But it's even more meaningful for McCullers personally, considering what he's been through over the last few weeks and years. As if having to wade through two lost seasons due to a flexor tendon issue weren't hard enough,

Lance McCullers Jr. not only matched his career high with 12 strikeouts, but gave the Astros some length in the best start to date of his return to the mound.

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.