Keuchel whiffs career-high 13 batters as Astros rout Rangers
Dallas Keuchel is proving his impressive first half was no fluke.
The Houston Astros ace, fresh off his start in the All-Star Game for the American League, struck out a career-high 13 batters over seven shutout innings to lead a 10-0 rout of the Texas Rangers.
Keuchel, who may have had some extra fire after Saturday's benches-clearing incident, struck out Delino DeShields twice, and screamed "Sit down!" at the Rangers outfielder after he disputed a strike-three call.
"When you don't show respect to other players, there's guys who will take offense to that," Keuchel said. "You don't disrespect the game of baseball. I felt like we got disrespected [Saturday]. I wasn't [part of] it, but at the same time, I knew what I had to do and I was able to come out and set the tempo for the guys."
Keuchel's 13 strikeouts were the most by an Astros pitcher since 2011 when Wandy Rodriguez accomplished the feat against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Keuchel has now gone six or more innings in 31 consecutive starts - the longest active streak in the majors.
The first-time All-Star is now 12-4 with a 2.12 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 20 starts.