NEW YORK -- This was the kind of response the Astros needed coming off last week’s disappointing homestand in which they lost series against the Mariners, Angels and A’s, leading into general manager Dana Brown losing his job in what the team said was a mutual decision.
Simply put, the Astros were in a bit of turmoil at a crucial juncture of the season and were searching for a way to get off the mat. They did so at Yankee Stadium, taking two of three games from the Yankees, capped by Thursday night’s 5-1 win in the series finale.
Christian Walker and Jeremy Peña clubbed home runs, and Hayden Wesneski allowed one run in five innings to outduel Gerrit Cole. The first-place Astros (67-67) moved one game ahead of the Rangers in the American League West standings with 28 games remaining.
“I thought it was something we needed to do after our homestand [when] we did not play well,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “We came here and we took care of business, winning a series against a good team. I thought there was some energy and we played really well.”
Here’s how they got it done Thursday:
Blubaugh blows ‘em away
Rookie reliever AJ Blubaugh might have earned himself more high-leverage innings with the way he threw the ball, striking out three batters and allowing one hit in two electric innings. His velocity was up -- he hit 98.8 mph -- and he relied on his changeup and sweeper while facing six left-handed hitters.
Espada said Blubaugh looked angry.
“That was pretty impressive,” he said. “We’re looking for guys who can pitch some leverage innings, and he showed he can do that.”
Blubaugh made his Major League-leading 25th relief appearance of at least two innings and leads all relievers with 82 1/3 innings. He has posted a 0.60 ERA in 11 appearances since July 31, going scoreless in 10 of those outings.
“I wouldn’t say I have a preference on what part of the game [I pitch],” Blubaugh said. “Honestly, I like having the ball in my hands. Like I said, whatever gets a W at the end of the game is all I’m looking for.”
Walker gets unstuck
Walker entered Thursday slashing .120/.151/.180 with one extra-base hit in his previous 14 games before going 3-for-4 with a double in the eighth, a two-run homer to right field in the sixth and a single in the second, which snapped an 0-for-11 drought.
“I've really felt stuck,” he said. “It was hard to get inside of sinkers. So pregame today, I just tried to get out of my own way and get free. I just set up the [pitching] machine and let the hands work, try not to get too clunky, keep my body out of the way. There's a lot of things that are important with hitting with connection and how you enter the zone, and I think sometimes I can try to do those things too much and lock myself up.”
Cole and his hard fastball actually made for a good challenge for Walker, leaving him little time to think about his mechanics. He was only worried about being on time and finding the barrel and responded with three hits to right field.
“I knew it was coming,” he said. “Again, it was a matter of time. I just tried to stay in the moment and trust what I was feeling. That curveball [on the homer] just popped out of his hand. I saw it early. Luckily, put a good swing on [it].”
Wesneski seeks depth
Wesneski, who threw five scoreless innings against the A’s in his previous start Friday in Houston, carried a two-hit shutout into the sixth inning Thursday before he was pulled after giving up a leadoff double to Ben Rice, who wound up scoring on a Cody Bellinger sac fly. It was the second start in a row he’s thrown five innings.
No Astros starting pitcher has finished six innings since Wesneski threw seven innings Aug. 10 at San Francisco.
“I just felt like there was a little more to be had there,” he said. “We’re nitpicking. One run in five innings plays everywhere, anytime. I’m OK with it, but there was just a little bit I could have sharpened up. I felt like the sixth inning could have been mine.”
Wesneski said he shook off catcher Yainer Diaz, who wanted a slider, and instead threw a fastball to Rice, who doubled to right field to end the pitcher’s night after 91 pitches. He said ego got the best of him. Wesneski has a 3.86 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in six starts since returning from Tommy John surgery.