To quote an old friend:
It just defies logic. Truly. The bullpen. Every. Single. Day.
— Alyson Footer (@alysonfooter) September 4, 2013
BUT THEN, Trevor Crowe. Who may be one of the most questionable choices for a #3 hitter in baseball, but who cares, because he made it pay off this afternoon. Astros win 6-5 on a walk-off single; they head out west to Oakland at 46-93.
On the Mound:
*Home runs were the bugaboo for Astros pitching all series against Minnesota, and it was only a 3-run homer that marred Jordan Lyles' outing today. But he still turned in his second straight quality start with a 6.1 IP / 4 H / 3 R / 3 ER / 1 BB / 4 K line.
*Bedardadonk or Bederp, take your pick - he erased the good feeling from an inning-ending double play in the 7th by allowing a run each in the 8th and 9th to earn Houston's 27th blown save of the season. Then he "earned" the win with his 2.2 IP / 3 H / 2 R / 2 ER / 2 BB / 1 K line when Trevor Crowe bailed him with the walk-off.
*Bedardadonk or Bederp, take your pick - he erased the good feeling from an inning-ending double play in the 7th by allowing a run each in the 8th and 9th to earn Houston's 27th blown save of the season. Then he "earned" the win with his 2.2 IP / 3 H / 2 R / 2 ER / 2 BB / 1 K line when Trevor Crowe bailed him with the walk-off.
At the Plate:
*Trevor Crowe! Obviously the big hero today with the walk-off single in the 9th, but he had another RBI single before that in the 4th, so he finished 2 for 5 with 2 RBI, a R, and a K.
*Brandon Barnes followed up his 5 RBI performance last night with another 2 RBI today, going 1 for 3 with a 2B.
*Jonathan Villar played it smart on the bases, didn't get benched, and ended up scoring the game-winning run, going 2 for 5 with a double and 3 K.
*Jose Altuve added a double to go 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.
*Brett Wallace also had a double, going 2 for 4 with a R and a RBI.
*Chris Carter swiped his second SB of the season, finishing 2 for 3 with a BB and a R.
*Marc Krauss returned from OKC just in time to notch a RBI single, going 1 for 3 with a BB.
*Brandon Barnes followed up his 5 RBI performance last night with another 2 RBI today, going 1 for 3 with a 2B.
*Jonathan Villar played it smart on the bases, didn't get benched, and ended up scoring the game-winning run, going 2 for 5 with a double and 3 K.
*Jose Altuve added a double to go 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.
*Brett Wallace also had a double, going 2 for 4 with a R and a RBI.
*Chris Carter swiped his second SB of the season, finishing 2 for 3 with a BB and a R.
*Marc Krauss returned from OKC just in time to notch a RBI single, going 1 for 3 with a BB.
Turning Point:
The Astros held a 5-4 lead going to the 9th, and Erik Bedard stayed on the mound in spite of allowing a run in the inning before. It only took three pitches for Minnesota to tie the game, on a solo shot by Ryan Doumit, and there was no joy in Mudville any longer. But then Jonathan Villar singled to lead off the bottom of the 9th, Jose Altuve sac bunted him up to second, then Trevor Crowe drove him home on a line drive single to left to grant Bedard the unearned win.
Man of the Match:
Trevor Crowe! Salvaging one game of an otherwise godawful series for the Astros.
Goat of the Game:
Um, Erik Bedard, ya think?
