Jul 5, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis (11) and relief pitcher Tony Sipp (29) react after defeating the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
ATLANTA — The Houston Astros have won 20 of their past 23 games on the road and are a perfect 7-0 overall in interleague play this season after another hit parade against the Atlanta Braves.
George Springer, Jose Altuve and Josh Reddick went a combined 8-for-15 with six RBIs as the Astros routed the Braves 10-4 on Wednesday night. The same trio went 10-for-16 with nine RBIs the previous game.
Houston, which has the best record in the majors at 58-27, amassed 16 hits after recording 19 in a 16-4 victory that started the two-game set.
Springer, who scored three times Wednesday, and Altuve each had three hits, and Reddick drove in three runs with a pair of doubles.
The Astros had seven doubles for the third consecutive game, and Marwin Gonzalez joined Reddick with three RBIs.
Braves starter Jamie Garcia (2-7) allowed 10 hits and five runs while striking out five and walking none in six-plus innings.
Garcia was pulled after allowing a leadoff double to Nori Aoki in the Astros’ three-run seventh inning.
Jason Motte gave up a RBI single to Springer and a RBI double to Altuve before Sam Freeman surrendered a run-scoring single to Gonzalez.
Gonzalez added a two-run double in the eighth off Matt Wisler as both the starters and relievers continued to struggle for the Braves (40-43).
Astros starter Joe Musgrove, who had allowed nine runs over 3 2/3 innings against Seattle on June 23 before being sent to the minors, dominated in his return until wilting in the fifth inning and giving up a tying homer to Ender Inciarte.
Musgrove ended up working 5 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on five hits in the no-decision. The right-hander struck out six and walked none.
Chris Devenski (6-3) got credit for the victory, striking out two and giving up a walk in 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Musgrove had allowed just a first-inning single by Freddie Freeman until the Braves scored four times with two outs in the fifth on four straight hits climaxed by Inciarte’s three-run homer.
Garcia was allowed to hit with two runners on and delivered an RBI single to keep the inning alive for Inciarte’s tying home run.
Three of the first four Astros hitters singled, with Evan Gattis getting the RBI. After retiring 10 straight, Garcia gave up three runs after two outs in the top of the fifth.
Springer singled in Jake Marisnick, who had doubled, and Reddick delivered a two-run double after a hit by Altuve.
NOTES: SS Carlos Correa was out of the Astros’ lineup for what manager A.J. Hinch termed a “precautionary day off” after the All-Star Game starter jammed his left thumb on a play at the plate Tuesday. “He’s doing fine. He wanted to play,” Hinch said. … The Astros optioned LHP Ashur Tolliver to Triple-A Fresno, opening the roster spot for RHP Joe Musgrove. … The start of the game was delayed 26 minutes because of rain. … The Braves placed RHP Arodys Vizcaino on the 10-day disabled list because of a finger strain and recalled RHP Matt Wisler from Triple-A Gwinnett. … RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (7-1, 2.69 ERA) will make his third start since a DL stint with lower back discomfort as the Astros open a four-game series in Toronto on Thursday. … The Braves play four games in Washington, with RHP Mike Foltynewicz (6-5, 3.83 ERA) starting Thursday’s opener after taking a no-hitter to the ninth inning at Oakland last Friday.
