*I wrote about how shameful minor-league compensation is.
*Hinch sounded relieved after the win:
We needed something to go our way a little bit, and the way the game went from our bullpen, to our late-inning sort of grind, it was a good team win. We did a lot of things right today.
*The bullpen was fantastic last night. Six relievers threw 7.2IP and struck out a bullpen record 16 Orioles. Hinch:
To a man, those guys came in and closed out innings with zeros when we really, really needed it. There was no room for error. Not that we couldn't come back on them had they scored, but they have a difficult bullpen.
Michael Feliz this season: .203 opponent batting average, 29 Ks in 18 innings, WHIP of 1.00 (14H/4BB). 17 strikeouts in his last 8.2 IP.— Steve Grande (@AstrosGrande) May 25, 2016
*We got to see - for a few innings, anyway - a Kemp/Rasmus/Springer outfield. And whaddayaknow, playing the guy not hitting .116 paid off with Tony Kemp's triple in the 13th. Kemp:
I was just trying to put a good swing on the ball and luckily it went over Jones' head and luckily we were able to win the game with Carlos' hit.
*Rasmus got his money's worth with his ejection. Watch the video and let's see if he gets suspended. And let's also see if MLB is ever going to make Rougned Odor sit out his eight games. Via PatDStat (a must-follow on Twitter), here's the entire exchange:
The entire exchange. Rasmus pissed about two questionable strike calls. #Astros pic.twitter.com/ylhh8mFEGZ— PDS (@PatDStat) May 25, 2016
*Speaking of Rasmus, he told Brian T. Smith that the team felt the pressure of expectations to start the season well and, when it didn't happen, a lot of guys started pressing. In fairness to BTS, it's a good piece on leadership in the Astros' clubhouse.
*George Springer hit a ball into a deep-fryer.
*Dallas Keuchel will start Saturday instead of Friday, allowing the Astros to open the series against the Angels with Fiers and give Keuchel an extra day of rest. Hinch:
Dallas is searching for answers and he's going to get it. I know it feels like the world is caving in when Dallas gives up a few runs and has a bad stretch of starts but he's going to figure it out and it's going to start with his mechanics and his body positioning, and how consistent he can get back to getting down the hill.
*Carlos Gomez went 0x3 with 2K, a HBP, and a run scored in his first rehab start with Corpus. Alex Bregman and J.D. Davis each homered. Again.
*Updates on the other transactions in the Kemp/Moran moves: Asher Wojciechowski was claimed by the Marlins, Erik Kratz is now a free agent.
*Mark Appel wrote a heartfelt letter to Astros fans.
*If you're looking for something to read, I'm having a hard time putting down American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Last night I had to choose between going to bed and having night terrors, or staying up all night and reading.
