Marco Estrada (0-5, 4.13) vs Dallas Keuchel (1-4, 5.60)
Winning streak! And the Astros may never wear pinstripes again. A night after recording their first walk-off win of the 2012 season, Houston took to the field again in their '90s blue & gold, and won on a walk-off once more - this time in extra innings. After starting the season 0-11 in extras - never even scoring a run after the 9th this year - they win 6-5 in 10, and log consecutive wins for the first time since June 26-27. The Astros are now 38-77 on the season.
*Dallas Keuchel was on his game tonight, holding Milwaukee to only one single through the first 4.1 innings. He did allow two unearned runs on a Brett Wallace throwing error in the 2nd, then two earned runs on on three hits in the 5th, but this was the first big league start for Kid Keuchy in which he did not walk a batter. His final line: 6 IP / 5 H / 4 R / 2 ER / 0 BB / 6 K. The 7th inning was an adventure, as Houston used three pitchers to strike out the side, but allowed three singles to load the bases in between the second and third outs. Still, Chuckie Fick, Wesley Wright, and Mickey Storey combined for two scoreless innings to get the Astros to the 9th with a 5-4 lead. Wilton Lopez came on and blew the save, but he limited the damage to one run, then allowed only a single in the 10th before Houston made him a winner in the bottom of the frame.
Observations:
*The Astros' offense actually looked pretty solid tonight, led by multi-hit efforts from Tyler Greene, Jose Altuve, and Steve Pearce. The team went 12 for 38 (.316) collectively, including 4 for 10 with RISP.
*Tyler Greene got his first start as an Astro, leading off and playing short, and he made the most of it, going 2 for 5 with a double, a solo home run, and two runs scored.
*Jose Altuve went 3 for 5 with a stolen base, and he scored all three times he reached, including the winning run.
*Steve Pearce stayed hot, going 3 for 4 with a triple, a walk, and three RBI.
*Scott Moore was 0 for 4 through the first 9 innings, but he came up big in the 10th, singling home Altuve for the Astros' second straight walk-off win.
*Brett Wallace got the start at third tonight, and his throw about 6 feet over Scott Moore's head in the 2nd gave away two runs, but he did also go 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored before coming out for pinch runner Marwin Gonzalez in the 7th.
Turning Point:
Lopie's blown save was a big letdown in the 9th, but he kept Milwaukee at bay in the 10th to give his team a chance against the Brewers' beleaguered bullpen. Jim Henderson struck out the side in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the 9th, but Jose Altuve singled against him to lead off Houston's half of the 10th. Marwin Gonzalez and Steve Pearce then patiently worked walks to load the bases with no outs for Scott Moore. Moore capitalized quickly, lining Henderson's 0-1 pitch into a wide open left field, scoring a grinning Altuve and launching the Astros into their second consecutive happy mob celebration on the field.
Man of the Match:
Moore, Pearce, and Greene all deserve mad props for great games, but I'm going with Jose Altuve. Three times he got himself on base to help his team, resulting in half of Houston's runs, including the game winner.
Goat of the Game:
No goat tonight either. Astros win! Astros win again!
