Astros drop series opener to Reds
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 3-2 loss
With a disappointing loss on Father's Day to end their recent homestand, the Astros took to the road this week starting with a three-game series with the Reds in Cincinnati. Here is a quick look at game one of the inter-league matchup:
Final Score: Reds 3, Astros 2.
Record: 48-25, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Luis Castillo (7-1, 2.26 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Wade Miley (6-4, 3.30 ERA).
1) Miley falls off after rain delay
Wade Miley was out to a good start through the early goings in the game, allowing just one hit and a hit batter over the first seven outs before a rain delay tabled the game for nearly an hour. Miley returned to the mound after the delay and was able to pick up where he left off to complete the third inning with a couple of strikeouts to work around a walk.
He stayed effective in the fourth, getting a 1-2-3 inning, but would falter in the fifth by giving up a single and walk to start the inning then three runs and two walks with one out, ending his night on a rough note. Miley's final line: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6K.
2) Astros finally score in the seventh, but not enough
In what seemed like the first time in forever (16 innings, to be exact), Houston was finally able to get back on the scoreboard in the seventh inning Monday night by getting a run on an error then later another on an RBI-double by Michael Brantley to trim Cincinnati's lead to 3-2.
Those two runs would be all they'd come away with, though, despite getting plenty of runners on base via nine walks on the night. Houston would strand ten runners in the loss.
3) Bullpen keeps Houston close
With Miley leaving the game with the bases still loaded and one out in the fifth, it put Hector Rondon in a high-leverage spot to come in and try and limit the damage. Rondon did great, though, getting a double play to end the fifth before going on to throw a scoreless sixth.
Will Harris picked things up in the bottom of the seventh, a scoreless inning to keep the game at one run. Ryan Pressly was out next to pitch the eighth and looked well rested in a scoreless inning.
Up Next: The Astros will continue this series with the Reds with another 6:10 PM start time tomorrow. Houston will have Justin Verlander (9-2, 2.41 ERA) on the mound looking for his tenth win on the year and also seeking to move another spot ahead on the all-time strikeout leaders list. Cincinnati will hand the ball to Anthony DeSclafani (3-3, 4.43 ERA).
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
