Shaun Marcum (2-1, 3.07) vs JA Happ (2-3, 5.72)
The Astros scored 4 runs in the 4th inning tonight, powered by a Jed Lowrie 2 run homerun, and JA Happ scattered 7 hits over 6 innings pitched but didn't yield a single run and the Astros beat the Brewers for the second straight by a 4-0 count. The Astros improve to 17-21 while the Brewers fall to 16-22.
*JA Happ did give up a fair amount of hits, but they didn't hurt him and he was much sharper tonight overall than he was in his last outing. His line: 6.0 IP / 7 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 4 K. Wesley Wright got one out, Wilton Lopez pitched 1.2 scoreless innings and Fernando Abad pitched a scoreless 9th to hold down the shutout. Happ evens his record at 3-3 on the year.
Observations:
*The Astros collected 13 hits, along with 2 walks tonight. They struck out 7 times. Schafer, CJ and Snyder each had a pair of hits and Jose Altuve was red hot going 3 for 5. JD, Lee, Lowrie and Bogusevic each only had one hit (although Lowrie's was huge).
*Altuve and Bogusevic both stole a base tonight, their 8th and 6th respectively.
*Despite the great game, the Astros were only 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position - not a great number.
*JD Martinez went 1 for 5 from the 3 hole again. I still think Mills should have him batting lower in the order for awhile longer, but at least JD is getting a knock here and there. He was going 0 for 4 and 0 for 5 in games almost nightly during his slump it seemed like. Despite the slump his OBP is still a very good. 338.
*Schafer and Snyder each drove in a run in the 4th inning as well, with Lowrie driving in 2 himself that inning on his 5th homerun of the year.
*The Astros now have 2 hitters batting over .300 (Altuve and Lee), but have 7 of 8 regulars over .300 OBP. Only the 2 catchers fall short of the .300 mark. Altuve and Lee are tops, tied at .365. Lowrie is not far behind at .356.
Turning Point:
Jed Lowrie's 2 run homerun opened the scoring, and it was the only runs the Astros would need as Happ and the pen chucked a shutout tonight.
Man of the Match:
While Lowrie had a very nice game, going to give it to Happ here. Pitched a great game tonight after a clunker in his last outing. Any time you can hold an offense as potent as the Brewers to not even a single run, you know you have done well.
Goat of the Game:
The Astros had 13 hits tonight - everyone in the starting lineup except for Happ got at least one hit - and the Astros pitchers combined for a shutout. No Goat tonight.
