Houston is handed another tough loss
Urquidy exits early with injury as Orioles feast on struggling Astros bullpen
Jun 29, 2021, 11:06 pm
Houston's bullpen could not keep Baltimore off the scoreboard on Tuesday. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Houston's bullpen could not keep Baltimore off the scoreboard on Tuesday.
After a disappointing loss in the opener against the Orioles, the Astros returned to Minute Maid Park on Tuesday to try and even the series and still get in line for a potential series win. Instead, after an early exit by Jose Urquidy, things went from bad to worse for Houston as their bullpen would watch Baltimore hand them a lopsided loss.
Final Score: Orioles 13, Astros 3
Astros' Record: 48-32, first in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Alexander Wells (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Ralph Garza Jr. (0-2)
Urquidy exits early with an injury
In disappointing news for the Astros, their starter Jose Urquidy not only gave up a solo homer to start his night, but he would also get one out into the second before leaving with an apparent injury. Houston would turn to Andre Scrubb to make the emergency entrance from the bullpen, and he was able to finish the second and the third and fourth, all while keeping Baltimore to their one run. Houston was able to tie the game in the bottom of the second, getting a runner to third to set up a sac fly by Abraham Toro. They went on to load the bases with two outs but would leave all three runners stranded and the game tied 1-1.
Astros tie, Orioles jump back in front late
Brooks Raley was Houston's next reliever in the top of the fifth, and he would watch the Orioles jump back in front with a two-out two-RBI single to make it 3-1. The Astros responded with a two-run inning of their own in the bottom half, putting two on base to set up a two-RBI single for Toro to give him three on the night and tie the game.
Ralph Garza Jr. took over in the top of the sixth for Houston, retiring the side in order before continuing in the seventh. The Orioles would retake the lead against him the next inning, converting a leadoff single with a two-out RBI double. Ryne Stanek came in for the third out of that inning, then in the top of the eighth allowed a solo homer to make it a two-run game, then a bases-clearing double to make it 8-3.
Houston drops another to give Baltimore the series win
Blake Taylor came in to try and stop the bleeding, but he too would allow a run, making it 9-3 before it was all said and done. Houston then ceded to use a position player, Robel Garcia, in the top of the ninth, who allowed two two-out two-run homers to make it 13-3. That score would go final, in another disappointing loss where the Astros' pitching could not string together enough success to hold an opposing offense at bay.
Up Next: The series finale between the Astros and Orioles will be another 7:10 PM Central start on Wednesday. Houston will look to Luis Garcia (6-4, 2.83 ERA) to try and salvage a win in the series, while Baltimore will send Matt Harvey (3-9, 7.54 ERA) to the mound.
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What were the takeaways from the Texans-Panthers preseason game?
We’re getting close to cuts, so the stakes are high with one last chance to make a lasting impression in the final preseason game. In the Texans’ win over Carolina, the biggest takeaway was the offensive line and running game — they looked good. Pass protection held up, and C.J. Stroud put together a nice touchdown drive capped off with a fourth-down throw to Nico Collins. Both rookies Jayden Higgins and Jalen Noel caught passes, and Nick Chubb looked sharp running with the starters.
How did the O-line look?
The line already looks much improved from last season. Pass protection was solid, run blocking was effective, and they were able to grind out yards while giving Stroud a clean pocket. Rookie Aireontae Ersery continues to impress, and there’s a real chance he ends up as the starting left tackle over big ticket free agent Cam Robinson. Robinson is back at practice, but Ersery has looked good with the first unit — and he was drafted to take Laremy Tunsil’s spot anyway, so why not speed up the process?
In practice the starters have been LT Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews, RG Ed Ingram, and RT Tytus Howard. If Robinson slides back to left tackle, Ersery could move to right tackle with Howard shifting inside to guard. It’ll be interesting to see what combo the Texans roll out against the Rams in Week 1.
Did the running backs impress?
Chubb looked good behind the line, finishing with 5 carries for 25 yards and a reception. He seemed comfortable in the scheme and showed some burst — it’s obvious he knows what he’s doing. If Joe Mixon isn’t ready for the start of the season, Houston should be in good hands with Chubb.
Damien Pierce is still out, which has given rookie Woody Marks more opportunity. He made the most of it with 40 yards on 7 carries against Carolina. He’s also shown he can help on third down with his ability in the passing game, which could earn him a real role.
How did the receivers look?
Rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both caught passes. Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and Justin Watson each added a couple of grabs too. Based on last year, Stroud tends to funnel targets to his top two options. A season ago it was Collins and Stefon Diggs before injuries hit. This year, Kirk looks capable of filling that Diggs role out of the slot. He just fits.
Reaction to the John Metchie–Harrison Bryant trade
The Texans needed more tight end depth with Brevin Jordan hurt, and Metchie wasn’t going to make the team. Bryant gives them another option, and it looks like tight ends may play a bigger role in the offense after Irv Smith Jr. led the team in catches and yards against Carolina.
Special teams also factored in. Metchie doesn’t play there, while Braxton Berrios and Justin Watson do, which gives the Texans more flexibility. Collins, Kirk, Higgins, Noel, and Hutchinson all look like locks at receiver, so moving Metchie made sense. It will be interesting to see who the final pieces will be in the Texans receiver room. Will they keep Watson and/or Berrios? We'll find out on Tuesday when the final cuts are made. Stay tuned!
What to watch for against the Lions
It’s all about the offense at this point. The defense is expected to be elite, so the spotlight shifts to Stroud and the rest of the unit. If the offensive line holds up against Detroit and the operation looks sharp, the Texans should be well-positioned to open the regular season on the right foot.
There's so much more to break down! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The NFL season is almost upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Texans on Tap podcast, which drops each Thursday during the preseason! More episodes will ramp up when the regular season begins! We'll go live on YouTube after every regular-season game.
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