White Sox defeat Astros

Winners score more often than losers

contributed by Sphinx Drummond

Chris Sale, along with nearly every other starting pitcher in MLB, has the Astros number. He didn’t pitch a shut out this time, but before a sparse Chi-Town crowd he did strike out 12 Astro hitters over the course of his eight innings of work. He allowed 4 hits, 1 run (a solo shot by Chris Carter-his 26th), while only walking 2 before giving way for ex-Astro Matt Lindstrom to finish the game.

Chris Carter got 2 of the 5 hits allowed by the White Sox, raising his average to .218, his OBP is .317. Matt Dominguez, who is hitting .240 has an OBP of .278. Jose Altuve is batting .269 with a .305 OBP. I have to commend Carter on his OBP, he may seem a feast or famine type of hitter but other than Castro, Villar, and Grossman, he is getting on base more often than everyone else on this team.

After a shaky start, Jarred Cosart pitched well again allowing only a single run in the first inning, but he had to settle for a no-decision. Cosart spread seven hits and five walks with 4 strikeouts over 113 pitches and six innings, gaining credit for a quality start. Over his 7 starts Cosart has a stellar ERA at 1.59.

After the Astros tied it up in the top of the 7th inning, Lucas Harrell came in to allow the White Sox to score the go-ahead runs and make sure the Astros weren’t victorious. Harrell took the loss and I believe leads the league in losses.

The Astros record is now 44 wins and 88 losses with 30 games to play, which puts them on a pace to finish at 54 wins with 108 losses. I’m too lazy to confirm but that is probably going to make the worst three year run in the modern baseball era. But of course this team will get better with time. Of course.

Wednesday’s record has fallen to 12 and 9, still good. The Astros return home Thursday to host the hideous Seattle Mariners in a 4 game series with Erasmo Ramirez (4-1, 5.44 ERA) facing off against Jordan Lyles (6-6, 5.15 ERA)

Attendance – 15,961
Game Time – 2:44
Temperature – 71