Lucas Harrell (4-7, 4.97) vs Luis Mendoza (1-3, 4.76)
It's never any fun watching your team get swept. It's even less fun - and far more frustrating - when you get swept knowing that you could have easily won the series. The Astros scored 11 runs in their 6 HR outburst last Wednesday; they've now scored 8 runs total in their other 6 games over the last week. That week was capped by a 2-0 loss today, for a Kansas City sweep and a four-game losing streak. Houston heads to Seattle at 22-42 overall.
On the Mound:
*After a solid April and an inconsistent May, Lucas Harrell is looking pretty great again in June. He walked himself into a bit of trouble early, but ultimately turned in his best line of the season, going 7 IP / 2 H / 0 R / 0 ER / 3 BB / 1 K.
*Hector Ambriz came into today off 9 straight scoreless appearances spanning 7.2 IP, but the Royals seemed only too glad to have Harrell out of the game. Hector wasted Lucas' strong effort by allowing 4 H / 2 ER in 0.2 of an inning.
*Travis Blackley got a ground out to end the 8th.
At the Plate:
*Houston's offense is officially in a deep freeze, today managing only 5 hits. The only XBH among those was Ronny Cedeno's double today, and he finished 1 for 3 with a K.
*Jose Altuve's hitting streak is now at a season-high 10 games, after he went 1 for 4 today.
*Carlos Pena was the only Astro to reach more than once, going 1 for 3 with a walk.
*Carlos Corporan and J.D. Martinez (K) had the other hits, each going 1 for 4.
Turning Point:
The Astros wasted a two-on, no-out opportunity in the 7th, then the Royals struck quickly when Lucas Harrell left after the inning. Hector Ambriz started the 8th with a line out, then Chris Getz singled and stole second with Alex Gordon at the plate. Gordon singled, driving in Getz to break the scoreless tie, and he advanced to third on a Trevor Crowe throwing error. Eric Hosmer made it back-to-back RBI singles, setting the 2-0 score where the game would end.
Man of the Match:
Lucas Harrell. At least he wasn't tagged with the loss this time, as in his previous two 7-inning outings.
Goat of the Game:
Hector Ambriz. His 1.00 ERA since May 15 did the Astros no good today.
