So, that game certainly was something to watch. I am still trying to figure out if I should be relieved, happy, or angry. Perhaps all three? There was a bit of everything.
- Jake Bloss’s Major League debut
- Bloss also left the game early with right shoulder discomfort
- Joey Loperfido had arguably the best game of his young career
- Jake Meyers continues to prove his worth
- A nine-run outburst in the sixth inning
- Another bullpen implosion in a season full of them
Bloss’s debut got off to a decent start, limiting a potent Orioles lineup to two runs in his first 3 2⁄3 innings before leaving the game with right shoulder discomfort. In a season when the pitching depth has been consistently tested, another arm is now out with some discomfort. Not a great development. Shawn Dubin threw a solid 2 1⁄3 innings, allowing only a run while striking out three. Unfortunately, Nick Hernandez and Rafael Montero looked mortal, with that pair allowing eight runs (gulp) in 1 2⁄3 innings.
Thankfully, the lineup picked up the slack, with Meyer’s three-run shot in the fifth inning to give Houston a lead they’ll never surrender, no matter how much the bullpen tried to give the game away in the later innings. The plan was to rest some of the club’s best relievers, especially as Josh Hader, Ryan Pressly, and Bryan Abreu have already thrown on back-to-back nights. Scoring 14 runs would provide a breather for the Astros. Enter Hernandez and Montero, who had both struggled in this game. Unfortunately, the Astros needed Abreu to help close this one out.
Loperfido had the best game of his young career, driving in two runs on three hits.
Welcome Back Joey Loperfido!#Astros pic.twitter.com/NXiLg8G0lI
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) June 22, 2024
That nine-run sixth inning was the clear difference maker and the Astros needed it as the Nationals mounted a furious comeback attempt, driving in seven runs in the eighth inning. There was just enough lineup to push the Astros into a win. Let’s see what happens in Saturday’s game.