Gomez, Fiers power Astros past White Sox
HOUSTON -- Carlos Gomez belted a two-run home run in the seventh inning to provide the Houston Astros some insurance in their 5-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
Gomez cranked his fourth homer of the season with one out off White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez (1-4), who had allowed just two hits prior to Gomez's blast.
But two batters after Carlos Correa reached on an error, Gomez launched a 1-2 fastball 394 feet to give Houston (43-37) a 3-0 lead.
The Astros tacked on two runs in the eighth inning when third baseman Luis Valbuena doubled to left-center field, scoring George Springer. Valbuena later scored with Colby Rasmus singled to right field. Both runs were charged to right-hander Chris Beck.
Also in the eighth inning, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve lifted a fly ball to center field for the second out and finished 0-for-4, ending his streak of reaching base safely at 32 consecutive games.
Astros right-hander Mike Fiers (6-3) improved to 6-2 in 12 starts at Minute Maid Park since joining Houston last season at the trade deadline.
Correa provided Fiers with a 1-0 lead with his broken-bat infield single in the fourth inning, scoring Springer with two outs.
The White Sox (40-40) had won three of their last four road games.
Fiers' elusiveness proved crucial to his successful start, particularly given how effectively Gonzalez worked against the Astros' hot lineup.
He never retired more than four consecutive batters over his six shutout innings. However, the White Sox finished 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Departing with a one-run lead, Fiers allowed four hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings and 92 pitches.
NOTES: White Sox 3B Matt Davidson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right foot suffered running the bases following an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Twins. Davidson was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte earlier Thursday. Chicago recalled INF Carlos Sanchez from Charlotte. Sanchez hit .154 with one RBI and three runs over 11 games with the White Sox earlier this season. ... Astros RHP Lance McCullers threw a bullpen Friday and remains on schedule to reclaim his spot in the rotation after missing a turn Tuesday with a blister on his right index finger. He is tentatively scheduled to start the series opener against the Mariners on Monday. ... Astros RHP Scott Feldman made the spot start for McCullers and is likely to get another opportunity to start. Feldman allowed one unearned run in five innings in a 7-1 victory over the Angels in what was his fifth start this season. "He will start again," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.