Scott Kazmir Shines In Debut With Astros
- Updated: July 25, 2015
Scott Kazmir was traded from the Oakland Athletics’ to the Houston Astros on Thursday afternoon before his scheduled start in the rotation. Some may see the left-hander was the missing piece in a Houston team that definitely looks like they are in contention for the AL West. On Friday he arrived at Kauffman Stadium as a member of the Astros ready to make his first start against the hot Kansas City Royals. Kazmir’s debut didn’t disappoint!
Although he allowed a lead off single by Alcides Escobar to start the first inning, he was able to use his fastball to get Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain to fly out consecutively and then his slider to strike out Eric Hosmer to get out of the inning.
He then retired the next six batters before allowing baserunners in the fourth inning but once again but this time using his changeup to get batters out.
Kazmir worked all of his pitches as he went seven solid innings on 91 pitches, allowing just three hits, one walk and struck out three batters. He brought his ERA to 2.24 and is now above .500 with a 6-5 record.
Preston Tucker got the Astros on the board in the top of the third with a solo homer on a line drive to right, his ninth of the season. A RBI single by Colby Rasmus then sent Carlos Correa home for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the fourth, Houston extended their lead with a RBI single by Jose Altuve send home Jake Marisnick and then a RBI single by Correa to send home Tucker for the 4-0 lead as they were able to shutout the Royals.
- Pacific Coast League Player of the Week: C Carson Kelly-Cardinals - May 23, 2017
- Eastern League Pitcher of the Week: Tate Scioneaux-Pirates - May 2, 2017
- Eastern League Player of the Week: Bobby Bradley-Indians - April 25, 2017