I think we can all agree that Matt Lindstrom isn't helping anybody these days. Astros lose 8-4.
*A day after scoring seven runs in an inning for the first time this season, the Nationals scored seven runs in the 8th inning to go up 8-3.
*Still, the Astros started the 8th inning with a 3-1 lead, dropping their record to 58-5 when leading to start the 8th.
*Happ threw well - 6IP, 3H/0ER, 6K:3BB, lowering his ERA to 2.99. And then it all went to hell. Melancon allowed two consecutive doubles in the 7th to close the Astros lead to 3-1. Then Tim Byrdak walked Adam Dunn and was pulled. Felipe Paulino got Zimmerman and Morse quickly, and then gave up a homer to Pudge, a single to Bernadina, singled, Maxwell walked, Kennedy singled, Espinosa walked. Paulino's day was done with 0.2IP, 3H, 2BB, WP. Lindstrom came in and gave up three singles, scoring three more runs. By the time the inning was over, the Nationals were up 8-3.
*On August 2, Lindstrom had a 2.41 ERA. Since that outing, it's 13.50 in fifteen appearances. Two of his last four appearances have seen him leave the mound without getting an out, and he's allowed three hits in three of his last four appearances.
*Keppinger had a good night, going 1x3 with a walk and an RBI - his first RBI since September 15.
*Jason Bourgeois got two hits from the leadoff spot, his first 2-hit game since August 28 - though this was his 3rd start since Aug 28.
*Chris Johnson hit his 11th homer of the season, and his 5th this month, with 1 out in the 9th inning, and was 3x4 on the night. He's hitting .317 in September. And despite played in about 60 fewer games, he's three doubles behind Bourn, five behind Carlos Lee, and six doubles behind Hunter Pence.
*Jason Michaels hit his first homer since his grand slam against the Brewers on August 1. It's his 57th homer of his career, and 29 of those have come with runners on.
*Pitch Count Hero: Jason Castro (0x3, BB) - 20 pitches in four PAs.
*Pitch Count Punk: Jason Bourgeois (2x4) - 10 pitches in four PAs.
*Man of the Match: Chris Johnson, of course.
*Goat of the Game: Felipe Paulino/Matt Lindstrom. Of course.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
