Astros AM: Hustletown Move Up in Wild Card Chase!

Bregman was an unlikely hero in last night’s Astros win!

It was beginning to look like another September game for the Houston Astros early in the game. Felix Hernandez looked like he had control of the game with the Mariners leading 4-2 after five innings. Hernandez did allow the two runs in the first inning but settled down until the sixth inning.

The inning started with back to back singles by Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. These two players and George Springer have played on top of their game recently. Evan Gattis has been hot as well, but he struck out in the sixth inning for the first out. Yulieski Gurriel has been a ground-ball hitter, but not in a good way.

Gurriel hit a ground ball that was set up for a double play, but a throwing error by Ketel Marte changed the outcome of the game. Altuve scored the third run of the game allowing the Astros to start a run with two outs. They went on to score six runs in the sixth inning, only two of the runs were earned. This proved to be the difference in the game for the Astros.

Down 4-3, Hinch made a bold move and pulled Jason Castro with two runners on. With Gattis in the game as the designated hitter, you would have maybe expected Max Stassi to come in. Instead, up walks Alex Bregman who was sitting with a strained hamstring. Bregman, being the stud he is, get’s a crucial RBI single to score Gurriel to tie the game. The crowd went wild, and Bregman had his trademark smile on his face.

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With Bregman still nursing the hammy, Hinch wasted no time getting Stassi in the game. Springer and Marwin Gonzalez got big hits later in the inning that put the Astros ahead for good.

Mike Fiers pitched his type of game, he went five innings and gave up four runs. While he wasn’t on his game last night, he did keep the Mariners from getting too big a lead. The bullpen came into the game and pitched shutout ball the rest of the way.

With the win, the Astros pull within 2.5 games of the Baltimore Orioles. With the Blue Jays pulling away a little for the first Wild Card slot, the Tigers and Orioles are the Stros main competition. While it is highly unlikely that things will break Houston’s way, we are still in it until we have an ‘E’ in the elimination column.

Next: Astros: Alex Bregman, Brady Rodgers earn Minor League awards

Today is the last home game of the 2016 season, with that, it means the end of Tal’s Hill. Unfortunately, I was not able to buy a photo voucher for one last picture with Tal’s Hill. However, I will be bringing one of Tal’s Hills’ panels home with me soon. See you at the game in a few hours, go Stros.

***Stats and descriptions from MLB At-Bat App***