Dioner Navarro, Hiroki Kuroda help Los Angeles Dodgers defeat Houston Astros 1-0 – MLB Update
The Los Angeles Dodger’s slugger Dioner Navarro launched a dazzling homer to take his team to a 1-0 win over the League rivals Houston Astros in the three-game series, on Sunday, June 19.
The game was scoreless until the start of the bottom of the eighth inning when catcher Navarro entered the plate for his third at-bat. He received two balls by the Astros’ closer Wilton Lopez before launching a devastating one-run homer to right-field. This
hit not only provided the Dodgers 1-0 lead but also boosted up the entire stadium filled with spectators.
The Foundation to win was laid by the Dodgers’ starter Hiroki Kuroda, who struck-out six batters without allowing any run despite allowing three hits and two walks. The 36-year-old right-hand pitcher tossed 69 strikes off 110 pitches to complete his seven
innings with an exceptional record.
Despite this brilliant performance, Kuroda could not gain his sixth win in this season but he received what every pitcher looks for after such an exceptional display.
His manager Don Mattingly praised his class saying, "Kuroda was great. His pitch count was up a little bit going into the last inning, but it felt like he deserved the shot. You've got to start somewhere and hopefully today's that start."
After receiving a huge round of applause from his teammates, Kuroda went to reporters and said, “I know my ball is moving really well. But it was all Navarro. I'm not the only one who stopped the bleeding, it was a team effort."
The Dodgers’ reliever Matt Guerrier and closer Javy Guerra each remained scoreless over their one inning spell.
The Astros’ starter Bud Norris also had a scoreless game. He allowed just one hit and one walk while striking-out five batters to over six innings. His reliever Sergio Escalona followed him and he too allowed just one walk and one hit over one third of an
inning. Their closer Lopez also had good game as he tossed eight strikes off 13 pitches but he allowed only hit that cost the Astros their 46th defeat in 2011. Astros has lost more than any other team in this season.
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