Downs sparks Astros past Rangers
Source: Agencies |
June 24, 2011, Friday
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MATT Downs belted a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to cap a stunning come-from-behind 5-3 victory for the Houston Astros over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday.
The win enabled the Astros to avoid a three-game sweep in the interleague series against their state rivals, as Houston took advantage of a poor showing from the Rangers bullpen after starter Colby Lewis had pitched brilliantly.
The right-hander was in fine form, allowing just three hits through seven scoreless innings but his good work was undone by reliever Dave Bush and closer Neftali Feliz, who gave up five runs between them over the last two frames.
"I'm sure his (Feliz) arm wasn't as live as it would have been on a fresh night because he threw 40 pitches last night," Downs told reporters.
"We were actually surprised to see him in there. We figured we'd see somebody else, but thank goodness we did (see Feliz)."
Feliz entered the game with a 3-1 lead but gave up doubles to Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson, and a single to Jason Michaels to let Houston pull back one run. A passed ball allowed Johnson to score and tie the game before Downs, pinch hitting for Clint Barmes, completed the comeback with his fifth homer of the season.
"We had the right guy in the right spot," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We're not going to make any excuses. We didn't get it done."
Solo blast
Texas scored a run in the first inning and Nelson Cruz extended the lead to 2-0 with a solo blast in the fifth inning.
The Rangers tagged on another run in the eighth and had winning pitcher Mark Melancon in trouble later in the inning but failed to capitalize when Yorvit Torrealba grounded out with the bases loaded.
Elsewhere in interleague games, it was: Pirates 5, Orioles 4; Yankees 4, Reds 2 (first game); Reds 10, Yankees 2 (second game); Braves 5, Blue Jays 1; Padres 5, Red Sox 1; Rays 6, Brewers 3; Tigers 7, Dodgers 5; Indians 4, Rockies 3; Nationals 2, Mariners 1; Angels 6, Marlins 5 (in 10 innings); Mets 3, Athletics 2 (in 13 innings); Diamondbacks 3, Royals 2; White Sox 4, Cubs 3; and Giants 5, Twins 1.
In the National Leagues's only game, Cliff Lee pitched his second straight shutout to guide the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-0 win over the Cardinals in St Louis.
Jimmy Rollins homered, then Ryan Howard followed with a two-run shot as Philadelphia powered ahead in the fourth inning. Chase Utley added an eighth-inning sacrifice fly for the NL East-leading Phillies, who have won 10 of 12.
The Cardinals have totaled just two runs in their first two games without star slugger Albert Pujols, who is expected to miss six weeks with a fractured left wrist.
The win enabled the Astros to avoid a three-game sweep in the interleague series against their state rivals, as Houston took advantage of a poor showing from the Rangers bullpen after starter Colby Lewis had pitched brilliantly.
The right-hander was in fine form, allowing just three hits through seven scoreless innings but his good work was undone by reliever Dave Bush and closer Neftali Feliz, who gave up five runs between them over the last two frames.
"I'm sure his (Feliz) arm wasn't as live as it would have been on a fresh night because he threw 40 pitches last night," Downs told reporters.
"We were actually surprised to see him in there. We figured we'd see somebody else, but thank goodness we did (see Feliz)."
Feliz entered the game with a 3-1 lead but gave up doubles to Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson, and a single to Jason Michaels to let Houston pull back one run. A passed ball allowed Johnson to score and tie the game before Downs, pinch hitting for Clint Barmes, completed the comeback with his fifth homer of the season.
"We had the right guy in the right spot," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We're not going to make any excuses. We didn't get it done."
Solo blast
Texas scored a run in the first inning and Nelson Cruz extended the lead to 2-0 with a solo blast in the fifth inning.
The Rangers tagged on another run in the eighth and had winning pitcher Mark Melancon in trouble later in the inning but failed to capitalize when Yorvit Torrealba grounded out with the bases loaded.
Elsewhere in interleague games, it was: Pirates 5, Orioles 4; Yankees 4, Reds 2 (first game); Reds 10, Yankees 2 (second game); Braves 5, Blue Jays 1; Padres 5, Red Sox 1; Rays 6, Brewers 3; Tigers 7, Dodgers 5; Indians 4, Rockies 3; Nationals 2, Mariners 1; Angels 6, Marlins 5 (in 10 innings); Mets 3, Athletics 2 (in 13 innings); Diamondbacks 3, Royals 2; White Sox 4, Cubs 3; and Giants 5, Twins 1.
In the National Leagues's only game, Cliff Lee pitched his second straight shutout to guide the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-0 win over the Cardinals in St Louis.
Jimmy Rollins homered, then Ryan Howard followed with a two-run shot as Philadelphia powered ahead in the fourth inning. Chase Utley added an eighth-inning sacrifice fly for the NL East-leading Phillies, who have won 10 of 12.
The Cardinals have totaled just two runs in their first two games without star slugger Albert Pujols, who is expected to miss six weeks with a fractured left wrist.
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