Brad Peacock (3-5, 5.98) vs Sonny Gray (2-2, 2.57)
Score one for Jeff Luhnow tonight. While Oakland was dominating their first 10 meetings with the Astros this season, it seemed that ex-Astros Jed Lowrie and Nate Freiman were making Houston pay at every turn. But tonight, ex-Athletic Brad Peacock straight dominated his former team, and for once, the bullpen did just enough to hang on. Astros win 3-2, beating first-place Oakland for the fourth time in six games, and moving to 47-93 overall.
On the Mound:
*In his first two outings against Oakland this season, Brad Peacock failed to escape the 5th, but tonight he showed the potential that made him a prized trade target by the Astros. After 7 shutout innings, he tired in the 8th, but still finished with a 7 IP / 5 H / 2 R / 2 ER / 1 BB / 9 K line.
*Kevin Chapman got a K and a groundout in the 8th before allowing a single to Dickie Thon Lowrie.
*Jorge De Leon faced one batter and attempted to get a force at the plate, but the tag was late (and Bo Porter got ejected arguing).
*Then Josh Fields turned in a perfect 1.1 IP for his third save.
At the Plate:
*Oakland's rookie righty Sonny Gray was nearly as good as Peacock, but Chris Carter touched him early with a RBI single in the 1st, finishing 1 for 4 with 2 K.
*Jose Altuve went 2 for 4 with a RBI single in the 2nd, on which a second run also scored when Yoenis Cespedes misplayed the ball in left.
*Trevor Crowe (2 for 4, 2B, SB), L.J. Hoes (1 for 4, K), and Matt Pagnozzi (1 for 3) scored the Houston runs.
*Brandon Barnes went 1 for 4 with the Astros' other hit.
Turning Point:
The Astros held a 3-0 lead from the 2nd until the 8th, when Eric Sogard led off against Peacock with a triple. Stephen Vogt followed with a double to break up the shutout, and Peacock's night was done, but his line was not. Kevin Chapman came on and got Coco Crisp to K and Josh Donaldson to ground out, moving Vogt up to third. Jed Lowrie followed with bunt single, but Chapman held the runner at third, then he gave way to Jorge De Leon. Alberto Callaspo bounced a squibbler in front of home plate, which De Leon pounced on and threw home ahead of Vogt, but he was called safe and Bo Porter was livid. Replays showed that the tag was late, however, and Bo Porter headed to the clubhouse with his team up 3-2. But Josh Fields got Cespedes to ground to third, ending the threat.
Man of the Match:
Brad Peacock. Undoubtably his best outing of the season.
Goat of the Game:
Marc Krauss. 0 for 4 with 3 K.
