Houston Astros Look Like 2013 Version Of Themselves In 4-2 Loss To Yankees
By Yoni Pollak
Apr 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Yangervis Solarte (26) celebrates w teammates after scoring a run during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
It looked like it could be an Astros sweep in the first inning. Brett Oberholtzer pitched a quick 1-2-3 inning and the Astros bats were ready to jump on Ivan Nova. The Astros got a leadoff single from Dexter Fowler, followed by a Robbie Grossman single and Jason Castro HBP, which left the bases loaded and no outs for Jose Altuve, your prototypical cleanup hitter. Altuve beat out a possible double-play ball for the RBI.
With the score already 1-0, the Astros had a great chance to put up even more runs in the first. Chris Carter walked to load the bases again, this time for Marc Krauss. And this is where we get to the “2013 Astros” part of the recap as Krauss hit into a double play to end the threat and the inning.
The Yankees put up a two spot in the third inning before getting another key run in the fifth. With two outs and Yangervis Solarte on 2nd base, Derek Jeter singled to right field. Alex Presley fielded the throw and fired home. In classic 2013 version of the themselves, Krauss cuts off the throw which could have easily gotten Solarte out if it made it’s way through to home plate. Instead, Krauss gets Jeter out on the basepaths but the run gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead, and an important third run.
Apr 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Dexter Fowler (21) gets a hit during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Astros got a run in the bottom of the 5th, courtesy of a Fowler RBI single to cut the deficit to one before the Astros gave up another run. Again, in classic 2013 version of themselves, a two-out pop fly right to Carlos Corporan was dropped in the middle of the infield and Ichiro Suzuki scored from 2nd base. That run gave the Astros a 4-2 lead and ultimately the win.
So again, this game could have and should have easily been at least a 3-2 win for the Astros. Krauss’ double play in the 1st inning should have led to at least one more run, the cut-off, which should have been a non cut-off could have negated a Yankees run, and simply catching an infield pop should have negated another Yankees run. Welp. That’s classic 2013 Astros.
What else is classic 2013 Astros? Grouding into four double plays and leaving 17 men on base. You’re not going to win
many
any games like that.
Orange Stars
- Brett Oberholtzer – His final line of 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, could have been better but he didn’t get much help from Krauss. Solid performance.
- Dexter Fowler – 2/4, 1 RBI. This guy has been the only consistent threat on offense so far.
- Brad Peacock – 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. The run shouldn’t be earned as Corporan simply let the infield pop drop in front of him. A few too many walks but a good performance in relief.
Orange Peels
- Marc Krauss – In the first inning he grounds into a double play with the bases loaded and one out. In the fifth inning he cuts off an Alex Presley throw which likely would have nabbed the runner at the plate.
- Ivan Nova – He hit Jason Castro twice, forcing him to leave the game. Word is he is day-to-day with a right foot contusion. X-rays were negative.
- 2013 Astros – I thought that was over. Oh well.
The Astros stay at home as they get ready for a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM and can be seen on CSN Houston.
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