MLB LOOK AHEAD

Astros’ bats reaching historic levels down stretch

Field Level Media

September 10, 2019 at 7:59 am.

For the Houston Astros, home is where the wins are.

The American League West-leading Astros routed the Oakland Athletics 15-0 on Monday, reducing their magic number to eight and tying their franchise record with seven home runs.

Game two of the four-game series is set for 8:10 ET at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday.

The Astros improved to 28-2 this season at home against AL West rivals, and the club set a record with its 56th home win, eclipsing the 55-win home marks set in 1980 and 1998.

On Sunday, doubles were the extra-base hit of choice as Houston batters produced a record 11 in a 21-1 win over the Seattle Mariners.

However, homers were the call of the night in the series opener against the A’s. Robinson Chirinos and Yordan Alvarez each swatted a pair, and Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley also went deep.

The home run total matched the seven Houston stroked at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on Sept. 9, 2000 — exactly 19 years before Monday’s power surge.

“It’s really special when you see the team putting up that many runs in back-to-back games. It says a lot about the approach and the talent we have here,” said Chirinos, who tied a career-high with six RBIs.

In their last two games, the Astros have bludgeoned opposing pitching with 36 runs and 39 hits while limiting opposing lineups to one run and four hits.

Houston made MLB history as the first team ever to post 36 runs or more and allow one or fewer in a two-game span.

Wade Miley (13-4, 3.35 ERA) will look to rebound from his worst start of the season last Thursday against Seattle.

Houston’s left-hander allowed a season-high five runs in the first inning and was removed from the game without recording an out, becoming the first Astros starting pitcher in over 30 years to do so without being injured or ejected from the game.

Miley, who sports a 7-0 record with a 3.41 ERA in 14 starts since his last loss, has been strong against Oakland over three starts this season. He is 1-1 with a 1.83 ERA and has allowed just 12 hits and four runs in 19 2/3 innings.

Miley holds a 5-2 mark with a 1.71 ERA in eight career starts against the A’s, yielding just 37 hits and 10 earned runs in 52 2/3 innings.

Oakland called up 21-year-old pitcher Jesus Luzardo on Monday, and the organization’s No.1 overall prospect won’t be available to make his major league debut until at least Wednesday.

“It’s exciting to get a first look at him at the big league level. We’re still kind of contemplating how we’re going to use him,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin, adding that the lefty will likely work in relief.

Tanner Roark (9-8, 3.86 ERA) will look to build on his best showing with the club after firing 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 4.

The right-hander fared well in his lone start against Houston on Aug. 16, earning a no-decision but giving up only two runs in six innings.

He is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three career starts against the Astros, striking out 14 in 16 2/3 innings.

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