*Photo from record eagle*
Looking for a series sweep of the Colorado Rockies, the Houston Astros simply let Aledmys Diaz do his thing, and that was enough. Diaz drove in 3 runs, Carlos Correa hit an RBI double, and the Astros swept the Rockies with a 5-1 win on Wednesday afternoon.
Astros manager Dusty Baker said of Diaz that "You really see since he’s been back how much we miss him. When he first went out, six weeks seemed like an eternity to be without him, without one of the best utility men in baseball. We certainly missed his bat, you miss his defense and you miss the steadiness you can count on every day. You just have to keep an eye on him to make sure that he stays healthy."
Since being activated off the IL on July 26, Diaz has been swinging a hot bat, hitting .339 with 14 RBI in 13 games since being activated, getting the start at 3rd base for the finale against the Rockies, with Alex Bregman still injured and Abraham Toro having been traded to the Seattle Mariners.
Diaz said of his success since his activation that "I do my work in the cage and I’ve been consistent. Watching these guys go about their business every day helps you to have a good approach in the field, you know? They’re getting good swings at the plate, seeing the ball and hitting it in the middle."
In the first, already trailing 1-0, Diaz hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Michael Brantley to tie the game 1-1 one inning in. In the 3rd, Yordan Alvarez scored on a single from Diaz, and the Astros took a 2-1 lead a third of the way through. In the 6th, Jake Meyers scored on a sac fly to make it a 3-1 lead. In the 7th, RBI doubles from Correa and Diaz put the game out of reach, making it 5-1.
For the Rockies, the only run they were able to get off Houston pitching came in the first inning, when Connor Joe came around to score on a single to right field by CJ Cron, giving the Rockies a 1-0 lead at the time.
Framber Valdez improved to 8-3 on the season for the Astros with the win, allowing one run on 4 hits and 4 walks, getting 8 punchouts in 6 innings pitched. Ryne Stanek picked up a hold in the 7th inning, and Kendall Graveman and Ryan Pressly each threw scoreless innings of relief, in the 8th and 9th innings respectively.
It was Antonio Senzatela who got the loss for the Rockies, who lost their second straight game. Senzatela allowed 3 runs on 9 hits and one walk, striking out 3 hitters in 6 innings, dropping to a 2-9 record this season. Jhoulys Chacin was responsible for the other two runs. Tyler Kinley was the only Rockies pitcher to have a clean sheet, pitching the 8th inning.
Rockies SS Trevor Story said "I thought we had some really good at-bats there in the early part of the game and just really couldn't really capitalize on having some action, some traffic out there. A little frustrating for sure, but better than yesterday, no doubt."
The Rockies travel to San Francisco to face the Giants tonight, with German Marquez getting the start in the series opening game. The Astros have a day off before facing the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night, with Zack Greinke starting the first game of the series.
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