Lucas Harrell (3-4, 5.11) vs Jeff Locke (3-1, 3.15)
Welcome back to National League baseball. After spending the majority of their history in the offense-unfriendly Astrodome, Houston fans are well familiar with the pitcher's duel. The Astros spent the last three days back in the league of their birth, and split two tightly contested matches to start the series. Today was no different, but unfortunately on this day, they came up just shy. Astros lose the game and the series by a 1-0 score, and they return home 12-32 overall.
On the Mound:
*Lucas Harrell has not seemed himself in two of his last three outings, but today he was on top of his game. Unfortunately, one bad pitch to Pedro Alvarez ended up just beyond the left field wall, and that was all it took to sink Harrell's ship today. His line: 7 IP / 4 H / 1 R / 1 ER / 1 BB / 3 K.
*Hector Ambriz handled the 8th and pitched a perfect inning with 2 K.
*Hector Ambriz handled the 8th and pitched a perfect inning with 2 K.
At the Plate:
*Only three singles and two walks for the Astros on offense today, which makes it hard to win any game. Chris Carter was the only Astro to reach twice, going 1 for 2 with a BB and a K.
*Carlos Corporan was 1 for 3 with a K.
*Lucas Harrell took up this odd phenomenon of pitchers getting to hit, and he went 1 for 2 with a K before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th.
*Brandon Barnes was 0 for 1 with a walk and a sac bunt, but his best contribution was gunning down Travis Snider at home from CF to end the 6th.
*Carlos Corporan was 1 for 3 with a K.
*Lucas Harrell took up this odd phenomenon of pitchers getting to hit, and he went 1 for 2 with a K before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th.
*Brandon Barnes was 0 for 1 with a walk and a sac bunt, but his best contribution was gunning down Travis Snider at home from CF to end the 6th.
Turning Point:
With one out in the bottom of the 5th in a scoreless game, Pedro Alvarez dunked the first pitch he saw from Lucas Harrell over the shortest part of the left field fence, just inside the foul pole. Neither team would score again, so that was the game.
Man of the Match:
Lucas Harrell. Unquestionably deserved a better fate today.
Goat of the Game:
Pick-a-hitter, but we'll go Jimmy Paredes. 0 for 3 with 3 LOBsters, so he's now hitting .176 in 12 games, with two second basemen trampled.
