Astros Waste A Good Effort By Jordan Lyles

The Houston Astros came into the game with a chance for their first series sweep (even though it’s only a two-gamer), and they could not pull it off this afternoon. The Astros wasted a great effort by Jordan Lyles, and lost 2-1 as they head to Colorado.

Today’s game was not predicted to be a pitcher’s duel, but it sure ended up being one. Jorge De La Rosa pitched seven strong innings, allowing just five hits, one run, two walks, and striking out four. The Astros countered with Jordan Lyles who had his best start of the season to-date. Lyles allowed six hits, one run, and three walks, while striking out another three. Lyles was at 90 pitches through five, but Bo Porter elected to keep him in the game another two innings, and he finished with 110 pitches (68 strikes). Lyles was a lot more efficient his last three innings, and hopefully this is a start he can build on for the rest of the year.

The Astros bullpen didn’t come through again, as Jose Veras took home his second loss in three appearances. Veras allowed a lead-off double to Troy Tulowitzki , which was followed by a Michael Cuddyer game-winning single. The Astros didn’t do anything in the 9th against Rockies closer, Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt got J.D. Martinez looking on three fastballs (all down the middle). Chris Carter struck out, and Carlos Pena flied out to end the game.

The Astros lost a chance to score two runs in the fourth inning when Altuve was caught stealing. Later that inning, Martinez doubled to the wall, and Corporan scored the next at-bat. Had Altuve been on base, the Astros would have had two runs that inning, and possibly another game headed to extras. Carlos Pena was also caught stealing in the second, leaving the Astros with two runners eliminated on the basepaths.

Defensively, the Astros looked real good with Matt Dominguez and Ronny Cedeno making great plays. Dominguez made several diving stops to get runners out (what’s new?). Cedeno also made great defensive plays including a beautiful over the shoulder grab on a popout by Troy Tulowitzki in the third inning. After the catch, Cedeno fired home to get Nolan Arenado out at the plate. That was one of three double plays started by the Astros defense that helped Lyles pitch out of jams.

The Astros will head to Colorado to face the Rockies in another two-game series. Tomorrow’s game starts at 7:40 PM CT, with Erik Bedard on the mound against Tyler Chatwood.

Tweets From The Game

On J.D. Martinez‘s at-bat in the 9th Inning:

On the great start by Jordan Lyles:

On Ronny Cedeno‘s defense:

On the performance of Jose Veras: