Altuve, Rasmus combine for 5 RBIs vs. Braves

March 13th, 2016
Houston Astros outfielder Colby Rasmus drove in two runs vs. the Braves. (AP Photo/John Raoux)John Raoux/AP

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Astros second baseman Jose Altuve hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the fourth inning off relief pitcher Rob Wooten to highlight a six-run outburst that sent the Astros to a 7-6 win over the Braves on Sunday afternoon at Osceola County Stadium.
The Astros were trailing, 4-1, before sending 10 batters to the plate in the fourth against pitchers Matt Marksberry and Wooten. Tyler White began the scoring in the fourth with an RBI single, and Jason Castro and Colby Rasmus had RBI doubles to push the lead to 7-4.
Altuve (2-for-4) said he's working on being more selective and took 20 pitches in four at-bats.
"I think I'm having success in what I'm working on," he said. "I'm working on getting a good pitch and hitting it hard. I don't want to go out there and make weak contact and put the ball in play early in the count. I feel like I'm doing good this spring. That's what I'm looking for, getting a good pitch to hit and not going out there to swing just to swing."
Adonis Garcia's homer to left field off Astros starter Doug Fister capped a three-run outburst, putting the Braves ahead, 3-1, in the third. Fister worked three innings and allowed six hits and three runs while striking out three batters in his third start of the spring.

Braves starter Matt Wisler needed 50 pitches to work 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and one run. Altuve led off the first inning with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Rasmus. Ender Inciarte's RBI double in the fourth off Josh Fields put the Braves ahead, 4-1. Erick Aybar went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run score for Atlanta.
Up next for the Astros: Left-hander Dallas Keuchel makes his second start of the spring when the Astros travel to Viera, Fla., to meet the Nationals at 12:05 p.m. CT Monday. Keuchel, who has been on an individualized throwing program this spring, threw two scoreless innings against the Braves on Wednesday. Fans can listen on Gameday Audio.

Up next for the Braves: Freddie Freeman plans to record four plate appearances when Atlanta hosts Tampa Bay on Monday at 1:05 p.m. ET on Gameday Audio. Freeman got through Sunday's game against the Astros without feeling any of the right hand discomfort that forced him to exit Friday's game against the Phillies. Projected Opening Day starter Julio Teheran will get the start for the Braves. Teheran struggled during the early portion of last week's Grapefruit League debut, but he retired the final six batters he faced.