McCullers set a six-game 12K for the best since his comeback The Astros reversed the Athletics to win four in a row

The Houston Astros had double news on Wednesday: starting pitcher Ronel Blanco had to undergo Tommy John surgery for an elbow injury to be reimbursed for the season, but Lance McCullers Jr. made his comeback in the afternoon game. The right-hand pitcher, who spent two and a half years in rehab, threw six innings to tie a career-high 12 strikeouts to help the Astros win 5-3 against the Athletics to win four in a row.

This was McCullers' fifth start, conceding three points in six innings, the longest since October 3, 2022. "He knows what this performance means to the team," said coach Joe Espada, "and we expect him to regain leadership and be relied upon in key moments." The Astros fought back in seven innings: Zach Dezenzo tied the score with a midfielder and Victor Caratini hit a two-point home at second base to score a winning spot. Terminator Josh Hader gets his 14th perfect rescue of the season.

McCullers used 102 goals to complete six innings, contributing two strikeouts in each game. The ball is constructed with 41 sliders, 24 stretches and 22 curveballs, of which the curveballs make 18 swings, 10 swings, and 6 strikeouts. "I have to admit that his breaking ball is out of the way today," said athletic coach Mark Kotsay. Catcher Caratini noted: "The dominance of skateball and curveball has seen him evolve game by game. "

The number of pitches made in this game equaled the record set on September 21, 2022, and the six innings pitched equaled the performance of the 2022 regular season finale. "I was still finding my form in the first two games, but I've improved significantly in the last two games," McCullers said after the game. From losing seven points in 0.1 innings against the Reds on May 10 to regaining his 15th career 10K+ performance (eighth in team history), the two-time pitcher, who has undergone major surgery, admitted: "I made a successful transition after surgery in 2018, and I will find a new path this time." You may never be able to throw a 98mph (about 158 km) fireball again, but time will tell. "

The Astros won eight straight home series. When asked about the return to ball speed, McCullers responded: "97mph? Who knows, there are some things that can't be rushed. "