Houston's rally comes up short
Astros' losing streak extends to four with another loss to Royals
Aug 18, 2021, 10:06 pm
Zack Greinke tossed another quality start on Wednesday, but it wouldn't be enough to end Houston's losing streak. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Zack Greinke tossed another quality start on Wednesday, but it wouldn't be enough to end Houston's losing streak.
The Astros entered Wednesday's game, the third of this series, in great need of a momentum shift to snap their losing streak. Despite a late clutch hit to put them ahead, the Royals would one-up them again to hand them their fourth loss in a row.
Final Score: Royals 3, Astros 2
Astros' Record: 70-50, first in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Blake Taylor (2-4)
Losing Pitcher: Domingo Tapia (1-0)
Greinke posts another quality start
After three and a half quiet innings on both sides, the Royals started the scoring against Zack Greinke in the bottom of the fourth. They notched three straight singles with one out, the third an RBI single to grab a 1-0 lead. Greinke rebounded and remained in control, though, ultimately finishing six innings while allowing just that one run for a quality start. His final line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 85 P.
Houston finally backs him up in the seventh
Jason Castro with a clutch two-out hit!#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/kc1AYF0SLY
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 19, 2021
After struggling to get anything going against Brady Singer, making his second start since returning from injury, the Astros finally started a rally in the seventh. Managing just three hits in the six innings prior, they loaded the bases with two outs on two singles and a walk, reaching the catcher's spot in the lineup, which Dusty Baker would use to swap Martin Maldonado for Jason Castro. That move proved correct, as Castro would deliver a two-RBI single to give the Astros a 2-1 lead.
Astros drop fourth straight despite late rally attempt
Blake Taylor took over for Greinke in the bottom of the seventh, looking to maintain the new one-run lead against the left-handed portion of Kansas City's lineup. The Royals pounced on him, getting a leadoff double then a two-run go-ahead homer to go back on top 3-2. He would get a strikeout against his third batter but was then removed for Kendall Graveman, who finished the frame.
He remained on the mound in the bottom of the eighth, working around a single and hit batter to keep it a one-run game going to the ninth. The Astros would start the top of the ninth with the tying run at the plate, and after a pair of one-out singles, would get it in scoring position and eventually bring Jose Altuve to the plate. He nearly tied it up; getting a single, but a great throw to the plate by Andrew Benintendi would ruin Houston's hopes, dropping their fourth in a row and giving the Royals the first three of this set to secure the series victory.
Up Next: This series's fourth and final game and Houston's last of this road trip will be an afternoon start at 1:10 PM Central on Thursday. Mike Minor (8-11, 5.35 ERA) will take the mound for the Royals, while Luis Garcia (9-6, 3.30 ERA) will start for the Astros.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Dusty Baker shines while Astros struggle to find their groove
Apr 25, 2024, 10:54 am
Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer during Chicago's four-run first inning and the short-handed Cubs beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Playing without Cody Bellinger, Chicago used Swanson's big swing and a solid start by Jameson Taillon to earn its second straight win. It will try to sweep the three-game set against the struggling Astros on Thursday.
Taillon (2-0) allowed two runs, one earned, and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on a chilly evening at Wrigley Field. The right-hander struck out four and walked two in his second start since he began the season on the injured list with a back strain.
“Before that back injury, I just really liked where we were at,” Taillon said, “and I feel like we were able to use that downtime as like, let’s stay on the straight and narrow, stay on the right path.”
Houston lost for the seventh time in eight games. It has scored a total of 21 runs during the slide.
Manager Joe Espada tried to spark his sputtering lineup by moving Alex Bregman into the second spot, between Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez. But the Astros went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.
Altuve opened the ninth with a drive to left against Héctor Neris for his sixth homer. But Neris retired Bregman, Alvarez and Kyle Tucker for his second save in three opportunities.
Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list with two fractured ribs on his right side. The center fielder got hurt during the series opener Tuesday night.
There was no word just yet on a timetable for his return.
“The doctors will come up with a plan,” manager Craig Counsell said, “and, like everything, he’s got to get symptom-free first and we’ll go from there.”
Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ singled for Chicago in the first against Spencer Arrighetti. Michael Busch delivered a sacrifice fly and Christopher Morel walked before Swanson hit a two-out drive to left for his third homer.
The Cubs also got off to a fast start Tuesday night, jumping on the Astros for five runs in the first in a 7-2 victory.
“We’ve just been pretty committed to our plans coming in and put some good swings on some balls and that’s just a testament to the work that the guys are doing in the cage,” Swanson said.
Arrighetti (0-3) was pulled with two outs in the fourth. The right-hander allowed seven hits, struck out seven and walked two in his third major league start.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (elbow soreness) threw about 40 pitches during a bullpen session. “He came off the mound feeling good,” Espada said. Valdez remains in line to start this weekend during a two-game series against Colorado in Mexico City. … RHP Cristian Javier (neck discomfort) played catch back in Houston. “The doctor saw him, and it looks like he's improving,” Espada said.
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks is taking pills to help with the inflammation from his low back strain. He also is getting treatment and playing catch to help keep his arm moving. He isn't too concerned about the injury. “It just made sense to give it the time to settle down, get out of there and give myself a chance to get back to 100 percent,” he said. ... OF Seiya Suzuki (right oblique strain) has resumed baseball activities.
UP NEXT
Houston right-hander Justin Verlander (1-0, 3.00 ERA) makes his second start since he missed the beginning of the season because of shoulder inflammation. Right-hander Javier Assad (2-0, 2.11 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago.