Adam Wainwright (1-3, 6.75) v.s. JA Happ (2-1, 4.60)
The Astros winning streak came crashing to an end with an 8-1 loss to the Cardinals today. The Cardinals jumped on Astros starter JA Happ early and often, scoring off of him in each of the first 4 innings, and the offense couldn't get anything going all day. The Astros did however take 2 of 3 from the Cardinals to win the series, which we will certainly take. The 'Stros now sit at 13-15 before hosting the Marlins tomorrow, while the Cardinals improve to 17-10.
*JA Happ was far too hittable and far too wild right from the words "Play Ball" today and took the loss. His line was an unimpressive 5.0 IP / 6 H / 6 R / 5 ER / 4 BB / 3 K. He gave up 2 homeruns on the day as well. The Astros bullpen came into the game ranked 3rd in the NL with a 2.85 ERA, but Del Rosario and Abad each gave up a run in an inning of work today. Brandon Lyon threw a scoreless inning to wrap up the day.
Observations:
*Jordan Schafer was back in the lineup leading off today, but he went 0 for 4 with a strikeout to end his consecutive games reaching base mark at 25. He will end up tied for the franchise record.
*Jose Altuve got back on track with a 2 for 4 day from the #2 spot.
*JD Martinez got his second day off in the past 7 days during his slump. Travis Buck started for him in left field, and Mills (oddly) put Bogusevic batting 3rd. Bogusevic went 0 for 4 with a strikeout. I would love to hear why Mills thought Bogusevic should be batting in the 3 hole today, when he has done nothing all season to warrant it. Bogey is now hitting .212/.330/.329 on the year. Buck was hitting out of the 6 spot and went 1 for 3 with a walk. His line in limited work this year is a pretty solid .297/.366/.459.
*While i'm second guessing Mills, the past few days he has been juggling the lineup and batting order non-stop. Aren't these the kind of changes you are going to want to make when you are slumping and trying to shake things up? Not when you are in the middle of a 5 game winning streak. When things are going good....leave them alone!
*Lowrie, Castro and CJ each picked up a single on the day. Carlos Lee went 2 for 4 and scored the Astros only run of the day on a Wild Pitch. Lowrie now has a 9 game hitting streak.
Turning Point:
The Allen Craig first inning homerun put the Cardinals ahead right off the bat, and the Astros could never recover.
Man of the Match:
Yuck. Hard to pick one out of today's all around stinker. I'll give it to Carlos Lee for his 2 for 4 day at the plate and scoring the Astros only run all day.
Goat of the Game:
JA Happ was not at all sharp today, struggling with his command and digging his offense a huge hole that they would never climb out of.
