Astros: Brad Peacock’s double yesterday was a piece of fine hitting

Brad Peacock’s performance yesterday helped the Astros in more ways than one.

The Astros won a baseball game yesterday to the tune of 9-to-4. Their opponent was the Diamondbacks. That’s not what I want to write about.

Instead, I want to write about one particular at-bat. Specifically Brad Peacock’s at-bat in the third inning.

First, let me set the scene.

Brad Peacock, the Astros starting pitcher, stepped up to the plate in the top of the third inning. There were two fellow Astros on-base, George Springer and Jake Marisnick. Anthony Banda was the pitcher for the Diamondbacks. He already surrendered five runs on 61 pitches. He already had two outs and needed a third to get out of the jam.

Can I use the term “jam” in this situation?

Regardless if it’s in context or not, I am using the term.

On an 1-0 count, Peacock steps forward to see the second offering of the at-bat.

Banda prepares to throw his pitch. Surely, he can get the pitcher out. After all, he got Peacock called out on strikes in his first at-bat. The expectation was Banda would more than likely get the out he needed to escape the inning.

Banda then throws his pitch, which was a 92 MPH fastball. So far, so good for the Diamondbacks pitcher.

Peacock then takes a swing. Who could’ve guessed the outcome coming next?

Contact! But what could happen? This is a pitcher swinging the bat, after all.

Sure enough, Peacock deposited the hit in right field at a 91.1 MPH clip. Remeber the pitch was a 92 MPh fastball. Essentially, this was the “What the crap just happened” portion of the game.

Springer came around to score easily. Marisnick for some reason decided to slide headfirst at home plate. Not a big deal, but slightly interesting.

The damage was now done. Banda had surrendered seven runs to the Astros. In case you haven’t noticed, Houston hasn’t had much success scoring runs in August.

Then we have this face of pure joy from Peacock. Can I call it pure joy? Maybe restrained joy?

Next: Another rumor about the Astros and Justin Verlander

Anyway, good for Peacock on collecting his first RBIs as a batter in the major leagues. In his 18th major league plate appearance. He made his major league debut in 2011. Yes, this was a long time coming.