Photo credit: @BR_MLB

By Jeremy Kahn

Like a fine wine, the defending World Champion Houston Astros got better with age, especially when they added another great pitcher to their vaunted starting rotation.

Gerrit Cole, who was the Pittsburgh Pirates first overall pick in the 2011 draft came to the Astros in an offseason trade and he continues to be dominant.

Cole pitched six strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking three and striking out eight and the Astros defeated the San Francisco Giants 11-2 at Minute Maid Park.

The two runs that Cole allowed was a family affair of sorts, as he allowed a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning to Brandon Crawford, the Giants hottest hitter and who is the brother in-law of Cole.

Crawford’s sister Amy is married to Cole, who improves to 5-1 in his first season with the Astros, who continue to lead the American League West.

The Astros got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, as former Oakland A’s catcher Max Stassi doubled off of Andrew Suarez to score Evan Gattis. George Springer, the World Series MVP in their run to the World Championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers then singled in Stassi, and followed Alex Bregman doubled in Springer.

Tony Kemp added to the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he singled in Yuli Gurriel and J.D. Davis, who scored three runs and walked three times on the night.

Crawford finally got the Giants on the board in the top of the fifth inning, as he a Cole offering for his fifth home run of the season.

It was another tough night on the mound for Suarez, who went just four innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out two.

The usual consistent Giants bullpen was roughed up against the Astros, as the trio of Pierce Johnson, Reyes Moronta and Josh Osich went the final four innings, allowing six runs on six hits walking four and striking out four.

The Astros blew the game wide open in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Kemp hit a sacrifice fly to score Davis. Bregman then picked up his second double of the night that scored Gattis, and then reigning American League Most Valuable Player Jose Altuve got in on the act, as he hit a two-run single that scored Stassi and Bregman.

Kemp finished off the blowout, as he hit a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning that scored Gurriel and Davis.

It was a career night for Kemp, who ended the night with two hits and a career-high five runs batted in and the Astros have won five out of their last six.

NOTES: Jeff Samardzija goes to the mound on Wednesday afternoon, as the Giants look for the split against the Astros Justin Verlander, who leads the major league with a miniscule 1.05 earned run average.

Samardzija is coming off a season-high 6.2 inning outing on Friday night against the Colorado Rockies, as he received a no-decision in a game that the Giants eventually lost in 12 innings.

Verlander threw a complete game against the Los Angeles Angels, where he allowed five hits and the Astros shutout the Angels 2-0 at Anaheim Stadium.

Madison Bumgarner, who is currently on the 60-day disabled list with a broken left pinkie, threw 30 pitched to live hitters for the first time since his injury and it was indicated by Bruce Bochy, that Bumgarner could begin his rehab assignment this Saturday for the Sacramento Rivercats at Raley Field.

Closer Mark Melancon, who like Bumgarner is on the disabled list, began his rehab assignment on Monday with the Rivercats and threw just six pitches. Melancon could throw again on Wednesday, as he threw just six pitches on Monday.

Osich was recalled by the Giants earlier in the day, as Jose Valdez was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday with inflammation in his right elbow.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Astros finish the two-game series Wednesday at 11:10 am PST.