Astros at Diamondbacks
The Houston Astros may possess the top record in the American League but they are looking to break out of a deep swoon when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday afternoon. Houston was blanked 2-0 by the Diamondbacks in the opener of a four-game, home-and-home series for its sixth setback in seven contests during its eight-game road trip and 12th in 16 overall games.
The Astros' batters combined for 12 strikeouts on Monday and were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, who leads the AL with a .361 batting average, struck out a season-high three times in the defeat. Arizona's victory was just its third in nine games as it remained even with Colorado for the two National League wild-card spots. Ketel Marte went 2-for-4 with an RBI double on Monday and has reached base for the Diamondbacks in each of his last 14 contests.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (10-1, 3.07 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Anthony Banda (1-2, 4.60)
Peacock has won seven consecutive decisions since losing to the Los Angeles Angels on June 9. The 29-year-old settled for a no-decision in his last turn despite allowing one run and seven hits over 6 1/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox. Peacock also did not factor in the decision in his last start against Arizona on June 10, 2014, when he gave up one run and three hits over six frames.
Banda is making his fourth career start since being recalled last month. The 24-year-old has registered 16 strikeouts and issued five walks in 15 2/3 innings while liming opposing batters to a .241 batting average. Banda lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last turn, when he gave up three runs and four hits over four frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks 3B Jake Lamb is 5-for-8 over his last two games, and his next RBI will tie the career high (91) he set last season.
2. Houston placed Brian McCann (knee) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled fellow C Max Stassi from Triple-A Fresno.
3. Arizona put OF David Peralta on the paternity list and recalled RHP J.J. Hoover from Triple-A Reno.