Astros' winning streak ends in a blowout
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 14-1 loss
Jun 5, 2019, 11:59 pm
Astros' winning streak ends in a blowout
With this west coast road-trip winding down, the Astros looked to stay perfect and lock up another series win by getting a win on Wednesday night. Here is how the game went down:
Final Score: Mariners 14, Astros 1.
Record: 42-21, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Mike Leake (5-6, 4.30 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Brad Peacock (5-3, 3.20 ERA).
Brad Peacock was having a strong night through the first four innings, allowing just one walk and one hit over that span. The fifth inning would give him trouble, though, as he allowed a leadoff walk then back-to-back singles to load the bases with no outs.
He was able to bounce back and retire the next two batters, getting him an out of way from totally getting out of the jam, but instead allowed a two-out two-RBI single to give Seattle the 2-1 lead. He'd get the third out and that would be it for him. Peacock's final line: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K.
With Peacock's night done, the Astros looked to Reymin Guduan to face the lefty-heavy part of the lineup in the sixth inning. Seattle would not go easy on him, getting a walk and two-run home run with one out to extend the lead to 4-1. Guduan would allow a single in the next at-bat before exiting in favor of Brady Rodgers.
Rodgers would also fall victim to Seattle's surging bats, giving up a two-run and three-run home run to make it a seven-run inning for the Mariners and put the game out of reach at 9-1. Rodgers was tasked with finishing the pitching night for Houston, but would not be able to accomplish that task, giving up four more runs in the eighth inning while getting just one out.
Tyler White (that's right, position player pitching) would take over and get the final two outs of the inning, but not without allowing a solo home run to make it 14-1 Seattle.
Offensively for the Astros, they would be able to come out with just one run, a sacrifice fly by Tyler White in the first inning which had them up 1-0 until the fifth inning. Houston would get only six hits off of Mike Leake who would pitch the complete game while allowing just that one run.
Up Next: The Astros and Mariners will wrap up this four-game series with an afternoon game tomorrow at 2:40 PM. Houston will have their ace on the mound as Justin Verlander (9-2, 2.27 ERA) looks to continue his march up the all-time strikeout leaderboard, needing just five to pass up Mike Mussina for the 20th spot. Seattle will start Tommy Milone (1-1, 3.60 ERA).
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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