HOUSTON -- On a day the Astros lost starting pitcher Ronel Blanco to an elbow injury that will require Tommy John surgery and will cost him the rest of the 2025 season, they celebrated a breakthrough performance from starter Lance McCullers Jr. on Wednesday afternoon.
McCullers, making his fifth start since missing nearly 2 1/2 years following surgery to repair a right flexor tendon injury, delivered his best start since 2022 by striking out a career-high-tying 12 batters in six innings as the Astros won their fourth game in a row, 5-3, over the A’s at Daikin Park.

https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/lance-mccullers-strikes-out-12-in-longest-outing-since-2022-astros-win