Field Level Media
Aug 4, 2021
With fans in Los Angeles expressing their venom, the Houston Astros were able to shut out the noise as well as the Dodgers in a 3-0 victory Tuesday behind the pitching of Lance McCullers Jr.
Yordan Alvarez hit a two-run home run, Michael Brantley had an RBI and McCullers pitched into the seventh inning as the Astros improved to 2-1 against the Dodgers this season.
It was the first time the Astros played at Dodger Stadium in front of fans since their 2017 cheating scandal was revealed, and 52,682 showed up at Dodger Stadium. The Astros defeated the Dodgers in seven games in the 2017 World Series.
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler (11-2) lacked efficiency Tuesday but gave up just one run on five hits over six innings, with three walks and five strikeouts. Buehler threw 113 pitches, 26 of them in the third inning alone.
McCullers (9-2) pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. McCullers took a comebacker by AJ Pollock off his left ankle in the seventh inning but remained in the game. Ryne Stanek pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his second save.
Brantley gave the Astros a 1-0 lead in the third inning with a two-out, full-count double to score Martin Maldonado, who had led off with a double.
Both teams were held scoreless from there until Alvarez hit his two-run homer in the eighth off Dodgers left-hander Victor Gonzalez. Alvarez, who was originally signed by the Dodgers and traded to the Astros in 2016, hit his 20th of the season.
The Dodgers left 10 runners on base, including two in the seventh inning and two in the eighth. Los Angeles finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Pollock had an infield single in the seventh inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and his on-base streak to 21.
Mookie Betts played his second consecutive game at second base since returning from the injured list after recovering from right hip inflammation. Betts is normally Los Angeles' right fielder.
The Astros played without first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who was a late scratch due to neck stiffness.
--Field Level Media