ASTROS TAKE THE SERIES
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 2 hits from the 4-2 win
Jul 24, 2019, 4:02 pm
ASTROS TAKE THE SERIES
After splitting the first two games of the series, the Astros had a great opportunity to lockup another series win on Wednesday against the A's. Here's a look at how the finale played out.
Final Score: Astros 4, A's 2.
Record: 66-38, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Justin Verlander
Losing pitcher: Chris Bassitt
Justin Verlander pitched six innings while giving up only two hits, and also recorded eleven strikeouts.
Altuve had three hits in the finale against the A's, including a home run to center field.
Up Next: Houston has a day off on Thursday and then heads to St. Louis for a three game series against the Cardinals that starts on Friday at 7:15pm. The Astros will have Jose Urquidy (1-0, 5.54 ERA) on the mound going against Jack Flaherty (4-6, 4.24 ERA).
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
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.