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Houston Astros Spring Training Week 2: Let The Games Begin!

By James Zeankowski

Feb 25, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; The Houston Astros stand for the national anthem before a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; The Houston Astros stand for the national anthem before a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scores and stories from around Houston Astros Spring Training during week 2 down in West Palm Beach and across the state of Florida.

The Houston Astros began their first Grapefruit League games on Saturday. Here is a look at those scores and highlights:

Saturday February 25th @ Joker Marchant Stadium against Detroit in Lakeland, FL

The first game was not a good start for the spacemen. Brad Peacock, the starter, gave up two hits in as many innings.

To make matters even worse, relief pitcher Edison Frias gave up 3 hits and 4 earned runs, all of which were home runs in the third inning. He was ejected after hitting Miguel Cabrera with a pitch later on.

On the opposing side, Tigers starter Justin Verlander only gave up one hit and struck out two batters. This allowed for his Detroit Tigers lineup to really launch a power slam to the Astros defense.

Final Score: HOU 4, DET 11

Sunday, February 26th @ Champion Stadium/Disney Wide World of Sports Complex against Atlanta in Orlando, FL

This game was much more kind. Both Carlos Correa and Evan Gattis made their debuts. Correa got a single, and El Oso Blanco contributed early with a game tying RBI single in the 3rd inning.

Max Stassi made himself the hero of the day. This is because he hit the go-ahead 2-run homer in the top of the 8th.

On the mound, starter Brady Rodgers struggled a bit, giving up the game’s first RBI to Braves first baseman, Freddie Freeman. Thankfully, the relief core kept the boys from the proclaimed “Jewel of the South” to only one other earned run. That would end up being the difference maker.

Next: Wrapping Up Spring Training Week 1

Final Score: HOU 3, ATL 2

The Houston Astros will be seeing both of these teams in the regular part of the season. Here are some other news bits that came out of camp this past week:

Pitchers Looking Promising!

  1. Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers both threw their first live BP’s this week. The team tweeted out Sunday about Keuchel’s. McCullers’ came this past Friday.
  2. Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reported on Thursday that left-handed reliever, Tony Sipp, has been working extra hard with pitching coach, Brent Strom to perfect his approach on the mound. Sipp even lost one of his two-seam fastballs that hit Evan Gattis in the foot. Thankfully, the Big White Bear limp walked it off and all was fine.

Aoki is “A-OK!”

  1. Upon completing his game against Atlanta on Sunday, outfielder Nori Aoki now is on the move to Japan. He will play for that team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Kaplan from the Chronicle also tweeted out that Aoki was hit by a pitch in the 6th inning and taken out. The outfielder has a .500 average (3-for-6) so far in Grapefruit League.

Stay tuned for more updates next week. GO ASTROS!!!!

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