After splitting a home series versus the Los Angeles Angels, the Houston Astros began another series inside of Daikin Park, this time against the New York Yankees. The Pinstripers took an early lead and never let it dwindle as the Stros lost 7-1, dropping their record to 76-63.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Framber Valdez was Houston’s starting pitcher in Tuesday’s matchup. Aaron Judge was the lone Yankee batter to record a hit in the opening frame with a single into center field after Valdez struck out Cody Bellinger. New York would take the lead in the following inning.
At the top of the second, the Pinstripers woke up as Trent Grisham hit a leadoff single. Anthony Volpe followed that up by striking out, but Jazz Chisholm drove in a pair with a two-run home run. The baseball traveled 392 feet over the right-field wall to put New York ahead. Jose Caballero doubled and stole third base to try and score another run with just one out. Valdez ended the inning and left Caballero stranded, however, by punching out Austin Wells and Paul Goldschmidt.
The Astros’ starting line was cold through the first half of the game. Houston didn’t record its first hit until the fifth inning when Cam Smith singled into right field. Before that, the Stros got on base with a couple of walks and also tried to get runners on base with bunts and infield hits, yet it was to no avail.
The Yankees extended their lead in the fifth. Goldschmidt walked after Wells struck out again. Bellinger and Judge followed that up with singles to load the bases. Then, with two outs, Grisham hit a grand slam 358 feet over the left-center field wall to take the 6-0 advantage.
Valdez ended his day after that frame. His final stat line was eight hits, six runs, two home runs, and eight strikeouts. He was replaced by Enyel De Los Santos.
Houston slightly cut into New York’s lead in the sixth when Carlos Correa hit a leadoff single. Christian Walker also singled after Jose Altuve struck out, and Yainer Diaz brought in the first Astros run by hitting into a fielder’s choice at third base.
Max Fried remained on the mound until the eighth inning for New York. Fried allowed four hits, one run, and struck out five in seven innings of work. Paul Blackburn would eventually close out the game for the Pinstripers.
New York put up one more run for good measure in the eighth as Chisholm hit a solo shot 384 feet over the right field wall, putting Houston further in the hole, down by six. That home run was off Astro relief pitcher Steven Okert.
The score was the same the rest of the way as the New York Yankees took down the Houston Astros 7-1, dropping the team’s record to 76-63.
BIG NUMBER: 3
Despite the loss, the Astros still hold a three-game lead in the AL West division. The next closest are the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers right behind with a four-game difference.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jazz Chisholm Jr
Chisholm hit not one but two home runs on Astros pitchers in Tuesday night’s matchup. New York’s second baseman recorded three hits in the game that led to three RBI and a 7-1 loss for Houston, dropping its record to 76-63.
UP NEXT: Game two between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees is set for Wednesday, September 3rd. First pitch from Daikin Park is scheduled for 7:10, and the action can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.