One run just won’t win. It was a game that started with frustration. And it proceeded to induce a deep sense of lethargy in Astros fans, at least those of us who like to see Astros baserunners.
Utter futility.
In the first inning, after a walk, a single, and a hit by pitch by Giants starter Carson Whisenhunt loaded the bases with one out, the Astros’ bats failed. Christian Walker popped out, and new Astro Nelson Velazquez grounded out in his first Astro AB. On an 0-3 count, Velazquez chose not to challenge a called strike that was clearly inside according to the televised ABS.
In the second inning, the Astros loaded the bases with no outs. But at least, this time, they managed one run thanks to a Yordan Alvarez sac fly.
And that’s it.
Unlike the Astros, the Giants did not waste their opportunity in the bottom of the second against Astros starter Hunter Brown. Rafael Devers led off with a walk, took second on a wild pitch, and scored when former Astros first-rounder Drew Gilbert singled.
After homering last night and getting the Giants’ first RBI tonight, Gilbert got more revenge on the team that traded him. In the fourth inning, he walked with one out and scored from second on a Drew Cavanaugh single.
Brown left the game after the fifth inning. He allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four.
Rookie Bryce Eldridge gave the Giants a 3-1 lead with a homer in the fifth. In the sixth, they added a run against Enyal De Los Santos on rookie Christian Koss’ double, scoring Cavanaugh.
If the Astros offense made you angry in the first two innings, it put you to sleep the rest of the game. They managed just five hits, and only two after the second inning. Jeremy Pena and Yordan Alvarez resumed their slumps, going hitless tonight, after making important contributions last night. (To be fair, Alvarez had only one official at bat)
The Astros manage to maintain a half-game lead over the Rangers for the AL West lead. They hope to avoid losing their third straight series tomorrow in San Francisco at 2:45 CT.
Yep. That’s the way I saw it.
Newly acquired Velazquez is hitting .208. What do we expect?