Felix Hernandez (1-2, 2.20) vs Brad Peacock (1-1, 5.27)
No shame in losing to Felix Hernandez - that's the consolation for Brad Peacock and the Astros tonight. Three Seattle home runs contributed to what was easily Peacock's worst start of the season, but it would have taken brilliance to beat King Felix tonight. Mariners win by a 7-1 score, and the Astros have now lost 8 of their last 9, dropping to 5-14 overall.
On the Mound:
*For the third time in four starts, Brad Peacock lasted exactly 4.1 innings, but this time he gave up almost as many runs (7) as in his three previous outings combined (8). He received no run support while Felix Hernandez was on the mound, but he did little to help his team either, with a 4.1 IP / 9 H / 7 R / 7 ER / 1 BB / 1 K line.
*Jose Cisnero is the latest OKC starter to be summoned to the Houston bullpen, getting the call to replace Brett Oberholtzer after last night's game, and getting to make his own ML debut tonight. But unlike the rough debuts for Oberholtzer and Paul Clemens, Jose made the most of it, twirling a 3.2 IP / 2 H / 0 R / 0 ER / 1 BB / 1 K line.
*Jose Veras handled the 9th scorelessly, allowing a single between a K and a double play.
*Jose Cisnero is the latest OKC starter to be summoned to the Houston bullpen, getting the call to replace Brett Oberholtzer after last night's game, and getting to make his own ML debut tonight. But unlike the rough debuts for Oberholtzer and Paul Clemens, Jose made the most of it, twirling a 3.2 IP / 2 H / 0 R / 0 ER / 1 BB / 1 K line.
*Jose Veras handled the 9th scorelessly, allowing a single between a K and a double play.
At the Plate:
*Were in not for Rick Ankiel, Houston would have been shut out tonight for the fourth time, but he capitalized in the 7th after King Felix left the game. Ankiel launched his team-leading 5th HR of the season (in 38 AB), and also struck out once, to end his typical night 1 for 3.
*Jason Castro continued his recent upturn, going 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles, a BB, and a K.
*Justin Maxwell's Silver Hammer also had a double to go 1 for 4 with 2 K.
*Jose Altuve's hitting streak is now up to 8 games, after he went 1 for 4 with a K.
*Chris Carter extended his MLB-leading strikeout total to 31, fanning in three of his four plate appearances, and singling in the other.
*Carlos Pena also had a single and went 1 for 4.
*All told, the Astros whiffed 12 times tonight, but that was their highest such total since 14 in Oakland back on April 7.
*Jason Castro continued his recent upturn, going 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles, a BB, and a K.
*Justin Maxwell's Silver Hammer also had a double to go 1 for 4 with 2 K.
*Jose Altuve's hitting streak is now up to 8 games, after he went 1 for 4 with a K.
*Chris Carter extended his MLB-leading strikeout total to 31, fanning in three of his four plate appearances, and singling in the other.
*Carlos Pena also had a single and went 1 for 4.
*All told, the Astros whiffed 12 times tonight, but that was their highest such total since 14 in Oakland back on April 7.
Turning Point:
Peacock escaped a shaky 1st with only one run allowed, then a 1-2-3 2nd looked like a good sign, but the 3rd abruptly went the wrong way again. Franklin Gutierrez started things off with a single, then moved to second on a passed ball. Kyle Seager followed with a 2-run homer to give Seattle a 3-0 lead. That was the first of three straight innings in which the Mariners would score a pair against Peacock.
Man of the Match:
Jose Cisnero. A fine debut for the 24-year-old Dominican righty.
Goat of the Game:
Brad Peacock, continuing the trend of poor starts from Houston starters in recent games.
