The Houston Astros finally broke their losing streak yesterday in their first home game after a long road trip. After being on the road for a few weeks and coming home with only one win and eight straight losses, this was a much-needed return home.
The Astros faced the Colorado Rockies for the second time this season, this time back in Houston, after being swept by the Rockies in the Mile High City.
The Astros defeated the Rockies in a close 7–6 game, picking up their first win after being swept by the Rockies and Mariners in back-to-back series.
With their pitching staff struggling early this season, they brought up Colton Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land, who became the first left-handed starter the Astros have used this season. Although his performance wasn’t sharp, Houston still managed to win.
Gordon had a tough outing, struggling to miss bats as he allowed eight hits and four earned runs in under four innings of work. He exited in the fourth inning after giving up a two-out solo home run and loading the bases, though the bullpen was able to strand the runners.
Despite another up-and-down pitching performance, the team as a whole had some solid moments at the plate.
Here is a look at some of the Astros highlights:
- Christian Walker started strong with a home run.
- Joey Loperfido followed with his fifth double of the season.
- Vasquez added his fourth double of the season to kick off the third inning, driving one down the line.
- Altuve reached base after an error by the Rockies’ infield, popping one up that Willy Castro dropped.
- With Altuve on first and Vasquez on second, and Yordan Alvarez at the plate, the pitcher was called for a balk, moving both runners into scoring position.
- The pitcher argued he was going to his glove to press the PitchCom button. The umpires ruled it a balk because he typically begins his motion with the ball in his glove, and under the rule, he cannot remove his hand from the glove and re-engage it during that sequence.
- Yordan Alvarez drove in both runners to tie the game.
- Alvarez later scored on a fielder’s choice, giving the Astros their first lead of the night.
- The Astros put together a five-run third inning.
The Rockies attempted to make a comeback with a few home runs, but they couldn’t catch up. The pitching staff is still in a tough spot, and while the win provides a much-needed reset, the Astros still have questions to answer if they want to find consistency going forward and stay competitive enough to avoid watching playoffs from home for a second straight season.