Dallas Keuchel (6-9, 5.17) vs Ubaldo Jiminez (12-9, 3.49)
While the Astros are obviously not heading to the playoffs, they seem intent on packing as much extra baseball as they can into the final games of this 2013 season. For the second night in a row, they went to extra innings. For the second night in a row, baserunning blunders cost them the chance to win. And for the second night in a row, of course, they ultimately lost. Tonight it was the Indians, with a 2-1 triumph in 11 innings. Houston is now 51-102, losers of six straight, and five games ahead of Miami in the #RodonWatch, with nine left to play.
On the Mound:
*Dallas Keuchel was a huge bright spot for the Astros tonight, at least, matching Ubaldo Jiminez blow for blow while facing Cleveland's playoff-quality lineup. Kid Keuchy's work tonight: 7 IP / 7 H / 1 R / 1 ER / 1 BB / 7 K.
*Kevin Chapman allowed two singles while striking out the side in a scoreless 8th.
*Josh Zeid walked two and K'd two in two scoreless innings of work.
*Rhiner Cruz earned the loss tonight, surrendering three singles, a walk, and the game-winning run in 0.2 IP in the 11th.
*Kevin Chapman allowed two singles while striking out the side in a scoreless 8th.
*Josh Zeid walked two and K'd two in two scoreless innings of work.
*Rhiner Cruz earned the loss tonight, surrendering three singles, a walk, and the game-winning run in 0.2 IP in the 11th.
At the Plate:
*Nine hits only equated to one run for the Astros tonight. That run was scored by Marc Krauss, who also had a third of the hits, going 3 for 4 with two doubles.
*Cody Clark had a new career night, going 2 for 4 with a double.
*L.J. Hoes got the Astros' lone RBI on a sac fly, finishing 1 for 3 with a K.
*Jose Altuve has now hit safely in 17 of the last 19 games, including all of the last 7 straight, turning in a 1 for 5 night tonight.
*Matt Dominguez (1 for 3, K) and Chris Carter (1 for 3, BB) had the other hits.
*Two Astros also earned the glorious Golden Sombrero tonight: Trevor Crowe (0 for 5, 4 K) and Brett Wallace (0 for 4, 4 K).
*Cody Clark had a new career night, going 2 for 4 with a double.
*L.J. Hoes got the Astros' lone RBI on a sac fly, finishing 1 for 3 with a K.
*Jose Altuve has now hit safely in 17 of the last 19 games, including all of the last 7 straight, turning in a 1 for 5 night tonight.
*Matt Dominguez (1 for 3, K) and Chris Carter (1 for 3, BB) had the other hits.
*Two Astros also earned the glorious Golden Sombrero tonight: Trevor Crowe (0 for 5, 4 K) and Brett Wallace (0 for 4, 4 K).
Turning Point:
The Indians won it on a walkoff single with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 11th, but not before the Astros again squandered two golden opportunities to take control of the game late. In the 9th, Houston loaded the bases with one out, but Chris Perez got both Wallace and Hoes on strike outs to escape the situation. Then in the 10th, Cody Clark led off with a double and was replaced by pinch runner Jake Elmore. But Elmore got too aggressive on a missed bunt attempt by Jonathan Villar, and he ended up getting picked off second by Cleveland catcher Yan Gomes.
Man of the Match:
Kid Keuchy! He should get one more start this season, but his penultimate performance was a beauty.
Goat of the Game:
Jake Elmore. Pinch runner enters the game and immediately gets picked off of second base by the opposing catcher? That's just next level dumb.
