Recap for G42: Astros @ Braves

There will be a lot of Goats today, a whole herd of them. Astros lose to Brian McCann, 3-1 in 11 innings.

*As mentioned previously, the Astros are now 11-7 when leading after seven innings.

*The Astros are 1-7 against Atlanta since the beginning of 2010, and 0-5 at Turner Field. They haven't won at Turner Field since May 3, 2009.

*Hey, Wandy threw really well: 8IP, 5H/0ER, 6K:2BB, 68 of his 113 pitches for strikes, and 20 first-pitch strikes to 30 batters. Since giving up 10H at Milwaukee on April 24, Wandy has thrown 37IP, 27H/5ER, 20K:4BB.

*Mark Melancon picked a bad time to allow his first homer of the year, one strike away from picking up his 2nd save.

*And Jeff Fulchino served up his 3rd homer of the year in his 18th inning of the season. He gave up 7HR in 47.1IP in 2010. He also walked three batters, which is amazing, since he had walked two batters in his previous 11 appearances (8IP) combined.

*Brian McCann hit a homer in the 9th to tie the game, and in the 11th to win the game. He had two homers in 154 plate appearances prior to the 9th inning. The 9th inning homer was just the 5th game-tying homer he'd ever had, and his 2nd walk-off. Today was the 6th multi-HR game of his career, and the 3rd HR in extra innings.

*The offense racked up another 9Ks, giving the Braves 24K in two games. Seeing as how they struck out nine times against the Mets on Sunday, that's 33K in three games. The 24Ks are the most in back-to-back games against the same team since August 23/24, 2010 - when the Phillies struck out 26 Astros.

*The Astros were 0x5 today w/RISP, giving them a nice round 1x10 in this two-game set.

*J.R. Towles was 0x5 with a strikeout. He's now gone 28PAs without getting a hit - a double in the 3rd inning off of Travis Wood on May 4.

*Brett Wallace provided the lone RBI with a solo homer in the 7th, setting a career-high in homers with three. He last had a homer on May 3 against Cincinnati.

*Crucial moment of the game: Top 8, Astros up 1-0. Wandy singles to right, Bourn reached on a bunt single, Angel Sanchez sac'ed them over, and Not Bobby Cox intentionally walked Hunter Pence to load the bases to get to Carlos Lee. If the other manager is intentionally walking someone to get to your cleanup hitter with the bases loaded and one out, YOUR CLEANUP HITTER EATS THE MOUNTAIN OYSTERS. Carlos Lee did what Carlos Lee does, and popped up to the shortstop. Then Brett Wallace struck out swinging to end the inning.

*Crucial moment #2: Top 11, Bogusevic reached on a bunt single and stole second. Brett Wallace was intentionally walked. Downs struck out swinging, but Clint Barmes drew a walk to bring up J.R. Towles with the bases loaded and one out. Who then GIDPd on the first pitch, ending the inning.

*So yes, the Astros were 0x3 with the bases loaded today. 0x2 with the bases loaded and one out.

*Since starting his Astros career with an 0-fer in his first two games, Barmes has at least gotten on base in each game since - 13 games.

*Man of the Match: Wandy Rodriguez

*Goat of the Game: J.R. Towles