Game Links
The Astros drew a season-high eight walks. The last time the team drew 8+ walks and lost was September 18, 2013 when they drew nine walks and got thirteen hits and still managed to lose to the Reds, 6-5. You can read the recap of that dumpster fire game here.
*Scott Kazmir, on the three unearned 1st-inning runs, starting with his error:
It all started with me. I didn't set the tone well. An easy play right in front of me. I just rushed it. I didn't get in front of the ball, and it cost us. A couple of errors like that early on and to give a team like that momentum, it's tough.
*A.J. Hinch, to Fox Sports, unironically:
I think the whole game starts in the first inning. We just didn't get into the game.
Other Links
*Following Tuesday's loss, the Astros designated Dan Straily for assignment and called up Asher Wojciechowski to serve as a long reliever. Luhnow:
We haven't had a situation like this, this year. The fact that we used two of our starters in one day (Monday's 12-9 loss in which Fiers had to piggy-back McCuller's disaster start) and we were dealing with a six-man rotation and a short 'pen, it's important that we add somebody in the bullpen that is a long man. We don't want to be in a situation like we were in Monday.
*Wojciechowski is ready to help the team.
*When Joe Thatcher was DFA'd last month, he rejected the assignment to the minors and tested free agency. It apparently didn't go so well, because Thatcher has signed a minor-league deal with the Astros.
*FanGraphs: The Astros have altered their fate.
*Brett Phillips talked to MLBTR about being traded.
Non-Astros Link of the Day yet, in an odd way, the perfect link for getting swept by the Rangers
Mental Floss: The meanings behind the weird symbols on 20 beer labels.
