Astros Leave Baltimore on Winning Note. Even the Series with a 6-3 Victory over the Orioles

Just-reacquired Astro legend Hector Neris gets the win in relief of Yusei Kikuchi in his first game back.

On national TV, the Tucker-less, Alvarez-less Astros managed to put up enough runs to support another fine starting pitching performance by new Astro Yusei Kikuchi. Kikuchi went four scoreless innings before giving up a three run homer in the fifth inning, but soon after back to back homers by the Astros in the seventh were enough to make the Astros winners yet again during Kikuchi-time.

It took a while for the Astros’ bats to get untracked, but the weak link mid/bottom of the order broke the scoreless tie in the fourth after the two and three hitters flied out. Consecutive singles by Jeremy Pena, Victor Caratini, and Ben Gamel plated one run off Orioles starter Dean Kremer, and rookie Zach Dezenzo doubled home two more.

Pena scored from first on Caratini’s single.

This gave the Astros a 78% win probability as Kikuchi was sailing through the Orioles lineup—until the fifth inning. Suddenly lightning struck for the Os. The Orioles tied the score after Kikuchi allowed a walk and a single followed by a Ramon Urias homer.

But in the seventh inning the Astros’ top of the order finally came through against the soft underbelly of the Orioles bullpen. Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz hit back to back dingers off Orioles reliever Burch Smith to put the Astros up 5-3.

The Astros added another run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Jake Meyers against former Astro Cionel Perez.

Bryan Abreu atoned for his meltdown Friday night with a scoreless eighth and Josh Hader earned his 28th save.

And for just-acquired reliever, former Astro Hector Neris, it was like old times. He retired all four batters he faced in relief of Kikuchi and earned the win. Welcome back.

The Astros split with the AL East powerhouse Orioles despite not having their two leading sluggers. But the road trip from Hell continues tomorrow as the Astros travel to Philadelphia to face the first place Phillies. The fatigued Ronel Blanco goes for the Stros. Game time 5:40 CT.

Box score HERE.