Altuve spent six innings in left without a play
The Astros took another Grapefruit League game from the Cardinals, 3-2, but there were a number of subplots that hold greater significance.
First, Jose Altuve made his MLB debut in left field, although we didn’t get to see him field any flies. At the plate, he went 0-3 with one K.
The Astros’ new third baseman, Isaac Paredes, was 2-3 with a first-inning solo homer and a third-inning RBI single. Shay Whitcomb added a solo homer in the seventh playing shortstop, and in the ninth inning, got his hat thrown in the ring in the tournament for fifth outfielder, playing one inning in Altuve’s ostensible position.
Astros pitching had trouble finding the strike zone today but managed to work around trouble. Hunter Brown started the game, loading the bases in the first and allowing a hit and two walks in two innings but escaping without allowing a run.
Rafael Montero got a look today, notching a scoreless inning with two Ks and a walk. Both strikeouts came on full counts. It would be nice if Montero could earn a few of those $11 million a year this year that he’s been wasting the previous two.
Bryan Abreu also got his first look this Spring, getting a scoreless inning while walking two.
Two bright spots were scoreless innings by two back-end opening day relievers, Tay Scott and Forrest Whitley. Ryan Gusto got the shaky save, allowing a run on two hits, a walk, and two wild pitches in two innings, stranding the tying run, and preserving the Astros’ lead in their 3-2 win. It was a little bit of a reality check after his excellent start in the Spring Opener.
It was another weak offensive performance for the Stros with only five hits, but Paredes remains hot with a .333 Spring BA, and Shay Whitcomb is making an early run for that 26th place on the roster with a 1.357 OPS. One of the main competitors for second base, Brendan Rodgers, had his first Spring hit as well.