For the second night in a row, the Astros needed extra innings to secure a win. Friday night featured an 11th inning walk-off double by Robinson Chirinos that pushed Houston past the Orioles, 4-3.
Yuli Gurriel reached with one out in the 11th after hitting a single before Chirinos hit a shot down the left field line. Gurriel was attempting to steal second when Chirinos made contact which allowed Gurriel to score. There was a play at the plate but the ball was dropped and the Astros got the win.
Houston trailed 3-0 into the 5th when Josh Reddick hit a solo blast to cut into the lead. Later in the inning, Tony Kemp hit an upper-deck two-run bomb to tie the game at 3-3.
Gerrit Cole struck out 14 Baltimore hitters in seven innings pitched. Cole gave up just four hits and three runs with only one being earned. The 14 K's are a season high. Cionel Perez pitched three perfect innings in relief of Cole to secure his first win of the season. Perez was just recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday morning.
Framber Valdez will make his first start of the year Satuday afternoon against the O's. Perez moves from the bullpen to a starting role with Corbin Martin being sent down to Round Rock. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10pm.