Lucas Harrell (7-6, 4.43) vs Edinson Volquez (5-7, 3.69)
Edinson Volquez is not Matt Cain. But on this night, he pulled the best Matt Cain impersonation that he could. A complete game one-hitter from a pitcher who had never in his 8-year career thrown another complete game, and the Astros lose 1-0. San Diego takes three of four from the Astros, and Houston falls to 34-59 overall.
*Lucas Harrell gave up a double on his second pitch of the game, an RBI single one pitch later, and nothing else of consequence. In short, he was brilliant, but still got the loss with a 7 IP / 4 H / 1 R / 1 ER / 1 BB / 6 K line. Wesley Wright pitched a perfect 8th with two strikeouts.
Observations:
*Matt Downs had a 4th-inning single, Marwin Gonzalez walked once, and J.D. Martinez walked twice. That was it for the Houston offense.
Turning Point:
After San Diego scored on Harrell's third pitch, the game was essentially over. Houston never truly threatened, but maybe their best scoring opportunity came in the top of the 2nd. J.D. Martinez led off with a walk, and Matt Downs reached on an error, giving Houston runners on first and second with no outs. Justin Maxwell came up next and hit a high liner to second that should have gone for a hit, likely driving in Martinez. But Logan Forsythe made an admittedly spectacular leaping catch, then doubled Martinez off second for a double play. The Astros only got one other runner as far as second base, so that play may have saved the game for the Padres.
Man of the Match:
Lucas Harrell. No way he deserved to lose a game like this, but even the best pitchers can't win if their team never scores.
Goat of the Game:
Every. Last. Houston. Hitter.
