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.