Saarloos Notches First Major League Shutout July 25, 2002 – Houston, Tex.
Houston Astros pitcher Kirk Saarloos, a former Titan All-American, hurled
his first Major League shutout Thursday afternoon in an 8-0 win over Pittsburgh
at Houston's Minute Maid Park.
The righthander, making just his fifth Major League start, allowed just
six hits, walked none and struck out six to win his second consecutive
game and extend his scoreless innings streak to 13. It marked the first
complete game shutout by a Houston pitcher at Minute Maid Park since Roy
Oswalt blanked Milwaukee on Sept. 9 of last season.
Saarloos needed just two hours, 15 minutes and 102 pitches (73 strikes)
to wrap things up. He allowed just five fly balls and reached a three-ball
count on just three batters.
The win comes on the heels of a win against the Cubs at Wrigley Field
last Saturday. In that contest, Saarloos allowed a first-inning run before
pitching four consecutive scoreless innings.
Saarloos is a little more than a year removed from Cal State Fullerton,
where he earned All-American honors with a 15-2 record his senior season
while leading the Titans to the College World Series.
