Chris Young (7-4, 3.15) vs Brad Peacock (2-4, 4.21)
Meh. Astros lose again to the Mariners, 5-2, getting swept in a 3-game set for the first time since April 15-17 against Kansas City. They fly west to Anaheim at 36-50 overall.
On the Mound:
*Brad Peacock was doing so well. So very well. Through 5.1 innings, he had allowed only 3 singles and a walk, and faced the minimum from the last out of the 2nd through the first out of the 6th. But then it all went suddenly, horribly wrong, and the Astros' only shot at redemption in this series went with it. Brad's final, puzzling line: 5.1 IP / 6 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 2 BB / 6 K, with a HBP, a WP, and a double all following the final out he managed to record.
*Anthony Bass finally escaped the Meat Wagon and made his first Astros appearance since May 10. He also escaped the 6th with no further damage, but a double and a single in the 7th tacked on an insurance run for the Mariners.
*Anthony Bass finally escaped the Meat Wagon and made his first Astros appearance since May 10. He also escaped the 6th with no further damage, but a double and a single in the 7th tacked on an insurance run for the Mariners.
*Tony Sipp took the 8th, allowing a two-out double but nothing else.
*Then Chad Qualls turned in a perfect 9th, on 8 pitches.
At the Plate:
*Through the first five innings, Houston only had two hits, but they still led 2-0 because both hits were home runs. Marwin Gonzalez had the first, in the 3rd, for his 4th of the season, and later added a single to finish 2x3 with a K.
*The Legend of Kiké Hernandez continues to grow, as he went deep to the Crawford Boxes in the 5th for his first big league home run. He was the DH today and finished 1x3.
*Carlos Corporan went 0x2 with a walk.
*And that was it. Touted prospect Domingo Santana went 0x3 with 3 K.
*The Legend of Kiké Hernandez continues to grow, as he went deep to the Crawford Boxes in the 5th for his first big league home run. He was the DH today and finished 1x3.
*Carlos Corporan went 0x2 with a walk.
*And that was it. Touted prospect Domingo Santana went 0x3 with 3 K.
Turning Point:
When whatever it was threw off Brad Peacock's groove. After striking out Endy Chavez swinging to start the 6th, Brad allowed a single to James Jones. Then he hit Robinson Cano, moving Jones to second. Then he walked Kyle Seager, loading the bases. Then he threw a wild pitch to Logan Morrison, letting Jones score Seattle's first run. Then Morrison doubled, plating both Cano and Seager, and Houston suddenly trailed 3-2. Then John Buck singled, scoring LoMo, and Brad's wrong turn had run its course, as he was lifted for Anthony Bass.
Man of the Match:
Marwin Gonzalez. For reaching base twice (which no other Astro could), and for his second home run of the series.
Goat of the Game:
Brad Peacock. Because, dang.
