HOUSTON - Manager John Gibbons didn’t have first baseman Edwin Encarnacion in the starting lineup for the first time this season Saturday night.
One reason was Encarnacion could use the rest and the other was that Justin Smoak was 5-for-11 against Astros right-hander Scott Feldman with two homers, five RBIs, two walks and a 1.571 OPS. Encarnacion is 1-for-9 (.111) facing Feldman. Smoak delivered a run-scoring single in the first. It was Smoak’s second start since May 5. Encarnacion pinch hit for Steve Tolleson with two out in the ninth. He complained on strike one call by umpire Clint Fagan and then hit an 0-2 pitch from Luke Gregerson to left centre for a two-run homer.