Tyler Skaggs (0-0, -.--) vs Dallas Keuchel (0-0, -.--)
The Astros had set aside tonight to honor two of their past greats, Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman. Unfortunately their play on the field tonight was not much of a fitting tribute. Less-than-sharp pitching and less-than-great hitting combined to give the Angels a 5-1 victory. The loss drops Houston below .500 for the first time in 2014, at 2-3.
On the Mound:
*Dallas Keuchel worked through trouble at times in the first four innings, though ultimately did okay until the 5th. But trouble caught up with him then, ending his night with a 5 IP / 8 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 2 BB / 5 K line.
*Matt Albers remains untouched through three games now, allowing two hits and fanning two in two scoreless innings.
*Chad Qualls was less effective, allowing two hits and a run while striking out two in the 8th.
*Josh Fields got another 9th inning turn (though this one obviously not a save), and turned in another scoreless frame with two singles and two K's.
At the Plate:
*Not much. Dexter Fowler and Jason Castro both remained absent from the lineup, so Jose Altuve led the way again, going 1x3 with a BB, as SB, and scored Houston's only run on an Angels error.
*Jonathan Villar led off in Fowler's absence tonight, and went 1x4 with a K.
*L.J. Hoes returned to the lineup for the first time since Opening Day, going 1x3.
*And Marwin Gonzalez started at 3B in place of Matt Dominguez, going 1x3, and with an error in the field.
Turning Point:
The 5th inning actually didn't look all that bad for Kid Keuchy, as he got both Mike Trout and Albert Pujols to strike out following a leadoff double by Collin Gowgill. But David Freese singled Gowgill home, and then Josh Hamilton followed with his second two-run homer in as many nights. That changed a 1-1 tie into a 4-1 hole that Houston would never challenge.
Man of the Match:
Jose Altuve. Hitting .375 on the young season so far.
Goat of the Game:
Dallas Keuchel. With the offense struggling, your pitchers can't make mistakes to guys like Josh Hamilton.
