Astros' Rookie Korey Lee Drives Three Home in Win Over A's

Rookie catcher Korey Lee had himself a day in his second major league start, as the Houston Astros cruised past the Oakland A's.

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Korey Lee was tasked with his second major league start Sunday, catching Jake Odorizzi once again. Odorizzi — who returned from the 15-day injured list in his last outing — bounced back with a quality start in a 6-1 victory over the Oakland A's.

Lee batted ninth for the Houston Astros on Sunday, but even at the bottom of the order, the righty drove in half the club's runs. The 23-year-old slashed his first major league hit in the fifth inning, driving home Jake Meyers from third base on a single to left field.

Entering the seventh inning up two runs, Lee drove in Aledmys Díaz and Jake Meyers on a double to left field with the bases loaded. Shortstop Jeremy Peña scored Chas McCormick on a sacrifice fly to right field, two batters later. 

Lee's hit parade wasn't over yet, as the catcher slashed his third hit of the day on a single to center field to wrap up his best game so far. In only the second start of his big league career, Lee drove in three runs and called a quality start for an experienced pitcher in Odorizzi.

Alex Bregman helped out the rookie signal caller, kickstarting the Astros' scoring in the first inning with a one-out double, driving in José Altuve from second. Kyle Tucker added some insurance in the eighth with his 17th home run of the season on a solo shot to center field.

Houston Astros Starting Pitcher Jake Odorizzi / Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Odorizzi tossed his third quality start Sunday, working seven-shutout innings on 98 pitches. The righty's Sunday outing marked his longest start of the year and third to exceed five innings.

Over his last seven starts, Odorizzi possesses a 2.62 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over a 34 1/3 innings. The six-man rotation is in full force with Odorizzi off the shelf, offering more depth to a weakness highlighted in the 2021 postseason. 

The Astros closed out a three-game set with the A's on Sunday, taking two on the road. Following an off day Monday, Houston returns to the diamond at 8:38 p.m. Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. Luis García is expected to toe the rubber against righty Noah Syndergaard.

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

1. Álvarez, Tucker Most Deserving to Represent Astros as Reserves in All-Star Game
2. Houston Astros Lefty Mushinski Continues Rehab Struggles in Sugar Land
3. Which Prospects From FanGraphs’ Top 33 Could Impact the Team in 2023?
4. A's Feel the Burn as Astros' Urquidy Tosses Career-High Eight Innings
5. How the Houston Astros Could Dethrone Yankees for Best Record in MLB

---

Make sure to follow Inside the Astros on Twitter @InsideAstrosSI!