Fernando Abad (0-4, 5.08) vs Kyle Lohse (14-3, 2.81)
You can only avoid the inevitable for so long. The Astros entered September with 92 losses, and based on the preceding two months, it seemed likely they would hit the century mark about 10 days later. Turns out it took until September 18, but 100 losses finally happened. Kyle Lohse and the Cardinals win 4-1, putting Houston back at .500 in September (8-8) and now 48-100 on the season.
*Of Fernando Abad's five starts so far, this one was better than most, but still not good enough to avoid his fifth straight loss. Abad's line: 5 IP / 6 H / 3 R / 3 ER / 0 BB / 6 K. Fernando Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 6th, then left for Xavier Cedeno with a runner on first and one out in the 7th, but Cedeno let the run score before finishing out the inning. Jose Valdez allowed a walk and a single in a scoreless 8th.
Observations:
*The Astros offense mustered very little against Kyle Lohse over his seven innings - no runs on four hits - and the team was a collective 1 for 11 with RISP for the game.
*Brett Wallace had the lone run-scoring hit (after Lohse left), going 1 for 4 with a RBI single.
*Scott Moore was the only Astro to reach base more than once tonight, going 1 for 3 with a double and a walk.
*Matt Dominguez had the only other extra-base hit, finishing 1 for 4 with a double.
*Jimmy Paredes pinch hit, singled, and scored in the 8th.
*Justin Maxwell's 10-game hitting streak came to an end, as he finished tonight 0 for 3 with a walk, two strikeouts, and a caught stealing.
*Jose Altuve (1 for 4), Jed Lowrie (1 for 4), and J.D. Martinez (1 for 4, 2 K) had the other three Houston hits.
Turning Point:
The Astros were down 4-0 and had hardly even threatened when Kyle Lohse finally left the game at the start of the 8th, but they immediately began to take advantage of the pitching change. Jimmy Paredes and Jose Altuve started the inning with back-to-back singles; Scott Moore flew out to center, but Brett Wallace followed next with a RBI single to left. Justin Maxwell came up representing the tying run with one out, but Mitchell Boggs got him to strike out swinging on a full count. Jed Lowrie then flied to right to end Houston's final threat.
Man of the Match:
Brett Wallace, for at least breaking up the shutout.
Goat of the Game:
Fernando Abad. But it was going to take an All-Star effort to beat Lohse tonight.
