HOUSTON -- Ken Giles accomplished the unconventional feat of fanning four batters in one inning on Sunday, doing so in the ninth frame of the Astros' series finale against the Rangers, an eventual 5-3, 11-inning loss.
A wild pitch on a swinging strike three by Nomar Mazara allowed Mazara to reach first base and eliminate what would've been the first out. Two pitches later, Giles hit Ryan Rua before settling in and striking out Shin-Soo Choo, Ian Desmond and Jurickson Profar in order, getting out of a bases-loaded jam unscathed. The Astros trailed, 3-2, before tying it and forcing extras in the bottom of the inning.
"He's been so good in his run here of sort of getting his swag back in terms of how he goes about it," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He comes out there with a ton of confidence, and he doesn't back down."
• Cut4: Giles creates, escapes big jam
Giles was relieved by Pat Neshek in the 10th after 1 2/3 innings pitched. Giles' six strikeouts in the performance made him the third pitcher since 1913 to record six strikeouts in an appearance lasting fewer than two innings.
"His ability to get swings and misses and make the hitters look uncomfortable is exactly why he's a back-end reliever that we're going to lean on heavily," Hinch said.