Angels 7 Astros 2
contributed by Mr. Happy
In reviewing this 7-2 loss to the Halos and in studying the box score, I was struck by the number of twos that appeared. Jordan Lyles threw 22 innings, surrendering 22 earned runs and walking two hitters, both of whom scored. The Astros garnered but 22 hits in the ballgame, collected two walks (both by Chris Carter, who’s been showing signs of better plate discipline of late), only had 22 LOBsters, scored but two runs and committed two errors, both by SS Jake Elmore.
The sole Astros runs scored on a, you guessed it, two run home run by Brett Wallace. Two Astros, Jose Altuve and Jason Castro each struck out twice. Five Astros had 22 official plate appearances, and Chris Carter had two official plate appearances. pitching only recorded two strikeouts and surrendered two home runs. Josh Fields pitched two innings. Travis “I’m tatted all over” Blackley surrendered two earned runs in his inning of work. This game gave Joe Blanton his second win (against ten losses).
Three Halos had two hits and three of them had two RBI’s. Two Angels pitchers had two strikeouts in one inning of work. You get the picture. Too many twos. This concludes the first half of the season where the Astros are 30-51, which is three games ahead of the pace that I predicted before the season began in our annual contest that BudGirl runs so well.
The Astros have the Halos again Sunday, sending Lucas Harrell to the bump against crafty portsider C.J. Wilson. Which Harrell will we see? That will determine how we fare today. I wouldn’t put two dollars on an Astros win.