The Launch Angle

My working title for this recap was “Astros Murder Sacramento, 44-1.” Yes I am a very optimistic, glass half-full sort of lad. Things didn’t play out that way, did they?

First Inning Thoughts

I’m always a little surprised at how small Jose Altuve looks in the batter’s box. He’s standing, right, and the umpire is crouching, but they’re the same height, see? After working the count full, Altuve struck out swinging above an 89-MPH Jacob Lopez cutter, but at least he made him throw six pitches.

Yordan Alvarez followed Altuve. He took a pitch low, a pitch outside, fouled one off to the left side, nearly took a fastball in the ribs for ball three, fouled one off the plate to work the count full, then on the sixth pitch of the plate appearance, Lopez missed low and outside to put Big A on first – the first baserunner of the game.

Carlos Correa hit third, swinging and missing the first pitch, fouling off the second, and missing badly on the third pitch for the second out. Three pitches, sit down. That’s not what we were hoping for.

Christian Walker, batting cleanup, took the first pitch on the inside part of the plate for strike one, swung and missed – nearly swording on strike two before taking ball one outside. Walker swung through the fourth pitch of the plate appearance, striking out and sending the Astros down, stranding Alvarez at first base.

The bottom of the opening frame would see Lance McCullers Jr. make his second start of the season. Of course, he’s hoping to build on his staggeringly good opening effort, in which he lasted seven innings, striking out nine and allowing only one run. Nick Kurtz really made him work in the first home plate appearance of this game, drawing a walk on eight pitches.

Shea Langelier’s followed Kurtz and hit the first pitch high but not deep. It landed between three Astros sprinting towards each other, a Devil’s Triangle type of seeing-eye single. Tyler Soderstrom then hit into a 6-3 double play, erasing Langelier but moving Kurtz to third.

Brent Rooker then drew a walk on five pitches to put runners on the corners with two outs for number five hitter, Jacob Wilson. McCullers induced a 5-3 inning-ending ground out from Wilson to close the frame. Astros 0, Athletics 0

Second Inning Thoughts

Cam Smith led off the second by clipping a foul ball off the umpire’s face. The man in blue was unfazed, as the mask did what it was designed to do, after all. Smith then worked the count to 2-1 before flying out high to the second baseman.

Yainer Diaz, batting sixth, hit a 1-1 pitch into deep right-center field, although slightly short of the warning track for an easy second out to the frame.

With two outs and nobody on base, Jake Meyers drove a 1-2 pitch slightly further and to the left than did Diaz, but Lawrence Butler made short work of it. Three up, three down, still no hits for Houston.

After collecting the final two outs of the top half of the inning, Lawrence Butler took three pitches outside to open the plate appearance, including a ball two that really should have been challenged. After fighting his way back to get the count full, LMJ struck Butler out swinging at an 89-MPH cut fastball above the zone.

Max Muncy continued the trend of making McCullers work hard, getting the count full before driving one deep into left field and right into the glove of Joey Loperfido for the second out of the frame. Jeff McNeil took one low, took one outside, check-swung for strike one, fouled back for strike two and took one way outside for yet another full count. McNeil whiffed on an 89 MPH cutter off the plate. Astros 0, Athletics 0

Third Inning Thoughts

Joey Loperfido led off the third inning, and failed to make all of our wildest expectations come true by striking out on four pitches. Enter the legendary Nick Allen, who erased Houston’s zero in the hit column with a single through the left side of the infield.

Jose Altuve then drew his 11th walk of the season, leading the American League and moving Allen to second in a five-pitch plate appearance. I find it somewhat unexpected at this point in Altuve’s career to suddenly “discover” patience, but here we are.

With two on and one out, Alvarez and his 1.475 OPS popped one into short right field, where Jeff McNeil easily collected it. Carlos Correa approached the plate to a chorus of boos, although I’m not sure why he, specifically, has brought down the ire of Sacramentoites. Didn’t seem to mind very much. After working the count to 2-2, he struck out looking at strike three, then challenged the call, and it was overturned. The pitch was high by nearly three inches. Alas, twas all for nothing, as Correa swung through the next pitch to put a close to the Houston third.

The bottom of the third inning would see the first plate appearance for Carlos Cortes. McCullers induced a 4-3 groundout on a 2-1 offering for the first out.

On a 1-2 pitch, Nick Kurtz drove a ground ball right down the middle, just behind McCullers and past Allen’s glove into center field for a single. Shea Langeliers worked the count to 2-1, then Kurtz stole second base. Langeliers then drove a 2-2 pitch into right field, where Cam Smith made a running catch for the second out of the frame.

Tyler Soderstrom’s plate appearance, with two outs, no score, and a runner on second, would see him take a pitch, then McCullers attempted to pick Kurtz off, but missed Allen’s glove so badly that Kurtz was able to casually stroll over to third base. Soderstrom ended the plate appearance with a full-count strikeout on the lower outside corner, looking. He tried to challenge, but he had waited probably about four seconds before touching his helmet. That will not do, Tyler! Sit down! Astros 0, Athletics 0

Fourth Inning Thoughts

Christian Walker opened the fourth with a sky-high fly ball to right field on an 0-1 count, where Tyler Soderstrom made quick work of it for the Astros 10th out of the game. Cam Smith followed Walker with a six-pitch walk to set the table for Yainer Diaz, who popped a 1-2 offering into center field for out number two.

With Smith on first, Jake Meyers worked the count to 1-1 before Smith stole second base. The throw beat him easily, but McNeil’s foot was blocking the slide. Smith was called safe on the small detail, and McNeil looked pretty unhappy about it. He’ll live though. Meanwhile, Meyers worked the count to full and drew a walk on a low ball four.

So Joey Loperfido’s second plate appearance, with two out, two on, and no score, would eventually be worked to two balls and two strikes as well before grounding out to which base? The second one of course – 4-3 groundout.

For the home half of the fourth, Brent Rooker opened the frame by striking out looking at strike three on three pitches, McCullers fourth of the game. Jacob Wilson then drove a grounder down the right field line for a base hit on a 1-0 count.

At this point, I lost my feed, but when it came back, Lawrence Butler smoked one into left field. Looked like extra bases, but Joey Loperfido made a diving grab, then fired a relay throw back into the infield to double off Wilson and end the inning prematurely (or just in time if you like the Astros, which I’m betting you do). Astros 0, Athletics 0

Fifth Inning Thoughts

The legendary Nick Allen led off the top half of the fifth, and….is Nick Allen shorter than Altuve? SMH. After getting behind 0-2, Allen struck out swinging on a 2-2 count. Jose Altuve followed Allen, and laced a seeing-eye single between the shortstop and the third baseman for Houston’s second hit of the game.

Yordan Alvarez then clobbered a 1-0 pitch over the right field fence for a 2-0 Houston lead, scoring Altuve and setting things on their correct path. It was his fourth home run and his team-leading 10 RBI. Carlos Correa then worked a five-pitch walk to give Christian Walker someone to drive in. The A’s headshop had by that point seen quite enough thank you. After 4 1/3 innings, Lopez had allowed two runs on three hits and five (FIVE!) walks. Sure he struck out six, but with an in-game WHIP within breathing distance of two, he’s not going to win very often.

Justin Sterner relieved Lopez, and on the second pitch of the Walker plate appearance, Correa stole second base. For context, Carlos attempted zero stolen bases last season, and he hasn’t successfully stolen a base in seven years. Walker popped a 2-2 pitch high into center field for the second out of the inning.

Cam Smith hit a single into left field, scoring Correa. Smith was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double after the A’s left fielder bobbled the ball to end the frame, showing in hindsight the importance of the Correa steal.

Sacramento’s half of the inning opened with a Max Muncy single down the middle. Jeff McNeil drew a walk on five pitches, and the Astros started to get some action in the bullpen. Carlos Cortes then hit an RBI-double to get the A’s on the board, scoring Muncy and moving McNeil to third base.

Joe Espada then used this opportunity to sub in Steven Okert. Okert entered the game with a 0.27 WHIP, having allowed one baserunner (on a walk) this season. Nick Kurtz drew a five-pitch walk off him, doubling his WHIP with one baserunner, and Shea Langeliers gets a bases-loaded opportunity with nobody out. He eventually flys out to Cam Smith for the first out of the inning.

Tyler Soderstrom hit one deep into center field, where Jake Meyers lost the ball in the sunlight. It turned into a three-run triple, and I can’t help but think that Meyers should have worn his sunglasses today.

A.J. Blubaugh relieved Okert, and induced a Brent Rooker fly ball out to deep right. Cam Smith nearly jumped over the fence to make the catch, but it was deep enough to score the run. Jacob Wilson hit a screaming grounder to third base, where Correa fielded it but couldn’t make the throw well. He did make the throw….poorly, and Wilson took second on the error.

Lawrence Butler, the ninth batter of the inning, struck out swinging on a 1-2 pitch to end Houston’s miserable fifth inning experience. Astros 3, Athletics 5

Sixth Inning Thoughts

I had to step out for a minute and I refuse to use any resources except for the tv.

Because. That’s why.

Anyway when I got back Jake Meyers was standing on first and there was a 1-2 count on Joey Loperfido, with one out. He was caught looking at strike three, low, and challenged, but lost. Two outs, runner on first, Nick Allen to the dish.

The A’s catcher challenged a ball on pitch two, but he lost as well, leaving both teams with zero challenges. It’s only the top of the sixth, and these two knuckleheads have challenged themselves out of disputes. Anyway….Allen walked on four pitches, moving Meyers to second and knocking Sterner out of the game.

New pitcher J.T. Ginn entered to try and put Houston’s fire out, and after the commercial break, Jose Altuve fouled out behind the plate. It was 2-2 pitch that Langeliers corralled just before the ball touched the screen behind the plate.

Max Muncy opened the A’s half of the sixth by driving Blubaugh’s second pitch deep to left, where it was collected for the first out of the inning by Joey Loperfido. Jeff McNeil did precisely the same thing, driving Blubaugh’s second pitch out to Loperfido.

Following the first two outs, Carlos Cortes drew a five-pitch walk, giving Nick Kurtz an RBI opportunity. Kurtz worked the count to 2-2, then blistered a line-shot to right field for a ground-rule double. With two on, Shea Langeliers popped out to Allen on the first pitch of his plate appearance. Astros 3, Athletics 5

Seventh Inning Thoughts

Yordan Alvarez opened the seventh frame against Ginn, who remained in after ending the sixth, with a full count strikeout. He was caught looking at a 94-MPH sinker on the inside edge of the zone.

Carlos Correa followed Alvarez with a clean hit through the six hole into left-field for a single. Christian Walker then hit the third pitch of his plate appearance over the left field wall to tie the game at five.

With the score then tied, Cam Smith grounded out to the shortstop on a 1-2 pitch. Yainer Diaz ended the inning with a screaming grounder that dribbled about 40 feet from the plate, got fielded easily by the pitcher, and tossed unceremoniously to the first baseman.

Tyler Soderstrom opened the A’s part of the seventh with a six-pitch walk off Blubaugh, pitching in his third inning. Brent Rooker tattooed a 2-0 pitch over the left-field wall for a 7-5 Athletics lead.

Jacob Wilson grounded out 4-3 on a 1-1 pitch, then Lawrence Butler hit a double into left-center field. Max Muncy bounced a line-shot off Allen’s glove into left field, putting runners on the corners with only one out.

Enter Christian Roa.

Jeff McNeil struck out on a 2-2 pitch swinging foul into Yainer’s glove, but Yainer dropped it. Thanks Yainer. Then McNeil popped a weird fly ball hit over Nick Allen’s head, scoring Butler. Carlos Cortes followed with another single, driving in Muncy and moving McNeil to second, still only one out, and now the Astros trail 9-5. Nick Kurtz then drew yet another walk, reaching base for the fifth time in the game and loading the bases.

About 38 pitches later, Shea Langeliers hit a fly out to right field, but the bases are still loaded and Tyler Soderstrom is up for the second time in the inning, but flys out to left field. Astros 5, Athletics 9

Eighth Inning Thoughts

Houston enters the eighth inning looking to somehow erase a four-run deficit. Jake Meyers leads off against new A’s pitcher Scott Barlow, and got as much as he could with nobody on base, driving one over the left field fence to cut Sacramento’s lead to three.

Joey Loperfido followed with a four-pitch walk, then Nick Allen earned a four-pitch walk of his own. Jose Altuve hit a 76-MPH curve down the left line for a double, driving Loperfido home. The A’s had seen enough of Barlow, who retired zero of four batters faced.

Sacramento called on Mark Leiter Jr. to defuse the situation, and the assignment started with Leiter facing Yordan Alvarez. Talk about your tough assignments. On the eighth pitch of the plate appearance, Alvarez drew a full count walk to load the bases. So guess who comes up to hit with the bases loaded?

Carlos Correa. But he didn’t come through. Correa flew out to right field on the fourth pitch of the plate appearance, giving way to Christian Walker to take another shot. But he didn’t come through either, popping out on his fourth offering as well. With the bases loaded and two runners out, trailing by two runs in the eighth, Cam Smith DID come through, hitting a two-run single into left field to score Allen and Altuve and tie the score at nine.

Yainer Diaz strolls to the plate as the ninth hitter in the inning, and softly dribbles out to the first baseman to end things. Yainer did not seem to be putting any effort into hustling to first, which kind of grinds my gears. /js

Bryan King enters the eighth as Houston’s new pitcher, to face Brent Rooker. King gets Rooker to fly out to short center on a 2-1 pitch, bringing up Jacob Wilson. Wilson grounded the very first pitch to first base, where Christian Walker collected it and made the putout unassisted. Lawrence Butler came up next, and grounded another to Walker, who softly tossed it to King for the third out. Astros 9, Athletics 9

Ninth Inning Thoughts

Well. This game certainly has a lot, doesn’t it?

Hogan Harris started the ninth pitching for the A’s, and Jake Meyers grounded out to second on his first pitch. Brice Matthews came in to pinch-hit for Loperfido, and struck out on five pitches. Houston’s last “regulation” hope, Nick Allen, hit the ball hard, but right at third baseman Max Muncy for an easy 6-3 putout.

King remained on the mound in the bottom half of the final regulation inning, getting Max Muncy to ground out on the first pitch. Jeff McNeil drew a four-pitch walk, and Denzel Clarke, who earlier entered as a pinch-runner, hit a tapper about 50 feet down the left baseline and reached first base, moving McNeil to second.

King remained in the game to face Nick Kurtz. Kurtz worked the count to 2-2, then King caught the edge of the zone for strike three. Really, it was strike three, but the Astros were out of challenges, and the umpire missed it. Didn’t matter, Kurtz struck out on the next pitch, waving over an 83 MPH sweeper. It was the first time in six plate appearances that Kurtz didn’t reach base.

Bryan Abreu came in to relieve Bryan King with two outs. Facing Shea Langeliers, he worked the count full. Langeliers hit a bouncer to second, and Altuve threw home to get the runner trying to reach from second. Inning over. Astros 9, Athletics 9

10th Inning Thoughts

The 10th inning opens with Nick Allen standing on second base. Jose Altuve takes the first three pitches of the plate appearance for balls, then works the count full, then takes ball four for his 12th walk of the year.

Yordan Alvarez, and his number one all-time .592 SLG vs. left-handed pitchers, Twenty-three points better even than Barry Bonds, came in with runners on first and second and struck out on swinging on a 1-2 breaking ball well out of the zone. Carlos Correa then drove Allen home on a double, moving Altuve to third base. The A’s then elected to intentionally walk Christian Walker and load the bases for Cam Smith. This move was paired with a pitching change, as Elvis Alvarado took the hill for the A’s.

To his credit, Cam Smith worked a full count before striking out, but with just one run home in the frame, the Astros were counting on Yainer Diaz for a little insurance, but Diaz flew out to shallow right field to send the game to the bottom of the 10th.

Shea Langeliers opened the bottom of the 10th on second base, and moved to third on a wild pitch. Carlos Correa saved the run because Yainer Diaz’ throw was well off the mark, then Abreu walked Tyler Soderstrom and surrendered a walkoff three-run homer to Brent Rooker.

The A’s outhit the Astros 16-to-11. The A’s gave up 11 walks and the Astros gave up nine. Twenty-two runs in total. I blame Bryan Abreu. /js

Feature photo from @astros on X, Source Link.