Rising Houston Astros set the table for summer run as team plans to use sweep of Baltimore Orioles as springboard to the top

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Astros have come a long way since they opened the season with 12 wins in their first 36 games.

“We’re getting to where we want to be, which is number one,” Astros star Framber Valdez said.

The Astros have continued to struggle since those ugly and frustrating days in early May.

A weekend sweep against the Baltimore Orioles moved the Astros within striking distance of first-place Seattle, six games back in the division.

Sunday, a four-hit day, was the key to the Astros’ seventh victory in their last nine games.

Alex Bregman said he can feel a difference in the team’s hot streak.

“I thought we were there every day and when we compete like that we know what we are capable of,” he explained.

So, what happens next as the Astros try to keep their hot streak going and come all the way back to win the division title?

Manager Joe Espada just wants his team to play Astros baseball.

“That’s what we expect from our team,” Espada said. “Keep it up. I think we can use this as a trampoline and build momentum.”

Suddenly the Astros are getting contributions up and down their roster.

Their pitching staff has found solid foundation behind emerging stars like Ronel Blanco and Hunter Brown.

The team that so many counted entering the season with a 12-24 record is just two games under .500 with three months left in a long season. The schedule is favorable with two home games against Colorado before the team begins a 10-game road trip.

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