Pirates 8, Astros 2
w: Maholm (7-6) | L: Cassel (1-1)
Krysten Oliphant @ astros.com
Rather than wait for a ninth inning meltdown like the previous game against the swashbucklers from the three river town. the Astros and fill in pitcher Jack Cassel allowed runs early and often while the bats of the hometown nine decided to take another night off as the Astros lost 8-2 on Tuesday evening.
Here is an odd post-game quote about Cassel:
“Jack has to be perfect. When he isn’t, he gets in trouble,” Cooper said. “When you don’t throw with very much velocity, you’ve got to hit your spots.”
Well, duh. Asking him to be perfect however is a bit much. No pressure, right Coop?
Cassel used his pinpoint control to keep the ball in the fat part of the plate, and the Pyroots hit’em hard and often. The surprisingly inept sticks of the good guys couldn’t keep up, falling behind by eight runs before scoring a couple late to avoid the shutout.
That’s all, folks. Even the GZ was subdued on this night.