Astros fall below .500 with third straight loss

The Astros dropped their third straight Spring Training game with a 7-4 loss to Washington today. Spring Training stats don’t mean much but we do keep track of them just the same. This time of year is really more about staying healthy and getting the work in. Those who are lucky enough to make the trek to Florida also get a chance to see some up-and-coming youngsters play against the big league veterans.

Yesterday Jarred Cosart made his first appearance in a Houston uniform and proved to be everything we’ve been hearing about. Cosart entered the game against the Pirates in the sixth inning and promptly struck out the side. Cosart had a rough seventh inning but came back strong again in the eighth. His fastball was consistently clocked in the high nineties during his 3 & 1/3 innings of work.

Jed Lowrie and Chris Snyder both went deep for Houston in the 9-7 split-squad loss. The other half of the team took an 11-1 thumping at the hands of the Braves. Zach Duke got the start and gave up ten runs in 3 & 1/3 innings. Wilton Lopez pitched a scoreless inning after missing the last two weeks with forearm tightness. That’s the good news. Lopez has been outstanding this spring as he has yet to be scored upon.

Jordan Lyles was hung with the loss in today’s game. Lyles gave up eight hits and five runs (3 earned) in 4 & 2/3 innings pitched. Newly acquired lefty Kevin Chapman relieved Lyles and gave up a homerun to the first batter he faced. Roger Bernadina provided the initiation for the youngster. Chris Johnson went deep again for the Astros. It was Johnson’s fourth homer of the spring. Rule 5 pick Rhiner Cruz pitched a scoreless frame and seems to have turned things around after a slow start.

Jordan Schafer stayed in Kissimmee today and took batting practice. Schafer has been out for the last nine days with a sprained left hand and could see action in tomorrow’s game against Detroit. Wandy Rodriguez gets the start against the Tigers and Andy Oliver.