The road-weary Houston Astros will turn to left-hander Framber Valdez as they try to salvage the final game of the three-game series against the host Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.
Valdez (1-4, 4.39 ERA) will be opposed by right-hander Quinn Priester (1-0, 5.79).
Milwaukee clinched the series with a 4-3 victory Tuesday night. Jake Bauers’ two-run homer capped a four-run first inning. Rookie starter Chad Patrick gave up a three-run homer to Brendan Rodgers with two outs in the seventh, but the Brewers’ bullpen closed the door.
“We fought back and I thought that was good to kind of see our guys get back in the game,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “A swing away from getting back in the game, but we’ve got another one tomorrow.”
The loss ensured that the Astros will lose their fifth consecutive road series.
After winning his first start, Valdez is 0-4 over his last six starts. Valdez was 0-3 with a 4.97 ERA in five starts in April. His last time out, he allowed four runs in five innings in a 7-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
“I haven’t been the best,” Valdez said. “I can admit that, but I know things can get better. It’s just a thing of showing faith and giving faith through those bad times. I know I’m a better pitcher. I know I can be better than that.”
Valdez, 55-30 over the previous four seasons, has never faced the Brewers.
Houston has lost three straight and five of its last six and is 6-11 on the road.
Priester, acquired from Boston in early April, will be making his fifth start for the Brewers. In his last outing, Priester made his first relief appearance of the season, allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 10-0 loss to the Cubs.
“You can say Priester was awful if you want to, but there’s some signs that you can see why we (traded for) him,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “There’s some signs there that show the kid’s got really good stuff, and he’s a great competitor.”
Priester last started April 26, allowing five runs in five innings, but did not get the decision in a 6-5 loss at St. Louis. Opponents are batting .275 against him.
Despite failing to add on after the first inning Tuesday, the Brewers improved to 19-6 when scoring first. Milwaukee is 0-12 when the opponent scores first.
The Brewers also are 16-5 when scoring four or more runs and 3-13 when scoring three or fewer.
Christian Yelich was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Tuesday to drop to .203, and shortstop Joey Ortiz was hitless in three at-bats, sending his average to .179.
“Sneaky that our pitching staff has been so good,” Murphy said. “In the games we win, we pitch. We’re not going to outslug anybody right now. We’ve got a couple guys not on all cylinders.”
–Field Level Media
