Tyler Cloyd (1-1, 4.24) vs Lucas Harrell (10-9, 3.83)
When the Astros were nearly at .500 late in May, optimism was running high. The calendar turned to June, and that optimism was tempered, as they lost two out of every three games. Then July and August happened, and the 2012 Astros were historically bad. But the Astros of September are not playing like the Astros of the preceding two months. Down 4-0 against a hot team after three innings? No problem! The July/August Astros might have rolled over at that, but your current Astros stormed back for a 6-4 victory. They're now 6-6 in September and 46-98 overall.
*Lucas Harrell started out shaky again with Jason Castro starting in place of his usual caddy, Chris Snyder. But this time, Lucas settled down after the early trouble and very nearly turned in another quality start, with this line: 5.2 IP / 7 H / 4 R / 3 ER / 5 BB / 4 K. He had already been lifted in favor of Xavier Cedeno after a single and two walks loaded the bases in the 6th, but then home plate umpire Bill Miller ejected Harrell anyway for barking at him as he walked off the field. Cedeno (1 IP), Hector Ambriz (0.2 IP), Wesley Wright (0.2 IP), and Wilton Lopez (1.0 IP) combined thereafter to keep the Phillies off the board over the final 3.1 frames. Wright was credited with his first win of the season, and Lopez earned his fifth save.
Observations:
*Matt Dominguez is doing all he can to help get the Astros ready for the American League: Land of the Three-Run Homer. Matty D launched his third three-run blast in a week, finishing 1 for 3 with a walk, a strikeout, and two runs scored.
*Jose Altuve was back to form tonight with a multi-hit game, going 2 for 5 with a team-leading 30th stolen base.
*Jason Castro did his part in Synder's place, going 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored.
*Justin Maxwell kept his now-seven-game hitting streak alive, going 1 for 4 with a run scored and a strikeout.
*Tyler Greene added a double to go 1 for 3 with a K, before giving way to Jed Lowrie...
*...then Lowrie came up huge in the clutch, doubling home two runs in a pinch-hit appearance in the 8th.
*Brandon Barnes came in on defense in the 7th, but he had himself a nice night at the plate nonetheless, going 2 for 2 with a RBI and his first career big league SB.
*Jimmy Paredes had Houston's 10th hit, finishing 1 for 3 with 2 Ks.
*Jordan Lyles had the odd distinction of scoring a run in a game he didn't start, as he pinch ran for Scott Moore after Moore was hit by a pitch in the 8th.
*Fernando Martinez went 0 for 2, but he still managed to reach base again, getting HBP himself in the 3rd.
*Jose Altuve was back to form tonight with a multi-hit game, going 2 for 5 with a team-leading 30th stolen base.
*Jason Castro did his part in Synder's place, going 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored.
*Justin Maxwell kept his now-seven-game hitting streak alive, going 1 for 4 with a run scored and a strikeout.
*Tyler Greene added a double to go 1 for 3 with a K, before giving way to Jed Lowrie...
*...then Lowrie came up huge in the clutch, doubling home two runs in a pinch-hit appearance in the 8th.
*Brandon Barnes came in on defense in the 7th, but he had himself a nice night at the plate nonetheless, going 2 for 2 with a RBI and his first career big league SB.
*Jimmy Paredes had Houston's 10th hit, finishing 1 for 3 with 2 Ks.
*Jordan Lyles had the odd distinction of scoring a run in a game he didn't start, as he pinch ran for Scott Moore after Moore was hit by a pitch in the 8th.
*Fernando Martinez went 0 for 2, but he still managed to reach base again, getting HBP himself in the 3rd.
Turning Point:
The 4-3 Phillies' lead remained unchanged from the bottom of the 4th until the bottom of the 8th, but that's when Houston started cooking again. After Justin Maxwell flied out to start the inning, Jason Castro walked. Jordan Schafer pinch ran for him, but was caught stealing for the second out, before Matt Dominguez also walked. Scott Moore pinch hit next and was hit by the first pitch he saw, leading to a Philadelphia pitching change and Jordan Lyles' pinch-running appearance. Jed Lowrie pinch hit then, and he took Jake Diekman's second pitch deep to the gap in right center, doubling home both runners to put Houston ahead for the first time all evening. Brandon Barnes singled thereafter to drive home Lowrie for an insurance run.
Man of the Match:
Jed Lowrie. Huge in the clutch! Hopefully Houston will have a happy problem with both him and Tyler Greene next season.
Take that, Ed Wade.
