Erik Bedard (1-2, 4.76) vs Ervin Santana (3-5, 3.03)
Meanwhile, back at the ballpark, the Astros played some baseball. Unfortunately for them, they didn't play it very well today, and the results showed all over - in the field, on the mound, and at the plate. Since winning six in a row, Houston has now dropped four of five, including tonight - they fall 7-2 to the Royals. Astros drop to 22-41 overall.
On the Mound:
*Erik Bedard hadn't given up more than two runs in a game since rejoining the rotation back on May 11, but tonight he returned to his early season form... which is to say, he stunk. He tied his season high for runs allowed, with a 4.2 IP / 8 H / 6 R / 6 ER / 3 BB / 2 K line.
*Brad Peacock followed, and did quite well in contrast, giving up just 2 H / 1 R over the final 3.1 IP. It will be his last appearance in Houston for a while, however, as he was optioned to OKC following the game to make room for waiver claim Wade LeBlanc.
At the Plate:
*Houston has been limited to two runs or less in six of their last eight games, including tonight, and including all four losses in the last five games. They've had six or fewer hits in five of the last eight, too.
*Chris Carter was the offensive highlight tonight, launching his 13th HR of the season in the 7th - a solo shot - to finish 1 for 3 with 2 K.
*Jose Altuve returned to the lineup and to his hitting ways, going 1 for 4 with a RBI and a K, and extending his hitting streak to 9 games.
*Brandon Barnes, on the other hand, went the other way with an injury. He doubled and scored in the top of 6th, finishing 1 for 3 with a K, but left the game in the bottom of the 6th with a tight hamstring.
*Jason Castro continued his All-Star campaign, going 1 for 4 with a K.
*J.D. Martinez was likewise 1 for 4 with a K.
*Matt Dominguez went 1 for 3 with Houston's remaining hit.
Turning Point:
Kansas City took a 2-0 lead in the 1st, but the score held there until the 4th, when Eric Hosmer led off with a single. Lorenzo Cain walked, then Miguel Tejada singled to drive home Hosmer. Jeff Francoeur doubled, plating Cain, and Elliot Johnson walked to load the bases. Erik Bedard finally retired a batter next, getting David Lough to ground into a double play, but that also scored Tejada to make it 5-0. That was far more than the anemic Astros offense could overcome.
Man of the Match:
cHRis Carter, now tied for 8th in the AL in home runs.
Goat of the Game:
Erik Bedard. As long as this kind of start remains the exception and not the rule, we'll stomach it.
