advertisement

Chicago White Sox's Shields roughed up in loss to Astros

HOUSTON - The Houston Astros' offense looks to be back on track.

After totaling 21 runs in their previous seven games, the World Series champs have scored in double-figures in each of their last two.

Yuli Gurriel and Alex Bregman each homered and Charlie Morton won his 11th as the Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 12-6 Saturday for their fifth straight win.

"I think we're swinging the bats well and playing good baseball," Bregman said. "I think offensively, we have a done a good job of passing the baton to the next guy, and if we continue to do that, we will be successful."

Morton (11-2) allowed 5 runs and 5 hits with 8 strikeouts in 5⅔ innings. The right-hander has won four of his last five starts.

"I feel bad for Charlie because he got a little nickel and dimed at the end with a few soft hits and an ill-timed walk and then a well-placed, bases-clearing double," Houston manager AJ Hinch said. "I thought his stuff was really good at the end. . That saying that he pitched better than the line indicates, that's going to be the day today. Still a winning pitcher, still a guy that gave us a chance to win."

James Shields (3-10) allowed a season high-tying 8 runs on a season-high 10 hits with 9 strikeouts in 5⅔ innings for the White Sox, who have lost four straight. Shields had allowed one run over his prior two starts.

"Just wasn't my day today," Shields said. "I'm just not really happy about not going deep in the game. I'm really trying to save this bullpen. These guys are taxed. I really wanted the ball and be that guy to go deeper in the game."

Gurriel, who also had an RBI single in the eighth, hit a three-run homer to left field to increase Houston's lead to 4-0 in the third inning.

Josh Reddick had a run-scoring fielder's choice and Evan Gattis added an RBI single to push the Astros' advantage to 6-1 in the fifth. However, Matt Davidson had an RBI single with the bases loaded and Omar Narvaez followed with a three-run double to pull Chicago within one in the sixth, chasing Morton.

Bregman's two-run homer in the bottom of the inning extended Houston's lead back to three.

"A 2-0 count, I was trying to get something over the middle of the plate," Bregman said. "I was fortunate enough to put a good swing on it."

Bregman finished a triple shy of the cycle to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

"He's doing everything right in the batter's box as far as seeing the ball, his selectiveness, his approach is A-plus," Hinch said. "Bat-to-ball has been exceptional."

Max Stassi hit an RBI double in the second and an RBI single in the eighth for the Astros. Marwin Gonzalez added an RBI single in the seventh as every Houston starter had a hit. Houston won 11-4 Friday night.

"It's an excellent ball club, let's face it they've got guys that swing the bat up and down the lineup," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said of the Astros. "They've got an air of confidence that they play with, which comes with the things that they've accomplished. It's natural."

Avisail Garcia hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth and a solo home run on to the train tracks in left in the eighth for Chicago. Garcia has five home runs in his last six games.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.