Astros can't avoid the sweep
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: Hits from the 3-2 loss
Jun 19, 2019, 3:18 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Looking to avoid the sweep, the Astros struggled to get the offense going once again, and the bullpen gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth to secure the victory for Cincinnati. The Astros lone bright spot on offense was a two-run homer by Michael Brantley in the sixth inning.
Final Score: Reds 3 , Astros 2.
Record: 48-27, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Matt Bowman (1-0) 0.77 ERA
Losing pitcher: Roberto Osuna (3-1) 2.32 ERA
Up Next: Houston will head to New York to face the Yankees on Thursday night at 6:05pm. The pitching matchup for the opener will be Framber Valdez (3-2, 2.77 ERA) for the Astros and the Yankees' starter is yet to be determined.
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.