Wandy loses for the first time since April

Tough first night with Tampa for Wandy and the Astros as James Shields throws a complete game to help the Rays to a 5-1 win. Shields was absolutely dealing tonight as he threw his third complete game in a row, striking out nine and only walking one. The only Astros’ run came off a double by Chris Johnson in the seventh. Shields faced only 31 batters tonight, four more than the minimum.

Wandy was on a bit of a hot streak as he was 4-0 over his past seven starts and hadn’t lost since April 24th. The third inning and the long ball was Wandy’s undoing tonight as he gave up four runs in the third. Ben Zobrist started the scoring for the Rays with an RBI single but he didn’t hang around on the bases long. Evan Longoria smashed a two run homer that brought Zobrist home that was followed up with a solo shot by B.J. Upton.

The home run has been the kryptonite of the Astros’ pitching staff this year. They have given up 88 home runs through 77 games this season, which is only behind the Rangers for the league most by a team. Last year, the Astros only gave up 140 home runs for the whole season and are on pace to be no where near that number in 2011.

The Astros are back at it tomorrow for Game 2 of the three game series as Bud Norris takes on the Rays’ Wade Davis.