A five-run fourth inning and 7.0 scoreless innings from the bullpen propelled the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (42-32, 74-74) to back-to-back shutout victories for the first time this season, as they defeated the Las Vegas Aviators (42-32, 86-61) 7-0 on Saturday night at Constellation Field.
RHP Mike Burrows, who is returning from right shoulder inflammation, made his third scoreless appearance of the season for Sugar Land. Burrows worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, inducing a double play to end the threat before following with a scoreless second to keep the game even at zero through the first two innings.
RHP Jackson Nezuh came in for relief of Burrows and spun two scoreless innings of his own. Nezuh faced one over the minimum in both innings, allowing just one hit while walking one and striking out three to keep the game tied through the top of the fourth.
The Space Cowboys blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jason Schiavone led off the inning with a double before Zach Cole followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Cole then stole second before Schiavone scored the opening run of the game on a throwing error. Zach Dezenzo connected on an RBI single to plate the second run of the inning before Trevor Austin and Lucas Spence launched back-to-back home runs to push the Sugar Land advantage to 5-0.
The Space Cowboys added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Joey Loperfido and Schiavone smashed back-to-back doubles to bring home another run pushing Sugar Land ahead by six.
Sugar Land extended their lead the bottom of the seventh inning. Loperfido worked a walk to put a runner on before advancing to second on a groundout. Loperfido then moved to third on a wild pitch before Cole followed with an RBI single to bring home Loperfido putting the Space Cowboys in front 7-0.
RHP Kai-Wei Teng appeared in relief and tossed the fourth consecutive perfect inning for Sugar Land, striking out the first batter he faced before recording a groundout and a popout to end the inning. RHP Roddery Muñoz followed in the ninth and worked around two baserunners to seal the win for the Space Cowboys.
NOTABLE:
- Saturday night’s shutout victory marked the first time since May 29–30, 2021 against Albuquerque that the Space Cowboys’ pitching staff has recorded back-to-back shutouts.
- RHP Mike Burrows made his fourth appearance with the Space Cowboys on Saturday night, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings while allowing four hits, walking none and striking out two. Burrows has held opponents scoreless in three of his four outings with Sugar Land this season, throwing 15.1 innings while allowing 15 hits and three runs, walking five and striking out 17.
- Jason Schiavone went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Schiavone has now recorded a multi-hit game in back-to-back outings and has hit safely in four of his five games since being named the Astros Minor League Player of the Year on Tuesday. Saturday marked Schiavone’s fourth game this season with two doubles across all levels and his first since July 30, when he was with Corpus Christi at Frisco.
- Lucas Spence went 2-for-4 with a home run on Saturday evening. It was Spence’s first multi-hit game at Constellation Field since June 24 against El Paso.
- Trevor Austin went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI on Saturday evening. His two-run shot in the fourth inning was his first home run in Triple A and his first home run since August 26, when he was with Corpus Christi at Amarillo.
- RHP Nic Swanson made his third consecutive scoreless appearance with Sugar Land. Swanson has not allowed a run in five of his six outings with the Space Cowboys since being promoted from Corpus Christi on September 1. Since his promotion, Swanson has thrown 8.1 innings, allowing three hits and two runs while walking seven and striking out 10.
- RHP Christian Roa threw a perfect seventh inning, inducing two groundouts while striking out one. Since re-signing with the Astros on a minor league deal, Roa has not allowed a run in 19 of his 23 appearances.
- RHP Kai-Wei Teng made his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance for Sugar Land on Saturday evening. Teng has not allowed a hit in his last four outings and over his last six appearances he has thrown 8.0 innings while allowing just one hit and one walk and striking out eight.
Sugar Land will wrap up the final homestand of the season on Sunday afternoon. LHP Josh Hendrickson will take the mound for the Space Cowboys while the Aviators will throw RHP Joey Estates for a 2:05 pm first pitch. The game can be seen on the Bally Sports Live app and MiLB.TV and can be heard online anywhere at SLSpaceCowboys.com/Listen.
ABOUT THE SUGAR LAND SPACE COWBOYS:
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros and compete in the Pacific Coast League. They began play as the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate in 2021 and began playing under the Space Cowboys brand in 2022, winning their first Triple-A title in 2024 by clinching both the Pacific Coast League Championship and Triple-A National Championship. The Space Cowboys play at Constellation Field, located at the corner of Hwy-6 and US-90 Alternate in Sugar Land, Texas. Follow the team on Twitter (@SLSpaceCowboys), Instagram (@slspacecowboys), Facebook (SLSpaceCowboys) and their official website (slspacecowboys.com). Season ticket plans for the 2027 season are available now and can be purchased at slspacecowboys.com/tickets.