Astros at Athletics
The Houston Astros appear to have corrected themselves after a rough start to May and look to complete a series sweep when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their three-game set. Houston lost five of its first six contests this month but has collected 32 hits while outscoring Oakland 20-4 in the first two games of the series.
George Springer followed a 6-for-6 effort in the opener with a pair of hits, including a two-run double in the fifth inning that put the Astros ahead for good. The 2017 World Series MVP has recorded four multi-hit performances in his last five games, going 13-for-25 in that span. The Athletics managed only six hits in Tuesday's setback as they fell to 3-2 on their six-game homestand. Marcus Semien recorded a pair of singles and is 6-for-21 during his five-game hitting streak.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (3-1, 1.42 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (2-3, 4.30)
Cole's first season in Houston has been a smashing success thus far as he has allowed only nine runs - eight earned - and 26 hits while registering 77 strikeouts and issuing only nine walks over 50 2/3 innings in seven starts. The 27-year-old Californian is coming off his second career complete game and first shutout as he fanned a season-high 16 batters and walked just one while tossing a one-hitter at Arizona on Friday. Cole has yet to defeat Oakland, going 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA in two career starts.
Mengden has allowed one run in three of his last four starts but has won only one of those turns. All three of those outings took place at home, where the 25-year-old Texan is 1-10 with a 5.32 ERA in 16 career starts. Mengden is winless in five career turns against Houston, going 0-3 with a 7.23 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics DH Khris Davis recorded his 31st RBI of the season on Tuesday to tie teammate Jed Lowrie for the American League lead.
2. Houston OF Marwin Gonzalez is 7-for-14 with a homer and six RBIs over his last three games.
3. Oakland OF Stephen Piscotty was back in the lineup Tuesday, just two days after the death of his mother, and went 1-for-3 but is expected to be placed on the bereavement list this weekend.