The Astros Houston'd it up and the bullpen crapped the bed on national TV, allowing the Angels to actually win a game, like that's a thing, or something. And not to be pessimistic, but that probably does it for the best record in the American League, seeing as how the Indians - wait for it - yes, won another game. The Astros are 95-60, 2.5 back of Cleveland, with seven to play.
*The Indians are 98-58. If the Indians go 3-3 in their final six games, Houston would have to go 7-0 to retake the best overall record. And don't look now but Boston has won six in a row, so the Astros are four games up on the Red Sox. Hinch:
We've got seven games left to win as many games as we can. We set out this season to win the division. Checkmark that box in September. I said we're going to continue to compete and play and win as many games as we can. That's going to continue. Whatever the total is at the end is great, and then the real season begins in the postseason.
*The Astros led last night's game 4-1 before McCullers - more on him in a minute - allowed a Brandon Phillips home run to make it 4-2. Then Francis Martes and James Hoyt decided it's a good idea to each walk in a run to tie the game in the 5th. A Luis Valbuena double off Chris Devenski scored two runs to put the game just out of reach.
*McCullers: 3.1IP, 4H/2ER, 4K:1BB. 39 of his 63 pitches were for strikes. Hinch:
It was good to see him compete. It was good to see him have adversity a little bit, to work and compete and tax himself a little bit.
*McCullers:
I felt really good...my body feels the best I could expected to feel.
*More McCullers:
I think when I'm healthy, I have top-of-the-line stuff.
*Francis Martes: 1IP, 2H/2ER, 1K:2BB. In September Martes has allowed 9H/11ER, 6K:6BB in 5.2IP - a 17.47 ERA. Since the All-Star Break Martes has allowed 27H/21ER, 39K:19BB in 27IP - a 7.00 ERA. It would be okay if we didn't see him again until February.
*Luke Gregerson gave up Upton's solo homer. Gregerson's last six games: 5.1IP, 6H/7ER, 4K:1BB, 3HR.
*Jose Altuve was 2x3 with a walk, giving him 198 hits on the season - two shy of his 4th straight 200-hit season.
*Hinch got tossed (for the 2nd time in three games) in the 7th inning arguing an Evan Gattis check-swing to end the inning. Hinch:
There was really no reason to throw me out. I didn't curse at him. I didn't go over the top. It just ended up being he wins when he's the boss on the field.
*The Astros don't miss Tal's Hill.
*No one on the Astros or Angels took a knee.
*Puerto Rico is in serious trouble, and barely anyone is talking about it.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
