The Astros took a 3-1 lead into the 6th, but an error by shortstop Ronny Cedeno led to three unearned runs and Houston dropped a fourth straight, this one by a final score of 6-3, to the Athletics. Some notes on last night's game:
1) Houston hitters struck out only four times after fanning an average of 14 times a game through their first 4 contests. They still didn't manage to draw any walks and have just 5 on the season, but at least they're putting more balls in play. The absence of Rick Ankiel and Brett Wallace from the lineup may have contributed to the reduced strikeout numbers, but across the board, at bats were better.
2) Jason Castro clubbed an opposite-field 3-run home run in the fourth to give Houston a short-lived 3-1 lead. This was what I was envisioning when I said that he's going to have a big year this year. His ability to drive the ball to all fields gives him 20-homer potential in my opinion which is almost unprecedented for an Astro catcher.
3) Jose Altuve extended his hitting streak to 5 games when he "beat out" an infield single to former teammate Jed Lowrie. Replays show that Altuve was out by half a step, but his hustle got him the benefit of the doubt. Now, if somehow Altuve breaks DiMaggio's record, does it come with an asterisk? These are the things you think about when you love a team like the Astros.
4) I know hindsight's 20/20, but I really think Bo Porter should've pulled Bud Norris in the 6th rather than let him tally 122 pitches. I know he's the ace, but this is April, and it's not like we're playoff bound or anything. Was our bullpen really that spent that we didn't have anyone we could throw out there? What about Josh Fields?
5) Is Brandon Barnes in the doghouse? The guy got the start on Opening Night, but hasn't gotten into a game since. Instead, we've seen a steady diet of J.D. Martinez who wasn't even supposed to make the team out of camp (he's here because of the Fernando Martinez injury).
6) Dallas Keuchel looked decent out of the bullpen last night after getting the call to replace newly injured Travis Blackley. Nothing like trading for a guy and having get hurt throwing a bullpen session...
7) Astro starters are now just 1-4 on the year, but boast a 2.63 ERA. Only one Astros starter has made it through 6 innings which will have to improve to save the bullpen, but at least the starters are keeping us in games.
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