Houston is 1-5 over their last six
Valdez returns, Astros fall apart in extras to Padres
May 28, 2021, 11:57 pm
Framber Valdez made his long-awaited 2021 debut Friday night. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images.
Framber Valdez made his long-awaited 2021 debut Friday night.
After splitting a high-profile two-game series with the Dodgers earlier in the week, the Astros welcomed in another daunting opponent on Friday night for a three-game weekend series, the San Diego Padres. After a tight game in regular innings, the Padres would take advantage of another rough outing by Houston's bullpen, handing the Astros the loss in extras.
Final Score (11 innings): Padres 10, Astros 3
Astros' Record: 27-23, second in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Mark Melancon (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Brooks Raley (2-3)
Valdez makes his 2021 debut
After starting the season on the IL with a fractured finger suffered in a Spring Training game, Framber Valdez made his long-awaited 2021 debut at Minute Maid Park Friday night. He would not be expected to go deep into the game, being on a pitch count; instead, trying to build momentum for the season by getting a successful outing to build upon for the future.
He probably reached his pitch limit quicker than he would have liked but could hold a potent Padres lineup to just one run over four innings. That run came on a solo homer in the top of the third, giving San Diego a 1-0 lead at the time. Valdez went on to finish that inning along with one more, keeping his team within reach. His final line: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 72 P.
McCormick pushes Houston in front, Tatis Jr. ties it late
McCormick cooking with some spice! 🌶#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/jbOPWaM1rq
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 29, 2021
After getting in scoring position a couple of times but coming away empty against Dinelson Lamet in the first three innings, the Astros would get on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Carlos Correa reached base by legging out an infield single, setting up Chas McCormick's fourth home run and fifteenth RBI in his 46th at-bat, giving Houston a 2-1 lead.
With Valdez's night done after four, Cristian Javier would come in to make his first appearance as a reliever this season in the top of the fifth. He erased a leadoff walk for a scoreless frame, then followed that with a 1-2-3 sixth. After another leadoff walk was stranded in the top of the seventh, the Houston offense threatened to extend the lead in the bottom half.
They put two on base with a walk and a single, and with two outs, the Padres intentionally walked Carlos Correa to face McCormick, who was responsible for the only runs so far in the game. He drove one deep the opposite way to right field, missing a grand slam by mere feet. That proved to be a pivotal turn of events, as in the top of the eighth, with Javier still going, Fernando Tatis destroyed a ball to tie the game, 2-2.
Houston falls apart in extras, Padres take the opener
Ryan Pressly entered in the top of the ninth, keeping the game tied by sitting down the Padres in order, giving his offense a chance at the walk-off. They would not, entering another decisive extra-inning matchup. San Diego scored their free runner with a leadoff double in the top of the tenth against Ryne Stanek, who would load the bases before getting out of the inning down one run.
Alex Bregman started the bottom of the tenth on second base, moving to third on a groundout by Yuli Gurriel. Chas McCormick would bring him in, getting a sac fly to re-tie the game.
Houston would load the bases with two outs, bringing Jose Altuve to the plate, who would fly out to extend the game one more frame. Brooks Raley came on for the eleventh, but after allowing three-straight hits to make it a 5-3 San Diego lead with no outs, he was lifted in favor of Brandon Bielak, who would watch five more runs come in before getting a merciful end to the inning. Houston would not make the miraculous comeback in the bottom half, giving them their fifth loss in the last six games.
Up Next: The middle game of this three-game set will get underway at 3:10 PM Central on Saturday. Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 10.13 ERA) will make his return from the IL for the Astros looking to make a better impression on his new team than he did before he went down, while Yu Darvish (5-1, 1.75 ERA) will start for San Diego.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
How Hunter Brown's impact on the Astros sparks a fresh perspective
Jul 26, 2024, 2:42 pm
With Tuesday’s trade deadline fast approaching, the Astros will look to add the necessary pieces to sustain their recent winning ways and make another playoff run this season.
It's no secret Houston is in need of rotation help with players such as J.P. France, Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy all needing season-ending surgeries. Even considering the presumptive returns of Justin Verlander and Luis Garcia in some capacity, it would behoove the Astros to acquire more pitching options to help solidify their rotation.
General manager Dana Brown has made it clear he will be looking to add both starting pitchers and players who can play first base.
Astros fans should expect their team to make a move or two by Tuesday’s deadline, just as they have done in years past.
Zach Eflin
Recent reports suggest the Astros are one of several teams interested in Rays’ pitcher Zach Eflin who has a 5-7 record and 4.09 ERA this season.
The 30-year-old signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Rays prior to the 2023 season and would be an affordable option for the Astros if they were to acquire him.
Although the Rays have a 52-51 record, it doesn't seem like they will become buyers at the trade deadline and could sell off some of their pieces while staying competitive.
Historically speaking, Tampa Bay has never been afraid to let their higher level pitchers go as they did with Blake Snell prior to the 2021 season and Tyler Glasnow during this past offseason
The Rays have multiple pitchers returning from injuries and can afford to let someone like Eflin go.
The only pause the Astros might have is the asking price in return from the Rays. If this is the case, there are other short-term pitching options the Astros could look to instead.
Jack Flaherty
The Tigers are stuck in the middle between good and bad and don’t seem to be playoff contenders this season, making them an ideal candidate to become sellers at the trade deadline.
One of the biggest names on the trading block recently has been Jack Flaherty who has a 7-5 record with a 2.92 ERA and 133 strikeouts this season.
Considering he's a free agent at the end of the year, it shouldn’t cost the Astros much in return to acquire the Tigers' pitcher.
Houston has not been directly linked to the 28-year-old, but he could be a low-risk, high-reward rotation piece.
Flaherty could be a perfect number 3 or 4 option in the rotation behind Framber Valdez, Ronel Blanco and Hunter Brown.
Yusei Kikuchi
Similarly to Flaherty, Yusei Kikuchi is on a Blue Jays team with little to no playoff hopes this year and is set to become a free agent at the end of this season.
Toronto has already hinted at becoming sellers at the trade deadline and could look to offset many of their impending free agents.
Kikuchi’s record at 4-9 and 4.54 ERA might not be impressive, but he does have 133 strikeouts this season and can be a reliable back end of the rotation piece for the Astros if acquired.
Adding a starting pitcher is certainly a priority, but Houston will also scour the market for first base options as well.
Isaac Paredes
The Astros have been connected to Rays’ infielder Isaac Parades in the last few days and it seems to make sense for both sides.
As mentioned earlier, Tampa Bay is in an interesting situation this season and could become pseudo sellers by the deadline.
The Rays have a plethora of infielders in their origination and can afford to trade someone like Parades and still remain competitive.
The 25-year-old can play first or third base, and has been used as a designated hitter this season as well. Parades has a slash line of .250/.353 /.797 and could be an improvement at first base over Jon Singleton.
Acquiring him could be affordable as his salary is only $3.4MM this year. Parades has three additional years of club control, and his defensive versatility could make him a perfect long-term addition to this Astros’ roster.
Brent Rooker
This one might be a stretch, but would it be shocking to see the A’s let go of one of their best players? The answer is no. Brent Rooker has had a remarkable season, hitting near .300 and becoming one of Oakland’s most consistent bats in their lineup.
The 29-year-old has been the A’s primary designated hitter this season, but has the ability to play both corner outfield positions as well.
Even though Houston doesn't need another DH/outfielder, Rooker's bat would be an upgrade in the lineup and could give the Astros another weapon to add to their offensive arsenal.
Although not as likely as the other candidates mentioned, Rooker would be a more realistic and cheaper option to acquire than someone like Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Honorable Mentions
Starting pitchers Jameson Taillon (Cubs) and Erick Fedde (White Sox) have been linked to the Astros recently, and either would be an ideal fit.
Both players would add necessary pitching depth, and either could fit in seamlessly as a 4th or 5th starter in the rotation.
Needless to say, Houston seems to be casting a wide net to increase their odds of landing someone who can help the team immediately.
An ideal scenario would be for the Astros to acquire at least one pitcher and use a six-man rotation once Verlanader and Garcia come back at some point this year.
It would be beneficial for the Astros to acquire an extra starting pitcher or two to add to their rotation and maybe another option who can play first base as well to ensure this team continues to improve and make another run at the postseason this year.