A series against the Washington Nationals didn’t start on a high note for the Houston Astros when they lost game one 12-11 on Monday night. Both teams combined to record 23 hits, as Houston’s Mike Burrows tore apart an early 6-1 lead in the fourth inning, ultimately leading to the one-run loss.
In game two, the Astros slowed out the Nationals’ batting line and secured a 6-3 win, improving their record to 46-48.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Washington struck first at the bottom of the opening inning when James Wood led off with a solo home run. The ball given up by Houston starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai traveled 419 feet over the right center-field wall. The Nationals would put two more on base before Daylen Lile went down swinging for his team’s third out.
The Astros responded at the top of the second to tie the game at one. A pitch hit Christian Walker and Cam Smith walked, putting runners on first and second base before Andrew Alvarez could record an out in the frame. Brice Matthew loaded the bases with an infield single, and Nick Allen hit a sacrifice fly into right field, bringing in Walker for the early game-tying run.
At the bottom of the third, the Nationals put multiple runners in scoring position when Wood walked and advanced to third on a Luis Garcia Jr single. A pair of sacrifice ground outs by Curtis Mead and CJ Abrams helped Wood get home for a second time in the game and gave Washington the 2-1 advantage.
Houston followed that by scoring three runs in the following inning and took its first lead of the game. Walker made his way around the bases to third and was a part of the Astros’ second bases-loaded situation, this time with Zach Dezenzo at second and Matthews at first base when he drew a walk. Allen hit a two-RBI single into left field, with he and Matthews both stealing bases to get into scoring position. Matthews also scored on a sac fly by Christian Vasquez, putting the Stros ahead 4-2.
Imai’s day on the mound ended in the fourth when Steven Okert replaced him. The 28-year-old’s final stat line was four hits, two runs, three walks, and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Okert recorded the third out of the inning by punching out Wood.
The Astros extended their lead in the sixth, prompting the Nationals to make their first pitching change of the evening. With one out, Dezenzo walked and stole second before advancing to third base on a pop fly by Matthews. Vasquez hit an RBI single this time, leading to Justin Lawrence taking over on the mound. Alvarez concluded his performance with four hits, five runs, five walks, and three K’s in 5.2 innings of work.
Eyel De Los Santos and Bryan King each pitched an inning, combining to give up two hits, but didn’t surrender a run in 22 total pitches.
Jose Altuve stepped up in the eighth inning and delivered a solo shot over into left-center field. The home run ball on Nationals relief pitcher Riley Cornelio was Altuve’s 10th this season as it put the Astros ahead by four runs.
Houston’s pitching staff prevented any chance of a Washington comeback before the Nationals’ batting lineup ran out of their final six outs. Bryan Abreu posted a similar stat line as De Los Santos and King, and Alimber Santa was the team’s closer in the ninth inning.
Pinch-hitter Jose Tena managed to hit a solo home run with one out on the board. Washington then loaded the bases with a pair of singles by Wood and Mead, and CJ Abrams drew a walk with two outs. Former LSU Tiger Dylan Crews had a chance to keep his team’s chances alive. Josh Hader, who previously allowed the past two base runners, ended the game by striking out Crews and secured Houston the 6-3 win, the 46th of the season for the Astros.
BIG NUMBER: 126
Altuve’s home run tonight may have been the only one of the game for the Astros, but it was the 126th of the season through 94 games. Houston has the third most in the league to this point.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Nick Allen
Allen may not have scored himself, but he ultimately recorded a game-high three RBI on one hit. That helped the Astros bring home the 6-2 win to tie the series with the Nationals.
UP NEXT: Game three between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals will play out on Wednesday, July 8th. The first pitch from Nationals Park is scheduled for 5:45 PM, Astro Launch will begin at 5:15 PM, and the action can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.