Astros: The Miley Chronicles Vol. 9, Wiley Ending to a Near Perfect Night!

Astros Wade Miley came into his last start hoping to go longer than six innings and limit any damage by a hard-hitting Oakland lineup, and he did just that.

The Houston Astros have been able to depend on the lefty, who is characterized as a soft throwing left-hander. Regardless of the high 80’s to low 90’s, and this may be no big deal to the average fan, what Miley has done this year is nothing short of extraordinary.

Wade Miley would take not only a no-hitter but a perfect game into the 6th inning. Regardless of giving up a hit he still didn’t allow a run till the 9th inning. Prior to the 8th inning, he had some great highlights.

Inning 1 –  3 up, 3 down in the 1st inning, Semien, Chapman, and Olson all went down swinging.

Inning 2 and 3 – Struck out two batters while retiring the others on soft contact with grounders and fly balls.

Inning 4-5  – Wade Miley retired six straight Oakland A’s

Inning 6 – Began the inning retiring the 1st batter and then he allowed a hit, one of only two he would surrender all night. Soon after, he retired the next two batters.

Inning 7-8  – Wade walked one and allowed only the second hit of the game. Going into the 9th inning, things seemed to be moving rather nicely for the “soft throwing” lefty.

As it is known, when a pitcher finishes an inning and ultimately an outing, A.J. Hinch will shake the pitcher’s hand signaling that his night is over. As Wade Miley entered the dugout, there was no handshake, there wasn’t even much discussion. Hinch had made up his mind he was going to dance with the one that got him and the Astros to this point.

Wade Miley entered the 9th inning and things turned less than favorable. Marcus Semien walked and Matt Chapman would single putting two men on with no outs. A.J. Hinch was then forced to bring in his closer Roberto Osuna to seal the deal.

The first batter that Osuna faced was Matt Olson who Miley began the game striking out swinging. Olson would take Osuna to deep right field and give the A’s the lead. Two of those three runs were credited to Miley as earned runs since he was responsible for putting them on. Despite the amazing performance and tying the ball game up in the 9th, the Houston Astros eventually fell 4-3.

Brian McTaggart would report after the game from the clubhouse gathering the following statements.

"Wade Miley added his thoughts as well in the same post game session: “Pretty frustrating,” he said. “That walk can’t happen there in the ninth. I’ve got to go at him. If he hits a homer, he hits a homer. The walk right there, that’s it for me.”AJ Hinch offered his support. “He was outstanding,” Hinch said. “His aggressiveness the first eight innings of the game was spectacular. He lost a little bit of that aggressiveness and was trying to guide the ball a little bit in the ninth. Lost the at-bat with Chapman with two strikes. It doesn’t take away from how well he threw the ball.”"

This was one of those games, that even though the home team took the loss, there were several things to draw positives from. With the Astros looking at the market to add another pitcher, they do know that Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Wade Miley provide this team with consistent quality outings each time they take the mound.