ASTROS GAMER: Houston beats Los Angeles in opening match

The Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 at Minute Maid Park on Friday night. The victory keeps the Astros in first place in the American League West.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN:

The Astros called up left-hander Framber Valdez for the game. He gave up a double to Shohei Ohtani in the leadoff inning, but managed to work around it in the first inning to score no runs.

Valdez was pitted against Dodgers right-hander Gavin Stone. Stone pitched a 1-2-3 first inning to tie Houston’s game.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Astros offense went to work. With two men on base and two outs, Joey Loperfido hit an RBI single to give Houston a quick 1-0 lead.

Valdez responded after his leadoff double and settled in nicely. In fact, he didn’t give up another hit until the sixth inning.

Alex Bregman added a solo home run in the third inning, making it 2-0 for Houston. Jon Singleton then hit a two-run hit in the fourth inning, making it 4-0. The score stayed that way for a few innings.

In the sixth inning, Valdez led off the inning with a strikeout. However, a single and two walks quickly loaded the bases after that with only one out. However, a strikeout and a fly out broke Framber’s deadlock and kept Houston’s lead at four runs.

Valdez pitched six and a third solid innings that day, without allowing a run. He struck out 10 batters and was replaced by Bryan Abreu. Abreu got the last two outs of the seventh inning and Ryan Pressly drew a zero in the eighth inning.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Houston added another insurance run, as Mauricio Dubon doubled the score to score another base. The score was then 5-0 for the Stros, which was more than enough on the night. Houston closed the score to take the win.

LARGE NUMBER: 10

Framber Valdez was excellent in that outing, striking out 10 Dodgers batters. He gave Houston the start they needed to get the Game 1 win.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jake Meyers

Meyers went 3-3 in the game, scoring one run and drawing a walk. His offense helped Valdez and the Astros secured the first series victory.

UP NEXT: The Astros and Dodgers will play Game 2 tomorrow night at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. and can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.