Astros score 10…..and lose

This was a tough one for the Astros as they allowed the Rays to score 7 runs over the final two innings to grab the series finale 14-10. The home run ball did in the Astros again as eight of the Rays 14 runs came from three home runs, two by Evan Longoria and one by B.J. Upton.

Starting pitcher J.A. Happ pitched well enough for the Astros to get the win as he left the game with a 7-5 lead after striking out eight in five innings of work. Surprisingly the lead was blown by Wilton Lopez and Mark Melancon, who have pitched very well this season. Brad Mills pushed the limit with his relief pitchers today as Lopez went 2.1 innings, giving up four runs and taking the loss, and Melancon working 1.1 innings and giving up five and a blown save.

The game started off badly for Happ as he gave up three runs in the first inning but did settle down as the Astros offense took over. The Astros scored two runs in the second, third and fourth inning to get the lead for Happ before he left after the fifth. Carlos Lee had a good day collecting three RBI on two hits but the day has to go to Jeff Keppinger who went 3-3 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Kepp is now hitting .336 for the season and has been a welcomed sight since coming back from the DL.

The Astros get the day off tomorrow before they welcome in-state rival Texas Rangers to town on Tuesday for a three game series.