Astros 8 - 4 Rockies
Final
  for this game

Astros eye sweep of Rockies

Jun 18, 2015 - 12:27 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Astros go for a sweep of the Colorado Rockies when the two clubs close out a four-game set Thursday from Coors Field.

The Astros took the first two matchups at Minute Maid Park and recorded their fourth win in a row with Wednesday's 8-4 decision.

Houston top prospect Carlos Correa belted a two-run homer in the first inning and finished 3-for-5 with three RBI. Preston Tucker, Chris Carter and Jake Marisnick all got into the home run act for the Astros, who have scored six or more runs in the last four games (35 total).

"Getting those runs in the first inning gave us some confidence," said Houston manager A.J. Hinch. "When this team gets going we can have a really explosive offense."

George Springer added three hits, an RBI and a run scored. He is batting .476 with two homers, five RBI and nine runs scored during a 10-game hit streak.

Astros starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer allowed three runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings for the win.

Houston has a 2 1/2-game lead on Texas in the AL West and is scheduled to visit Seattle and the L.A. Angels on this trip.

The Astros hope Collin McHugh can rebound from his worst outing of the season Thursday and was hammered for eight runs and nine hits in three innings of an 8-1 setback to Seattle on Saturday. McHugh fell to 6-3 in 13 starts and raised his earned run average from 4.34 to 5.08.

McHugh has been reached for at least three runs in each of his last five appearances. He did not factor in the outcome of his only start against Colorado, charged with two hits over seven scoreless innings with nine K's and one walk.

Colorado has lost three in a row and seven of its last eight games.

Rockies starter Kyle Kendrick was tagged for four runs and seven hits over five innings of last night's loss.

"I knew they were going to be aggressive and I tried to be aggressive myself," said Kendrick. "I wound up getting behind in my counts and had to battle a lot tonight."

Carlos Gonzalez homered and finished with two RBI, while Nolan Arenado ended 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Rockies.

The Rockies will also host Milwaukee and Arizona on this residency.

David Hale is set to make his fifth start of the season for the Rockies Thursday and is coming off his first loss. In a 4-1 setback at Miami on Saturday, Hale was reached for all four runs in six innings with five strikeouts and a season-high three walks.

Hale has struck out 17 batters in his last three outings and is 2-0 with a 4.12 ERA in three home starts. The right-hander has never faced Houston.

Colorado and Houston last squared off in 2013, when the Astros took three of four matchups at Minute Maid Park. Houston is 57-30 all-time versus Colorado at home, but 30-50 in Coors Field.






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