The real Astros can’t return soon enough….,And maybe won’t
The Astros were outscored 32-7 in this four-game series with the last-place Athletics. And I’m not even disappointed.
Not long after sweeping the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, some would be tempted to say that the Astros play down to their competition.
Nay. In truth, the lineup the injury-ridden Astros are putting out day after day is one of the worst in baseball. It’s truly a miracle that they still hold a 3 – 3 1⁄2 game lead in the AL West. When you consider the fatigue factor, after all, even the best teams have dog-days slumps, getting swept in this series is no surprise.
I knew the game was over after the first at bat, a home run by Miguel Andujar off Astros starter Colton Gordon. The third batter, Brent Rooker, provided the insurance run with another solo homer.
Game over.
Gordon left the game after five innings, allowing four runs on six hits in five innings. Gordon faced some tough luck in the fourth, allowing two more runs on three softly hit singles. Luis Contreras ad Caleb Ort held the Athletics through the eighth inning, but Steve Okert got beat up in the ninth, allowing three runs on five singles.
The Astros avoided the shutout in the ninth after Chas McCormick and Mauricio Dubon doubles. Dubon’s double ended not only the scoring drought, but the 0-11 drought with runners in scoring position. But with this lineup, you’re pretty lucky to have runners in scoring position in the first place.
Framber pitches tomorrow against the last-place Nationals. That’s the only game in the upcoming series I would favor the Astros in.