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Astros struggles continue
Boston 10 Houston 4
Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn racked up six total bases each but that wasn’t near enough to overcome the offensive assault of the Boston Red Sox.
Boston tallied three runs in the first inning and never looked back. J.A. Happ suffered his league worst tenth defeat and the bullpen struggles continued. Brad Mills mysteriously continues to insert Fernando Abad into winnable games. I am once again calling for Abad’s immediate demotion to the minors. The lefty has been grossly ineffective and has no business being on the major league club. The team is missing a veteran influence in the bullpen. Jeff Fulchino, Nelson Figueroa, and Ryan Rowland-Smith are all waiting in the wings at AAA Oklahoma City. I think it’s time to bring at least one of those guys up to try and tutor the youngsters in the league’s worst bullpen.
Jeff Keppinger, who had missed two games due to illness, returned last night with a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning. Jordan Lyles will oppose Josh Beckett in today’s interleague finale at 1:05 CDT. Lyles is still looking for his first win as an Astro.