Astros right-hander Hunter Brown fell just one out shy of logging at least six innings for the eighth time this season in a 3-0 win Friday night over the Cincinnati Reds. His ability to eat up innings has allowed Houston manager Joe Espada to deploy his bullpen in the most effective means possible.
And the relief corps has been stalwart for Espada and the Astros, who enter play Saturday with the second-best bullpen ERA (2.73) in the American League as they host the Reds in the second game of a three-game series.
Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will have the bullpen as his back-up when he makes his second start this season for the Astros on Saturday.
He made his first appearance since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox and allowed three hits and three walks and recorded four strikeouts over 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He tossed 87 pitches and did not factor into the decision of the Astros’ 5-4 loss.
“I think he pitched well for 3 2/3, lot of foul balls, lot of high-stress moments there, but I think he pitched out of them, so he’ll get ready for the next one, but I thought he threw the ball well,” Espada said.
McCullers was happy to have that first game back over.
“You know, to start from where I’ve come from over the last couple years, especially where I was early this offseason, I would lie to you guys if I didn’t say I was pretty proud of myself,” McCullers told reporters on Sunday. “But I understand that at the same time, I expect more out of myself. I know I’ll be better as the year and the starts progress.”
McCullers has faced the Reds once previously. He allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings but did not factor into the decision of a 4-2 home loss on June 17, 2016.
Right-hander Brady Singer (4-2, 3.66) has the starting assignment for the Reds. He suffered a second consecutive loss on Monday, this one to the Atlanta Braves, after allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts over six innings in a 4-0 setback.
Singer is 1-2 with a 4.23 ERA over five career starts against the Astros.
The Reds made six transactions before Friday’s game, only to make another during the contest with the potential for yet another transaction set for Saturday.
The Reds announced the acquisition of utilityman Connor Joe from the San Diego Padres during the game in exchange for minor league right-hander Andrew Moore and cash considerations. In a corresponding move, the Reds transferred Tyler Callihan (broken left forearm) to the 60-day injured list.
Additionally, the Reds scratched right fielder Jake Fraley after a pregame test of his sore left calf did not yield favorable results.
“We talked to Jake and we were like, ‘We appreciate you’re trying to push through this,'” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “What are the chances he plays (Friday) and doesn’t feel good (Saturday)? So if we IL him (Saturday), we can push it back three days and he can be available next Friday, I believe is the right day, and hopefully feel better. That’s the idea.”
–Field Level Media
