STONE COLD 'STROS
Why Astros response to bullpen struggles will be telling during crucial stretch
Jun 10, 2024, 12:54 pm
Houston's bullpen is not living up to expectations. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Astros were on the verge of sweeping the Angels over the weekend until their bullpen issues struck again. Ryan Pressly was unable to hold a two-run lead in the eighth inning, allowing the game to be tied 7-7.
Things went from bad to worse in the ninth inning, when Josh Hader allowed a 2-run homer, which won the game for the Angels.
Despite Hader's performance on Sunday, he's been good this season overall, but Pressly is a different story. He's allowed runs in three of his last six outings, and sports a 0-3 record with a 5.40 ERA.
A quick look at the post below shows Pressly already has five blown saves this season. Manager Joe Espada said after the game that Pressly's role would not change. But one has to wonder how much longer the team can continue to run Pressly out there with the game hanging in the balance.
Ryan Pressly when appearing in a game tied/up 1/up 2 this season
3/28 NYY - L
4/2 TOR - Hold
4/17 ATL - BS (1)
4/20 WSH - BS (2)
4/30 CLE - Kept game tied
5/3 SEA - Hold
5/9 NYY - Hold
5/14 OAK - BS (3)
5/21 LAA - Kept game tied
5/28 SEA - BS (4), L
6/2 MIN - L
Today - BS (5)
— Houston Rob (@The_Dr_Evil) June 9, 2024
The time is now
The Astros' schedule is very favorable right now. If there was ever a time to dig out of the hole they're in, this is it. They have to find a way to stack wins against the Giants, Tigers, and White Sox. If they don't, it's hard to see them being buyers at the trade deadline, which is their intention according to GM Dana Brown.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss the Astros' bullpen woes, and examine some options the club could turn to if the issues persist.
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.