Astros Take Game, Series From Indians

J.A. Happ took the mound vs Derek Lowe and the Indians today for the rubber game of a three games series. The hometown nine won the game, 7-1 and the series, 2-1. For the third time in five games, the Astros were held hit-less through the first three innings, but that wouldn’t last for long as the Astros would bang out twelve hits over the final five innings to down the Indians. J.A. Happ was up to the task as he pitched seven strong innings, throwing 111 pitches, giving up one earned run while walking two and striking out five. He lowered his ERA to 4.83 as well.

Jose Lopez got the scoring started in the second inning when he led off with a double. He would later score on a Happ wild pitch after he had advanced to third base. The Astros would respond in the fourth inning when Chris Johnson singled home Carlos Lee. Then in the sixth inning, a Carlos Lee single would plate Jed Lowrie after Lowrie hit a double down the right field line following a ten pitch at bat vs Derek Lowe. The Astros would tack on an insurance run as Chris Johnson scored from third after J.D. Martinez hit into a double play. In the eighth inning, Chris Johnson (who had a great series vs Cleveland) launched a two run homer to the right field seats. Jason Castro would follow that up with a double to left center and J.D. Martinez would finish it off with a two run homer to the Crawford Boxes, extending the lead to 7-1, where it would stay. Brett Myers would come on to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and send the Astros to a record of 30-42.

In other news and notes from the game, Jose Altuve came up limping after he grounded out in the fifth inning. He was later diagnosed with a strained right hamstring but the severity is unknown at this time. Jordan Schafer was throw out trying to stretch a double into a triple in the fifth inning. Overall it was a good game and series to win. The 25-47 San Diego Padres now come to Houston for a four game set. Tomorrow night at 7:05pm CST, Ross Ohlendorf will take the mound for the Padres while Wandy Rodriguez throws for the Astros. Amid trade speculation, could this be the last start for Wandy in an Astros uniform?