Erik Bedard (0-2, 7.98) vs David Phelps (1-1, 5.29)
Trading two outs for a ballgame. That's what the Astros did on Wednesday night. They weren't trying to make it work out that way, and realistically there may not have been any other play they could have made. But the Yankees scored the game-winning run on a double play, and it's a bitter way to lose the game and the series. Astros fall again, 5-4, and return home 8-20 overall.
On the Mound:
*Brad Peacock may be getting company in the demoted-from-the-rotation ranks soon. Erik Bedard came in determined to go deeper into a game than he had this season, and he left after four innings with an ever-inflating ERA. His line was 4 IP / 6 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 4 BB / 2 K, and his ERA is now 8.20 after six games.
*Paul Clemens pitched a scoreless 5th, then left with 2 on and 1 out with the score still 4-4 in the 6th, but...
*Wesley Wright (1.2 IP, 0 R) got an inning-ending double play on Ichiro, but the play was not completed before an inherited runner scored.
*Hector Ambriz loaded the bases in the 8th, but escaped with a scoreless inning.
*Paul Clemens pitched a scoreless 5th, then left with 2 on and 1 out with the score still 4-4 in the 6th, but...
*Wesley Wright (1.2 IP, 0 R) got an inning-ending double play on Ichiro, but the play was not completed before an inherited runner scored.
*Hector Ambriz loaded the bases in the 8th, but escaped with a scoreless inning.
At the Plate:
*Jason Castro is, dare I say, en fuego. His hitting streak is now at 8 games after another pair of doubles tonight, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and a K.
*Jose Altuve was the second of three Astros with a pair of hits tonight, going 2 for 4 with a run scored like Castro.
*Carlos Pena was 2 for 3 with a run scored, a walk, a RBI, and a K.
*Fernando Martinez and Brandon Barnes each went 1 for 3 with a RBI and a K.
*Matt Dominguez was 1 for 4 with a RBI.
*Robbie Grossman led off again and went 1 for 4 with 2 K.
*Jose Altuve was the second of three Astros with a pair of hits tonight, going 2 for 4 with a run scored like Castro.
*Carlos Pena was 2 for 3 with a run scored, a walk, a RBI, and a K.
*Fernando Martinez and Brandon Barnes each went 1 for 3 with a RBI and a K.
*Matt Dominguez was 1 for 4 with a RBI.
*Robbie Grossman led off again and went 1 for 4 with 2 K.
Turning Point:
After falling behind 4-0 after three, the Astros scored four in the 4th to tie. Fast forward to the bottom of the 6th, and Eduardo Nunez led off with a double against Paul Clemens. A wild pitch allowed Nunez to third, then Lyle Overbay walked to give the Yanks two on with no out. (Not Roger) got Chris Stewart to strike out, then he gave way to lefty Wesley Wright to face lefty Ichiro. Six pitches in and Wright got Ichiro to ground to second to start a double play, but Overbay stayed in a rundown long enough to allow Nunez to score the winning run.
Man of the Match:
Jason Castro. Tonight was his fifth multi-hit game in his current 8-game streak.
Goat of the Game:
Erik Bedard. Injury may have given him a longer leash up until now, but that grace period is running out.
