HOUSTON (AP) -- Matt Dominguez broke out of a slump with two hits including a three-run double in Houston's big third inning to lead the Astros to a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.Dominguez was 1 for 12 in the first three games of this homestand before singling in the second inning. The Astros led by one when he cleared the bases with his double in a five-run third inning that made it 5-1.Jarred Cosart (6-5) allowed nine hits and three runs in seven innings in his longest outing since May 5 for the win. 
Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer (3-4) was done in by an error and a lack of control in his shortest start this season. He allowed three hits and six runs - one earned - with three walks in three innings.The Astros got back on track after striking out a season-high 16 times in a 6-1 loss in the opener Friday night. Dexter Fowler had two RBIs and Marwin Gonzalez, who was filling in for the injured Jose Altuve, had three hits and scored twice.Altuve missed his second straight game after being hit on the right hand by a pitch on Thursday night.Evan Longoria homered and drove in all of the runs for the Rays, who have lost 15 of their past 18 games.Rookie Kevin Kiermaier doubled with one out in the first and scored on a single by Longoria to put Tampa Bay up 1-0.Gonzalez got things going in the third with a one-out double before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Fowler reached and Gonzalez scored to tie it at 1-1 on an error by Archer with two outs when he missed the catch at first base.Archer slipped and fell onto his stomach while trying to make that catch, and was unable to locate his pitches after that.He plunked George Springer on the left shoulder and walked Jon Singleton before giving Houston the lead by walking Jason Castro.Dominguez followed with his double to center field, which hit on the wall just inches shy of the home run line, to make it 5-1. The play was reviewed and upheld.Archer escaped the inning by striking out Chris Carter.Alex Presley drew a walk to start the fourth inning and chase Archer. He was replaced by Cesar Ramos, who was greeted with a single by Gonzalez. Ramos struck out Jonathan Villar before Fowler's two-run double to center field pushed the lead to 7-1.Desmond Jennings singled with one out in the fifth before Longoria launched his eighth home run this season into the Crawford Boxes in left field to get Tampa Bay within 7-3.
Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer (3-4) was done in by an error and a lack of control in his shortest start this season. He allowed three hits and six runs - one earned - with three walks in three innings.The Astros got back on track after striking out a season-high 16 times in a 6-1 loss in the opener Friday night. Dexter Fowler had two RBIs and Marwin Gonzalez, who was filling in for the injured Jose Altuve, had three hits and scored twice.Altuve missed his second straight game after being hit on the right hand by a pitch on Thursday night.Evan Longoria homered and drove in all of the runs for the Rays, who have lost 15 of their past 18 games.Rookie Kevin Kiermaier doubled with one out in the first and scored on a single by Longoria to put Tampa Bay up 1-0.Gonzalez got things going in the third with a one-out double before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Fowler reached and Gonzalez scored to tie it at 1-1 on an error by Archer with two outs when he missed the catch at first base.Archer slipped and fell onto his stomach while trying to make that catch, and was unable to locate his pitches after that.He plunked George Springer on the left shoulder and walked Jon Singleton before giving Houston the lead by walking Jason Castro.Dominguez followed with his double to center field, which hit on the wall just inches shy of the home run line, to make it 5-1. The play was reviewed and upheld.Archer escaped the inning by striking out Chris Carter.Alex Presley drew a walk to start the fourth inning and chase Archer. He was replaced by Cesar Ramos, who was greeted with a single by Gonzalez. Ramos struck out Jonathan Villar before Fowler's two-run double to center field pushed the lead to 7-1.Desmond Jennings singled with one out in the fifth before Longoria launched his eighth home run this season into the Crawford Boxes in left field to get Tampa Bay within 7-3.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
