Houston can't complete the comeback
Astros suffer disappointing loss to Orioles in opener
Jun 28, 2021, 11:38 pm
Zack Greinke had an uncharacteristically poor start against Baltimore on Monday. Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images.
Zack Greinke had an uncharacteristically poor start against Baltimore on Monday.
Having split a four-game series against Detroit to end their recent road trip, the Astros returned home for a quick three-game set against the Orioles to try and start a new winning streak. They would be unable to do that, though, instead dropping a disappointing loss to one of the weaker teams in the MLB to start this series.
Final Score: Orioles 9, Astros 7
Astros' Record: 48-31, first in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Paul Fry (2-2)
Losing Pitcher: Brandon Bielak (2-3)
Greinke surprisingly struggles against Baltimore
After two scoreless innings on both sides, Baltimore would get the best of Zack Greinke in the top of the third to score the game's first run, notching three consecutive two-out singles to go up 1-0. Houston countered with a two-run fourth, sending eight batters to the plate with a sac fly by Kyle Tucker and RBI bases-loaded walk by Jose Altuve to go up 2-1, though leaving the bases loaded to end the frame.
That would prove pivotal, as in the top of the fifth, Baltimore would get a leadoff single that would turn into a go-ahead two-run homer to put them back in front 3-2 off Greinke. He would get the third out but go no further, making his final line 5.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 96 P.
Houston's come back comes short in disappointing loss to O's
After Greinke's five innings, Andre Scrubb, recently recalled from AAA and making his first appearance since May 30th, erased a one-out walk for a scoreless inning. Blake Taylor was next out of Houston's bullpen, loading the bases with one out on two singles and a walk before Baltimore would extend their lead to 4-2 on an RBI groundout. Houston was able to load the bases again in the bottom of the seventh with one out, and Kyle Tucker would make it a one-run game with an RBI walk, his second RBI of the night. Myles straw did the same in the next at-bat, tying the game, but the next two batters would strikeout to leave the game tied and all three runners on base, leaving Houston wishing they had done more.
Brandon Bielak kept it a tied game with a 1-2-3 top of the eighth, as Houston as well went down in order in the bottom half. Bielak returned to the mound in the top of the ninth, but after a leadoff single allowed a two-run go-ahead homer to put Baltimore back in front 6-4. He later allowed two more runs on a two-RBI double before Houston would bring in Ralph Garza Jr., who also allowed a run on a two-out RBI double to make it 9-4 before the inning would come to a lengthy close. Houston made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth, getting three runs on RBI singles by Myles Straw, Robel Garcia, and a sac fly by Jose Altuve, but would ultimately come short of the comeback to earn the disappointing loss to the Orioles to start the series.
Up Next: The middle game of this three-game series will be another 7:10 PM Central start on Tuesday. While the Astros have Jose Urquidy (6-3, 3.32 ERA) slated to start, the Orioles have not yet announced their starter.
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A new challenge awaits, and the Astros know what’s at stake
Jun 27, 2025, 2:05 pm
The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the Philadelphia Phillies. They sent a message.
In three tightly contested games against one of the best teams in baseball, the Astros leaned on their elite pitching and timely offense to secure a statement sweep. Hunter Brown was electric in the finale, shutting down the Phillies’ lineup and showing the kind of dominance that’s become a defining feature of his game. Bryan Abreu slammed the door with four strikeouts to close out the win, and rookie Cam Smith delivered the deciding blow — an RBI single in the eighth to drive in Isaac Paredes, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 victory.
It wasn’t a series filled with offensive fireworks, but that’s exactly the point. Both teams sent out top-tier pitching throughout the series, and Houston was the team that kept finding a way. For much of the season, the Astros’ inconsistent offense might’ve been a concern in a series like this. But this time, it felt different. The bats showed up just enough, and the pitching did the rest.
Now, with Houston on pace for 96 wins at the halfway point, the question becomes: Is the league officially on notice?
Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain, the Astros have the third-best record in baseball, they’re 17-7 in one-run games, and they’re playing with the kind of rhythm that’s defined their near-decade of dominance. Unlike last year’s uneven campaign, this version of the Astros looks like a team that’s rediscovered its edge. Whether or not they need to take care of business against the Cubs to validate it, their recent run leaves little doubt: when Houston is clicking, there are very few teams built to stop them.
Off the field, however, a bit of long-term uncertainty is starting to creep in. Reports surfaced this week that extension talks with shortstop Jeremy Peña have been put on hold as he recently signed with super-agent Scott Boras. The combination has led many to wonder if Peña might follow the same free-agent path as Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and others before him. Boras clients rarely settle early, and Peña, now one of the most valuable shortstops in the game, could command a price tag the Astros have historically avoided paying.
If Peña and even Hunter Brown are likely to get priced out of Houston, the front office may need to pivot. Isaac Paredes could be the most logical extension candidate on the roster. His approach — particularly his ability to pull the ball with authority — is tailor-made for Daikin Park and the Crawford Boxes. Last year, Paredes struggled to leave the yard at Wrigley Field, but in Houston, he’s thriving. Locking him in long term would give the Astros offensive stability and the kind of value they’ve typically targeted.
As for Cam Smith, the breakout rookie is far from free agency and will remain a cost-controlled piece for years. That’s exactly why his contributions now, like his clutch eighth-inning knock to beat Philadelphia, matter so much. He's one more reason why the Astros don’t just look good right now. They look dangerous.
And the rest of the league is starting to feel it.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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