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7h ago

Back From IL, McCullers Labors Through 4 Innings as Astros Beat Orioles

Houston is weighing rotation choices with a thin bullpen.

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Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz (21) is tagged out at home plate by Baltimore Orioles catcher Sam Basallo, left, during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Baltimore.
Houston Astros' Jacob Melton (31) advances toward home plate to score on an RBI double hit by Jeremy Pena during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu celebrates after his team's victory over the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Baltimore.

Overview

  • Lance McCullers Jr. returned from a month on the injured list with a right finger blister to start at Camden Yards.
  • He threw four innings on 87 pitches with five walks and three runs allowed, leaving with a 7-3 lead as Joe Espada cited foul balls and strike-zone consistency.
  • Houston won 10-7, powered by three-run home runs from Jeremy Peña and Christian Walker.
  • Through 12 starts this season, McCullers owns a near-6.9 ERA over 48 1/3 innings and is averaging about four innings per outing with frequent multi-walk games.
  • McCullers and coaches point to better sinker command as the key; he upped sinker usage to 28% with limited results, while the team considers a six-man rotation and navigates a bullpen missing Josh Hader and Bennett Sousa.