Michael Brantley’s clutch hit in 9th lifts Astros over D-backs

Jose Siri may have been content material with a single within the ninth inning. For higher or worse, that is simply not the way in which he performs the sport.

Siri sparked the Astros with a hustle double that began a two-out rally, Michael Brantley drove him residence two batters later and Houston edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 on Tuesday night time.

“I knew it was a danger,” Siri stated of his sprint to second. “However typically, you’ve obtained to take dangers to win video games.”

The sport was tied at 1 within the ninth when the Astros pieced collectively their rally towards Mark Melancon (0-1), which was began by Siri’s double into right-center. It seemed as if it will solely be a single however the 26-year-old by no means stopped as he rounded first base, sprinting into second as Pavin Smith’s throw was late.

Jose Altuve adopted with a stroll after which Brantley pounced on the primary pitch, slicing a single into left subject for his third hit of the sport to attain Siri.

Ryan Pressly dealt with the underside of the ninth for his third save, working round a leadoff single by Seth Beer. Pressly struck out Carson Kelly on a excessive fastball to finish it.

“We gained one other shut one,” Houston supervisor Dusty Baker stated. “That is one of many secrets and techniques to profitable this factor — you have to win the shut ones.”

Siri, batting ninth, gave the Astros a 1-0 lead within the fifth with a 456-foot homer that landed on the concourse in left-center.

Brantley stated Siri is a man who “pushes the envelope” and nobody was stunned when he took the additional bag within the ninth, even after getting thrown out stealing within the seventh.

“That is the way in which he performs,” Brantley stated. “He is been taking part in that method since he obtained right here, day one.”

The Diamondbacks evened the rating within the sixth when Christian Walker hit his personal no-doubt drive into the left-field seats. However that was the one large hit for Arizona’s struggling offense, which is batting simply .130 by way of 5 video games.

Diamondbacks starter Madison Bumgarner gave up one run and 5 hits over 5 innings, strolling two and putting out two.

Luis Garcia threw 4 scoreless innings for Houston. Hector Neris (1-0) labored a scoreless eighth.

SEEING STROM

Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom confronted his former staff for the primary time since leaving Houston in the course of the offseason.

Strom had a profitable run because the Astros’ pitching coach from 2014-21. Over the previous 4 seasons, Houston led the majors with 5,339 strikeouts and 277 high quality begins. The Astros had been second throughout that span with a 3.60 ERA.

MAKING MOVES

The Diamondbacks referred to as up INF Yonny Hernandez and despatched 1B/3B Drew Ellis to Triple-A Reno. Ellis had one hit in eight at-bats and struck out 4 occasions within the season-opening collection towards the Padres.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. was on the sphere earlier than the sport and threw 25 occasions from 60 ft. He is making an attempt to return again from a flexor pressure sustained in the course of the playoffs final season. … Baker informed reporters that DH Yordan Alvarez was “underneath the climate” and wasn’t on the ballpark. Baker stated a number of coaches had been sick, too.

Diamondbacks: RHP Zac Gallen was initially scheduled to make his first begin of the season Tuesday, however was scratched on Monday due to a small reduce on his proper thumb. Arizona supervisor Torey Lovullo informed reporters Gallen would probably pitch towards the Mets this weekend in New York.

UP NEXT

The Astros and Diamondbacks wrap up their two-game collection with a day recreation Wednesday. The Diamondbacks will ship RHP Merrill Kelly (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound to face LHP Framber Valdez (1-0, 0.00).