One of the best ways to ensure that you're not thought of as one of the generally worst teams in baseball is to not give up 15 runs to one of the other teams thought of as one of the generally worst teams in baseball. Astros lose 15-7.
*Of course it was the most runs given up by the Astros this season. It was also the most runs the Royals have scored this season. The Royals haven't scored 15 runs since July 3, 2007, when they beat the Mariners 17-3 (the Royals actually scored 17 runs three times in 2007).
*The Astros started the 5th inning with a 6-3 lead. Previously, the Astros were 14-3 when starting the 5th inning with the lead.
*Felipe Paulino gave up 11H/10R (8ER), with 2K:3BB in 4.2IP, needing 110 pitches to get 14 outs. The last time Paulino had given up double-digit hits in a start was April 24, 2009 against Milwaukee.
*He allowed more walks than strikeouts for the first time in five starts (Colorado - May 19).
*The Astros dropped to 1-5 when scoring 7+ runs.
*Interestingly enough, the Astros pitching staff as a whole does much better with two outs. Which makes the fact that the Royals scored all seven runs in the 5th inning with two outs even more strange. With 0 out, the Astros pitching gives up a .789 OPS; 1 out - .802 OPS; 2 outs (including last night) - .720 OPS.
*Kansas City's 5th inning: seven pitches for first two outs. 43 pitches for final out.
*In a series of three pitches, Casey Daigle threw two wild ones. Despite having only played in 26 games in his career, that doubled his WP total. Daigle has allowed ten baserunners in 4IP in 2010.
*It's the first time this season the Astros have given up more than eight runs without allowing a homer. All the Royals got for their 20 hits were four doubles. And it's the first time since June 18, 2007 the Astros allowed 10+ runs without giving up a homer - against the Angels.
*Once again, the bottom of the order did the most producing. 5-6-7-8 (Pence, Feliz, Michaels, Quintero) were 7x14 with four RBI. 1-2-3-4 were 4x16, with 3RBI. Manzella was the only non-pinch hitter to go hitless.
*Berkman ended his 0x15 slump with a double in the fourth inning.
*Jason Michaels hit his 3rd homer of the season, good enough for T-3rd on the team, despite hitting his previous homerun on April 20. His 1HR/22PA is tops (Pence - 1HR/25.1PA; Lee - 1HR/25.9PA).
Pitch Count Hero: Pedro Feliz - 22 pitches in four PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Humberto Quintero - 8 pitches in three PAs
Man of the Match: Hunter Pence - on base three times, 2RBI, 2R.
Goat of the Game: Uh. Paulino.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
