Astros take aim at Twins, chase sixth straight series win

The Astros expressed optimism that shortstop Jeremy Pena will have a minimum stint on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, a positive development for hard-charging Houston.

The Astros' 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday was their 10th in their last 14 games and set the stage for a sixth consecutive series victory with a rubber-match win on Wednesday.

Pena was placed on the injured list earlier on Tuesday. He was slashing .295/.356/.443 in 48 games before landing on the IL a second time this season.

"I think it's mild and we're going to go day-by-day," Astros manager Joe Espada said. "Hopefully, after the off day (Thursday), we can get him running around and see how good he feels.

"I feel strongly that it will be the minimal time."

Infielder Raynel Delgado was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to replace Pena on the active roster. Delgado was optioned on Monday to make room for Nick Allen, who was reinstated from the IL, but never actually departed town. He finished 1-for-3 with a walk and a run in the victory.

"I talked to him (Monday) night and called him (Tuesday) morning and told him, ‘Dude, don't get on the plane. We're going to need you,'" Espada said.

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai (5-3, 5.36 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Astros on Wednesday.

Imai posted his third consecutive winning decision and his third scoreless outing this season on June 25 when he limited the Detroit Tigers to two hits while recording 10 strikeouts over six innings in a 2-1 victory. He went 3-0 with a 5.09 ERA in June, with the Astros winning all four of his starts.

Imai will make his second career start against the Twins. He absorbed a 6-3 loss on May 18 after allowing three runs on five hits - including two home runs - with five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Taj Bradley (6-3, 3.98 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Twins in the series finale.

In his previous start last Friday, Bradley did not factor into the decision of a 9-8 extra-inning win over the Colorado Rockies. He allowed two runs on three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over a season-high-tying seven innings.

Bradley has just one victory over his last six starts, pitching to a 5.97 ERA while allowing seven home runs across 31 2/3 innings.

He is 2-3 with a 5.61 ERA in five career starts against the Astros. He went 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA across two starts against Houston last season while pitching with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Having lost left-handed reliever Anthony Banda for an extended period due to a lat injury on Sunday, the Twins certainly welcomed the strong relief performances from right-handers Eric Orze and Marco Raya on Tuesday. That duo combined for four scoreless innings, allowing two hits while recording four strikeouts and pitching effectively enough to keep the Twins in striking distance.

"Orze and Raya both did a good job," Twins manager Derek Shelton said. "They navigated the little bit of traffic they had. It was good to see Marco the second time. Obviously, he was a lot more comfortable; the ability to execute the sweeper was good.

"They did a good job. They kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win the game. We just couldn't mount a comeback."

--Field Level Media