In baseball, inches can sometimes count, and the Houston Astros lost to the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 on Saturday afternoon. Rookie Colton Cowser’s soft grounder to first base was fielded by Astros first baseman Jon Singleton, but Singleton’s lack of ambition proved to be the deciding factor in another one-run loss.
Cowser slid to first base ahead of Singleton and loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rookie Jackson Holliday came in as a pinch hitter and delivered. Holliday hit a bases-clearing double to right-center field against Astros relief pitcher Taylor Scott, ending an 0-for-20 hitless streak just in time.
Houston Astros can’t help Valdez
Entering the sixth inning, the Houston Astros were up 2-0 after solo home runs by Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena. It was the second game in a row in which both players hit home runs. But the Astros’ offense could no longer do anything against the Baltimore pitchers.
“I’ve been here before,” Holliday said, according to the Associated Press. Holliday struggled through a 2-for-34 start in the major leagues before being sent back to Triple A. “Obviously it’s not great, but that first experience is helpful. I don’t really think about it too much. I hit some balls hard, just didn’t have much luck.”
Orioles relief pitcher Keegan Akin (3-0) earned the win. Relief pitcher Siranthony Dominguez threw a scoreless ninth inning for his fifth save and second in two days.
Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez (13-6) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He managed one walk and struck out eight times, but at times seemed frustrated with home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz. Valdez sometimes tended to get rattled by umpire decisions that didn’t go in his favor.
Cowser was all smiles after the game as he looked back on his hurried play down the first base line. “It’s a pretty unconventional thing – you don’t really learn it,” he said. “Instincts just take over.”
With the win, the Baltimore Orioles moved closer to the New York Yankees, who are in first place in the American League East Division. But the Orioles have had some dry spells of their own. In their last 57 games, Baltimore has a 27-30 record and has struggled with injuries.
But now they’re recording a comeback win against the Houston Astros for the second game in a row. On Friday night, Anthony Santander hit a grand slam home run to take the lead against Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu.
Hector Neris moves to Astros
Yordan Alvarez missed his second consecutive game due to neck stiffness. Houston Astros manager Joe Espada will have to wait and see how his hard-hitting outfielder-designated hitter feels on Sunday. Alvarez took a few swings in the batting cage before Saturday’s game but did not come off the bench. Alex Bregman returned to his position as third baseman and appeared to be feeling better after his elbow inflammation.
Fortunately, the Astros were able to maintain their lead in the American League West Division. The Seattle Mariners continued their losing streak on Saturday at T-Mobile Park, losing 4-3 to the San Francisco Giants. Houston had actually hoped to extend its lead.
The Astros have signed reliever Hector Neris for the remainder of the season. Neris joined the Astros on Saturday in Baltimore. Earlier in the season, Neris signed a $9 million free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs. But his efforts apparently didn’t fit into the Cubs’ plans, so he was released on Wednesday. It wasn’t long before Neris’ phone received a call from Astros general manager Dana Brown.
“It’s exciting,” Neris said, according to MLB.com. “It makes me happy to be here with the guys I’ve been with for the last two years. I had a good relationship and the team made history for my life. Hopefully we can maybe do that again here.”
Espada was happy to see Neris back in the bullpen. He has another experienced pitcher on the team who knows Astros baseball. “The guys were excited to have him back,” Espada said. “His leadership, the energy he brings, that’s something we’re excited about. It was like the first day of school. He was super excited to see his friends and teammates, and (we’re) super excited to have him on the team.”
Reliever Kaleb Ort was also removed from the paternity list. To make room for Neris and Ort, pitchers Seth Martinez and Shawn Dubin were sent back to Triple-A Sugar Land. Infielder Jacob Amaya was designated for assignment.
The Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles will play their four-game series under floodlights on ESPN’s Sunday night baseball from Camden Yards. Yusei Kikuchi (6-9) starts for the Astros against Dean Kremer (6-9) for Baltimore.
