BASEBALL: Chase Dollander's stellar relief work guides Rockies past Astros

Chase Dollander delivered a career-high nine strikeouts out of the bullpen, and Hunter Goodman hit his third home run of the series as the Colorado Rockies defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 in the finale of their three-game interleague set on Thursday.

Dollander (2-1) was dominant in his 5 1/3 innings of relief, allowing just one hit and walking two batters. He averaged an impressive 99.4 mph on 29 four-seam fastballs and 98.8 mph on 19 sinkers. His performance was crucial in keeping the Astros' offense in check, as he retired 15 of the 18 batters he faced.

Victor Vodnik came on in the ninth inning to secure his second save of the season, retiring the side in order and preserving the Rockies' slim lead.

Dollander entered the game in the first inning after opener Juan Mejia gave up two runs on three hits. Despite the early deficit, Dollander quickly settled in and showed why he is considered one of the Rockies' top prospects. He induced an inning-ending groundout with runners on the corners in the first and struck out José Altuve to end the second. The strikeout of Altuve marked the beginning of a stretch where Dollander fanned five consecutive batters.

The Astros jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to RBI singles from Yordan Alvarez and Joey Loperfido. However, the Rockies responded in the third when Astros starter Ryan Weiss walked the bases loaded. Tyler Freeman grounded into a double play, which allowed Kyle Karros to score, cutting the Astros' lead to 2-1.

Goodman then tied the game in the fourth with a solo home run to left-center, his fourth of the season.

Freeman would provide the go-ahead RBI in the fifth, singling off Astros reliever Christian Roa (0-1) to score Brenton Doyle, giving the Rockies a 3-2 lead that they would hold onto.

Despite multiple chances, the Astros were unable to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Houston left runners on base in the first, fourth, and sixth innings, and the Rockies' defense stood strong when Carlos Correa lined out to first with the bases loaded in the seventh, ending their last real threat.

The win allowed the Rockies to salvage the series finale and avoid the sweep, improving their record to 2-1 in the series.

-Field Level Media/Reuters