Jorge De La Rosa (6-3, 3.40) vs Jordan Lyles (2-1, 5.40)
Dammit, Jose Veras. Houston was gunning today for a sweep of this two-game mini series, before they fly to Denver for the other half of this stupid charming home-and-home, and Jordan Lyles did everything he could to achieve that end. But the offense could never put it together against Jorge De La Rosa either, which left the door open for Veras to punt another one away in the 9th. Astros lose 2-1, flying west now at 15-37 on the season.
On the Mound:
*Jordan Lyles just keeps getting better. After a one-run, six-inning outing last time around, he held the Rockies to one run over seven today. Shaking off some early adventures, he cruised late to a 7 IP / 6 H / 1 R / 1 ER / 3 BB / 3 K line.
*Wesley Wright fanned two in a 1-2-3 8th today.
*Then, In Vino Veras. Leadoff double to Troy Tulowitzki, wild pitch to advance him to third, then a RBI single to drive him home with the winning run in the 9th.
*Wesley Wright fanned two in a 1-2-3 8th today.
*Then, In Vino Veras. Leadoff double to Troy Tulowitzki, wild pitch to advance him to third, then a RBI single to drive him home with the winning run in the 9th.
At the Plate:
*Not much at the plate today, with only three Astros recording hits. J.D. Martinez was chief of those, going 2 for 4 with a double and 2 K.
*Ronny Cedeno eats LHPs for breakfast. He went 2 for 3 (with a K) against lefty De La Rosa today, raising his season average against southpaws to .457 in 35 AB. He also turned a routine over-the-shoulder-running-catch-then-nail-the-runner-at-home double play on defense.
*Carlos Corporan went 1 for 3 with a HBP and scored the lone Houston run.
*Chris Carter was 0 for 4 with a K, but earned the RBI on a fielder's choice.
*Ronny Cedeno eats LHPs for breakfast. He went 2 for 3 (with a K) against lefty De La Rosa today, raising his season average against southpaws to .457 in 35 AB. He also turned a routine over-the-shoulder-running-catch-then-nail-the-runner-at-home double play on defense.
*Carlos Corporan went 1 for 3 with a HBP and scored the lone Houston run.
*Chris Carter was 0 for 4 with a K, but earned the RBI on a fielder's choice.
Turning Point:
Obviously the 9th, with Veras' double-wild pitch-single sequence that gave away the game. But it's worth noting, at least, that Jose Altuve led off the 4th getting hit by a pitch. Altuve was caught stealing before Corporan was subsequently hit, then J.D. Martinez followed with a double and Carter with the RBI FC. If Altuve had still been on base ahead of J.D., that could have been another Astros run, and the game at worst tied 2-2.
Man of the Match:
Jordan Lyles. Minus his ugly day against Texas on 5/12, he's now got an ERA of 2.57 over his other five starts.
Goat of the Game:
Jose Veras. Not a save situation today, but after the brilliant pitching that preceded him, this one stung all the more.
