Note: I am filling in for Cockroach on the Game Recaps for a while, as he is dealing with a family emergency.
Bush-league. The Astros finally generate some runs, and the bullpen freaking nuts it.
*Wesley Wright only needed eight pitches to totally nut the best chance the Astros had to win the game, giving up a 2-run homer to Matt Carpenter in the 7th inning to provide the Cardinals margin in a 5-4 win over Houston.
*Since May 1, Wesley Wright has thrown 20.1IP, allowing 26H/12ER, 23K:4BB, 4HR, and an .883 OPS.
*Two of those homers have come in the last four days as he has received the Dreaded BS twice in the last three games.
*Jordan Lyles was mostly solid, allowing 6H/4ER (one courtesy of Wesley Wright's dumb pitch), 2K:2BB.
*After racking up 41K in his first nine starts (51.2IP), Lyles has just 14 strikeouts in his last five (29IP) and hasn't struck out more than three batters in four consecutive starts.
*Brett Wallace was 4x5 - the first four-hit game of his career.
*Since his June call-up, Wallace is hitting .319/.373/.638 with eight of his 15 hits going for extra-bases.
*Chris Carter's OPS bottomed out on May 28 at .695. Since May 29 (arbitrary, I know), he's hitting .252/.373/.586 with 47K:21BB in 134 PAs.
*Jason Castro was 1x5 with 2Ks, but notably his hit went for a double - his 24th double of the season, good enough for 5th in the American League, 2nd among AL catchers (Mauer - 27).
*The Astros drew six walks in a game for just the 8th time this season, and the 6th time on the road. In those games they are 4-4.
*They also had their 44th double-digit strikeout game of the season. In 91 games.
*On this 4-13 stretch since taking two of three from the Brewers at home from June 18-20, the Astros are hitting .209/.285/.330. Pitching staff has a 6.16 ERA/1.67 WHIP. They've given up 26 homers, 37 doubles, and five triples in those 17 games.
Man of the Match: Brett Wallace
Goat of the Game: Wesley Wright
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
