Yankees at Astros
Brett Gardner provided the New York Yankees with a major jolt and attempts to follow up a strong performance when the New York Yankees visit the Houston Astros on Saturday. Gardner belted a grand slam and matched his career high of six RBIs as New York cruised to a 13-4 victory in Friday's opener of the three-game series.
Gardner is 6-for-14 over his last three games after emerging from a 3-for-25 funk and fueled a victory that was just the Yankees' fifth in 17 games. Aaron Judge is 0-for-6 with five walks over his last two contests as teams are being cautious around the star who leads the majors in homers (27) and the American League in RBIs (62). Houston's setback was just its third in 11 games, and the pitching staff has allowed 32 runs in the three defeats. Carlos Beltran was hitless in four at-bats on Friday and is 1-for-16 over his last four games.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (6-4, 3.53 ERA) vs. Astros RH Francis Martes (2-0, 5.51)
Montgomery will be looking to win his fifth consecutive decision and continue his strong early-season performance. The 24-year-old rookie stymied the Chicago White Sox in his last turn as he gave up one run and five hits over seven innings. Montgomery lost to the Astros on May 12, when he gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings while serving up a three-run homer to former Yankee Brian McCann.
Martes won his first two major-league starts but struggled in his third but escaped with a no-decision against Seattle on Sunday. The 21-year-old was pulled after surrendering two runs, two hits and four walks over two innings versus the Mariners. Martes has registered 16 strikeouts in 16 1/3 frames but has experienced control issues with 11 walks.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees OF Dustin Fowler will be sidelined at least six months after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, which he suffered during his major-league debut on Thursday.
2. Houston RF Josh Reddick is 15-for-30 with two homers, eight RBIs and 13 runs scored over his last nine games.
3. New York INF Ronald Torreyes reached base five times - on three hits and two walks - and scored three runs in the series opener.