 just inside the left-field foul pole for his 11th home run of the year. Lamb followed with a solo shot to right. Neshek had not allowed two home runs in an inning this season and had not allowed a home run since June 10 at the White Sox. Daniel Hudson (3-3) pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win, and Brad Ziegler got the last three outs for his 18th save.
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Time: 08:10 P.M. EST Venue: Minute Maid Park
The Houston Astros stocked their farm system as they painfully endured their three worst seasons in franchise history. With an abundance of young talent, they added some veteran flair to their roster Thursday. Houston looks to continue its push toward its first playoff berth in 10 years Friday night against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. The Astros (57-45) had a .333 winning percentage from 2011-2013, losing 106-plus games each season. Last year wasn't much better at 70-92, but now they're reaping the benefits from high draft picks Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers and Carlos Correa. Leading the Los Angeles Angels by two games in the AL West after sweeping them in three games, the Astros have staked their claim as contenders at the trade deadline for the first time in recent memory. Last week they acquired Scott Kazmir from Oakland, and Thursday they sent four prospects to Milwaukee for outfielder Carlos Gomez and right-hander Mike Fiers. Gomez, a two-time All-Star signed through next season, has been limited to 74 games by injuries, but is still batting .262 with eight home runs and 20 doubles. Fiers is 5-9 with a 3.89 ERA and isn't a free agent until after 2019. Both are expected to be in uniform." To be able to bring a player like Carlos Gomez into our organization in the prime of his career to complement a lot of great players we have out there right now means we're serious about doing some damage this year, and in the years to come," general manager Jeff Luhnow told MLB's official website. Jason Castro hit a three-run walkoff homer with two outs in the ninth and Kazmir gave up three hits over 7 2-3 innings in Thursday's 3-0 win. Arizona (49-51) has won a season high-tying five straight, also accomplished May 18-22. Its starting pitchers have posted a 1.64 ERA during this surge, and the team had 16 runs and 27 hits in its last two victories at Seattle. Jake Lamb is 7 for 17 during the winning streak while Paul Goldschmidt is 7 for 18 with five walks. Goldschmidt has seven doubles and two homers during a 12-game hitting streak against Houston. The Diamondbacks haven't won six in a row since a nine-game run Aug. 23-31, 2011. Houston's Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.54 ERA) comes off his best start of the year, limiting Kansas City to one run and four hits over 7 2-3 innings, though he didn't record a decision in the 2-1 loss Saturday. He had given up four runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 7-6 loss to Texas a week earlier in his first start since undergoing knee surgery." I've been out for so long it felt like I was starting over almost, building my way back up," Feldman said of the procedure that had sidelined him since May 26. "I felt pretty good when I got activated. Hopefully I can build off of this one and try to continue to pitch deeper into games." Feldman is 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA in four starts against Arizona. The Diamondbacks counter with Rubby De La Rosa (8-5, 4.52), who is looking to win a third straight start for the first time in his career after two of his best outings of the season. He limited Miami and Milwaukee to a combined one run and nine hits over 15 innings. He's given up 13 home runs in 55 1-3 road innings compared to nine over 70 at home, however. The Astros lead the majors with 141 home runs, and De La Rosa was trounced in two previous starts against them, allowing 11 runs over 8 2-3 innings. Houston won three of four meetings last year.
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