The Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 inside Minute Maid Park on Friday night. The win keeps the Astros in sole possession of first place in the American League West.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Astros turned to lefty Framber Valdez in this contest. He gave up a leadoff double to Shohei Ohtani, but worked around it in the first inning to put up a zero.
Valdez was opposed by right-hander Gavin Stone of the Dodgers. Stone worked a 1-2-3 first inning to match the zero put up by Houston.
In the bottom of the second, the Astro offense got to work. With two on and two out, Joey Loperfido came through with an RBI single to give Houston an early 1-0 lead.
Valdez responded after the lead-off double and settled in well. In fact, he would not give up another hit until the sixth inning.
Alex Bregman added a solo homer in the third, making it 2-0 Houston. That was followed up Jon Singleton hitting a two run shot in the fourth, making it 4-0. The score would remain that way for a couple of innings.
In the sixth, Valdez opened the frame with a strikeout. However, a single and two walks promptly loaded the bases after that with just one out. However, a strikeout and a fly out got Framber out of the jam and kept the Houston lead at four runs.
Valdez went six and a third strong innings on this day, not allowing a run. He struck out 10, and was relieved by Bryan Abreu. Abreu got the final two outs of the seventh, and Ryan Pressly worked a zero in the eighth.
The bottom of the eighth saw another insurance run added for Houston, as Mauricio Dubon doubled home another tally. That made it 5-0 for the Stros, which was plenty on this night. Houston closed it down for the win.
BIG NUMBER: 10
Framber Valdez was excellent in this outing, striking out 10 Dodger hitters. He gave Houston the start they needed to get the win in game one.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jake Meyers
Meyers went 3-3 in this one, scoring a run and walking as well. His offense helped Valdez and the Astros got the series opening victory as a result.
UP NEXT: The Astros and Dodgers will play game two tomorrow night inside Minute Maid Park. First pitch is set for 6:10 and you can hear it on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.