2014 Grapefruit League Recap, Game 25

Houston Astros 9, New York Mets 6

2014 Grapefruit League record: 10-15

W- Mark Appel (1-0)
L- Gonzalez Germen (1-2)
S- Anthony Bass (2)

Astros home runs: None.

The Astros concluded their time in Florida with a victory on the strength of a 7-run 7th. Mark Appel made his long-awaited debut in an Astros uniform, pitching a scoreless 7th for the victory. It won't be long before he makes his Astros debut for real.

Starting Pitcher: Scott Feldman

Feldman pitched into the 6th in what should be his final tune-up before Opening Day. He was taken deep for a 2-run shot by Anthony Recker in the 5th and gave up 1 more run in the 6th. Feldman did not issue any walks and struck out 6.

Final line: 5.2 IP, 6 H (2-R homer), 3 ER, 6 K

Bullpen

Brad Peacock only faced one batter; he got the out to end the 6th.

Mark Appel pitched the 7th and worked around a leadoff single to retire the side, striking out 2.

Kevin Chapman got 2 outs (1 via strikeout) in the 8th, but also gave up 3 runs (1 inherited) in the process. Anthony Bass got the final out of the inning with a strikeout, and closed it out by striking out the side in the 9th.

Best stat of the night: Zero walks!!!

Offense

Carlos Corporán led the way with 2 hits. He and Chris Carter scored 2 runs apiece. So... there's an unlikely source of runs scored. The Astros had been shut out for 2/3 of the game until stretch time. I guess that's what they needed to get themselves going.

3 walks loaded the bases in the 7th. At that time, Jose Altuve was the lone casualty of the inning, as he was called out on strikes. Carlos Corporan worked a full count, then stroked a 2-run double to put the Astros on the board, down 3-2. They'd take the lead on another 2-run double from L.J. Hoes, and a 3rd consecutive double from Matt Dominguez brought Hoes home. Marwin Gonzalez continued the assault with an RBI single, and Preston Tucker chipped in with an RBI single of his own to finish off the big inning.

In the 8th, Carter scored on a wild pitch, and Hoes added a sac fly for the Astros' final run of the night.

Three Stars

3.

Anthony Bass, RHP
Save (2), 1.1 IP, 2 H, 4 K

2.

Mark Appel, RHP
IP, H, 2 K

1.

Carlos Corporán, C
2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Next Up

With the Grapefruit League portion of this preseason complete, the Astros are headed back to Texas to play some exhibition games with the Dallas Rangers in San Antonio. The first game will be Friday at 7:05 in the Alamodome.