Ryan Pressly (4-1) earned the win by striking
out the side in the top of the ninth, continuing what was a
pitching duel between White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon and
Astros rookie right-hander Luis Garcia.
Rodon, who tossed a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians on
April 14 in his second start of the season, appeared unhittable
early. He breezed in his first trip through the Astros order,
needing just 33 pitches to record nine outs through three
innings.
Rodon also retired the side in order in the fourth and didn't
allow his first hit until Alvarez delivered a swinging bunt
single against the shift with one out in the fifth.
That baserunner started a threat for the Astros, with Carlos
Correa (walk) and Abraham Toro (single) reaching in succession
to load the bases for Myles Straw. Rodon appeared to steady
himself when he struck out Straw looking, but nine-hole hitter
Martin Maldonado drew a four-pitch walk that forced in Alvarez.
Rodon quickly recovered from his lone stressful frame, setting
the Astros down in order in the sixth inning before pitching
around a pair of baserunners in the seventh by inducing Straw to
hit into a 6-4-3 double play.
Rodon allowed one run on three hits and three walks with eight
strikeouts in seven innings, recording his third consecutive
start allowing just one earned run over a combined 18 innings.
Garcia, meanwhile, labored early before finding his footing in
the middle innings. He surrendered three consecutive hits in the
top of the first, including an RBI single to Jose Abreu, before
limiting the damage to one run.
He allowed two additional hits plus a walk in the second, and
allowed a pair of two-out baserunners in the third but escaped
both innings unscathed.
Garcia cruised from there, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters
he faced. Chicago left fielder Andrew Vaughn doubled with two
outs in the sixth, but Garcia rallied to strike out Zack
Collins.
Garcia fanned Brian Goodwin to end the seventh and finish his
start. He allowed one run on seven hits and two walks with eight
strikeouts.
--Field Level Media
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