Astros 11, White Sox 9
W: Harrell (6-4)
L: Humber (2-4)
They say that memory is like a train, it gets smaller as it pulls away. Philip Humber knows this, as the focus of his perfect game fades into a neverending funhouse mirror where neat lines and straight edges used to be.
The AL Central-leading White Sox were the weeping clown for today’s Astros as the Good Guys took the series for their first one on the road this year. The rain of tears was led by four Astro home runs, one each from JD Martinez, Maxwell, Wallace and Altuve.
Maxwell’s 461-foot-shot to the second deck towering over left field represented the sixth earned run Humber surrendered, and called for the hook. Relief was elusive and tempestuous though, while the backslaps and high fives among the visitors grew into wails of south side despair.
On a day where the bullpen was missing components they’d almost certainly need, Harrell went into the seventh inning against his former team and worked hard to save the day. The back end of the bullpen was just strong enough to hold off the final charge from the Sox – Lopez gave up one run and Rodriguez three more before Myers shut it down while picking up his 15th save.
They’ll get a much-needed day off Monday before taking on the Giants for a three-game set, to be followed by another interleague craptacular in Arlington. Once they get far enough away, they’ll be on their way back home.