Felix Hernandez (3-1, 2.40) vs Brad Peacock (0-2, 5.95)
So the Astros have yet to score in the 9th inning this year. After tying the game at 4 in the 8th, they failed again in the 9th tonight. But thanks to George Springer, Houston finally had a breakthrough in the 11th. Astros win 5-4 in 11, courtesy of a walk-off single by Springer, and improve to 10-19 on the season, 3-1 against Seattle, and 1-0 in May.
On the Mound:
*Brad Peacock may be on the rotation bubble when Scott Feldman returns from the DL, but for four innings tonight, he was brilliant. Unfortunately for him, back-to-back 2-run innings derailed his night a bit, so he left trailing 4-3 following a 6 IP / 6 H / 4 R / 2 ER / 3 BB / 6 K line.
*No goatpen scenarios tonight! Jose Cisnero got the first call and got two quick outs in the 7th, but then allowed a walk and a single.
*Tony Sipp followed, and was flawless in his Houston debut, turning in 1.2 perfect innings with 2 K.
*Chad Qualls relieved Sipp with one out in the 9th, and started by allowing a single. But a strikeout and a caught stealing ended the inning, setting up the game for extras.
*Anthony Bass got the final call, and handled it flawlessly, turning in two perfect innings with one K to earn the win.
At the Plate:
*Jose Altuve is en fuego. Another 3x5 night tonight, including a double, a steal, a walk, and two runs scored. He's now batting .394 in his last 7 games.
*Marc Krauss had a big night, going 2x3 with 2 BB, a K, and 2 RBI.
*Jonathan Villar drove in the game-tying run on a fielder's choice in the 8th, finishing his busy night 1x4 with a walk, 2 K, 2 SB, and an error on a caught stealing in the 5th that set up Kyle Seager's 2-run homer.
*Dexter Fowler lost his hitting streak last game, but he got right back on track tonight, going 2x6 with a run scored and 2 K.
*Jason Castro was 1x4 with a run scored and 2 K.
*Matt Dominguez went 1x3 with a walk.
*Alex Presley was 0x4, but scored the tying run in the 8th following a walk and some hustle on the bases.
*Which brings us to George Springer. Not a great night for George leading up to the 11th - 0x5 with 4 K. But none of that mattered after his bases-loaded single gave Houston their first walk-off win of the season.
Turning Point:
The Astros tied the game in the 8th when Alex Presley walked, moved to third on a Matt Dominguez single, then scored on Jonathan Villar's groundout. That's how the game would stay until Jose Altuve led off Houston's half of the 11th with a single. Dexter Fowler bunted his way on base to put two on, then Carlos Corporan attempted to move the runners up on a sacrifice, but Altuve beat the throw to third, so everyone was safe, loading the bases with no outs. Up came George Springer, who singled home Altuve, and the celebration began.
Man of the Match:
Springer had the winning hit, but due credit goes to the Astros bullpen, for five innings of scoreless work to give the team a chance.
Goat of the Game:
Jesus Guzman. Going 0x5 with 3 K, he was the only Astros starter who never reached base.
