Hisashi Iwakuma (0-0, -.--) vs Dallas Keuchel (2-1, 3.56)
So that was far more interesting than it had any right to be. From seeing the final, you would never guess that the Astros held a 2-1 lead after 6 innings. Then you wouldn't expect that they would scramble back up off the mat after an 8-run Seattle 7th buried them in a 9-2 hole. But that Mack truck of Seattle's 7th was ultimately just enough, and the Mariners hold on for a 9-8 win. Houston falls to 10-20 overall.
On the Mound:
*Dallas Keuchel out-dueled All-Star opponent Hisashi Iwakuma for the first six innings, and even left in the 7th still holding that 2-1 lead. But he walked the bases loaded before he was lifted, which laid the groundwork for Seattle's massive rally. Kid Keuchy's final line: 6 IP / 4 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 3 BB / 3 K.
*The Goatpen was back with a vengeance tonight, led by Jose Cisnero, who immediately walked in the tying run. Then he allowed three more hits and three more runs against two outs before he was yanked too.
*Raul Valdes was tasked with stopping the bleeding in the 7th. But he didn't. Before recording the final out, he allowed two more hits, resulting in two more Seattle runs.
*Josh Fields reappeared outside of the 9th inning, and did alright tonight, walking one and fanning one in a scoreless 8th.
*Then Jerome Williams turned in a perfect 9th, with one K.
At the Plate:
*Houston's offense was mostly quiet until the 7th too, but Jonathan Villar's RBI triple in the 3rd started the scoring. Villar later added his fourth home run of the season, finishing the night 2x3 with 2 R, 3 RBI, a walk, and a throwing error.
*Marwin Gonzalez got the start in left field (!), and had a hot night at the plate, finishing 3x3 with a double and 2 runs scored.
*cHRis Carter went deep for the fourth time, and tripled too, as part of his 2x4, 2 R, 2 RBI night.
*Matt Dominguez had a double and finished 1x4 with a R, a BB, and 2 K.
*Jose Altuve is still swinging well, going 1x3 with a R, a BB, a SB, and a RBI.
*Alex Presley was 1x4 with a RBI.
*Dexter Fowler also hit again, going 1x4 with a caught stealing and a K.
Turning Point:
When Keuchel's control went away. Starting the 7th, he walked Justin Smoak. Then he walked Cole Gillespie. Then he walked Brad Miller, and Jose Cisnero took his place. To walk Mike Zunino, then allow three straight hits (double, single, single), before the first out was finally recorded when Alex Presley threw out Stefen Romero at third. After Corey Hart flied out for out #2, Raul Valdes came on - but immediately gave up two more hits, including a 2-run homer by Justin Smoak that was the final dagger. Houston would score 4 in their half of the 7th, and 2 more in the 8th, but Seattle's 8-run inning was just too much.
Man of the Match:
Haha, well - Marwin Gonzalez? His first ever outfield start, but he made it memorable with his bat.
Goat of the Game:
Co-goat awards to Cisnero and Valdes. Neither could stop the bleeding, when just one run less could have made the difference.
