Astros fall to A’s 9-7 with a little too much doo from Peacock
WP: Chavez (8-6)
LP: Peacock (3-7)
SV: Doolittle (15)
Brad Peacock got off to a horrible start for the second straight game. This time he made it out of the first inning, barely. He threw close to forty pitches in the first inning but ultimately pitched his way out of a jam without giving up any runs. He wasn’t so fortunate in the second inning, giving up 5 runs, the first one, a solo shot by Jed Lowrie on the first pitch of the inning.
Jesse Chavez, who has kind of owned Houston this year, did not have a horrible start. After a first inning walk to Chris Carter, he kept the bases empty of Astros until Matt Dominguez picked up the first Astros’ hit of the night with one out in the fifth, and eventually came around to score the Astros first run of the night on an RBI ground out by Marwin Gonzalez. Chavez is 3-0 against the Astros so far this year and Wednesdays’ game was the closest contest of the three.
Jim Johnson, the ex-closer, demonstrated why he is the ex-closer while doing best to help the Astros in the 8th inning by surrendering 4 runs without retiring a batter. Dan Otero took over and gave up another run before Luke Gregerson came in to shut the flood gates and finish the inning. Sean Doolittle closed the game for the A’s in the ninth and picked up his 15th save in the process.
Altuve picked up another hit (out of 5 AB) and continues to lead the league in batting average and all of MLB with hits. Chris Carter got a double to go with a walk and only one strike out in 5 PAs. His average has now climbed to .212 with an OBP of .288. He now has 44 RBI which is second on the club behind Springer’s 51 and one ahead of Dominguez’s 43. Jason Castro and Kiké Hernandez both got two hits on the night, Kiké is batting a nifty .310.
Astros close the series with a rubber game Thursday, a Businessman’s Special which begins at 2:35 pm CST with Scott Feldman going against Jeff Samardzija.
Game Time: 3:30.
Weather: 66 degrees, Clear.
Wind: 7 mph, Out to Right.
Attendance: 28,310.