Feldman beats Giants thanks to pair of HRs

SAN FRANCISCO -- Colby Rasmus and Jed Lowrie hit solo home runs in support of Scott Feldman's six shutout innings as the Houston Astros defeated the San Francisco Giants, 2-0, Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Park.

Rasmus took Chris Heston deep to right field in the seventh inning and Lowrie followed in nearly identical fashion in the eighth off George Kontos.

"We needed something to bust out," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "I thought our at-bats got a little bit better as the game went on. I think middle innings, especially, we had a couple of opportunities. The two-out hit evaded us again. For this offense, for us to sort of exhale, a big home run like that and a tack-on home run by Lowrie, were both big lifts."

Video: HOU@SF: Lowrie hits a solo shot, adds to Astros' lead

Feldman entered the game with a 4.46 ERA, but allowed just four hits and a walk while quieting the Giants' offense.

"He located well," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We just couldn't get anything going offensively."

• Giants looking at ways to perk up offense

Heston pitched admirably, surrendering the lone run on Rasmus' shot, but took the loss in his second consecutive start. The right-hander gave up three hits, but struggled with his command as evidenced by his four walks.

Video: HOU@SF: Heston limits Astros to one run on three hits

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Adrianza flashes the leather: With runners on first and second and one out in the top of the fourth, Lowrie ripped a bullet right at Ehire Adrianza. The Giants second baseman took one step to his left and laid out to snag the line drive and save a potential run from scoring.

Video: HOU@SF: Adrianza dives to snag Lowrie's line drive

Tucker learns from mistake: Rookie outfielder Preston Tucker was thrown out at second base without sliding after Carlos Correa struck out on a close 3-2 pitch he thought was a walk, resulting in a double play in the sixth. Correa took a step toward first thinking he had drawn a walk, blocking Tucker's view of the umpire. Correa was called out as Giants catcher Buster Posey fired to second to easily beat Tucker, who had slowed up.

Video: HOU@SF: Heston strikes out Correa, Posey nabs Tucker

"Obviously, I shouldn't have shut it down," Tucker said. "The ball looked up and away and I'm obviously looking for the umpire's reaction. I saw him step back. I thought it was a ball, and I guess as Correa is walking across the plate, that's when he ended up ringing him, and I didn't see that part." More >

Feldman a key for Astros: With a pair of 13-game winners (Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh) at the top of the rotation along with lefty Scott Kazmir, the veteran right-hander figures to play a key role as well. His six scoreless innings against the Giants pushed him to 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA in five starts since coming off the disabled list a month ago.

Video: HOU@SF: Feldman allows four hits over six scoreless

"I think as the season starts winding down, we've been playing pretty well, so we're right in the thick of things," Feldman said. "Every game matters. So try not to put any extra pressure on yourself. But at the end of the day we know that we need to win some ballgames and play well the last couple months here." More >

QUOTABLE
"It was nice to get to squeeze one out of here. It's never easy here in this park. It hasn't been easy for us on this trip. A couple of key home runs, obviously, close out the game, and to be able to shake hands afterwards is a good feeling. Needed it." -- Hinch, whose team snapped a four-game losing streak.

Video: HOU@SF: Tracking Correa's running catch

WHAT'S NEXT
Astros: The Astros are off Thursday before returning home Friday to open a 10-game homestand against the Tigers at 7:10 p.m. CT at Minute Maid Park, where they're 38-18 this year. Ace Dallas Keuchel (13-6, 2.40 ERA) gets the start, looking to stay unbeaten at home (10-0, 1.26 ERA).

Giants: San Francisco welcomes Washington to AT&T Park on Thursday night to begin a four-game series. The two teams met in the nation's capital in early July where the Nationals swept a three game series. Ryan Vogelsong (7-8, 4.26 ERA) takes the mound in the first game.

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