Urquidy dominates Red Sox in return from IL

Photo courtesy of Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

A great way to start off a long series against a good opponent? Dropping double digit runs.

The Houston Astros scored eleven runs in their first of four games against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Memorial Day Monday, while José Urquidy kept the BoSox bats quiet in a, 11-2 victory.

Urquidy, making his first start since returning from a brief stint on the IL, had a perfect start to his return -- literally. Through the first three innings, Urquidy did not allow a single baserunner to reach base against him. He had four strikeouts his first time through the order.

The Houston righty showed no signs of slowing down over the middle three innings, allowing only one run while limiting traffic on the basepaths. Urquidy finished with a final line of 6 IP, three hits, one walk, one run allowed, and nine strikeouts.

Urquidy threw 61 of his 87 pitches for strikes, displaying an elite level of control in his return. Still, Urquidy simply seemed glad to have performed well.

"I was really anxious to get back on the hill after going 15 days without pitching in games," Urquidy said. "I was glad to have the performance I did today."

"I love having Urquidy back, man," Astros shortstop Carlos Correa commented postgame. "Urquidy is so much fun to work behind. He works fast, he throws strikes, he attacks hitters. That’s what you want as an infielder."

It helps when every starting hitter in the lineup gets a hit, too. The Astros, while still a little shorthanded due to injuries to Yordan Alvarez, Yuli Gurriel, and Michael Brantley, showed no signs of nervousness or lack of confidence at the plate.

Chief among the multiple great performances on the day was Kyle Tucker, who notched a team-high three hits and four RBIs in the contest.

José Altuve got the party going early with a two-run home run off of Boston southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez, who struggled mightily in the outing. Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and Taylor Jones also generated RBIs in the victory.

Houston will look to earn their third win in a row on Tuesday, as Luis Garcia squares off against Garrett Richards. The Astros have won the last three games that Garcia has started. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM CT.