How are you doing in the playoff hunt? Are you at the top of the Wildcard race?
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How are you doing in the playoff hunt? Are you at the top of the Wildcard race?
No. I'm about 9 games behind the top Wildcard team but I do hold the second Wildcard spot. I have about a 2 have lead for that spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymo76
After starting their 10-game homestand with a 2-5 mark, the Astros salvaged a 5-5 record with an impressive 3-game sweep of the defending world champion Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend.
In game one Brad Peacock made his return and improved to 4-1 as he outdueled Clayton Kershaw for a 2-1 win. Peacock pitched 7.2 innings and allowed just 1 run on 5 hits. Jesse Crain earned his 32nd save of the season.
Dominic Brown hit a 2-run home run in game two to help the Astros secure a 5-3 victory.
Asher Wojciechowski went 5.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, but did not factor in the decision. The win went to Darin Downs as manager Bo Porter used 6 pitchers. Downs is now 3-1 and closer Jesse Crain notched his 33rd save.
George Springer hit a solo homer in the 8th inning to provide some insurance for closer Jesse Crain who got his 34th save in the series finale.
The win went to Paul Clemens, in his first outing for Houston this season. Clemens was given a spot start ahead of rookie Mark Appel who Porter said was still showing signs of fatigue from his last start.
Clemens allowed one run on 4 hits with 4 punch outs and 2 walks in 6 innings of work. Also of note, setup man JP Howell earned a hold in each of the 3 games against his former club and now has 15 on the year to lead the Astros.
LAD 1-6-0
HOU 2-5-0
LAD 3-10-0
HOU 5-12-0
LAD 1-7-0
HOU 3-8-0
The Astros will hit the road next for 6 games in 7 days as they will visit the Yankees and Twins for 3 games with each. The Yankees and Minnesota are the two worst teams in the American League (49-74 and 47-77 respectively) so it is a huge opportunity for Houston to gain groping on the Texas Rangers.
AL West Standings through Sunday, August 23, 2015
Rangers 70-53
Astros 66-59
Mariners 62-62
Athletics 62-63
Angels 60-64
Houston Astros (66-59) vs New York Yankees (49-74)
August 24-26, 2015
Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York City, New York
Probable Starters:
Game One - Monday 7:05 PM
Jarred Cosart (11-8, 3.25) vs Rafael Montero (6-13, 4.25)
Game Two - Tuesday 7:05 PM
Jeff Locke (8-9, 4.06) vs Bryan Mitchell (0-2, 12.27)
Game Three - Wednesday 1:05 PM
Brad Peacock (4-1, 2.68) vs Masahiro Tanaka (8-8, 3.29)
After watching Carlos Beltran hit career home runs number 399 and 400 in leading the Yankees to a win in the opener, Houston rebounded to take 2 of 3 from New York.
Chris Carter hit his 25th long ball of the season and drove in all 3 Astros runs in New York's game one win.
Jarred Cosart lasted 5.2 innings and he allowed 5 runs on 7 hits with 7 strikeouts in the loss. Cosart is now 11-9 on the season.
George Springer and Jason Castro each homered in game 2, leading the Astros to a 6-2 win.
Jeff Locke got his 9th win of the season, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits in 6 innings. Jesse Crain retired the Yankees final 2 batters to snuff a 9th inning rally and earn his 35th save.
In the finale, Brad Peacock pitched 5.1 innings and surrendered 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits with 8 punch outs and 6 walks. However, the win went to Brett Oberholtzer (5-9), his first as a reliever, and Jesse Crain locked down save number 36 in the 5-2 win.
HOU 3-7-0
NYY 7-9-1
HOU 6-12-2
NYY 2-4-4
HOU 5-8-1
NYY 2-8-1
Houston will have a Thursday off before playing a 3-game weekend series in Minnesota against the Twins.
AL West Standings through Thursday, August 27, 2015
Rangers 71-55
Astros 68-60
Athletics 64-64
Mariners 64-64
Angels 62-65
Houston Astros (68-60) vs Minnesota Twins (48-79)
August 28-30, 2015
Target Field - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Probable Starters:
Game One - Friday 7:10 PM
Asher Wojciechowski (8-4, 4.56) vs Alex Morgan (1-15, 6.04)
Game Two - Saturday 7:10 PM
Mark Appel (2-2, 3.68) vs Ricky Nolasco (2-4, 2.49)
Game Three - Sunday 1:10 PM
Jarred Cosart (11-9, 3.40) vs Lucas Giolito (5-11, 4.19)
Houston wrapped up a disappointing 6-game road trip by dropping 2 of 3 in Minnesota to finish the trip at 3-3.
In the opener, Jose Altuve provided the only offense with a solo home run in the 4th inning s the Astros lost, 3-1.
Asher Wojciechowski had a quality start but also took his 5th loss. The rookie allowed 3 runs on 7 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.
A Matt Dominguez solo homer was the only offense for Houston in a 2-1 loss in 10 innings in game two.
Mark Appel allowed just one run on 5 hits in 7 innings but did not factor in the decision. The loss was tagged to Paul Clemens who fell to 1-1.
In the finale, Chris Carter hit his 26th long ball and Dexter Fowler drove in 2 runs as the Astros were 5-2 victors.
Jarred Cosart improved to 12-9 by allowing 2 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work. Jesse Crain notched save number 37, pitching a perfect 9th and striking out 2.
HOU 1-3-1
MIN 3-8-0
HOU 1-6-0 F/10
MIN 2-10-1
HOU 5-9-2
MIN 2-7-1
A series of minor injuries have plagued the Astros in past couple of series, with Matt Dominguez, Jose Altuve and Dominic Brown all missing time. Brown is still day-to-day with a bruised triceps muscle.
The Astros will close August and begin September with a 3-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park.
MLB Standings through Sunday, August 30, 2015
American League
East
Blue Jays 79-51
Rays 76-54
Red Sox 67-63
Orioles 63-67
Yankees 50-79
Central
Indians 72-57
Royals 62-69
Tigers 60-71
White Sox 58-72
Twins 50-80
West
Rangers 72-57
Astros 69-62
Athletics 66-65
Mariners 66-65
Angels 64-66
National League
East
Braves 76-54
Nationals 74-56
Marlins 71-60
Mets 56-74
Phillies 55-76
Central
Reds 72-58
Pirates 70-60
Brewers 67-63
Cardinals 66-64
Cubs 47-84
West
Dodgers 71-58
Diamondbacks 70-61
Padres 64-67
Rockies 62-68
Giants 58-72
Seattle Mariners (66-65) vs Houston Astros (69-62)
August 31 - September 2, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas
Probable Starters:
Game One - Monday 7:10 PM
Hisashi Iwakuma (16-3, 2.80) vs Jeff Locke (9-9, 4.02)
Game Two - Tuesday 7:10 PM
Erasmo Ramirez (8-8, 4.23) vs Brad Peacock (4-1, 2.57)
Game Three - Wednesday 1:10 PM
Adrian Laker (9-6, 2.67) vs Asher Wojciechowski (8-5, 4.51)
The Houston Astros 2015 campaign may have hit rock bottom as August turned to September. After losing 2 of 3 in Minnesota to the bottom-feeding Twins, Houston was swept at home by the Seattle Mariners and have dropped out of an American League Wildcard spot.
Dexter Fowler and Carlos Correa each homered for Houston in the opener but the Astros bullpen collapsed in the ninth, allowing Seattle to get a 7-5 win.
Jesse Crain was hit with his 5th loss after he left the game when he was hit in the chest with a hard chopper through the box. Starter Jeff Locke pitched admirably in a no-decision, going 7 innings and allowing just 3 runs on 7 hits.
In game two, the Astros got home runs from Charlie Barbour and LJ Hoes but fell, 4-3.
The loss went to reliever Paul Clemens after starter Brad Peacock allowed 2 runs in 5.1 innings.
Houston fell 8-4 in the finale as Seattle center fielder Loan Morrison hit 2 of his 4 home runs in the series. Hoes homered for Houston, as did Chris Carter who leads the team with 27.
Asher Wojciechowski was hit hard, falling to 8-6. The rookie righty surrendered 8 runs on 9 hits in 6 innings on the hill.
SEA 7-12-0
HOU 5-10-0
SEA 4-11-0
HOU 3-9-0
SEA 8-11-1
HOU 4-5-0
When Houston Manager Bo Porter was more than half an hour late to his postgame press conference following the Astros loss in the finale, the gathered media suspected that change was coming. Those feelings were correct. Porter never addressed the media and, instead, General Manager Jeff Luhnow eventually came out to make an announcement.
Luhnow, in a brief statement, said that pitching coach Bill Kydd had been relieved of his duties with club and that a replacement would be announced within the next 12 hours.
The Astros will host the Minnesota Twins in a 3-game weekend series beginning on Friday, after a much-needed day off on Thursday.
AL West Standings through Thursday, September 3, 2015
Rangers 72-60
Mariners 69-65
Astros 69-65
Athletics 67-67
Angels 66-67
AL Wildcard Standings
Rays 77-56
Red Sox 70-63
Mariners 69-65
Astros 69-65
On Thursday morning the Astros announced that they have hired 48-year-old Stephen Vasquez as their new pitching coach. Vasquez will replace Bill Kydd who was terminated Wednesday night.
Despite the pitching staff having its best month of the season in August, the Astros team ERA sits at 3.99 which ranks 26th in the Majors. The club is also tied for 23rd with 19 blown saves, is tied for 28th with 568 runs allowed, 27th with 533 earned runs allowed and is tied for last with 148 home runs allowed.
Bill Kydd
-1 STA
-1 VEL
-1 BB/9
-2 HR/9
Stephen Vasquez
+2 Clutch
+2 BB/9
+3 STA
-2 H/9
Minnesota Twins (52-81) vs Houston Astros (69-65)
September 4-6, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas
Probable Starters:
Game One - Friday 7:10 PM
Ricky Nolasco (2-4, 2.32) vs Mark Appel (2-2, 3.30)
Game Two - Saturday 7:10 PM
Lucas Giolito (5-12, 4.17) vs Jarred Cosart (12-9, 3.39)
Game Three - Sunday 1:10 PM
Alex Meyer (8-8, 3.96) vs Jeff Locke (9-9, 4.03)
Houston responded, at least immediately, to the change on their coaching staff by sweeping the Minnesota Twins over the weekend at Minute Maid Park.
In the opener the Astros got long balls from Chris Carter, Jason Castro and Matt Dominguez to earn an 8-5 win.
Rookie Mark Appel ran into some 6th inning trouble and wound up with a no-decision after going 5.1 innings and allowing 5 runs on 6 hits with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. Brett Oberholtzer came out of the pen and struck out 5 in 2.2 innings to get the win, while Jesse Crain closed the door to get save number 38.
Carter homered again in game two, giving him 29 homers on the year but the story was the pitching.
Jarred Cosart struck out 8 and walked 2 while allowing just 5 hits in a complete game shutout as the Astros were 6-0 winners.
It was Castro and Jose Altuve who went deep in the finale for the Astros and Houston went the last 21 innings of the series without allowing a run.
In an 8-0 decision, Jeff Locke got the club's second consecutive complete game shutout. Locke struck out 6, walked 2 and surrendered 7 hits and earned his team-best 3rd shutout of the season.
MIN 5-8-1
HOU 8-13-0
MIN 0-5-0
HOU 6-10-2
MIN 0-7-1
HOU 8-13-0
The Astros will start a 10-game road trip with 3 in Oakland beginning on Monday. They will be without Dexter Fowler whose regular season appears to be over after he fractured his right wrist early in the finale with the Twins. Houston recalled outfielder Delino DeShields to replace Fowler.
AL West Standings through Sunday, September 6, 2015
Rangers 74-61
Astros 72-65
Athletics 70-67
Mariners 69-68
Angels 67-69
AL Wildcard Standings
Rays 79-57
Astros 72-65
Red Sox 71-65
Athletics 70-67
NOTE: With all of the ups and downs and all of the craziness of the season, I just wanted that I have not touched the sliders in a VERY long time. My guess is at least 50 games but probably more like 75-100 games. All of the peaks and valleys are completely organic.
Houston Astros (72-65) vs Oakland Athletics (70-67)
September 7-9, 2015
O.co Coliseum - Oakland, California
Probable Starters:
Game One - Monday 7:05 PM
Brad Peacock (4-1, 2.65) vs Scott Kazmir (10-6, 2.84)
Game Two - Tuesday 7:05 PM
Asher Wojciechowski (8-6, 4.89) vs Jesse Chavez (4-8, 4.39)
Game Three - Wednesday 12:35 PM
Mark Appel (2-2, 3.86) vs Sonny Gray (11-8, 4.16)
On Monday the minor league regular seasons came to an end meaning that on Tuesday the Major League rosters will expand to 40.
However, the Astros roster will sit at just 26 because both their Double and Triple-A affiliates have made the playoffs. Scott Atchison came of the DL, being player number 26 on the big league roster.
The Corpus Christi Hooks finished last in the Texas League's South Division in the second half of the season but won the first half, earning their spot in the postseason. The Hooks will face the Frisco RoughRiders in the first round.
The Fresno Grizzlies finished 84-60 and won the PCL Pacific North Division and will face the Albuquerque Isotopes to begin the playoffs.
Jon Singleton starred for the Grizzlies this season. In 116 games he hit .259 with 19 HR, 27 2B and 81 RBI. Bobby Doran was the star on the mound going 12-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 18 starts. Veteran Chad Qualls conveyed 42 of 47 saves and had an ERA of 2.40.
In 90 games for the Hooks, Marc Krauss hit .253 with 15 homers and 59 RBI. Lance McCullers made 27 stats and went 8-6 with a 3.01 ERA. Vladimir Bradley, like Qualls in Fresno, converted 42 of 47 saves. Bradley's ERA was 3.07.
Just as an update, I've decided to play all of my AAA and AA playoff games. I will report on these games one at a time, as they happen, while continuing to report on the Astros on a series by series basis.
Houston started an important 10-game road trip against division opponents by losing 2 of 3 in Oakland against the A's.
The Astros bats were silenced in have one as the did not get a hit until Jose Altuve doubled with 2 away in the 8th.
Brad Peacock took his second loss of the season, allowing a run on 5 hits in 6 innings.
The Astros bats were awakened in the second game as Houston had 6 players get multiple hits. Stanley Knott led the way going 4 for 5 with a double, a homer and a career-high 6 RBI. Chris Carter also homered giving him 30 on the year.
Asher Wojciechowski improved to 9-6 as he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits in 7.2 innings.
The Astros offense disappeared again in the finale, with the only run coming on a Dominic Brown solo home run.
Starter Mark Appel fell to 2-3 as he surrendered 3 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings of work.
HOU 0-2-0
OAK 1-5-1
HOU 12-20-0
OAK 3-7-2
HOU 1-2-0
OAK 3-6-0
Houston will take Thursday off before beginning a 3-game weekend series in Anaheim against the Angels on Friday.
AL West Standings through Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Rangers 75-63
Astros 73-67
Athletics 72-68
Mariners 71-69
Angels 69-70
AL Wildcard Standings
Rays 81-58
Astros 73-67
Red Sox 72-67
Athletics 72-68
Mariners 71-69
Corpus Christi won their opener in Frisco against the RoughRiders, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Lance McCullers was dominant for the Hooks on the mound. McCullers pitched a complete have 5-hit shutout as he struck out 9 and walked 2.
Four Hooks batters had multi-hit games, led by third baseman Jonathan Meyer who was 3 for 5 with an RBI.
CC 5-11-0
FRI 0-5-0
With the Astros off on Thursday, the organization's entire focus was squarely set on Minor League Playoff action.
In Frisco, the Hooks rallied from a 6-1 deficit to take a 2-0 series lead over the RoughRiders with a 12-6 win. The series now shifts to Corpus Christi where the home 9 will need to win just one of three to advance.
First baseman Erik Castro led the Hooks attack going 4 for 5 with 2 runs, a double, a home run and 6 runs batted in. Teoscar Hernandez hit a majestic 418-foot long ball to center that nearly left the stadium.
Starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel lasted just 4 innings and allowed 6 runs on 8 hits. Reliever Aaron West pitched a pair of scoreless innings to earn the win.
CC 12-15-0
FRI 6-9-3
Meanwhile in Albuquerque, Fresno opened their series with the Isotopes in front of a sellout crowd of 18,200. The fans were treated to a great pitching duel with the Grizzlies winning 2-1 in 10 innings.
Jesus Guzman went 3 for 5 at the plate with the game-winning RBI as he drive in Jon Singleton who led off the 10th with a double.
Alex White was unbelievable on the mound for Fresno. The right didn't factor in the decision bit in 8 innings he allowed just one run on 3 hits while walking one and striking out an astonishing 16.
Lucas Harrell wound up earning the win or of the bullpen and Chad Qualls pitched a perfect 10th to record a save.
FRE 2-11-0
ALB 1-4-1
On Friday, the Hooks would return home to play Game 3 of the Texas League South Division Championship Series with a chance to complete a 3-game sweep of the Frisco RoughRiders. Corpus Christi was greeted by a raucous sellout scripted, a big change from the sparse crowds of less than 5000 in Frisco.
Marc Krauss went 2 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI in leading the Hooks right out of the gate. With a pair of runs in the 1st and two more in the 4th, Corpus had built a 4-0 lead.
However by the middle of the 6th, it was 4-3 and the bullpen would have to hold on.
Starter Vincent Velasquez excited after 5.1 innings, turning to his bullpen for a bailout. Velasquez allowed 3 runs on 5 hits but ultimately earned the win after the 'pen have him 3.2 scoreless innings with Vladimir Bradley sitting the door in the 9th for the save.
The Hooks will visit the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday for Game 1 of the best-of-five Texas League Championship Series.
FRI 3-7-0
CC 4-10-0
Fresno could not match Corpus Christi's success as they feel in game two of their series with Albuquerque, 3-2. The loss evens the series at 1-1 with the remaining 3 games (if necessary) to be played in Fresno.
Andrew Aplin hot a solo home run in a two-run 2nd inning that gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead that would not be able to hold.
Starting pitcher Luis Cruz lasted 6.1 innings and surrendered 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits but he did not factor in the decision. The loss went to reliever Jake Buchanan would was on the hill when an unearned run scored in the bottom of the 8th to provide the difference.
FRE 2-8-2
ALB 3-8-2
Houston Astros (73-67) vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (69-70)
September 11-13, 2015
Angels Stadium of Anaheim - Anaheim, California
Probable Starters:
Game One - Friday 7:05 PM
Jarred Cosart (13-9, 3.23) vs CJ Wilson (11-8, 3.60)
Game Two - Saturday 12:35 PM
Jeff Locke (10-9, 3.82) vs Garrett Richards (8-9, 2.86)
Game Three - Sunday 12:35 PM
Brad Peacock (4-2, 2.54) vs Tyler Skaggs (12-10, 3.51)
Saturday night in Fresno was the swing as a sellout crowd of 10,500 watched the Grizzlies take a 2-1 series lead over Albuquerque with a convincing 6-0 win.
Jon Singleton was a single short of the cycle as he went 3 for 4 with a double, a triple and a long ball to go with 3 RBI and a pair of runs scored.
Meanwhile, Bobby Doran hurled a complete game shutout. The big righty struck out 10 and allowed 7 hits and 2 walks in blanking the Isotopes.
ALB 0-7-0
FRE 6-10-0
On Sunday afternoon in Anaheim the Angels completed a 3-game sweep of the Astros, dumping Houston to 1-5 on the most important road trip of the season.
It took 13 innings on the series opener but the Angels were 4-3 winners. Chris Carter and Matt Dominguez each homered for Houston in the loss.
Jarred Cosart got a No-Decision, lasting 6 innings and allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits. The loss went to Paul Clemens as he pitched 3+ innings out of the bullpen. The only hit Clemens allowed was a leadoff solo homer to Albert Pujols in the 13th.
George Springer and Carter each hit solo homers for the Astros in game two but it was all the offense Houston got in an 11-2 drubbing.
Starter Jeff Locke was hammered for 7 runs on 10 hits in just 3.1 innings as his record dipped back to .500 at 10-10.
Houston was blanked in the series finale, 3-0. Speculation persists that Manager Bo Porter will not be employed by the club when they return from the trip, should the woes continue in Arlington.
Brad Peacock took the loss; he lasted 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits.
HOU 3-9-3 F/13
LAA 4-10-1
HOU 2-9-0
LAA 11-18-0
HOU 0-5-0
LAA 3-7-1
Houston will travel to Arlington next for four games with the division-leading Rangers beginning Monday.
Sunday night saw Omar Espinoza, the Astros 18-year-old phenom take the hill in Fresno with a chance to end the Isotopes season. Houston's first overall pick in the 2014 Entry Draft was fantastic on the mound.
Espinoza went 8 innings, he allowed just 3 hits, he struck out 7 and walked 2. However, Albuquerque also got 2 unearned runs to beat him, 2-1.
The Grizzlies loss forces a decisive Game 5 in Fresno on Monday night, with the series even at 2-2.
ALB 2-4-0
FRE 1-6-2
AL West Standings through Sunday, September 13, 2015
Rangers 77-65
Athletics 74-69
Astros 73-70
Angels 72-70
Mariners 71-73
AL Wildcard Standings
Rays 81-61
Red Sox 75-67
Athletics 74-69
Astros 73-70
Angels 72-70
Houston Astros (73-70) vs Texas Rangers (77-65)
September 14-17, 2015
Globe Life Park - Arlington, Texas
Probable Starters:
Game One - Monday 7:05 PM
Asher Wojciechowski (9-6, 4.81) vs Robbie Ross (16-4, 2.79)
Game Two - Tuesday 7:05 PM
Mark Appel (2-3, 3.93) vs Matt Harrison (3-6, 3.94)
Game Three - Wednesday 7:05 PM
Jarred Cosart (13-9, 3.18) vs Nick Tepesch (1-5, 5.36)
Game Four - Thursday 2:05 PM
Jeff Locke (10-10, 4.11) vs Yu Darvish (10-6, 2.62)
In Game 5 on Tuesday night in Fresno, the Grizzlies eliminated Albuquerque with an 8-4 win.
The deciding game was decided, in part, by home runs from Jesus Guzman and Jon Singleton. Ronald Torreyes added 4 hits in 5 trips with 3 RBI in the victory.
Nick Tropeano got the win as he pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits. Jason Stoffel was credited with a save after recording the final 4 outs.
ALB 4-10-0
FRE 8-14-0
Having won the Pacific Coast League Pacific Conference Championship, the Grizzlies will face the Iowa Cubs in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series. Game 1 of the best-of-five series is scheduled for Wednesday night in Iowa.
The Hooks opened their best-of-five series with the Cardinals in Springfield on Tuesday night with a tough 1-0 loss in 11 innings.
Springfield starter Cory Jones struck out 14 Hooks and allowed just 1 hit in 8 innings.
His counterpart David Martinez went 6 innings for Corpus Christi allowing 5 hits. Jose Cisnero took the loss out of the bullpen, pitching the final 1.1 innings.
CC 0-2-1
SPR 1-6-2
Game 2 will be Wednesday night in Springfield.
On Wednesday night the Hooks were back in action in Springfield for Game 2 of their series with the Cardinals, trailing one game to none.
After being blanked for the first 5 innings of game 2 just one night after being shutout in extra innings, the Hooks had to wonder if they had left their run production back in Corpus Christi. However a 3-run 6th inning, that included a 2-run double by Jonathan Meyer, have then all the ruins they would need to even the series.
Starter Rudy Owns earned the win as he limited Springfield to just one run on 5 hits in 6 innings. Vladimir Bradley came on in the 9th inning and notched his second save of the postseason.
CC 3-6-0
SPR 1-7-1
Game 3 will be played on Thursday night in Corpus.
It took 14 innings to decide Game 1 of the PCL Championship Series but, in the end, Iowa took the first game from Fresno, 5-4.
Carlos Perez hit a 2-run home run for Fresno and Tyler Heineman went 4 for 6 with a triple, and RBI and a run scored for the Grizzlies in the loss.
Lucas Harrell started the game on the mound after Luis Cruz was still not recovered from his start against Albuquerque and Harrell allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in 5.1 innings. The loss, however, was taken by reliever Jason Stoffel who gave up a run on 3 hits in just 0.1 innings.
FRE 4-13-1
IOWA 5-15-2
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday night in Iowa.
The 10-game road trip that was being billed as the most important trip of the season for the Astros ended on Thursday afternoon in Arlington. The Astros split with the Rangers to finish the road trip with a 3-7 record, hardly inspiring postseason dreams.
In the series opener with Texas, Houston came up short, 5-4, in 15 innings. George Springer homered and drove in 2 while Carlos Correa had 3 hits in the loss.
The Astros used 9 pitchers as starter Asher Wojciechowski went 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits with just 1 strikeout and 5 walks. The loss eventually went to Scott Atchison who surrendered a run on 2 hits in 1.1 innings. The Astros staff finished with 4 punch outs and 9 walks.
Houston bounced back for a 4-2 win in the second game, ending a 5-game skid.
Mark Appel improved to 3-3, allowing one run on 6 hits in 6 innings on the mound. Jesse Crain earned his 39th save out of the 'pen.
Chris Carter drove in 3 runs on Wednesday night as Houston made it 2 in a row with another 4-2 victory.
Jarred Cosart ran his record to 14-9 as the staff ace gave up just 2 runs on 3 hits in 7+ innings and Jesse Crain got save number 40.
Prince Fielder hit a walk-off grand slam off of Brett Oberholtzer to earn a series split for Texas in the finale as the Rangers won 5-2.
Jeff Locke had a strong outing, pitching 6 scoreless innings and allowing just four his. It went to waste though as the bullpen could not hold the lead and Scott Atchison was tagged with his 3rd loss of the season.
HOU 4-14-0 F/15
TEX 5-19-0
HOU 4-8-0
TEX 2-9-1
HOU 4-10-1
TEX 2-4-0
HOU 2-8-0
TEX 5-8-0
The Astros return home next as they begin a 9-game homestand that will close out the home portion of the 2015 schedule. Houston will begin a 3-game weekend series with the A's on Friday.
Corpus Christi has lost home field advantage and now faces elimination after the Hooks lost to Springfield, 4-2, on Thursday night giving the Cardinals a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
Preston Tucker had a double and a triple and drove in both of the Hooks' runs. But the offense simply could not produce after the 2-run 3rd inning.
Starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel took the loss after allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits in 6 innings. In a bit of an oddity, Keuchel did not walk or strikeout a single batter over those 6 innings.
SPR 4-9-1
CC 2-4-1
Game 4 is slated for Friday night in Corpus.
It took extra innings again, in game 2, to decide a winner between Fresno and Iowa on Thursday night. The Cubs pulled out a 7-6 win to take a 2-0 series lead with the series moving to Fresno for Ganges 3-5 (if necessary).
Carlos Perez hit a 2-run home run to help the Grizzlies rally from a 5-1 deficit to take a 6-5 lead in the top of the 6th inning but the Cubs tied it in the 7th and eventually won on a 2-out single to center with the bases loaded by Kris Bryant.
Starter Luis Cruz lasted just 5 innings and allowed 5 runs on 9 hits. The eventual loser was Anthony Bass. Bass surrendered a run on 6 hits in 2.1 innings.
FRE 6-11-1
IOWA 7-17-0
The series will resume in Fresno on Saturday night.
AL West Standings through Thursday, September 17, 2015
Rangers 79-67
Angels 75-71
Astros 75-72
Athletics 75-72
Mariners 72-75
AL Wildcard Standings
Rays 83-63
Red Sox 75-70
Angels 75-71
Astros 75-72
Athletics 75-72
Oakland Athletics (75-72) vs Houston Astros (75-72)
September 18-20, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas
Probable Starters:
Game One - Friday 7:10 PM
Scott Kazmir (11-7, 2.78) vs Brad Peacock (4-3, 2.71)
Game Two - Saturday 1:10 PM
Jesse Chavez (4-10, 4.85) vs Asher Wojciechowski (9-6, 4.69)
Game Three - Sunday 1:10 PM
Sonny Gray (12-9, 4.10) vs Mark Appel (3-3, 3.69)
In an ugly game on Friday night in Corpus Christi, the Hooks season came crashing to an end as the Springfield Cardinals blasted the home 9, 11-4.
Shortstop Dawel Lugo went 4 for 5 with 3 home runs, 3 RBI and 4 runs scored to lead the Springfield onslaught.
Meanwhile the Hooks committed 3 errors (all 3 by 2B Enrique Hernandez) and hit 3 batters in the embarrassing defeat.
Vincent Velasquez took the loss. He lasted just 3 innings and allowed 5 runs on 7 hits though only 1 run was earned.
Preston Tucker homered for the Hooks.
SPR 11-15-2
CC 4-8-3
Springfield wins the series, 3-1.
Starting pitcher Vincent Velasquez, 23, is the only Hooks player on Houston's 40-man roster. He will join the Astros immediately and will push their current roster size to 28.
Damn buddy! You have a razor thin margin of error for that wildcard. Go 'Stros!
Yeah, it's not looking good right now. Once Dexter Fowler got injured again, this team started fading fast. With so few games remaining in not sure a playoff spot is in the cards.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymo76
If the playoffs are missed, I can't see Bo Porter surviving.
On Saturday night in Fresno, California the Grizzlies kept their season alive winning, 2-1 , against the Iowa Cubs in a game in which all of the runs were scored in the 1st inning.
Fresno got a leadoff homer from Austin Wates in the bottom of the first that was later followed by an RBI single from Jon Singleton.
After that the Grizzlies relied on starter Alex White. White went 8 innings and allowed just 1 run on 5 hits with 4 punch outs and 2 walks. Chad Qualls came on to pitch the ninth and earned his second save of the postseason.
IOWA 1-6-2
FRE 2-7-0
With the Cubs leading the best-of-five series, 2-1, game 4 is slated for Sunday night in Fresno.
It's getting difficult to decide which is fading faster - the 2015 Houston Astros playoff chances or manager Bo Porter's chances of being employed by the club in 2016. Both took a hit over the weekend as the Astros lost 2 of 3 to the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park.
In the opener Houston fell behind 6-0 by the middle of the 3rd inning en route to a 10-5 loss.
Brad Peacock was the losing pitcher. Peacock lasted just 2.1 innings and he allowed 6 runs on 6 hits in his worst outing of the season.
Chris Carter and Dominic Brown each hit a homer in game 2 with Carter also driving in 3 runs as the Astros rebounded for a 6-2 win.
Asher Wojciechowski earned his 10th win of the season and JP Howell got his second save after going the last 1.2 innings.
The only highlight for Houston in the finale was Brown going 4 for 4 with a double and 2 long balls. The home runs give him 21 on the season.
The pitching was atrocious and starter Mark Appel lasted just 2.2 innings after giving up 3 homers and surrendering 6 runs on 6 hits.
OAK 10-15-1
HOU 5-9-1
OAK 2-7-0
HOU 6-10-0
OAK 14-13-0
HOU 2-9-1
The Astros will host the Angels in the first of 3 between the club's beginning Monday.