Astros’ Hunter Brown set for homecoming vs. Tigers

Hunter Brown was born in Detroit and attended Wayne State College in that metropolis.

He’ll get his second alternative to pitch at Detroit’s Comerica Park as a visiting professional on Saturday night. The Houston Astros right-hander will begin the center contest of a three-game collection in opposition to the Tigers.

Brown made his first profession look at Detroit final season, holding the Tigers to 2 runs and 5 hits in six innings. He made his 2023 season debut in opposition to Detroit at Houston on April 3, giving up 4 runs and 6 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Brown (9-9, 4.50 ERA) acquired roughed up in his final begin on Sunday, permitting six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings in a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

“I believe they had been just about simply throughout me from the beginning,” Brown mentioned. “You then type of combine that in with poor execution — it is not going to be a very good day for you on the mound.”

Brown, who pitched two innings of scoreless aid in his earlier outing, has a 6.39 ERA in his final 10 begins.

“I can nonetheless produce the identical pitch shapes and velocity that I am accustomed to,” he mentioned. “I be ok with that. However on the finish of the day, you have acquired to have the ability to carry out. So how you’re feeling I do not assume essentially issues as a lot as with the ability to produce.”

The lengthy ball has been a difficulty for Brown — he is given up 9 dwelling runs in his final six begins.

Detroit will go along with its ace, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, on Saturday.

After nixing a commerce to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rodriguez (9-6, 3.03) has delivered three high quality begins in his 4 August outings. In his final begin, he held the Cleveland Guardians to 1 run and 4 hits in 6 2/3 innings in a 4-1 victory Sunday.

He threw 33 fastballs amongst his first 43 pitches.

“On a regular basis I really feel like if I can go the primary time by the lineup with all fastballs, that is an enormous win for me,” Rodriguez mentioned. “If I present them every thing early, it’ll be robust the second and third time by.”

Rodriguez pitched in opposition to the Astros on April 5, permitting 4 runs and 6 hits in 4 2/3 innings. He is struggled in opposition to Houston all through his profession, going 1-5 with a 7.34 ERA in 9 begins.

Detroit received the collection opener Friday in gorgeous vogue. The Tigers had been restricted to 1 hit in the course of the first 8 2/3 innings.

They tied the sport with three consecutive singles off Astros nearer Ryan Pressly earlier than rookie Parker Meadows blasted the primary homer of his profession to offer his group an unbelievable 4-1 victory.

“I noticed a dangling slider,” Meadows mentioned in a postgame interview. “I used to be in a position to reap the benefits of it.”

Meadows was known as up from Triple-A Toledo within the week. He has began 4 video games and reached base in every of them, together with enjoying stellar protection in heart discipline.

“You may’t script it any higher for the primary week of his profession within the massive leagues,” supervisor A.J. Hinch mentioned. “He is dealt with this all so nicely.”

The Astros have misplaced six of their final eight video games.

—Discipline Stage Media