pitched.
Chris Archer (0-1) gave up four earned runs on five hits and three walks in three innings.
METS 4, NATIONALS 1 >> Taijuan Walker pitched seven scoreless innings and the New York Mets remained unbeaten in 10 series this season, cruising past the sloppy Washington Nationals 4-1 on Thursday.
Mark Canha went 3 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs for the NL East-leading Mets, who took two of three from the last-place Nationals. New York has won nine series and split one, and hasn't lost tw straight games in a month.
Walker (1-0) allowed three hits and walked one, combining on a four-hitter.
Joan Adon (1-6) walked five of his first 10 batters.
ORIOLES 3, CARDINALS 2 >> Rylan Bannon became just the third Baltimore player since 2000 to get a hit on the first pitch of his big league career, Jorge Mateo and Anthony Bemboom homered off Steven Matz (3-3).
Keegan Akin (1-0), the second of six Orioles pitchers, got just his fourth win in 16 big league decisions, allowing one hit over 2 2/3 scoreless innings and striking out four on a bullpen day for the Orioles. Felix Bautista got four straight outs for his second save of the series and the season.
Dylan Carlson hit a solo homer and Nolan Arenado added a sacrifice fly in the eighth for St. Louis.
REDS 4, PIRATES 0 >> Connor Overton got his first major league win and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter for Cincinnati's first shutout of the season.
Overton (1-0) allowed three hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings with one strikeout. The 28-year-old right-hander got nine outs on ground balls.
Tyler Stephenson had three hits and two RBIs. Colin Moran and Tyler Naquin also drove in runs.
Pirates starter JT Brubaker (0-3) allowed two runs and four hits in five innings.
RANGERS 3, ROYALS 1 >> Taylor Hearn allowed only one hit in five scoreless innings, Brad Miller homered and Texas defeated Kansas City.
The Royals' first hit literally was off Hearn. Michael A. Taylor sent a liner up the middle off the pitcher's leg that continued to the left of second base and into left field with two out in the second inning.
Hearn (2-2) walked three and struck out five.
Joe Barlow pitched a scoreless ninth, retiring Whit Merrifield on a grounder with two runners on base, for his sixth save in six opportunities.
Jonathan Heasley (0-1) allowed four hits and four runs in 3 1/3 innings in his first major league appearance this season.