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Spring Loaded: 'Stros go for another win

Jun 16, 2015 - 12:11 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - George Springer and the Houston Astros look to keep the runs coming Tuesday in the second installment of a four-game series versus the Colorado Rockies at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros and Rockies will play the next two games at Coors Field.

Houston recorded a 6-3 win over the Rockies on Monday and was led by Springer, who finished 3-for-4 with two homers and three runs scored. Springer is riding an eight-game hitting streak, batting .500 in that time, and has eight doubles, six home runs and 11 RBI since May 13.

"He's contributing in every facet," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said of Springer, who made two diving catches in right field. "He's playing complete baseball on both sides of the ball and we're watching him mature right in front of our eyes, and he's an exciting player when he puts things together."

Top prospect Carlos Correa recorded three hits and Colby Rasmus belted a three-run homer in a four-run first inning. Houston won for the third time in four tries following a seven-game slide and has hit multiple home runs in 24 games this season, going undefeated in that span.

Astros stud pitcher Dallas Keuchel allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings for the win and improved to 8-2. Luke Gregerson came on in the ninth as the third reliever and posted his 16th save.

The AL West-leading Astros are 2 1/2 games ahead of the Texas Rangers and have a 22-14 home record. They are 14-5 in the last 19 home games and will play the next eight contests on the road against Colorado, Seattle and the LA Angels.

Vincent Velasquez will make the second start of his career for the Astros Tuesday and showed promise in his debut last Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. Velasquez allowed three hits over five scoreless innings of a 4-1 loss and did not record a decision. He struck out five and walked four.

Velasquez, a right-hander, was recalled from Double-A Corpus Christi and went 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA in five starts with the Hooks.

The Rockies have dropped five of six games and starting pitcher Chad Bettis was tagged for five runs and seven hits in five innings. He struck out five, walked two and served up home runs to Rasmus and Springer.

"That is a dynamic offensive club," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "They hit the ball out of the park better than anybody in the game, and we saw that tonight. It's a dangerous lineup."

The 'Stros have scored 30 runs in the last four games.

Troy Tulowitzki, Nolan Arenado and Nick Hundley had an RBI apiece.

Colorado is slated to play its next eight games in the Rocky Mountains versus Houston, Milwaukee and Arizona.

Taking the mound for the Rockies on Tuesday will be Chris Rusin, who is 2-1 with a 3.38 earned run average in four games (3 starts). Rusin was aiming for his third straight win on Thursday, but was tagged for a season-high six runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-0 loss at Miami.

The left-handed Rusin allowed three runs over his first three appearances and has never faced the Astros.

Colorado and Houston last squared off in 2013, when the Astros took three of four matchups at Minute Maid Park. Houston is 55-30 all-time versus Colorado at home, but 29-50 in Coors Field.