Lucas Harrell (6-15, 5.69) vs Bartolo Colon (14-6, 2.90)
Bad news: Paul Clemens was a late scratch due to a blister, so Lucas Harrell got the start today. Good news: No more games against Oakland this season! The results were predictably bad, but at least they're done with the A's until 2014 - Astros lose 7-2, and head north to Seattle for their final West Coast series of the season at 47-96 overall.
On the Mound:
*Once upon a time, I really liked Lucas Harrell, and he looked like a genius waiver claim. Those days are long gone now, and now he's pitching like you'd expect a waiver claim to pitch. A 7-run 3rd was far more than the Astros could overcome today, and all seven runs were earned with two outs. Line: 3 IP / 7 H / 7 R / 7 ER / 2 BB / 2 K.
*Erik Bedard, on the other hand, pitched like a guy who should have been granted the spot start - only 2 H and 2 BB allowed over 4 IP scoreless.
*Jorge De Leon allowed 2 H and got a K in his one scoreless inning.
At the Plate:
*The Astros actually jumped out to a very quick lead in this one, when Jonathan Villar (1 for 5, 2 K) led off the game with a single...
*...then Jose Altuve (1 for 4, K) followed immediately with a RBI double.
*L.J. Hoes had a fine day, going 2 for 2 with 2 BB, a run scored, and two fine plays in RF.
*Brandon Barnes got the other RBI on a single in the 7th, going 1 for 4 with a K.
*Trevor Crowe was 1 for 4 with a 2B, a SB, and 2 K.
*Marc Krauss (1 for 3, K) and Matt Pagnozzi (1 for 4) also had hits.
*It's worth noting that Bo Porter was ejected for the second time this series, evidently due to arguing after umpire Hunter Wendelstedt broke up a mound conference in the bottom of the 5th.
Turning Point:
Oakland alternated singles and lineouts to start the bottom of the 3rd, putting two on with two out, then Harrell's train jumped the tracks. A double-single-walk-single-homer later, and his 1-0 lead became a 7-1 grave the Astros could not climb out of.
Man of the Match:
Erik Bedard. He showed some ability out of the pen early in the season, and he showed that again today.
Goat of the Game:
