The Houston Astros fell 4-0 to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday evening inside Petco Park in San Diego, California. The loss moves Houston to 82-70 overall, still holding the division lead over the Mariners.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
This game was a battle of aces, as Framber Valdez was set to take the ball for Houston against Dylan Cease of the Padres. Both entered play having very good seasons for their respective teams, and runs were set to be at a premium in this one.
That is exactly how this game played out, as both pitchers had their best stuff. Zero for zero, each pitcher matched the other. While Valdez scattered some hits across his first five innings of work, Cease managed not to. He was working on a no-hitter as the game remained scoreless through five innings.
In the bottom of the sixth, the scoreboard finally changed. Manny Machado launched a solo home run on the first pitch he saw from Valdez. That made it 1-0 Padres.
Jason Heyward finally got the first Houston hit, but it did not result in any offense on the board. The Astros could not muster anything against Cease.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Padres would extend the lead. Back-to-back-to-back home runs from Fernando Tatis Jr, Machado, and Donovan Solano all off of Houston reliever Kaleb Ort made it 4-0 San Diego.
That was plenty enough offense for Cease and company. The Astros did find a way to force Cease out in the ninth, but could not find a way into the scoreboard. They fell 4-0.
BIG NUMBER: 0
The Astros put up 0 runs in this one, which is not usually a recipe for success. Cease had his best stuff, and it helped shut down the offense.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Manny Machado
Machado led the way for the Padres offense. His first home run would have been enough, but he added another for insurance purposes.
UP NEXT: The Astros will return home to start a series against the Los Angeles Angels tomorrow night at Minute Maid Park at 7:10. The game can be heard on Newstalk 98.5 FM.