Yovani Gallardo (10-8, 3.79) vs Jordan Lyles (2-8, 5.69)
For the third consecutive game, the Astros wore their blue & gold throwback uniforms, and for the third straight time, they found themselves trailing in the late innings. For the third time, as well, Houston mounted a late comeback, but this time, they fell just short. Astros lose 5-3, dropping to 38-78 overall, but they still come away with their first series win since the end of June.
*Jordan Lyles delivered seven strong innings for his second start in a row. He did allow four runs, but only two were earned, as the other two scored on a Marwin Gonzalez error amidst a 5th inning in which Milwaukee never got the ball out of the infield. Jordan's line: 7 IP / 8 H / 4 R / 2 ER / 0 BB / 5 K. Mickey Storey took over for Lyles in the 8th, and he pitched generally well for the final two innings, but he was burned on a walk followed by a double - the only hit he allowed - which produced the Brewers' fifth run.
Observations:
*Tyler Greene started at second for Jose Altuve (who got a scheduled day off), and he acquitted himself well again, going 2 or 4 with a double and a run scored.
*Marwin Gonzalez made the costly error in the 5th, but he was also Houston's biggest star on offense today, going 2 for 5 with a double, driving in the Astros' first two runs and scoring the third.
*Scott Moore got the other RBI, going 1 for 3 with a walk.
*Chris Snyder also had a multi-hit game, going 2 for 4 with a run scored.
*Snyder, Greene, Moore, Steve Pearce, and Ben Francisco each struck out twice, accounting for 10 of the 11 Ks by Milwaukee pitching today.
Turning Point:
After Storey allowed a run on a walk to Corey Hart and a double to Martin Maldonado, Houston trailed 5-2 going to the bottom of the 8th, with Yovani Gallardo still seemingly going strong. Three singles and a run finally chased Gallardo from the game in the bottom of the 8th, getting the Astros into the Brewers' weakened bullpen. Kameron Loe came on for the 9th and immediately allowed a lead-off single to Fernando Martinez, then made a throwing error that allowed Brian Bogusevic to reach safely after Chris Snyder struck out. Tyler Greene also struck out, but then Loe uncorked a wild pitch that allowed the tying runs to move up to scoring position with Marwin Gonzalez at the plate. Houston's late-inning magic this series finally ran out, however, as Loe got Gonzalez to bounce to third for the final out.
Man of the Match:
Jordan Lyles. The young righty has had his share of rough outings this season, certainly, but he's also had quite a number of very good ones. This bodes well for his, and Houston's, future.
Goat of the Game:
Marwin Gonzalez. Tough to tag him with this given his offensive output today, but his error cost the Astros two runs that turned out to be the difference in the game.
