Dallas Keuchel (4-3, 4.23) vs Matt Garza (1-1, 4.98)
From the wonderful world of sports, we bring you... Home Run Derby! That's what Wrigley Field is prone to, though usually in higher scoring games than this one. All of the day's runs scored on solo homers, but the Cubs tallied more than the Astros did, so after a 3+ hour rain delay, Houston falls 3-1. The loss drops them to 28-47 overall.
On the Mound:
*Dallas Keuchel surrendered 9 hits and a walk in 6 innings, so he's somewhat lucky that Chicago's three home runs didn't do more damage. But he also struck out a career-high 9, turning in his fifth straight quality start with a 6 IP / 9 H / 3 R / 3 ER / 1 BB / 9 K line.
*Josh Fields K'd one in a perfect 7th inning.
*Wesley Wright (K), Paul Clemens (2B, BB), and Travis Blackley combined to each pitch 1/3 of a scoreless 8th.
*Josh Fields K'd one in a perfect 7th inning.
*Wesley Wright (K), Paul Clemens (2B, BB), and Travis Blackley combined to each pitch 1/3 of a scoreless 8th.
At the Plate:
*Whether Matt Garza was really on or Houston's offense is still struggling, the result was only 4 hits for the Astros today.
*cHRis Carter saved the Astros from a shutout with a solo home run in the 7th - #15 of the year for him - and he narrowly missed another earlier in the game, settling instead for a double to go 2 for 4 with a K.
*Jose Altuve reached base twice, going 1 for 3 with a BB.
*Justin Maxwell went 1 for 3 with Houston's other hit.
*Marc Krauss made his ML debut as a pinch-hitter in the 8th, but he struck out.
*cHRis Carter saved the Astros from a shutout with a solo home run in the 7th - #15 of the year for him - and he narrowly missed another earlier in the game, settling instead for a double to go 2 for 4 with a K.
*Jose Altuve reached base twice, going 1 for 3 with a BB.
*Justin Maxwell went 1 for 3 with Houston's other hit.
*Marc Krauss made his ML debut as a pinch-hitter in the 8th, but he struck out.
Turning Point:
Anthony Rizzo led off the 4th with a solo home run; Darwin Barney did the same in the 5th. That wasn't much, but the Astros offense would get even less, so that won the game for the Cubs.
Man of the Match:
Chris Carter. Now halfway to 30 home runs with more than half the season left to play.
Goat of the Game:
Awfully tough to give it to Dallas Keuchel, so we'll say the Astros Offense Besides Chris Carter.
