Springer lifts Astros to 11-inning win over Reds
HOUSTON -- For the second time this season George Springer played hero for the Houston Astros by delivering the walk-off RBI single against the Cincinnati Reds in a 5-4 victory in 11 innings on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
With the win, the Astros (33-36) improve to 7-4 in extra-inning games and tie the Braves for the major-league lead in playing their 11th extra-inning game this season.
In the seventh inning with the game tied, following a leadoff double by Astros third baseman Danny Worth, Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis snapped an 0-for-22 slump by crushing a pitch from Cody Reed to left field for a two-run home run, giving the Astros a 4-2 lead.
Worth finished the day 2-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored. Worth's double in the second inning marked the first for him since May 3, 2014 against Kansas City as a member of the Tigers. The multi-double game is the first of his career.
The Reds (27-42) saw Reed go seven innings in his major-league debut. He gave up four runs on six hits, walked three and struck out nine.
Down to their final out trailing 4-2, Reds' left fielder Adam Duvall drove a 2-2 pitch from Ken Giles to right-center field putting it a few rows up for a two-run home run to extend the game. The home run for Duvall marked his 20th of the season and raised his RBI count to 48.
The blown save by Giles drops him to 1-for-4 in save opportunities since coming to Houston and first since May 29 when he lost the lead against the Angels.
In the 11th inning after back-to-back one-out singles, Springer singled up the middle driving in Jason Castro for the game-winning run.
Scott Feldman (4-3) took the win after pitching two innings, giving up no runs on two hits. Reds reliever Josh Smith (0-1) took the loss going 3 1/3 innings, giving up one run on seven hits, while striking out two and walking two.
NOTES: The Reds called up LHP Cody Reed, who made his major-league debut on Saturday afternoon against the Astros. Reed was 6-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 11 starts with Triple-A Louisville, striking out 63 and walking 17 in 64 2/3 innings of work. Reed is the 10th player to make his MLB debut with the Reds this season. The last time the Reds had 10 players make their debuts in a season was 2010. ... To make room for Reed, the Reds sent RHP Dayan Diaz to Triple-A Louisville. ... Cincinnati RF Jay Bruce, a Beaumont, Texas, native, had an 11-game hitting streak against the Astros entering Saturday. ... Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto entered Saturday's game batting .411 (60-for-146) with 19 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 24 RBIs in 37 career appearances at Minute Maid Park. ... Houston CF Carlos Gomez is batting .283 with three home runs and seven RBIs in 13 games since returning from the disabled list. ... Astros 2B Jose Altuve leads all American League second basemen in WAR (3.7), OBP (.422), OPS (.964), hits (90), doubles (21) walks (35) and stolen bases (18).