OAKLAND, Calif. — An unreliable bullpen already forces the Astros to play flawless games. Add an anemic lineup and the margin for mistakes is nonexistent. Houston has long fancied itself a fantastic defensive club — one with outfield speed and superstars across its infield. The sixth inning of Saturday’s loss challenged this claim.
With their pitching staff in shambles, the Astros cannot afford a disaster, be it on defense or with the bat. Saturday delivered brutality on both accounts. They totaled five hits and committed two errors. José Altuve endured a terrible defensive sixth inning and finished 0-for-4, part of a pitiful performance unbecoming of the stupendous start Framber Valdez provided.
The Astros lost, 3-1, stretching their losing streak to four games. They sunk to two games below .500. The A’s hold a 4 ½ game lead in the American League West.
Valdez came of age and it didn’t matter. The Astros tout the talent of this curveball maestro, a man maligned by bad control and a tendency to let bad innings snowball.
Valdez awoke on Saturday in an unenviable spot for the Astros’ spent pitching staff. Five relievers were unavailable, a consequence of Houston’s 13-inning loss on Friday night. If Valdez could not go deep, the revolving door of rookies would enter, an unwelcome thought for a team in desperate need of a win.
Valdez allayed any concerns. He threw seven innings of two-run baseball. Nine A’s struck out against him. His 103 pitches were more than any Astro had thrown this season. Marcus Semien started his outing with a solo home run. Valdez was dominant thereafter. He walked just one batter and elicited 19 swings and misses. Confidence brimmed.
His poise was apparent — even if veterans around him had none.
In the sixth, Altuve made three brutal misplays — only one of which landed on his statistical ledger. He bobbled Semien’s ground ball to start the frame, yet it was still ruled a single. When Semien tried to steal second, Altuve did not corral an errant — but catchable — throw from Dustin Garneau. Semien scurried to third as the ball trickled to center field. He scored on Matt Chapman’s infield grounder, a costly second run for a team that could not answer.
The Link LonkAugust 09, 2020 at 05:46AM
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Astros-give-Framber-Valdez-little-support-in-loss-15469621.php
Astros give Framber Valdez little support in loss to A's - Houston Chronicle
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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