May 5, 2016
Mariners 6, Astros 3
W: Vincent (2-1) L: Gregerson (0-1) S: Cishek (9)
HR: Altuve (9!!!)
We’re not yet 30 games in, and we’re running out of ways to say that the Astros lost via a combination of poor pitching and poor base running.
Let’s start with the good news:
- After another leadoff homer, Jose Altuve is now 14-27 plus 2 walks leading off the game, for a split line of .519/.552/1.296
- Gates came up with an actual 2 out RBI.
- Devenski continues to show that he is a viable starter.
That’s it. That’s the list.
Devenski cruised through six innings, his lone run coming on allowing 3 straight singles with two out in the 3rd. He left the game with a 2-1 lead thanks to Altuve’s HR and a Gattis RBI single in the 6th (after Correa’s GIDP seemingly snuffed a rally).
Then the bullpen happened.
Bringing Giles in to face the 7-8-9 hitters would seem a logical next step in the “let’s get his confidence back” plan. Unfortunately, he walked the first hitter, and gave up a dribbler that he and White conspired to turn into a single. Getting the force at third on a bunt seemed to tamp down the threat, and Sipp then entered to face the lefties at the top of the lineup. Unfortunately, Sipp was all over the place, walking another man to load the bases and then surrendering a 2-run single. Fortunately he got a GIDP from Cano to limit further damage.
White actually started things off in the bottom of the 7th with a double, his first extra base hit since the earth cooled. After a Tucker strikeout and a Castro walk, Altuve (who is trying to single-handedly carry this team) doubled onto Tal’s Hill. Unfortunately, Pettis decided to send Castro, despite there being one out and Springer and Correa waiting to hit. Castro was gunned down, the game remained tied, and Springer’s fly ball ended the inning instead of plating Castro.
In the 9th, Gregerson loaded the bases via single-walk-single with one out, and then Cano crushed one over Gomez’s head to clear the bases. Ballgame.