MINNEAPOLIS — The Houston Astros feel good about the future of their starting rotation. Their hitters, on the other hand, are still searching for something to smile about.
Brad Peacock allowed four hits over seven innings and struck out a career-high 10 batters on Sunday, but he also gave up homers to Justin Morneau and Oswaldo Arcia as Minnesota beat the Astros 3-2 for a three-game sweep.
The Astros left 11 men on base, including a two-out bases-loaded situation in the seventh that would've given Houston the lead. Pinch-hitter L.J. Hoes grounded into a force-out to end the threat.
Still, Peacock's performance was enough to get the Astros excited about the prospects for their rotation. Brett Oberholtzer and Jarred Cosart have also had some strong outings recently and are forcing manager Bo Porter to rethink his starters.
"He didn't do anything to hurt his chances, for sure," Porter said. "When you come out and give that kind of performance, it definitely helps your chances of staying in the rotation."
The two homers were the only mistakes Peacock made all day, but they were big ones. After arriving in the Twin Cities on Saturday night following his call up from Triple-A Oklahoma City, Peacock threw five consecutive scoreless innings to give Houston a chance to avoid the sweep. Robbie Grossman, inserted into the leadoff role for the first time since being recalled from Oklahoma City on Aug. 1, singled with one out in the fifth. Jason Castro walked with two outs, setting up RBI singles by Brett Wallace and Chris Johnson.
But Arcia led off the seventh with a home run that broke the 2-all tie. Four Twins relievers combined for four scoreless innings, sending Houston to its fourth straight loss.
"He pitched a great game," Morneau said of Peacock. "He deserved to win that game, but we needed that win."
