Scott Feldman (2-1, 1.69) vs Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.24)
Scott Feldman returned from the DL to face the AL East-leading Orioles, and he didn't miss a beat. But once again, against top flight competition, the Astros had no margin for error. And the Goatpen, being anything less than flawless, couldn't keep them in the game. Houston's 1-game win streak is snapped, and Baltimore takes the series opener by a 4-3 final. Astros drop to 11-25 on the season.
On the Mound:
*Scott Feldman made his first start since April 17, and immediately returned to form against his former mates. He left a 2-2 tie starting the 7th, with a 6 IP / 5 H / 2 R / 2 ER / 0 BB / 6 K line.
*Then Jerome Williams. He was perfect in the 8th. But less so in the 7th. Two runs allowed (both with two outs), on three hits, and that lost the game for the Astros.
At the Plate:
*Matt Dominguez led the meager Astros offensive output tonight, with a pair of doubles to finish 2x3 with a run scored.
*cHRis Carter made his fifth appearance of the season, blasting a solo shot leading off the 7th to finish 1x4.
*L.J. Hoes went 1x1 with a RBI on a sac fly in his return home tonight.
*Dexter Fowler doubled, stole a base, and scored a run, finishing 1x4.
*Jose Altuve had Houston's other hit, going 1x4 with a K.
Turning Point:
Chris Carter tied the game at 2 with his home run in the top of the 7th, then Scott Feldman gave way to Jerome Williams for the bottom of the frame. J.J. Hardy led off the inning with a ground rule double, but Williams got the next two O's to ground out to nearly escape the inning. Nearly. But a Jonathan Schoop single plated Hardy, then a Nick Markakis double scored Schoop, and Baltimore suddenly had a 2-run lead again. The Astros scored one in the top of the 9th to cut that in half, but they couldn't strike again.
Man of the Match:
Scott Feldman. Nice welcome back to the rotation for the de facto Astros ace.
Goat of the Game:
Jerome Williams. Not his best work tonight.
