Pirates at Astros
The Houston Astros continue to get healthier, and that spells trouble for their opponents as they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game interleague series. George Springer returned Tuesday after missing 27 games with a hamstring injury and went 1-for-4 in the Astros' 5-1 victory, improving the best home record in the American League to 28-11.
Houston (50-30), which has won two straight after losing seven in a row, leads Texas by 6 1/2 games in the American League West and is missing only shortstop Carlos Correa (ribs) among its starters. Alex Bregman was 9-for-54 in his previous 15 games before going 3-for-4 with his 22nd home run on Tuesday - his second multi-hit performance in the last three contests. Pittsburgh, which had its four-game winning streak stopped, is 36-41 for the second straight season. Houston's Framber Valdez on Wednesday makes his fourth straight start after beginning the season with 14 relief appearances as he opposes Dario Agrazal, who will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his second major-league start.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Dario Agrazal (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Astros LH Framber Valdez (3-3, 3.61)
Agrazal allowed three runs - two earned - and six hits with three strikeouts in four innings of Pittsburgh's 4-3 loss at Miami on June 15. “It feels great to be back, especially recognizing that the organization continues to trust me and provide the opportunity,” the 24-year-old Panamanian told reporters. “I’m just ready to go get to work.” Agrazal was 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 13 starts with Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis earlier this season.
Valdez is 1-1 with a 4.41 ERA in three starts after allowing five runs, four hits (two homers) and three walks in 3 1/3 innings of a 10-6 loss at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. The 25-year-old Dominican yielded three runs over 13 frames in a victory over Toronto on June 15 and a no-decision against Baltimore on June 8. Valdez owns a 1.25 WHIP and has registered 39 strikeouts over 42 1/3 innings this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve (.251) has gone 8-for-27 in six games since missing 35 with a hamstring injury.
2. Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell went 0-for-4 as the designated hitter Tuesday, and the National League RBI leader with 66 hasn't driven in a run in his last five games.
3. Houston rookie DH Yordan Alvarez delivered an RBI double Tuesday and is batting .327 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs in his first 13 contests.