HOUSTON -- Astros rookie right-hander David Paulino endured a tough start Wednesday night, the latest in a string of valiant stopgap performances from Houston's young pitchers striving to make inroads while opportunity knocks.
A pitcher who began the year in the Houston bullpen, right-hander Brad Peacock (4-1, 2.82 ERA), will start the series finale for the Astros against the Oakland A's on Thursday.
Houston beat Oakland 11-8 on Wednesday after the Athletics won 6-4 on Tuesday in the series opener.
Paulino (2-0, 6.52 ERA) and fellow rookie righty Francis Martes (2-0, 5.