Even the backend of the Astros’ starting rotation overpowers the American League.
Tonight, Luis Garcia and Hunter Brown combined for an eight-inning, tandem-start shutout of likely playoff-bound Tampa Bay Rays. The 4-0 victory clinched the AL West for the Astros for the fifth time in six years.
The Astros struck first, with yes, you guessed it, yet another leadoff homer by Jose Altuve. (How does he do it in visiting ballparks? Amazing.)
Then the game settled into a pitcher’s duel until the sixth. Astros starter Luis Garcia held the Rays scoreless through the fifth inning.