Astros at Reds
Second
baseman Jose Altuve is a manager’s dream. He doesn’t care where he hits
or where he plays, as long as he does. Altuve’s name is sure to be on
the lineup card again Saturday when the Houston Astros continue their
three-game series against the Reds in Cincinnati. Altuve went 2-for-5
with an RBI triple and run-scoring double in Friday’s 6-4 victory over
the Reds and is 10-for-18 in his last four games. He is second in the
National League in batting at .378, but his desire is what impresses
Astros manager Brad Mills most. “He’s going to give you a good effort
every time out,’’ Mills said. “That’s him. He’s going to give you that
same exact effort wherever he is in the lineup and wherever he is on the
field.’’
Altuve and the Astros will face a tough customer in
Johnny Cueto, who is off to a fast start but hasn’t fared well against
Houston. The Astros counter with inconsistent Lucas Harrell as they try
for their second three-game winning streak of 2012.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Houston, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lucas Harrell (1-1, 3.97 ERA) vs. Reds RH Johnny Cueto (2-0, 1.78)
Harrell
has alternated between effective and poor starts in his first four
outings, and should be sitting on a good one after allowing five runs in
five innings in a 6-5 loss at Milwaukee on Monday. Harrell has allowed
19 hits in 22 1/3 innings this season but has been hurt by 10 walks.
This is Harrell’s fourth straight start on the road.
Cueto
registered a season-high seven strikeouts in a 3-2 victory over the
Chicago Cubs on Sunday and has 19 against six walks. Cueto is 1-5 with a
4.01 ERA in 10 career starts against Houston, although the current
roster is hitting .196 against him. Carlos Lee has been trouble with a
.318 average and two homers in 22 at-bats.
WALK-OFFS
1.
Jordan Shafer has reached base safely in all 20 games, the longest
streak by an Astro to start a season since Ricky Guiterrez’s 23-game run
in 1998.
2. Cincinnati’s Joey Votto has reached base safely in 19 of 20 games.
3. Lee left Friday’s game in the first inning after turning his ankle while retrieving a wild throw at first base.