White Sox Fall To Astros 5-4
HOUSTON (AP) — Jason Castro homered for the second straight game and Matt Dominguez hit a three-run double to help the Houston Astros to their fourth straight win, 5-4, over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Dominguez put Houston on top 3-0 with a double in the second inning, and Castro hit a two-run shot to make it 5-2 in the seventh.
The left-handed Castro hit his first career home run off a left-hander on Saturday night when he connected off John Danks, and made it two when he hit a slider from Matt Thornton on Sunday.
Alejandro De Aza tripled and scored in the sixth and Dayan Viciedo tripled and scored in the seventh to cut the lead to 3-2. De Aza added a two-out, two-run homer off Jose Veras to make it 5-4 in the ninth before Alexei Ramirez grounded out to give Veras his 14th save.
Houston starter Dallas Keuchel (4-3) yielded four hits and two runs in 6 1-3 innings for the win.
Hector Santiago (2-5) allowed five hits and three runs with eight strikeouts in 5 1-3 innings.
The AL-Central-worst White Sox have dropped four straight overall and 12 of their last 13 road games to fall 10 games under .500 (28-38) for the first time since May 7, 2011. They have had trouble scoring in this span and have been outscored 71-41.
Chris Carter singled with one out in the second before Santiago issued consecutive walks to load the bases. Dominguez cleared the bases with a double which skidded down the left field line, just out of reach of a diving Jeff Keppinger to make it 3-0. He advanced to third on the throw home.
Brandon Barnes robbed Viciedo of a hit when he raced up Tal's Hill in center field and made an over-the-shoulder grab before falling and rolling into the wall to start the second inning.
The White Sox got their first hit the next batter when Adam Dunn singled. But Keuchel retired the following nine hitters, with Chicago's next runner coming when Keppinger walked with one out in the fifth.
De Aza tripled to start the sixth inning, and Chicago cut the lead to 3-1 when he scored on a sacrifice fly by Ramirez.
Viciedo led off the seventh with a triple and scored on a one-out single by Keppinger that got Chicago within 3-2 and chased Keuchel.
He was replaced by Jose Cisnero who was greeted with a single by Gordon Beckham before pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie walked to load the bases. Cisnero escaped the jam by striking out De Aza before Ramirez grounded out to end the inning.
NOTES: Houston's game on Saturday night ended when Veras picked off Jordan Danks at second base. It was the first time in franchise history that a game was ended by an Astros' pitcher picking off a runner, according to information provided by the team from the Elias Sports Bureau. ... The series wraps up on Monday when Houston's Bud Norris opposes Jose Quintana. Norris has a 2.28 ERA in eight starts at home this season. ... Houston OF Justin Maxwell, on the disabled list with a broken bone in his left hand, went 1 for 3 in a rehabilitation game with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. Manager Bo Porter said he doesn't have a timetable for his return to the Astros. ... White Sox OF Dewayne Wise, on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, went 1 for 3 with a triple in a rehabilitation game with Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday. ... Astros' top prospect Jonathan Singleton, who finished a 50-game drug suspension late last month, has been promoted to Oklahoma City after hitting .263 with two homers and eight RBIs in 11 games for Double-A Corpus Christi.
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