Astros swept in Chicago. Fall 3-1
As I’ve seem to say in every recap. if it’s not one thing it’s another.
After three straight games of throwing away chances of victory in the first inning, today Justin Verlander worked out of a bases loaded, no-out, first inning jam without allowing a run.
Although struggling, today he managed to go 4.1 scoreless innings, and a Yordan Alvarez sac fly in the first meant the Astros actually held a lead through five innings.
Five innings of offensive futility. Make that nine.
As far as the bubonic plague in the bullpen, credit Rafael Montero with slowing the epidemic by holding the Cubs after entering the game in the fifth inning with two on and only one out.
However, he and Bryan Abreu surrendered three runs in the sixth, the big blow a two-run homer by Pete Crow off Abreu.
That’s all any team needs nowadays against the Wheaties-deprived Astros offense. Normally I complain about runners left in scoring position. Not a problem today. There were practically none. The offense managed only four hits and three walks.
Back to RISP. Yainer Diaz, who started the season with such promise, has been in a nosedive. And in clutch situations it’s particularly egregious. Four times in the last two games he has left runners in scoring position with two outs. In the ninth inning, after Alvarez and Kyle tucker walked with no outs, he grounded out at third, barely averting a double play. (He’s sneaky fast afoot)
Alas, the Astros stranded the early baserunners in the ninth to fall ignominiously to the Cubs for their fifth straight loss just when everyone is expecting them to make their run.
At some point this season, the Astros have to have at least one heroic play. One comeback.
Please!
Has anyone tried spinach? Where’s the kryptonite?
The Astros are heading to Mexico City where they and the Rockies will compete on Saturday for the second worst record in MLB. Framber Valdez will return to the mound.