Maldonado's 3-run shot leads Astros over Giants 5-1

HOUSTON (AP) — Martín Maldonado hit a three-run home run to back a strong start by Zack Greinke and help the Houston Astros to a 5-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

The game was tied with no outs in the sixth when Carlos Correa, Kyle Tucker and Abraham Toro hit consecutive singles. Houston took a 2-1 lead when Correa scored on a wild pitch by Caleb Baragar (2-1).

Maldonado then knocked his two-strike homer into the seats in left field to make it 5-1.

Greinke (1-0) allowed one run and scattered seven hits over a season-high 6 1/3 innings for his first win. He struck out seven and walked one.

A night after squandering a four-run lead in a 7-6 loss in 10 innings, Houston’s bullpen came through on Wednesday. Brooks Raley struck out two in 1 2/3 scoreless innings after taking over for Greinke, and Blake Taylor pitched a perfect ninth to secure the victory.

San Francisco starter Trevor Cahill, who was selected to the Major League roster before the game, walked four in 1 2/3 innings. Cahill hadn’t played this season while dealing with a fingernail injury. He was only expected to throw about 50 pitches and was pulled after 55.

Mike Yastrzemski tripled on the second pitch of the game and the Giants took a 1-0 lead when he scored on a single by Alex Dickerson.

Houston had just one hit when Myles Straw singled with no outs in the fifth. But he was quickly erased when he was caught trying to steal second base.

Dereck Rodríguez then walked George Springer and Josh Reddick before an RBI single by Alex Bregman on a liner to center field tied it at 1-1.

TRAINER’S ROOM

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Maldonado-s-3-run-shot-leads-Astros-over-Giants-15480086.php