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Houston Astros: Club Astros finally gets the monkey off their back
By Eric Huysman
Rally Gattis
Sep 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis (11) is congratulated by third baseman Luis Valbuena (18) and eft fielder Colby Rasmus (28) and catcher Max Stassi (12) after he hit a three run home run against the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Doodles has led the Astros back to within a run, but what was next? George Springer, who has not hit for much power since his return from the fractured wrist, grounded out to shortstop. Carlos Correa followed with a hit that gets by the third baseman. Jed Lowrie, who has had some big hits recently, strikes out with Correa at first. Two outs in the inning, Doodles makes another appearance that leads to Rasmus getting a walk to get two runners on with the guy I said wasn’t clutch enough earlier in the day.
No one can forget the colossal running mistake that Gattis made in the first inning, but he stepped up to the plate in the seventh inning looking to rectify for his earlier mistake. The fans were on their feet; the Gattis hits a towering homer to right field as fans all across the stadium were kissing their Gattis bobbleheads. Not only did Gattis get a homer when the Astros were trailing, but he gave them a two-run lead with one swing.
With that one swing of the bat by Gattis, he has brought Crush City back to its former glory. Max Stassi added a homer, and Springer drove in another run with a sacrifice fly to make it 10-6. After a week of futility, the Astros finally break through.
The Astros gained some confidence and finally got the win that they desperately needed. The Astros still control their own destiny in the wild-card race, they just have to play solid baseball and take advantage of the other team’s mistakes. They don’t have to win out the rest of the way, but they have to play tough against the division opponents. The Angels and Twins are trying to steal the second wild-card from the Astros. Maybe now that they got to celebrate Club Astros at home again, this team will start having fun again. We can only hope.