ASTROS FALL TO INDIANS
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: Indians 6, Astros 3
Apr 26, 2019, 10:37 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Final Score: Indians 6 , Astros 3
Record: 15-11, second in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Adam Cimber ( 2-1, 3.86 ERA)
Losing pitcher: Hector Rondon ( 2-1, 2.79 ERA)
1.) Offense Unable To Seize The Opportunity
Corey Kluber has had some shaky starts this season, three of the five ending prior to the 7th inning. Tonight's start for Kluber was looking really bad really early. The Astros had the chance to knock out Kluber in the second inning. The Indians bullpen began warming up in the bottom of the 2nd as Kluber started getting himself into trouble. Back to back walks loaded the bases and scored a run. Brantley, who entered the game with a .909 OPS, looked prime to blow this game open. Instead, he grounded to first to end the inning. Kluber's night turned out to not be stelar after all(5 innings, 7 hits, 3 earned runs), but the Astros failed to capitalize on a big moment. In the 7th, Brantley singled off the Crawford Boxes. Correa followed that with a single to right that got Brantley to third. Reddick, with the tying run at third, popped up to center to end the inning, leaving two stranded. The 8th was not much different. Yuli Gurriel singled to right, but nothing came of it, as Writtgren retired White, Chirinos, and Springer to end the inning.
2.) McHugh's Fight With The Long Ball
McHugh was entered the game off his worst start of the season after giving up nine earned runs in Arlington. Though the bases were not nearly as busy tonight, McHugh gave up three home runs in the first five innings, not allowing the Astros to sustain the leads they had established early in the game. McHugh left the game after 5 2/3 innings clearly upset with his performance.
3.) The Bullpen Could Not Keep Them In The Game
Hector Rondon entered the game in the 7th giving up a single to Perez. Naquin followed that with an RBI double to give the Indians the lead. Chris Devenski kept his composure as he struck out Greg Allen to end the 8th leaving two stranded for the Indians and leaving the Astros with a chance to fight back. Josh James got the nod in the 9th and proceeded to give up a two run HR to Francisco Lindor. James would get through the ninth striking out three of the six batters he faced.
Up Next: The series will continue on Saturday afternoon, 3:05 PM start time. Houston will send the one and only Brad Peacock (2-1, 4.29 ERA) to the mound. The Indians will counter with Shane Bieber ( 2-1, 3.47 ERA).
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
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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.