*The Astros have given up 29 runs in their last three games. A quick check of Baseball-Reference indicates that this is not ideal. From June 3-6, 2018 Houston allowed 21 runs. You have to go back to September 9-10, 2017 to find a three-game stretch (Sept 9 was a doubleheader) in which the Astros allowed more runs, with 31.
*Marwin got a warm ovation in his return to Minute Maid Park.
*Brad Peacock gave up three runs in the first two innings, but settled down for a 5IP, 6H/3ER, 2K:3BB performance. Hinch:Thank you Marwin! #TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/2rT1PFS4d4— Houston Astros (@astros) April 22, 2019
It's a few games in a row for us where we really haven't gotten into the game very easily. I was happy with how (Peacock) responded to it and got through five innings.
Reddick:
I think if we get past the point of the first where we're not down, I think we have a good shot going into it. This thing will pass.
*Houston has allowed 19 runs, and an MLB-leading 18ER, in the 1st inning in 2019. Opponents are hitting .308, also an MLB-worst, in the 1st inning. They are now 4-5 when beginning the 2nd inning behind.
*It was 3-1 Minnesota in the top of the 6th when Josh James decided to allow 4H/4R (3ER), 3K:1BB.
Josh James, 2019: 12.2IP, 10H/11R (10ER), 17K:8BB, 3HR. 7.11 ERA / 1.42 WHIP.
*It was 7-5 Minnesota when Chris Devenski gave up a 2-run home run, giving him a 2H/2ER, 0K:1BB outing. He does not get to be called "The Dragon" for the time being.
*Eight of the Twins' nine runs came with two outs.
*Jason Castro hit his first home run since March 31, 2018. It's his second home run against the Astros, making Brad Peacock and Tony Sipp the sole members of a very not-special club.
*Brian Arbour asks where the Astros' DH production is.
*Last night was the 11th time this season the Astros have recorded 10+ hits. They're 7-4 in those games.
*Michael Brantley was 2x5 with an RBI and two runs scored. He has an 8-game hitting streak and nine multi-hit games on the year.
*Carlos Correa hit the 85th home run of his career. It was his 9th career 3-run homer. Correa has home runs on consecutive days for the first time since May 31-June 1, 2018.
*Josh Reddick was 3x4. He's hitting .365/.403/.476, and has three 3-hit games in his last five. Reddick has made a point since Spring Training of trying to go the other way with the ball. All three of his hits were to opposite field. Reddick:
It's too cliche, but I'm not trying to do too much. I'm just going up there and using what they're going to give me, and I had a pretty significant hole over there on the left side today. If they keep pitching away, I'm going to try to keep going that way until they come in. It's a matter of just riding that wave as long as I can because eventually it will come crashing down and I've got to get back up on that board and go again.
*The Astros were 2x8 w/RISP. They're now 42x187 (.225) with runners in scoring position.
*Yordan Alvarez was the first minor-league player to 10HR with his 9th inning blast as Round Rock beat Memphis 9-4. Taylor Jones hit two home runs, and Jack Mayfield added another shot. Alvarez is hitting .339/.451/.915 with 11K:11BB. Not bad, I guess. He has 18 home runs in 62 games at Triple-A. He's 21 years old.
*Seth Beer is the Carolina League Player of the Week, after hitting .391 with three home runs. Through 16 games, Beer is hitting .333/.403/.540. Jake Adams, Bryan De La Cruz, Beer, and Colton Shaver are all OPSing over .900.
*Man, the rules changed pretty quickly around here. Rangers manager Chris Woodward - who came to Arlington from the Dodgers - is celebrating how well his team has been stealing signs. Woodward:
You know what you are holding. Now, if you had a chance to know what both cards the dealer has are, wouldn't that increase your chances of success? And if you knew (what) the dealer had with those two cards before you even placed your bet, wouldn't that increase your wager?
I'm old enough to remember when the Astros were blitzed in the media for having a guy near a bullpen.
*Emma Baccillieri: Pirates pitcher Nick Burdi's injury is a cruel reminder of how fleeting success is for baseball players.
*Shoutout to Towson University, who upset Grand Valley State to win the NCAA Dodgeball Championship.
*SI: Has anyone ever Googled Jerrod Mustaf?
*A Musical Selection:
