Feldman finds success with grounders vs. O's
Right-hander induces three inning-ending double plays in victory
BALTIMORE -- Astros starter Scott Feldman was good enough on Tuesday night to wriggle his way out of almost every jam he found himself in during his six-inning outing in a 4-1 win over the Orioles, but getting three double plays in the first three innings set the tone.
Feldman, a ground-ball pitcher, got Adam Jones (first inning), Delmon Young (second) and Manny Machado (third) to ground into inning-ending double plays. He also allowed the leadoff runner on base in the fourth and sixth and wound up giving up one run on a Chris Davis sac fly in the sixth at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
"I'm just trying to get them out," Feldman said in helping the Astros earn their American League-best 30th win. "I try to throw the ball where I'm meaning to throw it. I had little spurts there tonight where I wasn't too good at that. But, fortunately, at the right time, I made some good pitches and got them to hit it right at guys and they made some nice turns out there."
Video: HOU@BAL: Feldman discusses Astros' win over Orioles
Astros manager A.J. Hinch said he thought Feldman battled his control at times, but made it clear he was thrilled with the results.
"It's a very good outing for him," he said. "I love how he gave our defense a chance to make plays behind him. A couple of the walks could have turned around and hurt him if it continued, but he got the ball on the ground when he needed to."
The Astros trailed, 1-0, after Feldman gave up the run in the sixth, but he wound up getting the win after his teammates rallied for a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth innings. The Astros' bullpen sent down the final nine batters it faced.
"We've been playing good ball and hopefully we can keep it up," said Feldman, who has thrown at least six innings in eight of his 10 starts this year.