Bill Hall’s error is deciding factor in Astros’ 5-4 loss

The achillies heel of the Houston Astros this season has been their poor defense and tonight it costed them the game. J.A. Happ was pitching well through the first 2.2 innings, only giving up one run until Bill Hall had a costly error that allowed Matt Kemp get on base that loaded the bases. The Dodgers didn’t waste anytime as Jerry Sands came to the plate and blasted a grand slam to center.

The Astros responded with three runs in the bottom of third on a RBI double by Hunter Pence and a single by Carlos Lee that brough two home to cut the Dodgers lead to 5-3. Chris Johnson helped out with a sacrifice fly in the sixth to cut it to one but that was all the scoring the Astros could muster.

As much credit Bill Hall got last night for his perfect 4-4 night, tonight was the complete opposite. To go along with his costly fielding error, he went 0-4 with three strikeouts and he also left two runners in scoring position. Tonight’s game dropped Hall’s average to .237 on the season. I am starting to wonder how much longer Mills will go with Hall considering Angel Sanchez is on the bench and Jeff Keppinger returning soon from injury, playing time will be in high demand.

The Astros are back at it tomorrow for an afternoon game where Aneury Rodriguez will be looking for his first win as a starter.