Astros can't get offense going in 2-1 loss to Rangers
HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Astros have long had trouble with Colby Lewis.
Things were no different Friday night.
Lewis pitched seven scoreless innings and Prince Fielder provided the offense with a two-run double to lead the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Astros.
Lewis (3-0) allowed four hits and struck out six in his first scoreless outing this season to pick up his first win since April 29. He had pitched well in his previous three starts but didn't factor into the decision in any of those games.
He improved to 10-1 with a 2.39 ERA in his career against Houston. He's been even more dominant in Houston where he's 7-0 with a 1.15 ERA in nine appearances with seven starts.
"He does a really good job of pounding the strike zone," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. "He does a lot of first-pitch strikes. He can throw a couple different styles of breaking balls, never really makes a mistake against us it doesn't seem."
Jake Diekman struck out two in a perfect eighth and Sam Dyson gave up an RBI single to Colby Rasmus with two outs in the ninth before striking out Evan Gattis for his third save.
The Astros couldn't string many hits together and didn't have more than one hit in an inning until the ninth. Lewis had retired 10 straight when Gattis singled with two outs in the seventh. But Lewis sat down Colin Moran to end that inning and his night.
"We're trying to go out there put the ball in play and hit the ball hard," Houston shortstop Carlos Correa said. "We've been doing that lately with no luck, but I feel like we will turn it around."
Shin-Soo Choo walked with one out in the third before Ian Desmond singled. Fielder sent them both home when his fly ball to left field sailed just over the head of 5-foot-6 rookie outfielder Tony Kemp for a double to make it 2-0.
"He made a good swing on a good pitch and hit the ball in the gap," Kemp said. "I was close to it, almost threw out the runner at home but they got away with one."
Houston starter Lance McCullers (0-1) yielded five hits and two runs with seven strikeouts in six innings in his second start of the season since coming off the disabled list.
"A couple of leadoff walks but other than that was really in control," Hinch said. "I thought his breaking ball was really good tonight. He eased off the gas pedal a little bit to make some pitches and then grew stronger as the night went along."
The Rangers had a chance to pad their lead in the fourth when Elvis Andrus doubled with Nomar Mazara on first base. But Mazara was tagged out at home by catcher Jason Castro to end the inning.
Lewis had a scare in the seventh inning when Correa hit a line drive, which bounced off the pitcher's glove that he had raised to his head. It hit the back of his head before sailing into the air where second baseman Rougned Odor grabbed it for the out.
Lewis took a minute to get composed and talked to a trainer before remaining in the game.
NICE CATCH
Hinch and bench coach Trey Hillman saved Texas catcher Bobby Wilson from crashing headfirst into the Astros dugout when he leaned too far over the railing trying to snag a foul ball in the first inning. Wilson was falling into the dugout, and both of his feet were off the ground when both men grabbed his shoulders and chest and pushed him back to his feet.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: OF Choo, who had been on the DL with a strained right calf since April 9, was activated before the game. He lasted just 2 1/2 innings Friday night before leaving the game with a tight left hamstring.
Astros: Hinch said OF Carlos Gomez, who is on the DL with a bruised left ribcage, could go on a rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi early next week.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Cesar Ramos (0-2, 4.32) will make his third start and fifth appearance on Saturday. Ramos didn't factor in the decision in his last start against the Blue Jays after giving up seven hits and one run in 4 1/3 innings of a 7-6 win.
Astros: Mike Fiers (3-1, 4.63) is scheduled to make his seventh start of the season on Saturday. Fiers allowed six hits and two runs in four innings in his first relief appearance this year on Sunday in a 10-9 loss to the Red Sox.