Houston Astros right handed reliever Will Harris was on the mound Saturday to record the final out in a 9-3 win over the Oakland A’s, as the first place Astros improved to 10-7 on the season.
Harris came into the game yesterday in the ninth inning, replacing RHP Josh Fields, and pitched a shutout inning to extend his scoreless inning streak to 23 games (24.2 IP), dating back to August 19, 2014, including seven appearances with the Houston Astros.
The streak appeared to be in jeopardy when Harris gave up a leadoff single to Oakland A’s star, Josh Reddick. Harris was able to get the second batter he faced to ground out back to the mound, moving Reddick to second base. Harris walked Cody Ross who was only hitting .105, to put runners at first and second, with still just one out. Eric Sogard flew out to right, advancing Reddick to third. With the streak on the line, Reddick 90 feet from the plate, and two outs, Harris struck out Mark Canha to end the game and preserve the streak.
The Astros claimed the 30-year-old reliever off the waiver wire from Arizona in November and signed him to a one-year deal.
Harris has spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues with Colorado (2012) and Arizona (2013-14) and owns a career record of 6-5 with a 3.90 ERA, in 117 appearances spanning 108.1 innings pitched. He has walked only 34 batters while striking out 117.
The Astros are carrying 13 pitchers on the active roster, keeping Harris’s spot in the bullpen being secure for now. That said, it is hard to imagine sending somebody down, who hasn’t allowed a run in 23 consecutive appearances. Regardless, it’s unlikely that somebody will be claiming Harris off the wire this November.
Such a underrated pitcher. The guy is worth 3 pitchers based off the stats I devised, yet he is getting so little attention.
Jacob, I am very surprised Tony La Russa would have let him slip away from the Diamondbacks