Release by the Houston Astros.

Photo by Troy Taormina-Imagn Images/Reuters; Logos via sportslogos.net

The Houston Astros lost the Chicago White Sox 7-3 on Wednesday afternoon inside Daikin Park in the American League Wild Card Series. With the loss, the Astros are eliminated, dropping the series 2-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Astros started Hunter Brown, their ace, in a do-or-die situation. Brown, however, had as bad an outing as you could have imagined. He would allow five hits and four runs while the Astros’ defense made two errors behind him. After recording just two outs, Brown was pulled for yesterday’s starter, AJ Blubaugh. Chicago led 4-0 at that point.

The White Sox went with Sean Burke, who had to sit through that long top of the first. He promptly gave up a leadoff home run to Jeremy Pena, cutting the Chicago lead to 4-1.

The Houston offense would chip away throughout the early frames. A solo home run by Cam Smith made it 4-2, and then Jose Altuve hit one of his own to make it 4-3.

Despite the momentum, the Astros never fully climbed out of the early hole. They had the bases loaded with Altuve up, but could not capitalize.

In the sixth, the White Sox extended the lead. Chase Meidroth launched a three-run shot off of Bryan Abreu, making it a 7-3 lead.

The Astros’ offense was unable to put anything together in the late stages. The White Sox held on and swept the series.

BIG NUMBER: 28

The home run for Altuve was the 28th Postseason long ball of his career. That now ranks him second all-time, trailing Manny Ramirez by just one.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Chase Meidroth

Despite Houston’s comeback attempt, Meidroth put together the biggest at bat of the game. His three run shot extended the lead and gave Chicago the breathing room they needed.

UP NEXT: The Astros begin the offseason. They will return in 2027 to ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles!

Photo by Troy Taormina-Imagn Images/Reuters; Logos via sportslogos.net

HOUSTON — The Houston Astros went with a bullpen-game approach on Tuesday, and it didn’t work.

Because they did not clinch the American League West Division title until the final day of the season, Houston was unable to use their top two starting pitchers in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the visiting Chicago White Sox.

Instead, the team went with using relievers to start the game, and it proved costly, as White Sox plated three runs in the first two innings on the way to a 6-3 victory at Daikin Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Houston’s AJ Blubaugh struggled with finding the strike zone as he walked Chicago’s leadoff hitter Sam Antonacci. He did get Kyle Teel to ground out, but the issue was first baseman Christian Walker hit Antonacci with the throw to second. That allowed him to advance to third. A sacrifice fly by Munetaka Murakami scored Antonacci.

After Blubaugh walked Andrew Benintendi, Astros skipper Joe Espada pulled him for Bryan King. King got Tristan Peters to strike out to get out of the jam.

Things went from bad to worse in the second inning.

Back-to-back singles by Braden Montgomery and Chase Meidroth led off the frame; King then plucked Colson Montgomery — with two strikes — to load the bases. Antonacci then laced a single to left to bring home two runs. Teel then followed with a single to right to load the bases with no outs. King was then pulled for Miguel Ullola.

Ullola came in and got three straight outs, including back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame.

The White Sox added another run in the fourth as Montgomery hit a leadoff home run to extend the lead to 4-0 and then another run in the fifth.

Houston finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth as Nelson Velazquez hit a two-out, two-run home run into the Crawford Boxes.

Chicago responded in the top of the seventh as Houston’s Bennett Sousa gave up back-to-back singles, a sac bunt, and then a wild pitch plated a run. Another wild pitch advanced the runners, but Sousa managed to get a double play to get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, Jeremy Pena reached on a one-out single, and then Yordan Alvarez hit a single as well. After a strikeout by Parades, Jose Altuve hit a ground ball and made it safely to first as Murakami came off the bag, which allowed Pena to score.

With two runners on, Yanier Diaz came to the plate, but the Astros catcher struck out looking.

BIG NUMBER I: 49 Astros reliever AJ Blubaugh started the game but failed to get out of the first inning. He lasted two-thirds of an inning, throwing 27 pitches, walking three batters, and giving up one run (unearned). Bryan King also struggled, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and recording one out. Houston’s first two pitchers combined for three outs while throwing 49 pitches.

BIG NUMBER II: 13 The two teams both went with the bullpen approach and combined to throw 13 different pitchers, with Houston leading the way by utilizing eight different arms in the game.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: NELSON VELAZQUEZ In a game that lacked hitting for the Astros, Velazquez brought the fans inside Daikin Park to their feet on Tuesday afternoon. In the bottom of the fifth, Velazquez pinch-hit for Taylor Trammell and blasted a pitch from Sean Newcomb into the left-field stands for a two-run home run. It was the first pinch-hit home run by an Astro in the postseason since 2005.

UP NEXT: Houston (0-1) will take on Chicago in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. and can be heard live on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.

Class 5A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Karr (10)                                      4-0                                   131                1

2. Ruston                                         3-1                                    116                 2

3. St. Augustine (1)                         4-0                                    114                 4

4. Archbishop Rummel                   4-0                                      98                6

5. Brother Martin                            4-0                                      73                8

6. John Curtis                                  2-2                                      71                5

7. Alexandria                                  3-1                                       69                3

8. St. Thomas More                        3-1                                       57               NR

9. Acadiana                                     3-1                                      30                7

10. West Monroe                             3-1                                      29              NR

Others receiving votes: Jesuit 22, Catholic-Baton Rouge 15, Mandeville 11, Ouachita 11, Barbe 5, Central 5, Thibodaux 1.

Class 4A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Westgate (8)                                4-0                                   128                1

2. Neville (2)                                  3-1                                    117                3

3. North DeSoto (1)                        4-0                                   111                 2

4. Archbishop Shaw                        3-1                                     99                4

5. Lake Charles Prep                      4-0                                      91                5

6. Franklin Parish                           3-1                                      74                6

7. Madison Prep                              2-2                                      63                7

8. John F. Kennedy                         3-1                                      58                8

9. Belle Chasse                               4-0                                      31                9

10. Cecilia                                       3-1                                     27                10

Others receiving votes: Plaquemine 26, Opelousas 22, Salmen 13, Lafayette Renaissance 11, Leesville 1.

Class 3A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. St. James (9)                               4-0                                  130                   1

2. St. Charles (2)                             3-1                                  123                   2

3. Jena                                              3-1                                 105                   4

4. University                                    2-2                                    89                  5

5. Sterlington                                   2-2                                    86                  3

6. Jewel Sumner                              3-1                                    76                   7

7. Loyola Prep                                 3-1                                    66                   8

8. Marksville                                   4-0                                     61                  9

9. Eunice                                          4-0                                    37                 10

10. West Feliciana                           4-0                                     35                 NR

Others receiving votes: Vandebilt Catholic 28, Iowa 12, Northwest 7, Jennings 3, Carroll 1.

Class 2A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Calvary Baptist (11)                            4-0                       132                1

2. Notre Dame                                        4-0                        117                3

3. Mangham                                            3-1                       105                4

4. Dunham                                              2-2                          98                2

5. Lafayette Christian Academy             3-1                          92                6

6. Amite                                                  3-1                          75                5

7. Newman                                             3-1                          58               10

8. Catholic-New Iberia                           2-2                          46                8

9. Lake Arthur                                         4-0                         38               NR

10. Mansfield                                          3-1                         36                9

Others receiving votes: Oak Grove 33, Loreauville 10, Covenant Christian 5, Kinder 4, Vinton 3, West St. Mary 3, Country Day 1, Green Oaks 1, Homer 1.

Class 1A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Ouachita Christian (7)                         4-0                       128                 1

2. Riverside Academy (4)                       4-0                       124                  2

3. Ascension Catholic                             4-0                       111                  3

4. Haynesville                                         3-1                        84                  5

5. Logansport                                          4-0                        82                  6

6. Southern Lab                                       3-0                        70                 7

7. Kentwood                                           4-0                         69                 8

8. Jeanerette                                            3-1                         57                 4

9. Westminster-Lafayette                        4-0                        48                  9

10. Cedar Creek                                       4-0                      35                 10

Others receiving votes: East Feliciana 20, South Plaquemines 11, Ascension Episcopal 6, Catholic-Pointe Coupee 4, St. Mary’s 1.

The Astros celebrated the AL West Title on Sunday — Photo by Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images/Reuters

It took until the final day of the regular season, but the Houston Astros have won the American League West for the eighth time in ten years.

After a roller coaster of a season, it was fitting that Houston’s record finished with an identical 81 wins and 81 losses. They entered the final week of the season neck and neck with the Texas Rangers.

Houston had the head-to-head tiebreaker, meaning they just needed to finish with the same record to earn the nod of division champs and advance to the playoffs.

With Texas and Houston both 80-81 going into the final day of the season, the division came down to the final day. Houston took advantage of the opportunity, defeating the A’s 9-0. In addition, the Rangers fell to the Twins, meaning the Astros won the division by a full game.

With the division title, Houston earns the #3 seed in the American League playoffs. They will host a Best-of-Three series inside Daikin Park against the #6 seed, the Chicago White Sox.

Games one and two are set for 4:00 on Tuesday, September 29th and Wednesday, September 30th. You can listen to both games on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Mariners handed the ball to George Kirby. Kirby navigated through the first inning without allowing a run.

The Astros went with Ethan Pecko, the rookie who has helped out big time down the stretch. Pecko also made it through the first inning clean.

Houston got on the board in the top of the third. Jose Altuve brought in a run with an RBI single, then Isaac Paredes had a sacrifice fly and Yainer Diaz capped the frame with a two-run homer. The Astros took a 4-0 lead.

The lead was cut into immediately. Seattle struck back with three runs of their own. Dominic Canzone drove in two with Julio Rodriguez bringing home the other, making it 4-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, Seattle tied the game. They did so on a Canzone RBI single, making the game 4-4 with both teams working on bullpens.

This battle stayed tied into the ninth, with neither team able to go ahead. Into extra innings, the Astros struck first. Diaz tripled home a run to make it 5-4 in favor of Houston.

The Astros asked Josh Hader to get six outs in this one after he had pitched a scoreless ninth. He ran into trouble in the bottom of the tenth, walking in the tying run. Then, Josh Naylor walked it off for Seattle.

BIG NUMBER: 4

The Astros’ magic number is at four, as they failed to capitalize on an opportunity that would have put them a full game up on the Rangers in the AL West.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Dominic Canzone

Canzone delivered for Seattle, driving in three and leading the way offensively.

UP NEXT: The Astros head to Sacramento to finish the regular season with a four-game series against the A’s beginning tomorrow.

The Houston Astros lost to the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Wednesday night inside Daikin Park. With the loss, Houston is no longer in solo first place in the American League West.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After a series-opening victory for the Astros (76-76) on Tuesday night, Cristian Javier got the ball in this contest. Javier walked the first two he faced, but got out of the jam in the first.

The Royals (67-85) countered with left-hander Daniel Lynch IV. Lynch allowed a leadoff double, but stranded that runner and kept the game scoreless.

The game stayed scoreless until the fourth inning. In that frame, John Rave hit a two-run home run for the Royals, giving them a 2-0 advantage.

The Astros offense continued to struggled as they have in this series, except for Jeremy Pena. Pena began this game 3-3, making him 6-7 in the series. The rest of the team, however, had just one hit through the first game plus six innings of this one.

While the Astros’ offense continued to struggle, the Royals eventually broke this game open. Michael Massey homered and two more runs came across later in the eighth inning, giving Kansas City a 5-0 lead.

The Houston offense put together single runs in the eighth and ninth innings, including a solo shot from Yainer Diaz. However, it was too little and too late. Kansas City held on for the 5-2 win.

BIG NUMBER: 0

The Astros’ loss coupled with a Rangers’ win means that the division lead has been erased. Houston still leads virtually due to the head-to-head tiebreaker over Texas, but they will need to win some games down the stretch in order to make the postseason.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Daniel Lynch IV

The Royals’ pitching staff has continued to stifle Houston. Lynch went five scoreless innings in this one, keeping his team in front and getting help from the bullpen in the victory for KC.

UP NEXT: The Astros and Royals will conclude their three-game series tomorrow night at 6:15 PM. The game can be heard on Newstalk 98.5 FM.

The Houston Astros lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 11-7 on Tuesday night inside Citizens Bank Park. The Astros drop to 74-72 on the year, still sitting two games clear of the Texas Rangers in first place in the AL West.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Phillies turned to their top statistical pitcher, Christopher Sanchez, to start the game. The only damage he allowed in the first inning was a single to Yordan Alvarez.

Houston countered with its staff ace, Hunter Brown, who faced the minimum in the bottom of the first.

Much like Tuesday’s game, Houston wasted little time jumping out to an early lead.

With two outs in the top of the third, Alvarez ripped a double off the right-center field wall, scoring Cam Smith from third. Isaac Paredes followed with a two-run homer over the left side of the center-field wall.

Jose Altuve came up next and doubled to center field for his 2,500th career hit. A few batters later, Yainer Diaz brought Altuve home with a single up the middle, giving Houston a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.

The lead wouldn’t last long. Philadelphia strung together five consecutive singles in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs to tie the game.

Houston answered in the top of the fourth when Smith launched a two-run homer to center field, putting Houston back in front 6-4.

Trea Turner cut the deficit to one with a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the fifth, making it 6-5.

What had been a close game quickly unraveled in the bottom of the sixth as Philadelphia erupted for six runs.

Bryan King relieved Brown and allowed one run before manager Joe Espada went to A.J. Blubaugh. Blubaugh didn’t fare any better, walking in a run before giving up a grand slam to Kyle Schwarber that gave Philadelphia an 11-6 lead.

Paredes brought Houston one run closer with an RBI single in the seventh, but it wouldn’t be enough as Philadelphia held on for the 11-7 win.

BIG NUMBER: 2500

Jose Altuve registered his 2,500th career hit with a double off of Cristopher Sanchez to center field.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kyle Schwarber

In a high-scoring game, Kyle Schwarber delivered the biggest hit of the night with a grand slam in the sixth inning. The blast put Philadelphia up by five runs and all but sealed the win for the Phillies.

UP NEXT: The Astros and Phillies will play midday tomorrow at 12:05 PM. The action can be heard on our sister station, Newstalk 98.5 FM/1520 AM.

The Houston Astros were defeated by the Chicago White Sox 5-1 on Tuesday night inside Daikin Park. With the loss, the Astros lead in the AL West is back down to just one game.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Astros (70-69) went with Ronel Blanco on the mound, who was just called back up from AAA. Blanco was able to post a zero in the first.

The White Sox (73-65) countered with Sean Burke. After a couple of walks to start the game, Burke worked out of trouble to keep things scoreless.

Blanco would give the Astros four scoreless innings in his return to the big leagues. The lone problem was pitch count, as Blanco ran it up to 88 pitches across those four frames. He gave way to the Houston bullpen for the fifth, which is when the White Sox got on the board.

Chicago took the lead on an Andrew Benintendi RBI single. Then, they kept the scoring going with a two-run double by Colson Montgomery. That gave them a 3-0 lead halfway through the game.

Meanwhile, Burke settled in and was excellent on the mound. He would go five and two-thirds scoreless, allowing just one hit while striking out six Astros.

Chicago would extend their lead to 5-0 after a two-run double by Randal Grichuk.

Houston’s lone run of the contest came on a solo shot from Isaac Paredes. However, the White Sox cruised to a 5-1 victory.

BIG NUMBER: 3

The Astros’ offense struggled on this night, getting just three hits. They scored only one run and never found their footing against the Chicago pitching staff.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Colon Montgomery

Montgomery went 2-4 and drove in two for the White Sox in this game. He helped pace the offense in a victory.

UP NEXT: The Astros and White Sox will play again at 7:10 PM tomorrow night. You can listen to the action on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.

The Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 9-7 on Tuesday night inside Yankee Stadium. The win came in the first game since the Astros and General Manager Dana Brown parted ways.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Yankees (74-57) went with Will Warren on the mound, who entered play 8-6 with a 4.43 ERA. Warren gave up a couple of singles in the first but worked around them and got it to the bottom half scoreless.

The Astros (66-66) countered with youngster Ethan Pecko, making just his second Big League start. He allowed a two-out single but also held the Yankees without a first inning run.

The Astros would get on the board first, scoring single tallies in the second and third innings. In the second, Yainer Diaz hit a solo shot to left. Then, Daulton Varsho drove in another with an RBI single, giving Houston a 2-0 lead.

That two-run advantage was short-lived. In the bottom of the third, New York got themselves on the board. Cody Bellinger hit a three-run homer to give the Yankees their first lead of the night at 3-2.

Varsho delivered another RBI hit for Houston in the fifth, bringing home the tying run to make it even once more at 3-3.

New York added a pair in the bottom of the fifth when Luis Garcia Jr hit a two-run home run. Those two runs were answered by a Jeremy Pena two-run shot in the top of the sixth. The score was tied 5-5 when the dust settled.

The theme of the Yankees taking the lead and Astros answering back happened again in the late innings. Garcia Jr drove home the go ahead run for New York in the bottom of the seventh. However, Diaz hit his second homer of the night in the eighth to even it up 6-6.

The Astros finally gained another lead in this one in the eighth. Yordan Alvarez registered an RBI triple on his third hit of the night. Then, Isaac Paredes followed that with an RBI single to give Houston an 8-6 advantage.

Both teams added single runs in their next at-bats, making the score 9-7. Josh Hader was able to execute a four-out save, clinching an important win for the Astros.

BIG NUMBER: 9

The Astros offense came to life in this game, banging out 14 hits and scoring nine runs in the victory. The nine runs scored marks the most in a game for Houston since August 14th when they scored 10 against the Mariners.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Yainer Diaz

Diaz was huge for Houston in this one. He slugged two homers and also drove home a run in the ninth with an RBI hit. His nine total bases and three RBIs helped the Astros get the victory.

UP NEXT: The Astros and Yankees will play again tomorrow night at 6:05 PM. You can listen to the action on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.