*15 years ago yesterday was my wedding anniversary. 15 years ago today, I was in a hotel up by Intercontinental with my wife because we were going on our honeymoon 15 years ago tomorrow. Anyway, a bunch of my buddies were all, "We're going to the Astros game today, you should come." And I was like, "No way, dudes. Well my wife took a nap from 11am-4:30pm. The Astros beat the Cubs 3-1 in a 2:28 game that started at 12:20pm. I totally could have slipped out, gone to the game, and been back before she woke up.
*The Astros lost 3-2 on a Charlie Blackmon walk-off home run. They're 67-37 with a 5.0-game lead on Seattle, who are 1.5 up on Oakland. It's the 6th time this season that teams at Coors Field have combined to score five or fewer runs. The Rockies and their opponent are averaging 11.17 runs/game in 48 games at Coors Field.
*Lots of moving parts in this game. Colorado scored the tying run on a foul pop-up that took J.D. Davis over the dugout railing. Alex Bregman had a triple called back because of fan interference. Altuve left the game early with discomfort in his right knee. On Altuve, Hinch:
Been bothering him a little bit for a few games now. Nothing's wrong with it. He could've played through it. He fought to stay in the game, but we felt it was best to take him out and give him a little bit of a blow just given that he was limping.
Altuve:
I think it's not a big deal, but I think it was smart for AJ [to take] me out of the game. With a day off tomorrow, maybe that can help me a lot and be good Friday or Saturday.
*On the fan interference call, Bregman was hot:
There is no possible way you can say the left fielder jumping backwards into a wall is guaranteed to make the catch. We're up 2-1 at the time. I'm at third base. We need a fly ball to the outfield to get me in and it's 3-1. It's horrible.
Some good expletives were sprinkled throughout. It's the third time this season fan interference has altered an Astros game.
The impeccably manicured left fielder, Gerardo Parra:
I never saw the fan, never saw the glove, because I was focused on the ball. I was surprised, because I put up my glove and the ball almost hit me in my face. I said, 'What happened? Did the ball move at the last second?' I never saw the fan. When I saw the replay, I felt better. I said, 'I'm all right. I'm not crazy.' I thought, 100 percent, I had it.
*Houston got one hit, from Jose Altuve. It's the 2nd time the Astros have been held to one hit, both of which resulted in one-run losses. They also struck out 10 times for the 24th time this season. Colorado starting pitcher Jon Gray lowered his ERA to 5.16 and made his 6th start of 21+ outs. He had not thrown 7IP with one hit allowed since May 7, 2016.
*Charlie Morton threw 6IP, 4H/1ER, 6K:4BB, WP, HBP. It's the 6th time Morton has walked 4+ batters, but it's the 10th start - out of 20 - in which Morton has allowed 0-1 ER. Morton also allowed his first home run - to Carlos Gonzalez - since June 3.
*Collin McHugh threw 2IP, 3H/1ER, 4K:0BB and the game-winning Blackmon home run. It's the first time since July 10 he has allowed a run (also on a home run). It's his first loss and first blown save of the season. His ERA is 1.09.
*Chandler Rome reports that the Astros don't have a timetable for Ken Giles' return to Houston. Hinch:
Still no timetable on what our plans are or what to do with him, but I'm happy that he's getting the regular work and happy with the openness to try and make a few subtle chances that will hopefully make him better.
*The Trade Deadline is next Tuesday. MLB.com's Mike Petriello predicts the Astros get White Sox reliever Joakim Soria.
*The Ringer's Zach Kram: The Astros should trade for Bryce Harper and make the rest of MLB cower in fear.
*What the hell: People have been lined up outside the team store since yesterday afternoon for a Josh Reddick bobblehead.
*UPDATE: Carlos Correa is being held hostage in the lion car of a circus train chugging its way towards Provo, Utah.
Carlos Correa hit off a tee again today and did more baseball activities, A.J. Hinch said. Hinch said the club will "push him a little bit harder" when they return to Houston on Friday.— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 25, 2018
*A.J. Hinch ain't care about the Yankees getting Zach Britton.
*Jake Kaplan: Why hasn't Bregman been the Astros' everyday SS since the kidnapping of Carlos Correa?
*Pitching matchups vs Ramgers:
Friday: Keuchel v. Gallardo
Saturday: Verlander v. Hamels
Sunday: McCullers v. Minor
*Multiple women brought harassment allegations against three current Mariners execs, including team president Kevin Mather. Hinch
