With the Rangers’ loss to the Twins earlier Friday evening, the Astros found themselves in position to create some separation atop the AL West as the season draws to a close this weekend. Unfortunately, even best-laid plans have often gone awry for this team.
This game was largely aggravating. Hunter Brown worked through poor command, control, whatever, walking four but allowing just one run in 5.1 innings. Of course, the bullpen is taxed and Brown not getting past the sixth inning again creates even more strain. This team also misses Steven Okert in the worst possible way. It was Bennett Sousa this time who imploded, allowing three earned runs in the sixth. In fact, the A’s scored all six of its runs in the sixth inning. That one inning essentially sunk the Astros.
The lineup was largely inept for most of the game, with Jacob Lopez limiting Houston to one run in six innings. The same Lopez who had a 5.68 ERA/5.23 FIP in 117.1 innings before Friday. It wouldn’t be until the later innings against the A’s bullpen when the Astros scored four that the bats would show some life.
Alas, it wasn’t enough. The Astros and Rangers remain tied for the AL West lead by win-loss record, but the tiebreaker is in Houston’s favor. With two games left, there isn’t much margin for error. Lose one more game for either team and it’ll be a guarantee that a club with a losing record would win a division for the first time ever across a full season.
Feature photo from Astros on X
