Los Angeles Dodgers rout Houston Astros, 5-4, to tie series 1-1: MLB Update
The Los Angeles Dodgers overpowered the Houston Astros 5-4 in the second outing of the three-game series, at the Minute Maid Park on Tuesday night, May 24.
Jay Gibbons launched a striking one-run homer off the Astros’ starter, James Anthony Happ, in the second inning to take the Dodgers to a 1-0 lead. Then Jerry Sands blistered a grand slam off Happ in the top of the third inning to elevate the advantage to
5-0.
"It feels good to get kids being a part of it," manager Don Mattingly told reporters about Gibbons and Sands. "We've had to call them up out of necessity with injuries and things that have happened and you don't really want it for that reason. But one of
the benefits is that these guys get a shot probably earlier than they would in another case and that experience can be valuable for them."
The Dodgers’ starter, Chad Billingsley, tossed two strong innings before allowing his first run to Hunter Pence, who had a homer and game-winning RBI last night, in the bottom of the third inning for an RBI single. Billingsley then scattered an RBI double
to Carlos Lee in the same inning and cutting the lead to 5-3.
Chris Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to centre of the field off Billingsley in the sixth inning to reduce the lead to 5-4. The Astros were about to retaliate in the same way as they did last night, when Michael Bourn and Hunter hit to capture the game, however
this time relievers Mike MacDougal, Rubby De La Rosa and closer Javy Guerra did not let this happen.
MacDougal and La Rosa each struck out two batters over one no-hit inning, while Guerre took one batter over one scoreless inning. It was a great relief for Billingsley as he has given four runs on five hits. However, Billingsley managed to strikeout nine
batters over six innings to take his third win of the season.
As Happ pitched a long third inning that increased his pitch count, the Astros’ manager Brad Mills removed him after five innings in which he has given five runs on three hits.
Mills said, "Happ had that third inning that elevated his pitch count and got it up to 93 or 94. All five of their runs came with two outs and no one on and then we gave them that extra out. That always hurts."
The move worked as relievers Enerio Del Rosario, Sergio Escalona and closer Wilton Lopez all three remained scoreless in their short spells. However, batters failed to provide the pitchers a strong back up and the Astros lost their 31st outing of the season.
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