HOUSTON -- Statistically, one of Charlie Morton's finest nights in 11 seasons as a Major League pitcher was Saturday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.
Morton set a new career-high with 14 strikeouts against the punchout-happy Texas Rangers. The Astros' 34-year-old World Series hero allowed four hits, including only one substantial mistake: a solo home run by Rangers first baseman Ronald Guzman in the third inning.
Morton entered Saturday's game on an active seven-game winning streak, dating back to September, including the postseason. During the longest winning streak of his career, Morton had posted a 2.