PHOENIX — Rookie sensation Brice Matthews was again the offensive hero for the Houston Astros, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning that defined the 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks this Tuesday at Chase Field. The great performance backed a solid outing by Dominican starter Framber Valdez, who added his tenth consecutive winning decision.
Matthews, considered the organization’s number one prospect, had driven in five runs with two home runs in Monday’s victory and responded again at a key moment. With the game tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, the second baseman found Taylor Trammell on base and sent a sweeper from reliever Jake Wood over the left field wall 396 feet away, according to Statcast, putting Houston definitively ahead.
The 22-year-old, promoted from Triple-A Sugar Land on July 11, already has three home runs in just six major league games and has hit four hits. His impact was not only with the bat, as he was also key defensively by starting a double play in the ninth inning that helped closer Bryan King escape a threat with the bases loaded.
For his part, the left-hander Framber Valdez (11-3) was once again dominant, pitching seven innings of one run and seven hits. With this outing, Houston has won the last 13 games in which Valdez has started since May 7. The only run he allowed was the result of a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning.
With this result, the Astros consolidate their good moment in the season while they continue to regain ground in the standings, with the help of their star starter and a rookie who has started his career in the Major Leagues with firm steps.
