Astros seal home opener with gold-plated win
HOUSTON -- A championship banner was unveiled, World Series highlights were played on the scoreboard and an emotional ceremonial pitch was thrown. And if that wasn't enough to rekindle memories of 2017 for the Astros, starting pitcher Charlie Morton was in postseason form.Morton, who won Game 7 of both the
HOUSTON -- A championship banner was unveiled, World Series highlights were played on the scoreboard and an emotional ceremonial pitch was thrown. And if that wasn't enough to rekindle memories of 2017 for the Astros, starting pitcher Charlie Morton was in postseason form.
Morton, who won Game 7 of both the American League Championship Series and World Series, threw six scoreless innings in his first start of the regular season to lead the Astros to a 6-1 win over the Orioles in the series opener Monday night.
"It's a big moment for the city so I'm glad I did all right," Morton said. "I was a little amped up. There was as lot of energy, and the crowd was loud. It was awesome."
The Astros, playing their home opener at Minute Maid Park, celebrated their first World Series championship during a festive pregame ceremony in which retired first-base coach Rich Dauer -- the former Orioles player -- threw out the first pitch. An emotional Dauer, who nearly died in the moments following the Astros' World Series parade, sobbed as he took the mound.
The Astros quickly got down to business and won their sixth consecutive home opener.
"We're enjoying the memories of wearing gold-letter jerseys, unveiling the banner, we'll get the rings tomorrow," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "They can compartmentalize pretty well. I'm proud of that about this team. We show up to play and we're going to play the whole game and we're going to compete well, and our guys keep coming at the opponent."
The Astros came out swinging against Orioles starter Chris Tillman, with
"I love the fact that as soon as something happens, what do I do? I turned to Marwin and say, 'Go play shortstop,'" Hinch said. "He goes and makes a couple of really good plays and shows up to work."
Morton held the Orioles to three hits and struck out six while throwing 91 pitches to extend the Astros' run of strong starting pitching to begin the season. With every pitcher having made one start, Houston starters have a 1.78 ERA.
"He was exceptional," Hinch said. "I know I keep using that word with our starting rotation, but I thought he did a great job of making a few adjustments as he found the strike zone as the game got underway. That was pretty electrifying stuff again by a mid-to-upper 90s fastball, and he mixed in a couple of good split-changes and didn't throw as many breaking balls as he normally does. He made some big pitches to end the outing, and I was very happy how he handled the whole night."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Leave 'em loaded: The Orioles loaded the bases in the second inning on a walk, a hit batter and a two-out walk. Morton bore down against No. 9 hitter
Reddick gets on the board:
"It worked," Reddick said. "Everybody was [tweeting] around the league who hadn't got a hit. Between Dexter Fowler and
I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit. I will get a hit.
— Josh Reddick (@RealJoshReddick) April 2, 2018
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WHAT'S NEXT
Verlander, who threw six scoreless innings Thursday at the Rangers, makes his first home start of the season when the Astros face the Orioles on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. CT at Minute Maid Park. The Astros will be given their 2017 World Series championship rings prior to the game.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.
Brian McTaggart has covered the Astros since 2004, and for MLB.com since 2009. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter and listen to his podcast.