April 19, 2016
Rangers 7, Astros 5
W: Holland (2-0) L: Feldman (0-2) S: Tolleson (4)
HR: Altuve (5), Springer (4), Fielder (2), Moreland (2)
The Astros produced a night of mostly frustration, which is all too common when visiting whatever the hell it is they call the baseball stadium in Arlington. The result was a 7-5 loss, pushing the Astros to 5-9 and visibly fraying nerves in the GZ.
Feldman put his team in a 3-0 hole in the first via a complete inability to put hitters away. After a one-out error, Fielder punished an 0-2 curveball for a 400’+ shot down the RF line to make it 2-0. Three straight 2-strike singles followed, it was 3-0, and it was clear it would be a long night.
Do be sure to give the veteran Feldman credit for battling – he had very little in his arsenal, but managed to hold the Rangers to a lone run for his remaining 4 innings, and while 5 IP, 4 R is hardly what you want from your starter, it’s not an automatic loss, either.
Meanwhile, a lack of situational hitting ONCE AGAIN doomed the Astros. It’s not just the 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position, but the inability to move runners over. For example – 2nd inning: 3 straight doubles to start the inning make it 3-2, Holland is on the ropes, and Castro comes to the plate. Does he move the runner over? AW HELL NO. Harmless bouncer, 1-3, Marwin stays at second, threat effectively over. Repeat ad nauseum.
Fields came on in relief in the 6th, gave up 2 quick runs before Devenski had to bail him out, and that was effectively the ballgame.