Setting the stage: Astros manager reveals blueprint for Joey Loperfido's initial impact
THE NEXT BIG THING?
30 April 2024
THE NEXT BIG THING?
The Astros have finally decided to add Joey Loperfido to the big league club. One of the attributes he brings to the team is versatility. He's more comfortable in the outfield, but he can also play some first and second base.
We're all aware of the disastrous production the Astros have received at first base from Jose Abreu and Jon Singleton. But that doesn't necessarily mean that's where Loperfido will play initially.
Astros manager Joe Espada said on the Astros flagship that Loperfido will start in the outfield Tuesday night against the Guardians. Espada stated they would like to get Loperfido more comfortable at first base before they decide to start him there.
Joey Loperfido is playing in the outfield today, Espada said. That is where Loperfido is most comfortable, Espada said, and the Astros wanted him there on his first day. https://t.co/dXzFFMDSEs
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 30, 2024
Also, Chas McCormick is still dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, said Espada. So playing Loperfido in the outfield does make sense on several levels.
But do the Astros have enough time to wait for Loperfido to develop at first base?
Be sure to watch the video above as ESPN Houston's Jeremy Branham and Joel Blank debate how they would use Loperfido moving forward.
Jose Altuve and rookie Jacob Melton drove in three runs each as the Houston Astros jumped on Chris Paddack early and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.
Paddack (2-6) tied career highs by allowing 12 hits and nine runs — eight earned — in just four innings for his third straight loss.
Houston rookie starter Colton Gordon (2-1) gave up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in a career-high six innings.
Jeremy Peña tied a season-high with four hits and rookie Cam Smith had two hits and two RBIs as the AL West-leading Astros won their third straight.
Willi Castro, Royce Lewis and Ty France all hit solo homers for the Twins, who were blown out for the third time in four games after losing to Texas 16-4 Tuesday and 16-3 Thursday.
Lewis, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring strain, pulled up as he was running to first base on a single in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. There was no immediate word on his injury.
The Astros got to work early in this one. The bases were loaded with two outs in the first when Smith hit a two-run single to center field to make it 2-0. Melton followed with a single to right field to drive in another run.
There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when Altuve’s double scored two to make it 5-0.
The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Carlos Correa grounded out to end the threat.
Melton hit a two-run triple with no outs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-0. A sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón made it 8-0.
The Twins got on the board with Castro’s two-out homer in the fourth inning.
Altuve homered to left-center to start the bottom of the inning and make it 9-1.
Smith’s two-RBI single in the first that gave Houston the lead for good.
The Astros had four doubles to give them 15 in their last three games.
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.82 ERA) opposes Twins RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.96) on Saturday.