Thoughts & Prayers for Flick. I'm taking over for the next few days while he recovers. The Astros, well, like Flick, at least no one died. Houston lost the third game of the Blue Jays series 12-0. It's the third time this season have allowed 12 runs in a game. They're obviously 0-3 in those games. Since the Astros dropped three of four at Minnesota from April 29-May 2, the Astros have won (or at least split) 13 straight series. Houston has won or split all 12 series at Minute Maid Park this season. The Astros are 48-24.
*Houston went 5-3 on this eight-game homestand. Houston outscored their opponents 44-37 in those eight games, even with today's beatdown.
*Former Astros Great Trent Thornton handled the Astros lineup: 6.2IP, 6H/0ER, 7K:3BB. It's the third time Thornton has had an outing with zero runs allowed. Thornton:
I knew I was going to be pretty amped up for this game, but I just kind of wanted to slow things down and execute each pitch. For the most part, I was able to do that. And the bats just exploded, so it was a great team win.
More Thornton:
I'm close with a lot of the guys over there. It was just going to be a fun game to pitch, with a little chip on my shoulder. I was glad I ended up pitching.
Pretty Cool of Trent Thornton to get JACKED UP for a game against the team who traded him to another team so he could actually have a chance at a decent career, rather than get log-jammed in the Astros' system. So I admire his tenacity, but it's not like the Astros screwed him over. Give me a break. Woody from Toy Story lookin ass boiiiiiiii.
*The Astros were 0x7 w/RISP. They GIDPd three times for the 6th time this season.
*The bottom three in the lineup (Kemp-Mayfield-Straw) went for a combined 2x12 and 0x3 w/RISP. Jack Mayfield had one of those hits - the first single of his MLB career (he had four doubles and a home run coming in). Tyler White was 0x2 w/RISP yesterday, and he's now 5x30 (.167) with one double with runners in scoring position in 2019.
*Josh Reddick enjoyed his 23rd 2+ hit game of the season. He had 25 multi-hit games in all of 2018.
*Michael Brantley was 1x2 with a walk. In June he's 10x46 (.188). Brantley's last home run was May 11.
*For the third time this season Astros pitchers allowed five home runs, tied for the season-high. They're 1-2 in those games.
*Brad Peacock allowed 4ER in back-to-back starts for the first time since August 24/30, 2013. Hinch:
He had a tough time getting into the game and then the one slider to Gurriel that ended his outing. All in all, I think he was doing fine to control the game with what he could. A couple homers and a couple mistakes - not a horrible game for him - but not a day that feels good for anybody.
Peacock:
There was one pitch I'd like to have back to Gurriel. Out of the hand, I kind of knew something bad was going to happen. It didn't feel good. I'm in a little funk right now, but I'll find a way to get out of it.
*Cionel Perez threw 68 pitches over 3IP in relief and it was clear that he was out there just to eat innings and let Hinch not use Harris/Pressly/Osuna: 3IP, 7H/7ER, 1K:1BB, 2HR.
*Tyler White made his 3rd appearance in relief. The Astros are 0-3 when he pitches.
*Jose Altuve could return to the lineup on Tuesday in Cincinnati. George Springer will run the bases today and could go on a rehab assignment this week. Carlos Correa's dumbass rib is still broke as hell.
Altuve was 1x4 with a walk last night in a 6-3 Round Rock win. Max Stassi was 2x4 with 3RBI including a 2-run home run. Yesterday I said that Corbin Martin had given up 7ER in 1IP when actually Hunter Martin did. Corbin Martin started for Round Rock last night and went 5IP, 6H/2ER, 8K:3BB.
*McTaggart took a look at how the injury replacements have fared in their absence.
*Ryan Pressly's father passed away a few months after Pressly made his MLB debut. He signed his extension on what would have been his 66th birthday.
*Corpus got swept by Springfield. Bryan De La Cruz was a homer shy of the cycle. In five games since getting promoted from Fayetteville, De La Cruz is 6x12 with two doubles and two triples, 4K:3BB.
*Fayetteville landed seven players on the Carolina League All-Star Team roster. They were up 4-3 going into the 8th inning yesterday before Potomac put up a 9-spot in the 8th and won 15-4.
*Quad Cities got two in the bottom of the 7th and beat Wisconsin 3-2. They are 43-23. Jose Alberto Rivera threw the final 3IP, allowing 2H/0ER, with 8K:2BB.
*2019 1st Round pick Korey Lee joined Tri-City prior to yesterday's game, which was postponed due to rain.
*Combined, the Astros' minor-league system is 148-126, an organizational .540 win%.
*The bonuses for all but one of the top 10 picks are Known, so the 2019 Draft page is updated.
*According to Mark Feinsand's sources, the Astros (and Rays)were "extremely involved" in the Edwin Encarnacion trade talks, but the Yankees picked up the most salary. Fake-Ass Mariners stay Fake. How the Yankees' trade for Edwin Encarnacion affects the AL Playoff Race. The Mariners do not have any money committed to their roster in 2022. The Rebuild has hit Seattle, and Jerry Dipoto is exactly the guy I want to rebuild them.
*Forbes' Barry Bloom on using MLB balls in Triple-A.
*Power is being restored to millions in Argentina and Uruguay after they were knocked off the grid.
*The Guardian: The Mindfulness Conspiracy.
*How to disappear.
*Esquire: My father, the spy.
*A Musical Selection:
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
