Astros falter late in a 5-2 loss to the Nats

Jordan Lyles was having arguably his best start of his career and then Brad Mills sent him out in the ninth and everything went downhill. Lyles had thrown 8 innings at that point and only gave up 2 runs while striking out six. Then in the ninth, Lyles gave up a single to Ryan Zimmerman who knocked in Roger Bernadina. Mills took him out after that and replaced him with Wilton Lopez who gave up a single to Laynce Nix that brought home two to extend the National lead to 5-2.

The Astros had the lead at one point in this one after scoring runs in the fifth and sixth innings to give then a 2-1 lead but that didn’t last long as the Nationals came back with a solo shot from Ryan Zimmerman in the top of the 7th. The Astros weren’t able to muster any more offense after the sixth and actually were struck out three times in the bottom of the ninth by Drew Storen.

Jordan Lyles has now fallen to 0-5 on the season, a record that does not reflect how he has pitched this season. He has been the Astros third best starter, behind Wandy Rodriguez and Bud Norris, and at times has looked really good. J.A. Happ takes the mound tomorrow for the Astros and will be looking to put the first half behind him and start the second half strong.