Dallas Keuchel (1-1, 2.45) vs Wade Miley (10-5, 3.13)
Even with a good offense, it's tough to win when your pitching staff gives up 25 runs in two days, and 42 runs in five (and that includes Lucas Harrell's 1-run gem). Jason Kubel clubbed three homers for Arizona, Dallas Keuchel's return to the bigs was a rough one, and the Astros got their butts whupped 12-3. The new road losing streak is now at 5 games, and Houston falls to 34-61 overall.
*Dallas Keuchel got the call from OKC to replace the only Astros starter who had won a road game since June 14 (Happ). Unfortunately it didn't go much better for Kid Keuchy last night than it did for Bud the night before. His line: 3.1 IP / 7 H / 7 R / 6 ER / 4 BB / 1 K. Fernando Rodriguez returned to form, giving up 2 runs in 1.2 IP. EDR gave up a run in his inning, Rhiner Cruz gave up two in his, and only Wilton Lopez escaped the night with a scoreless line.
Observations:
*Jose Altuve came back from a day off by going 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. This was his first multi-hit game since the All-Star Break.
*Justin Maxwell and Chris Johnson were also each 2 for 4, with a run scored and a RBI a piece.
*Ben Francisco is Houston's new RF against lefties, so he got the start against Wade Miley but went 0 for 4.
*Matt Downs had another hit, going 1 for 4. He's on a personal 5-game hitting streak, batting .471/.471/.882 over that stretch.
Turning Point:
After Kubel's first homer gave Arizona a 2-0 lead in the first, Houston cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the 4th. Any potential momentum died in the bottom half of the inning, however, when Keuchel loaded the bases with no out on a double, a walk, and his own fielding error on a sac bunt attempt. A sac fly and a single made it 4-1 Arizona, then Kubel launched his second HR of the game, this time for 3 runs, and the rout was on.
Man of the Match:
Jose Altuve. With Lowrie hurt, Lee traded, and virtually everyone else in a slump, Houston badly needs Jose to be the kind of offensive catalyst that he was for most of the first half.
Goat of the Game:
Dallas Keuchel. Young pitchers, even the best, are gonna take their lumps every now and then. Let's hope this is the exception, not the rule, for Dallas.
