Brad Peacock (1-1, 4.82) vs A.J. Griffin (2-0, 1.93)
Close, but still not quite enough. The Astros were outscored 34-11 in their first four games against the A's this season, but last night was a much tighter contest. After a late Carlos Pena homer evened the score, it looked like this might be Houston's first foray into extra innings this season... but then the bullpen did what the bullpen does. Astros lose 4-3, dropping their fourth straight and falling to 4-10 overall.
On the Mound:
*Brad Peacock was solid through the first four, with the only run he allowed coming in on a wild pitch, but a double/triple/walk trifecta chased him from the game in the 5th. His line: 4.1 IP / 4 H / 3 R / 3 ER / 3 BB / 7 K.
*Dallas Keuchel allowed one of the runners he inherited from Peacock to score, but beyond that, he hurled three scoreless, with 3 H and a K.
*And then, Rhiner Cruz. A walk and a triple with two outs in the 8th untied the score and lost Houston the game.
*Dallas Keuchel allowed one of the runners he inherited from Peacock to score, but beyond that, he hurled three scoreless, with 3 H and a K.
*And then, Rhiner Cruz. A walk and a triple with two outs in the 8th untied the score and lost Houston the game.
At the Plate:
*Jose Altuve continues playing up to his All-Star pedigree, last night going 2 for 3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored.
*Altuve was also caught stealing in the 1st. The Astros are now 1 for 4 in steal attempts this season, with the only success going to J.D. Martinez.
*Carlos Pena launched his first HR for Houston, coming at a crucial moment to tie the game in the 8th, even though things ultimately didn't work out. He finished 1 for 2 with 2 BB and a K.
*Marwin Gonzalez had a double and scored a run, going 1 for 4 with 2 K. He also still has a 1.013 OPS so far (!).
*Justin Maxwell drove in Gonzalez, going 1 for 4 with a K.
*Chris Carter had the other Astros RBI, going 1 for 3 with a walk, and for the first time in 32 games, he didn't strike out (!!).
*Altuve was also caught stealing in the 1st. The Astros are now 1 for 4 in steal attempts this season, with the only success going to J.D. Martinez.
*Carlos Pena launched his first HR for Houston, coming at a crucial moment to tie the game in the 8th, even though things ultimately didn't work out. He finished 1 for 2 with 2 BB and a K.
*Marwin Gonzalez had a double and scored a run, going 1 for 4 with 2 K. He also still has a 1.013 OPS so far (!).
*Justin Maxwell drove in Gonzalez, going 1 for 4 with a K.
*Chris Carter had the other Astros RBI, going 1 for 3 with a walk, and for the first time in 32 games, he didn't strike out (!!).
Turning Point:
With the score all tied up at 3-3, Dallas Keuchel struck out Jed Lowrie to start the 8th, then Rhiner Cruz came in to face Chris Young. Young flied out, but Cruz walked Josh Reddick to put the winning run on base, and a Josh Donaldson triple drove him home.
Man of the Match:
Dallas Keuchel. Kid Keuchy leads all current Astros relievers with a 1.13 ERA.
Goat of the Game:
Rhiner Cruz. For the third outing in a row, he helped his team to lose - this time directly.
