It was a pretty good ballgame for a while. But it seems like the Astros are allergic to getting up to one game under .500
After five innings, the score was 3-3. Two solo home runs by Jeremy Pena, including a leadoff shot, and another by Taylor Trammell kept the Astros close. But that was not enough to stave off the White Sox, who blew the game open with five home runs, two against starter Ronel Blanco, one against Enyal Do Los Santos, and two against just-recalled Miguel Ullolla.
It was a pitching meltdown at all levels. After a promising first start, Astros fans have to hold back their hopes that the return of Ronel Blanco could rejuvenate a shaky starting rotation. He got through 5.1 innings, allowing five earned runs, four hits, three walks, two homers, with five Ks.
The bullpen was no better. De Los Santos allowed two runs in an inning. Then, just back from a AAA tuneup, Bryan King took up where he left off before the demotion, allowing two runs in 0.2 innings. But not to be outdone, also just-recalled bullpen prospect, Ullolla, allowed three runs in the eighth inning.
White Sox rookie phenom, Munetaka Murakami, had three hits, two home runs, and six RBI.
The Astros drop to three games below .500, and their win streak ended at five. The last time the Astros were just one game under .500 was early April, when their record was 6-7. They travel to Anaheim to take on the Angels tomorrow, 8:38 starting time. Tatsuya Imai starts for the Astros.
My question is what Joe’s expected game plan was for how he wanted to work Blanco? He came back out with around 80 pitches after completing 5. This is coming back off the injury. I’m not saying don’t let him pitch, but have someone already up in the 6th ready at first signs of trouble. Sadly, Espada is reactionary, and not good at that either.
I’ll empathize a little with Joe, it was a tough spot after Friday. Had Spencer gone more than 1 maybe you pull Blanco after 5 today, call it a success and don’t feel the need to push DLS to a second inning. Blanco seems a bit of bad luck, pushingDLS was a bad call and trusting king at all was too. All that said the way they lit up everyone we put out there though maybe we were doomed no matter what.
Shouldn’t Ronel be in a limited pitching count? 80 pitches in his second start after TJ seems prudent. Why push him beyond 80 pitches?
Gotta squeeeeeeeze that rock
This team is like Sisyphus … get within 2 games of the division, you get all excited and then the boulder just rolls back down the hill again
I guess we’re still 2 GB because rangers lost
There are a lot of rocks to push.
We need a WAR for managers
Complete 2026 MLB Manager Power RankingsRankManagerTeamKey Evaluation Factors1Dave RobertsLos Angeles DodgersCareer win percentage over .620; constant postseason standard.2Terry FranconaCincinnati RedsElite championship pedigree; turned Cincinnati into instant contenders.3Kevin CashTampa Bay RaysThe league’s top analytical innovator; wins consistently with low payrolls.4Alex CoraBoston Red SoxHigh tactical IQ; highly respected by players and peers alike.5A.J. HinchDetroit TigersMasterclass rebuilding job; maximized young pitching assets into a contender.6Pat MurphyMilwaukee BrewersBack-to-back NL Manager of the Year honors; dominant division runs.7Stephen VogtCleveland GuardiansElite young strategist; multi-time Manager of the Year early in his career.8Craig CounsellChicago CubsHigh tactical reputation; heavily metrics-driven late-game manager.9John SchneiderToronto Blue JaysVaulted into the top 10 after capturing an American League pennant.10Skip SchumakerTexas RangersHighly coveted by front offices; handling a massive Texas market shift.11Matt QuatraroKansas City RoyalsHighly regarded for clubhouse culture and stabilizing the Royals’ defense.12Rob ThomsonPhiladelphia PhilliesExcellent player-manager; consistently thrives in high-pressure environments.13Brian SnitkerAtlanta BravesSteady veteran presence; extensive record of division dominance.14Bob MelvinSan Francisco GiantsHighly respected old-school tactician navigating a tough NL West.15Mike ShildtSan Diego PadresStrong analytical foundation; keeps postseason aspirations alive in California.16Carlos MendozaNew York MetsMastered the brutal New York media market; strong bullpen management.17Brandon HydeBaltimore OriolesManaged a highly successful organizational rebuild with young talent.18Bruce BochyTexas Rangers (Special)*Future Hall of Famer; context shifts as his formal tenure evolved.19Derek SheltonPittsburgh PiratesAppreciated for doing more with less; steadying a rebuilding roster.20Pedro GrifolChicago White SoxFacing a steep uphill battle with roster construction and metrics.21John GibbonsNew York Mets (Bench/Alt)Veteran presence utilized heavily in modern tactical strategy.22Rocco BaldelliMinnesota TwinsSolid modern tactician, though plagued by recent postseason stumbles.23Mark KotsayOakland/Sacramento A’sCommended for holding a clubhouse together through turbulent relocations.24Joe EspadaHouston AstrosUnder high scrutiny trying to replicate the team’s historical golden era.25Dave MartinezWashington NationalsChampionship resume but currently lower due to prolonged rebuilding years.26Oli MarmolSt. Louis CardinalsFrequently on the hot seat due to underperforming high-expectation rosters.27Craig StammenSan Diego Padres (Rookie)First-year manager showing great poise keeping pace in a tough division.28Blake ButeraWashington Nationals (Rookie)Young skipper defying expectations with an efficient run-differential strategy.29Craig AlbernazBaltimore Orioles (Rookie)Managing a heavily loaded, young roster in the grueling AL East.30Fredi GonzalezBaltimore Orioles (Alt/Vet)
Why am I not surprised!
That’s ugly and about right.