Marcus Stroman (7-2, 3.03) vs Scott Feldman (4-8, 4.39)
Here's is my piercing, in-depth analysis: When the Astros pitch well, they're actually pretty good. No Astros starter has allowed more than 3 runs over the past week, so it should be no surprise then that the Astros are 5-2 over that span - even against a pair of playoff contenders. Today it was all Scott Feldman, going wire to wire for his first complete game as an Astro and likely his best outing all year. Toss in another afternoon of solid hitting, and Houston walks away 6-1 winners today and 3-1 winners in the series. It's the first time that Houston has won two straight series since June 3-8 against the Angels and Twins; they improve to 47-65 overall, and 3-0 in August.
On the Mound:
*Scott Feldman likely deserves more credit than he has received this season. Yes, his ERA jumped from 3.02 at the end of May to a season high of 4.60 before his last start, but a closer look at his stats reveals that he's only allowed more than 3 earned runs 4 times now in 20 outings. He's only allowed more than 4 earned runs 3 times, so it's really just 3 ugly starts (6/1, 7/11, 7/24) that have blown up his numbers. Of course you have to take the bad with the good, but all of that aside - he was nothing but good today. The complete game was his first since September 6 of last year when he was with Baltimore, and the third of his big league career. Line: 9 IP / 8 H / 1 R / 1 ER / 2 BB / 2 K.
At the Plate:
*Chris Carter's solid July (1.005 OPS!) has carried over into August, and he's now on a 4-game mini-hitting streak. He got Houston on the board (and ahead to stay) with a 2-run single in the 3rd, finishing 1x4 with a K.
*Matt Dominguez likewise contributed a pair of RBI, on a single in the 4th and a sac fly in the 5th, also scoring a run and finishing 2x3 with a double.
*Jake Marisnick got his first - and second - hits as an Astro, also contributing a RBI in the 4th, to end his day 2x4 with a run scored.
*Jonathan Singleton had a double while going 2x4 and scoring twice.
*Jose Altuve was 1x3 with a walk and a run scored.
*And Marc Krauss had the other hit, going 1x4 with a run scored and a K.
*Mike Bob Grossman was 0x2 with 2 K, but also 2 BB, including one with the bases loaded good for a RBI.
Turning Point:
Toronto went up 1-0 in the top of the 2nd, then loaded the bases again with one out in the top of the 3rd, but Scott Feldman got a double play to keep the Blue Jays from further scoring. In the bottom of the 3rd, Matt Dominguez started by grounding to first, then Jake Marisnick singled to left for his first Houston hit. Marwin Gonzalez flied out to center for the second out, but Jose Altuve singled and Robbie Grossman walked, loading the bases for Chris Carter. Chris quickly went down 0-2, then patiently worked the count full before lining Marcus Stroman's next slider into left field, plating both Marisnick and Altuve. Houston never looked back, adding three more in the 4th and one more in the 5th, for the 6-1 final.
Man of the Match:
Scott Feldman. Two straight starts now with only one run allowed each time, and today gave the bullpen a day off.
Goat of the Game:
Jason Castro. 0x4 with 5 LOBsters as the cleanup hitter.
