Houston is handed another tough loss

Urquidy exits early with injury as Orioles feast on struggling Astros bullpen

Chris Campise
Jun 29, 2021, 11:06 pm
Houston's bullpen could not keep Baltimore off the scoreboard on Tuesday. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

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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TEXANS CAMP REPORT

11 observations from Texans training camp Day 5

We'll see if Watson is in pads on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans had their last practice before pads come on for the first time on Tuesday. There was plenty to see on Monday.

1. Deshaun Watson had his usual extremely light level of work. He did very little throwing to teammates, though he did throw to the tight ends in 1-on-1 drills.

2. Texans head coach David Culley said "nothing has changed" when asked if Deshaun Watson will be in pads Tuesday. Culley has maintained that answer for a couple of sessions now.

3. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was back after missing Saturday with an excused personal day. Taylor has been the best quarterback in camp by a wide margin. Taylor makes better decisions with the football than other quarterbacks, but he does struggle on deeper passes. Taylor missed wildly on one deep ball and was a little wobbly on another.

4. Nobody in camp can cover wide receiver Brandin Cooks. This could be the easiest training camp of his life. He easily gets open in 1-on-1 situations.

5. Rookie wide receiver Nico Collins continues to flash his abilities in camp. Collins easily shook loose from defensive back John Reid and took the route vertical for an easy score. Collins later had a tough catch in traffic.

6. It's only been a few days, but the competition for inside wide receiver reps is tough. Former Bears wideout Anthony Miller has looked quick and nothing like the "draft bust" the Bears fans watched. Keke Coutee has rarely lost a rep, but Desmond King did win a few times over Coutee in the opening days of camp. Former Bengals wideout Alex Erickson finds himself constantly open. The cuts at wide receiver are already shaking out to be difficult.

7. Davis Mills bounced back in a sense that he couldn't be worse than he was on Saturday. The performance from Mills on Saturday was abysmal, but head coach David Culley said he liked how Mills responded today. With Tyrod Taylor back, there were fewer reps for Mills, but he had some impressive throws to go along with an off-target throw or two. Mills was far better than Jeff Driskel on Monday. Driskel tossed two interceptions right to defenders, including one that would've gone the wrong way for a score.

8. This linebacker group is interesting. With a new defensive scheme under Lovie Smith, the type of linebacker is very different from previous years. There was a clear emphasis on cover ability as these linebackers were added to the team.

9. Kamu Grugier-Hill and Kevin Pierre-Louis have both had some significant wins for the linebackers in coverage.

10. Rookie tight end Brevin Jordan looks the part physically, but he's had a rough few days, including a drop on Monday.

11. With the pads coming on Tuesday, it will be fun to watch the rebuilt defensive line clash with the many combinations of the offensive line. There will be no J.J. Watt who historically stirred up the team on day one of pads. Laremy Tunsil's cool confidence about the offensive line over the weekend leads me to believe they are a confident group, while there are spots to be won on the defensive side of the line.

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