Astros: Straw continues leadoff campaign in loss to Mets

The Houston Astros fell in a close seven-inning matchup against the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday. Manager Dusty Baker finally threw out two regular season starters with Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier hitting the bump, while Myles Straw continued his on base campaign.

The Mets’ only runs came off solo home runs from Jeff McNeil and Albert Almora that gave them a 2-0 victory in a more-or-less quiet game at the plate for the Astros. Not an eventful game in the end for either side, but the Astros pitching excelled at getting out of jams.

Myles Straw singled and stole second for the Astros against the Mets.

After the loss of George Springer, the leadoff spot has been an unknown for Houston moving forward, but Straw continues to get on base. The right-hander has three singles in his four spring at bats, while his only out was a line out at the warning track. Straw would steal second base; that wouldn’t warrant a throw from Mets catcher James McCann, and even though this is spring training, this aggressiveness from Straw is a good sign.

The Mets showed some glimpses of life at the plate with two long balls coming from McNeil and Almora, but their combined five hits only totaled for two runs. Marcus Stroman was dealing for the Mets, as he went two innings, striking out two batters. The Astros bats were held to four total hits by New York pitchers.

Valdez, Javier, Carson LaRue, Johanse Torres and Austin Hanson combined for seven total strike outs in an overall decent day for Astros pitching, although only having two bad pitches. The Mets did win the game in the top of the seventh but were given another chance to bat for further player evaluations in the bottom of the inning. The Astros did test outfielder Steven Souza Jr. at first base during the late innings; another example of Houston testing versatility in players.

The Astros are back on the field on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals at 5:05 pm in West Palm Beach. While the game will not be televised, the scheduled pitchers are: Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Brooks Raley, Tyler Ivey and Enoli Paredes. The game will be broadcasted on 790 AM in the Houston area.