Feliz becoming a force in Astros’ bullpen

HOUSTON — Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor swung and missed at a slider that bounced well in front of the plate and in the process fell to his knees. It’s those kinds of reactions that tell Astros manager A.J. Hinch just how filthy relief pitcher Michael Feliz is throwing lately.

Feliz, pitching in relief of starter Lance McCullers, worked the final three innings of Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Rangers and retired all nine batters he faced, striking out six — all swinging. He fanned the first and last batter in each inning, primarily with his mid-to-upper-90-mph fastball and sharp slider.

“It’s nice to see that growing confidence in a young kid that’s maturing in front of our eyes,” Hinch said. “It’s electrifying stuff when he’s got a little bounce in his step and he’s got a little extra in his fastball and he’s running it up there in the mid- to upper-90s. It’s something we don’t have a ton of and something I’d …

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