TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (42-44) will wear their City Connect uniforms tonight as they open a week-long, six-game homestand with the first of three games against the visiting Minnesota Twins (40-45).
RHP Peter Lambert (6-4, 3.28 ERA), who’s won four straight decisions, will open the homestand for Houston opposite RHP Zebby Matthews (3-5, 4.56 ERA) and the Twins.
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RIDING THE LAMBO: Tonight’s Astros starter RHP Peter Lambert has posted a 4-0 record in his last six starts with a 2.97 ERA (11ER/33.1IP). Lambert’s four wins since May 24 are tied for tops in the AL in that span, along with six other pitchers, including teammate RHP Tatsuya Imai.
Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 appearances in Japan. He began this season at Triple A Sugar Land (1.84 ERA in three appearances) before being called up April 17.
THE SLOW TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 22-13 since May 21, which
is the best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros have reinstated IF Nick Allen from the 10-day IL and have optioned IF Raynel Delgado to Triple A Sugar Land.
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Allen is returning from a left hamstring strain, which sidelined him since June 8.
FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM: The Astros have nine players on the Injured List…updates on a few:
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RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) has made two rehab starts this month, last pitching on Thursday for Double A Corpus Christi (0ER/3.1IP). He tossed 50 pitches (31 strikes) in the outing.
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RHP Cristian Javier (rt. shoulder strain) made his fifth rehab start on Saturday for Triple A Sugar Land,
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RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (rt. shoulder inflammation) began his rehab assignment on Thursday at Triple A, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings and 42 pitches.
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LHP Bennett Sousa (lt. elbow inflammation) continues his bullpen progression.
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LHP Brandon Walter (lt. elbow surgery) continues his throwing progression in West Palm Beach.
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RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the FCL Astros later this week.
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OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (rt. hamstring strain) is set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple A this week.
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IF Braden Shewmake (rt. adductor strain) has played in two games for the FCL Astros on his rehab
assignment, including a start at third base earlier today (2×3, 2B, BB).
MINOR LEAGUE HONORS: LHP Colton Gordon has been named the Triple A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week (June 22-28).
Gordon made one start last week for Sugar Land, which came yesterday vs. El Paso, in which he tossed 6.0 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2005 – Craig Biggio is hit by a pitch for the 268th time to set a modern Major
League record, surpassing Don Baylor. Biggio homers his next time up in what ends up as a 7-1 win vs. Colorado.
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Biggio would end his career with 285 hit by pitches, a record that will likely never be surpassed. The active leader in HBP is Starling Marte, who’s been hit by a pitch 168 times in his career.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, June 29, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
