Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros

HOUSTON – Eduardo Rodriguez is putting the finishing touches on what will be one of the better seasons of his career. The 33-year-old registered his 15th win on Sunday after pitching lights-out against the American League West-leading Astros en route to a 3-2 victory. This is the most wins for Rodriguez as a Diamondback, and in a season since winning 19 with the Red Sox in 2019.  The Diamondbacks took two of three from the Astros after dropping the opener on Friday night. Arizona owns a half-game lead for the final National League Wild Card spot over the Padres, as they continue their road trip on Monday in Kansas City. “It’s a lot of fun,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said about watching Rodriguez this season. “I’ve had a long-term relationship with him. The best part about him is he has not changed. His personality has been the same. He’s very engaged; he’s very caring.  “And when he takes the mound, there’s a fierceness to him. And that’s what I get to see every fifth day.”  ​ Rodriguez has had a winning decision in seven of his last nine starts for the D-backs dating back to late July. He is also 6-0 in his last eight road starts with a 1.90 ERA and 36 strikeouts.  “Just executing,” Rodriguez said about his run of success. “Executing the pitches, follow the catcher and follow the plan that we have before the game. Never go away from the plan, and that’s what’s been working.” The first-time All-Star settled into his groove on Sunday after giving up a solo homer to Yordan Alvarez, his 38th of the season, in the first inning. At one point Rodriguez set down eight straight batters.  The lefty produced 19 swings and misses on the day, with his changeup and four-seam fastball generating 16 of those leading to his six strikeouts.  “My changeup was working great and fastball was working great today so we keep using it,” Rodriguez said. “We ended up going six innings.”  The Astros were only able to muster a pair of singles – both off the bat of Jose Altuve – in the third and sixth innings. “He’s clearly one of the best pitchers in the National League for a reason,” Lovullo said. “He can execute at a high level.”