Athletics at Astros
Yuli Gurriel and the Houston Astros haven't been shy about taking it to the Oakland Athletics, as the former has gone a robust 16-for-32 at the plate in the season series to help his team win eight of the nine meetings. Gurriel and the Astros aim to maintain their mastery of the visiting Athletics on Tuesday as the American League West rivals continue their three-game series.
Gurriel belted a two-run homer to ignite a seven-run third before capping the lopsided inning with an RBI single to pace the Astros to their sixth straight victory - an 11-1 romp on Monday. The 35-year-old has launched 14 shots in his last 23 contests and carries an 11-game hitting streak into Tuesday's tilt versus former Houston right-hander Mike Fiers, against whom he is 2-for-6 with an RBI in his career. The first-place Astros hold a 7 1/2-game lead over Oakland, which has dropped two in a row after winning 16 of its previous 20 contests. Mark Canha recorded an RBI double in the fourth inning, giving him a hit in nine of his last 11 games, although he is just 2-for-12 lifetime versus Tuesday starter Wade Miley.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS California (Oakland), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Mike Fiers (9-3, 3.64 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wade Miley (8-4, 3.25)
Fiers carries a 7-0 record in his last 13 outings into Tuesday's matchup with Houston, against which he owns a 1-2 record and 6.15 ERA in five career starts. The 34-year-old failed to record a decision in his previous two turns against the Astros this season after surrendering eight runs and 11 hits in 8 1/3 innings. Michael Brantley (8-for-25), Jose Altuve (3-for-7) and Alex Bregman (3-for-8) have fared well versus Fiers, although the hurler has flustered Josh Reddick (3-for-21).
Miley improved to 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in his last seven starts after permitting one earned run and three hits in 5 1/3 innings of Thursday's 6-2 victory at the Los Angeles Angels. The 32-year-old owns a 5-2 record in seven career starts against Oakland after splitting a pair of decisions in April, with Matt Chapman's solo homer in the sixth leading to a 2-1 loss on April 17. Khris Davis (2-for-17), Nick Hundley (3-for-18, six strikeouts) and Canha (2-for-12) have struggled versus Miley, who sports a 4-1 record and 1.86 ERA at home while allowing the opposition to bat .199 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Oakland 1B Matt Olson saw his 16-game hitting streak end in the series opener as he dropped to 0-for-14 versus Houston this season.
2. Altuve has registered seven multi-hit performances in his last nine contests.
3. Astros DH Yordan Alvarez has collected 35 RBIs in 30 career games, besting the major-league record set by then St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols.