Greinke shelled for 3 HRs in Game 3 start vs. Rays

Zack Greinke was about as effective in his Game 3 start of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday as he was insightful during a 67-word press conference the day before.

While pitching on 11 days of rest, the Houston Astros right-hander allowed six runs and three homers over 3 2/3 innings while walking one and striking out five. Greinke was removed with two outs in the fourth inning after throwing 61 pitches.

With Houston up 2-0 in the series and looking to clinch, Greinke looked sharp to start his outing, retiring the first four batters. Things quickly unraveled, however, as Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier launched a three-run homer in the second, Ji-Man Choi then homered in the third and Brandon Lowe followed with a solo shot of his own in the fourth before Astros manager A.J. Hinch went to his bullpen.

It was the first time Greinke allowed three or more home runs in a game since March 28.

Houston's starting pitchers dominated the first two games of this series. Cy Young Award candidates Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole combined to throw 14 2/3 shutout innings while striking out 23.