Patrick Corbin (4-4, 3.41) vs Jordan Lyles (2-9, 5.47)
Yikes. Well... the Astros were much more efficient on offense today, turning 7 hits into 4 runs, aided by a pair of homers. The most offensive part of Houston's game tonight, though, was their pitching. A 9-run 5th powered the D-backs to a 12-3 victory, handing the Astros their 82nd defeat in 2012, and assuring Houston of their fourth straight losing season. It's the first time that the Astros have had a losing record for even three straight seasons since the franchise's fledgling years, 1962-1968.
*Jordan Lyles and the Astros would really love to take back that 5th inning. Lyles had only given up one run on four hits and a walk going into the 5th, but then he suddenly couldn't get anybody out. He allowed six straight base runners before leaving the game, to finish with this line: 4 IP / 8 H / 7 R / 5 ER / 3 BB / 4 K. No one in the bullpen was any better tonight, as all three relievers allowed at least one run a piece: Xavier Cedeno, 2 R (0 ER) in 0.2 IP; Chuckie Fick, 2 R (2 ER) in 2.1 IP; and Rhiner Cruz, 1 R (1 ER) in 2 IP.
Observations:
*The Astros only left three runners on base tonight, versus nine for Arizona. The D-Backs obviously had more margin for error, though...
*Tyler Greene led the offense, going 2 for 4 with a solo HR and 2 RBI. He's hitting .370 (10 for 27) with 2 HR in 8 games with Houston so far.
*Chris Snyder also homered, a 2-run shot, to go 1 for 3 with 2 RBI.
*Jose Altuve doubled and walked to go 1 for 3 with a run scored.
*Brett Wallace got a start against tonight's lefty and capitalized, going 2 for 4 with a run scored.
*Wallace and Altuve also committed errors on defense, the latter of which came in that ugly Arizona 5th and led to four unearned runs.
*Steve Pearce singled for the 7th hit and finished 1 for 4.
Turning Point:
The Astros were leading 3-1 after four innings, then this happened: double, wild pitch, walk, single (run), single (run), walk, single (run), Lyles out. Cedeno in, walk (run), Altuve error (two runs), strike out, strike out, Cedeno out. Fick in, home run (three runs), pop up. After it was all (mercifully) over, Arizona had plated 9 runs on 5 hits, to take a commanding 10-3 lead.
Man of the Match:
Tyler Greene. His Astros career is still in its infancy, but at least so far, he's making the most of Jeff Luhnow's vote of confidence.
Goat of the Game:
Jordan Lyles. Remember that only 7 of the 21 pitchers so far for the rookie ball Greeneville Astros are younger than Jordan this season. That said... he had a bad night tonight.
