Latest news with #ChristianWalker
Reuters
4 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Astros beat Guardians in Colton Gordon's 1st MLB win
June 7 - Christian Walker's two-run double highlighted a three-run fifth inning and Colton Gordon allowed one run over five innings for his first major league win in the Houston Astros' 4-2 road victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night. Jeremy Pena extended his hitting streak to 12 games with his second consecutive three-hit contest and Brendan Rodgers clubbed his first homer of 2025 for the Astros, who have won nine of 12. In his fifth career start, Gordon (1-1) overcame seven hits allowed to yield just a fifth-inning run and struck out five without a walk in the opener of a three-game set. David Fry clubbed his first homer of the season for one of his two hits and Jose Ramirez extended his on-base streak to 32 games for the Guardians, who have dropped seven of 11. Logan Allen (3-4) threw four scoreless innings before he yielded all of Houston's runs in his final two frames, plus seven hits and two walks. In the first, Cleveland's Angel Martinez and Ramirez each were thrown out by Houston left fielder Mauricio Dubon trying to stretch a single into a double, which was a harbinger of the night for the Guardians. In the fifth, with two outs and two on, Houston's Jose Altuve grounded to deep third, where Ramirez made an off-the-mark throw to first that allowed a streaking Pena to score from second. Then Walker sent a flare into right field that Cleveland's Nolan Jones couldn't reach and dropped for a double that scored two to make it 3-0. The Guardians got on the board in the bottom of the fifth via three singles from Daniel Schneemann, Nolan Jones and Will Wilson - the latter of the RBI variety. However, Cleveland stranded a pair thanks to right fielder Jacob Melton's diving catch down the line to end the frame. Houston got the run back when Rodgers cleared the right-center field wall for his first hit since May 11. The Guardians again made it a two-run contest when Fry went deep to right field in his fifth game of the season after returning from elbow surgery. Houston's Josh Hader pitched a perfect ninth for his 17th save. --Field Level Media
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Astros' McCullers gets first win since 2022 after overcoming injuries, death threats
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Lance McCullers Jr. finally got some peace of mind on Tuesday night. The Astros right-hander pitched six scoreless innings to get his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, as Houston beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0. McCullers missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons because of injuries and had not won in five starts this year since being activated from the injured list on May 4. McCullers (1-1) struck out seven and walked one while outdueling Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who gave up one run — on a solo homer by Christian Walker in the seventh — in eight innings. 'It took a while, but we got there,' McCullers said of getting the win. 'I'm just happy that I'm kind of back in the mix with the guys, and I'm able to give them legitimate opportunities to win.' McCullers was also happy to have a difficult off-field situation behind him. A drunken bettor who made online death threats aimed at McCullers' family lives overseas and told Houston police he was sorry for what he had done, a department spokesperson said Monday. McCullers received the threats on social media directed at his children after a poor start against the Cincinnati Reds on May 10 in which he allowed seven runs while recording only one out. The Astros said Houston police and MLB security were notified. McCullers and his wife Kara have two young daughters. Astros owner Jim Crane hired 24-hour security for them. Police public information officer Erika Ramirez said the man who made the threats was identified during an investigation. Because no charges have been filed, police are not disclosing his identity or where he lives. 'I don't want to keep on about it, but a lot of thanks go to the Astros, the Astros security, Jim Crane, MLB security, my teammates, the HPD,' McCullers said. 'Having resolution is nice. Not being close to Houston is nice. The fans are super supportive, too, and I appreciate that. It's good that it's behind us and our family feels safe again.' The man told police that he would like to apologize to McCullers for the threats. McCullers said he would accept. 'As a follower of Christ and called to love our neighbor and forgive, I would be open to that,' he said. ___ AP MLB:
Reuters
04-06-2025
- General
- Reuters
Astros' Lance McCullers Jr. beats Pirates for first win since '22
June 4 - Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker homered as Lance McCullers Jr. outdueled Paul Skenes, helping the Houston Astros defeat the host Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night. McCullers (1-1) pitched six shutout innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out seven on 96 pitches. He registered his first victory since returning last month from a two-year injury absence following flexor tendon surgery. He most recently won a game on Sept. 21, 2022. The Astros prevailed for the third time in their past four games while the Pirates lost for the third time in four contests. Houston posted its second consecutive shutout and sixth of the season while Pittsburgh was blanked for the 10th time. Josh Hader worked a perfect ninth and converted his 16th save in 16 opportunities this season. After receiving plenty of run support in his most recent start -- a 10-1 Pirates win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 28 -- Skenes (4-6) didn't get any on Tuesday. The Pirates wasted a quality outing in which he allowed one run on three hits and one walk over eight innings. Skenes struck out eight on 99 pitches but yielded a go-ahead solo home run in the seventh to Walker, who belted his eighth of the season over the left field wall. Houston added two more runs in the top of the ninth when Paredes hit his 12th home run 403 feet and past the left field wall off Pirates reliever Dennis Santana. Pittsburgh tried to rally in the bottom of the eighth when Isiah Kiner-Falefa led off with a single. After Oneil Cruz reached on a fielder's-choice grounder, Cruz appeared to steal second safely, but he overran the bag and was tagged out by second baseman Jose Altuve. Kiner-Falefa collected two of Pittsburgh's four hits. Before ethe game, the Pirates reinstated second baseman Nick Gonzales (ankle) from the 60-day injured list. Gonzales started and went 1-for-3, playing for the first time since breaking his ankle in the season opener. Pittsburgh also recalled right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas from Triple-A Indianapolis and designated utilityman Nick Solak for assignment. --Field Level Media
CBS News
04-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Pirates blanked by Astros, as Skenes allows 1 run over 8 innings
Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six sparkling innings for his first win since 2022, and Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes hit late home runs as the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night. McCullers (1-1) won a tight duel with Pirates ace Paul Skenes, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. It was his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, at Tampa Bay. The right-hander missed the past two seasons because of injuries, then was winless in his first five starts this year after being activated from the injured list on May 4. Skenes (4-6) was nearly as dazzling in defeat, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings. He struck out eight and walked one as the Pirates lost for the third time in four games. Skenes' record is two games under .500 despite a 2.05 ERA. Walker hit a first-pitch sweeper from Skenes into the left-field bleachers with one out in the seventh to break a scoreless tie. It was the first baseman's eighth home run this season. Paredes added a two-run shot in the ninth, his 12th, off Dennis Santana. Shawn Dubin, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader worked an inning apiece to complete the four-hitter. Hader his converted all 16 of his save opportunities this season. Houston won the opener of a three-game series for its seventh victory in nine games. The Astros pitched their sixth shutout of the year. The Pirates have been blanked 10 times in 61 games. With the Pirates down 1-0 and runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, Oneil Cruz grounded into a forceout. Then he was caught stealing to end the inning. Skenes has pitched at least eight innings three times in his two-year career and the Pirates have lost all three games. Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.62 ERA) starts Wednesday night for Houston against fellow rookie right-hander Mike Burrows (0-1, 8.64).
Associated Press
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
McCullers outduels Skenes for 1st win since 2022 as Astros blank Pirates 3-0
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six sparkling innings for his first win since 2022, and Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes hit late home runs as the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night. McCullers (1-1) won a tight duel with Pirates ace Paul Skenes, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. It was his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, at Tampa Bay. The right-hander missed the past two seasons because of injuries, then was winless in his first five starts this year after being activated from the injured list on May 4. Skenes (4-6) was nearly as dazzling in defeat, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings. He struck out eight and walked one as the Pirates lost for the third time in four games. Skenes' record is two games under .500 despite a 2.05 ERA. Walker hit a first-pitch sweeper from Skenes into the left-field bleachers with one out in the seventh to break a scoreless tie. It was the first baseman's eighth home run this season. Paredes added a two-run shot in the ninth, his 12th, off Dennis Santana. Shawn Dubin, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader worked an inning apiece to complete the four-hitter. Hader his converted all 16 of his save opportunities this season. Houston won the opener of a three-game series for its seventh victory in nine games. The Astros pitched their sixth shutout of the year. The Pirates have been blanked 10 times in 61 games. Key moment With the Pirates down 1-0 and runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, Oneil Cruz grounded into a forceout. Then he was caught stealing to end the inning. Key stat Skenes has pitched at least eight innings three times in his two-year career and the Pirates have lost all three games. Up next Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.62 ERA) starts Wednesday night for Houston against fellow rookie right-hander Mike Burrows (0-1, 8.64). ___ AP MLB:
