Alexi Ogando (3-2, 3.08) vs Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.96)
One bad pitch by Dallas Keuchel. One bad pitch by Wesley Wright. One bad pitch by Travis Blackley. The Astros did a good job avoiding the big inning against Texas, but they couldn't generate much support with their own bats, either. Three solo home runs sank Houston tonight, by a 4-2 score. They fall to 10-26 overall.
On the Mound:
*Dallas Keuchel made his first start since moving into the rotation in 2013, and he made it a great one. A 6 IP / 5 H / 2 R / 2 ER / 2 BB / 3 K line against the Rangers lineup was all that Bo Porter could ask or could have hoped.
*Wesley Wright actually got to pitch tonight, with no pinch-pitcher incident, but the first pitch he threw landed in the RF seats. He'd finish the 7th with only that one run allowed, but that was unfortunately enough to earn him the loss.
*Paul Clemens got two outs in the 8th with no runners allowed.
*Travis Blackley finished the 8th, but then allowed Texas' third HR of the night to start the 9th.
*Wesley Wright actually got to pitch tonight, with no pinch-pitcher incident, but the first pitch he threw landed in the RF seats. He'd finish the 7th with only that one run allowed, but that was unfortunately enough to earn him the loss.
*Paul Clemens got two outs in the 8th with no runners allowed.
*Travis Blackley finished the 8th, but then allowed Texas' third HR of the night to start the 9th.
At the Plate:
*Houston only managed five hits tonight, all against Alexi Ogando. Marwin Gonzalez had two of those, going 2 for 4.
*Trevor Crowe got his first start as an Astro, and he gave Houston a brief 1-0 lead with a solo HR in the 2nd. He'd finish 1 for 4 with 2 K.
*Jose Altuve had a double and scored the Astros' other run, going 1 for 4.
*Chris Carter had Houston's only other hit, going 1 for 2 with 2 BB and a K.
*Trevor Crowe got his first start as an Astro, and he gave Houston a brief 1-0 lead with a solo HR in the 2nd. He'd finish 1 for 4 with 2 K.
*Jose Altuve had a double and scored the Astros' other run, going 1 for 4.
*Chris Carter had Houston's only other hit, going 1 for 2 with 2 BB and a K.
Turning Point:
With two outs and no on in the bottom of the 6th, Marwin Gonzalez singled to center. One pitch later, Robbie Grossman launched a liner up the middle, but Ian Kinsler made a spectacular leaping/diving catch to keep the scored tied at 2. One pitch after that, to start the 7th, Wesley Wright surrendered a home run to Jeff Baker. The Astros would never get another base runner, so that was the ballgame.
Man of the Match:
Dallas Keuchel. So far, at least, the additions of Kid Keuchy and Jordan Lyles to the rotation look like a step in the right direction.
Goat of the Game:
A collective failing by the bullpen and the bats, but if we must pick a single name... Carlos Pena. 0 for 3 with a walk and 4 LOB. Leaving the bases loaded in the 1st particularly hurt.
