Astros AM Breakdown: Max Stassi showing off again in win

The Astros may need their brooms Sunday in Arlington as the team goes for the road sweep of the Rangers.

Charlie Morton has been a critical reason behind the Astros‘ early success this season. But every pitcher will eventually have a rough start or two, no matter the past success. Morton’s start on Saturday evening is proof.

Morton’s stat line on 6/9

• 3.2 IP
• 1 H
• 2 R/1 ER
• 6 BB
• 4 SO
• 87 pitches-47 strikes

The six walks were a season-high, and career-high, for Morton. But the kicker in the outing was the four batters he hit throughout the course of the game. Again, a season-high and career-high. The start was even historic, but not for the right reasons.

Thankfully for him, the Astros offense and bullpen stepped up.

Over the course of the final 5.1 innings, the Astros’ bullpen held the Rangers’ lineup to three hits, one run, and four walks. Brad Peacock, Tony Sipp, and Chris Devenski also combined for six strikeouts while Hector Rondon earned his second save of the season.

Max Stassi provided some offensive firepower with an impressive 466 foot home run.

And here is video proof.

https://twitter.com/astros/status/1005620492026437633

Houston’s catcher also scored two runs, which provided a spark to the lineup still missing Carlos Correa. George Springer, Yuli Gurriel, and Tony Kemp each had two hits apiece while Alex Bregman also picked an RBI.

On the season, Stassi now has a .839 OPS in 37 games with the Astros. To show how far Stassi has come in 2018, let’s compare home runs for a second.

2013 to 2017: 3 home runs in 79 at-bats

2018: 6 home runs in 108 at-bats

Left-handed reliever Sipp turned in another solid outing with three strikeouts in one inning while allowing a walk. He now has a 2.63 ERA in 13.2 innings with 14 strikeouts this season.

On the day he was announced as Houston’s MiLB Player of the Month in May, Randy Cesar also extended his consecutive game hit streak to 31 games on Saturday night.

If this level of play continues, Cesar will become more of a household name to Houston fans.

Houston Astros News and Notes From Around FanSided

Astros: Could Charlie Morton be retiring after the season? 

Houston Astros: Is Ken Giles still a reliable late-inning option? 

"Houston Astros fans have seen this before. During his two-and-a-half years in Houston, Ken Giles has shown inconsistency in late innings. But has he lost any of the team’s trust?"

Houston Astros: How the team can weather a Carlos Correa injury

"After getting checked out by doctors on Thursday, there is nothing unusual about his soreness or discomfort. He is no longer feeling any soreness or discomfort in his side. Correa hopes to play very soon. GREAT NEWS!"

Houston Astros: First round selection is the first baseman of the future

"With their first selection of the 2018 MLB draft, the Houston Astros selected Seth Beer out of Clemson University. Let’s dive into his potential impact on this organization."

More Houston Astros and General Baseball News From Around the Internet

3 Santa Fe High School shooting survivors play in Dirk Nowitzki’s celebrity baseball game 

Author Note: Not specifically Astros-related, but a positive experience for three Santa Fe High School shooting survivors. 

"Three Santa Fe High School shooting survivors took to the baseball field in a celebrity game in Dallas."

The Astros’ Bizarro World Ace Reliever: Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet Tony Sipp.

"Is he (Tony Sipp) the Prodigal LOOGY come home, or just a little lucky lately?"

Let’s Stop Pretending That Pitchers Can Hit 

"Sadly, not everyone is Shohei Ohtani: Pitcher hitting has never been worse, and it’s time to evolve beyond MLB’s vestigial limb and bring the DH to the National League"

Shohei Ohtani’s elbow injury not only a blow to the Angels, but all of baseball 

"The news was gut-wrenching, not just to the Los Angeles Angels, but for all of  Major League Baseball."

Next: Astros: Randy Cesar named organization’s May MiLB Player of the Month

We hope you enjoyed this edition of Astros AM Breakdown.

**Statistics and information courtesy of FanGraphs, MLB.com and MiLB.com**

Shohei Ohtani’s elbow injury not only a blow to the Angels, but all of baseball