Two fastballs left over the heart of the plate. That was all the Minnesota Twins needed.
Mike Burrows surrendered home runs to former Astro Victor Caratini and Ryan Kreidler that accounted for all four Minnesota runs in a 4-1 loss at Target Field Wednesday, dropping Houston to 20-31. The Astros have scored three or fewer runs in 15 of 19 games this month, and their offense offered no remedy.
Caratini’s solo shot came in the second inning on a four-seamer that leaked back over the middle of the plate. Kreidler’s three-run blast in the fourth was similar: Burrows left a fastball over the heart of the zone with two on and two out after a pitch clock violation handed Tristan Gray an automatic ball four to load the bases. Burrows has now allowed 12 home runs in his first 10 starts, eight of them off his four-seam fastball.
Outside of the two swings, Burrows largely kept Minnesota in check, allowing four hits across six innings while striking out six. But the Astros continue to pay heavily for mistakes in the middle of the zone, particularly with a fastball that has become increasingly vulnerable when left elevated.
Joe Ryan neutralized the Astros lineup with relative ease after the first two innings, retiring his final 13 batters in a row and finishing with nine strikeouts and no walks in six innings. Houston managed five hits, all singles, and struck out 15 times.
Nate Pearson threw a clean eighth inning in his season debut, returning from right elbow surgery. AJ Blubaugh handled the seventh without issue.
The Astros travel to Chicago for a three-game series at Wrigley Field beginning Friday.
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