HOUSTON -- Nelson Velázquez drilled a two-run single to center field with two outs and the bases loaded in the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie and send the Astros to a 2-0 win and the season series over the White Sox on Wednesday night at Daikin Park.
The Astros put three consecutive runners on base after one out in the eighth before Daulton Varsho grounded into a fielder’s choice, cutting down the run at the plate. That set the stage for Velázquez, who ripped a single at 107 mph off the bat against Sean Newcomb to put the ball in the hands of Houston closer Josh Hader.
The Astros (71-69) won two of the first three games of the series to improve to 4-2 against the White Sox this year, which could loom large. Houston also increased its lead atop the American League West to two games over the Rangers, with the Astros owning the season tiebreaker.
In his seventh start since returning from Tommy John surgery, Hayden Wesneski threw seven scoreless innings while allowing only one hit, along with two walks and five strikeouts. Wesneski is the first Astros starting pitcher to finish seven innings since he did it himself on Aug. 10 at the Giants.
White Sox starter Davis Martin, who was 0-3 with an 8.16 ERA in eight starts since the end of June -- the second-worst ERA among AL pitchers with at least five starts in that span -- held the Astros’ offense scoreless for 5 2/3 innings. Chicago starter Sean Burke threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings Tuesday.
Houston’s best chance to score against Martin came in the fourth when Yordan Alvarez doubled and Isaac Paredes singled to lead off the inning, but Jose Altuve popped out, Varsho struck out and Taylor Trammell flied out to left field. Yet that wasn’t the best escape job of the night.
In the eighth, AJ Blubaugh relieved Wesneski and immediately got in trouble with a leadoff triple by Tristan Peters and a walk to Drew Romo. But shortstop Jeremy Peña threw out Peters at the plate on a fielder’s choice, and Miguel Vargas hit into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play with the bases loaded.