Houston Astros<\/a> lost 14-4 and were swept in a three-game series by the Rays, who own the best record in the American League. They fell back to .500 with Sunday\u2019s dismantling at 75-75, their AL West lead down to 1\u00bd games over the Rangers, pending Texas\u2019 result, with 12 games left in their season.<\/p>\nArticle continues below this ad<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is (frustrating), but we\u2019ve got to just quickly forget about that,\u201d said second baseman Jose Altuve. \u201cWe know how to overcome stuff. Sometimes we\u2019re going to play good, sometimes not, but that\u2019s baseball. But like I said, we\u2019re really good at coming back from losing streaks and I don\u2019t see any reason why we\u2019re not going to do it now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Houston
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\nBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nAvg.<\/p>\n
Totals
\n31
\n4
\n4
\n4
\n6
\n7<\/p>\n
Pe\u00f1a ss
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.268<\/p>\n
a-Allen ph-ss
\n2
\n2
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n.279<\/p>\n
Alvarez dh
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n1
\n.310<\/p>\n
b-Vel\u00e1zquez ph-dh
\n2
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n.198<\/p>\n
Paredes 3b
\n3
\n1
\n1
\n2
\n1
\n0
\n.260<\/p>\n
Altuve 2b
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.245<\/p>\n
Diaz c
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n2
\n.276<\/p>\n
Varsho cf
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.225<\/p>\n
Wade 1b
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.205<\/p>\n
Walker 1b
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n.225<\/p>\n
Barrosa cf
\n2
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.203<\/p>\n
Smith rf
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.216<\/p>\n
Trammell lf
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n2
\n.204<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\nBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nAvg.<\/p>\n
Totals
\n40
\n14
\n15
\n13
\n2
\n5<\/p>\n
D\u00edaz dh
\n5
\n2
\n2
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n.301<\/p>\n
Aranda 1b
\n4
\n2
\n2
\n3
\n1
\n2
\n.278<\/p>\n
Caminero 3b
\n4
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.279<\/p>\n
Vilade 3b
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.260<\/p>\n
Mesa rf
\n5
\n3
\n3
\n2
\n0
\n1
\n.261<\/p>\n
Simpson lf
\n5
\n1
\n1
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n.305<\/p>\n
DeLuca cf
\n5
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.263<\/p>\n
Palacios 2b
\n4
\n2
\n2
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n.235<\/p>\n
Madrigal ss
\n4
\n1
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.275<\/p>\n
Fortes c
\n3
\n1
\n1
\n2
\n1
\n0
\n.264<\/p>\n
Houston
\n000
\n002
\n020_4
\n4
\n1<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay
\n304
\n220
\n30x_14
\n15
\n0<\/p>\n
a-walked for Pe\u00f1a in the 6th. b-flied out for Alvarez in the 6th.<\/p>\n
E_Pe\u00f1a (11). LOB_Houston 6, Tampa Bay 4. 2B_Barrosa (12), Caminero (22), Mesa (6). 3B_Mesa (3). HR_Paredes (21), off Hopkins; Allen (3), off Legumina; Vel\u00e1zquez (6), off Legumina; Palacios (10), off Wesneski; Aranda (20), off De Los Santos; Fortes (5), off Blanco; Aranda (21), off Blanco. RBIs_Paredes 2 (85), Allen (14), Vel\u00e1zquez (18), Mesa 2 (30), Simpson 2 (33), Palacios 3 (50), Aranda 3 (89), Fortes 2 (33), D\u00edaz (81).<\/p>\n
Runners left in scoring position_Houston 4 (Wade, Allen, Paredes 2); Tampa Bay 1 (Palacios). RISP_Houston 0 for 6; Tampa Bay 4 for 9.<\/p>\n
Runners moved up_Altuve, Trammell, Simpson.<\/p>\n
Houston
\nIP
\nH
\nR
\nER
\nBB
\nSO
\nNP
\nERA<\/p>\n
Wesneski, L, 5-2
\n3
\n6
\n7
\n3
\n2
\n2
\n62
\n3.70<\/p>\n
De Los Santos
\n2-3
\n4
\n2
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n24
\n4.50<\/p>\n
Blanco
\n4
\n1-3
\n5
\n5
\n5
\n0
\n3
\n62
\n7.11<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay
\nIP
\nH
\nR
\nER
\nBB
\nSO
\nNP
\nERA<\/p>\n
Peralta, W, 9-11
\n5
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n4
\n86
\n4.67<\/p>\n
Hopkins
\n1
\n1
\n2
\n2
\n1
\n1
\n22
\n18.00<\/p>\n
Sulser
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n13
\n4.65<\/p>\n
Legumina
\n1
\n2
\n2
\n2
\n2
\n1
\n27
\n3.93<\/p>\n
Matz
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n10
\n5.64<\/p>\n
Inherited runners-scored_Blanco 2-0. WP_Blanco.<\/p>\n
ABS Challenge_Peralta (Ball-Confirmed); Caminero (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Peralta (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Wesneski (Ball-Confirmed); Peralta (Ball-Confirmed); Trammell (Strike-Confirmed).<\/p>\n
Umpires_Home, Bruce Dreckman; First, Carlos Torres; Second, Jacob Metz; Third, Mark Wegner.<\/p>\n
T_2:39. A_18,718 (25,025).<\/p>\n
Houston holds itself as a contender. In a matchup with the AL\u2019s first playoff entrant, it did not strengthen its case. Its lineup looked punchless. The Astros totaled seven runs in three games, albeit missing Yordan Alvarez for the first two. With Alvarez back Sunday, they went hitless until the sixth inning.<\/p>\n
Pitching kept them close Friday and Saturday. It could not replicate that in the finale. Wesneski, who has pitched well since returning from elbow surgery, allowed three runs in the first inning and four unearned in the third, three scoring on Palacios\u2019 home run. The Rays added seven runs off relievers.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
\u201cI just thought it was not a good day for the entire team,\u201d said manager Joe Espada. \u201cJust one of those days where it didn\u2019t go our way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Espada emptied his bench in the sixth inning, removing Pe\u00f1a and Alvarez for pinch-hitters and first baseman Christian Walker and center fielder Daulton Varsho on defense. Additional rest for regulars before a team off-day Monday served as a flimsy silver lining.<\/p>\n
Others: Isaac Paredes drilled a two-run home run in the sixth off Brady Hopkins, a right-hander making his MLB debut, to end the Rays\u2019 budding no-hit bid. Ronel Blanco worked the final 4\u2153 innings for the Astros to preserve the rest of a beleaguered bullpen.<\/p>\n
Nick Fortes and Jonathan Aranda each hit two-run home runs against Blanco, two of the Rays\u2019 four home runs on the day. Aranda hit another two-run homer against Enyel De Los Santos. Tampa Bay amassed 15 hits. Houston has allowed more in just two games this season.<\/p>\n
The Astros mustered four hits. Three were home runs\u00a0\u2014 Paredes\u2019 two-run shot and solo homers by Nick Allen and Nelson Vel\u00e1zquez with the game well out of reach.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, it\u2019s very frustrating,\u201d Alvarez said, through an interpreter. \u201cI don\u2019t think anybody wants to come out here and lose. I think that\u2019s very frustrating. And I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a secret, either, Tampa\u2019s a really good team. And they were able to take advantage of every situation that they were put in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Houston\u2019s season is down to two weeks and 12 games. It left Tropicana Field facing the possibility of its division lead dwindling to one game. Recent series wins against the Yankees, White Sox and Phillies, all contending teams, bolstered the idea that the Astros belong among them. They will need to play better than during a weekend at Tropicana Field to realize it.<\/p>\n
Short outing for Hayden Wesneski<\/p>\n
Sunday marked Wesneski\u2019s second start on four days\u2019 rest since returning from elbow surgery. In those two starts, he has totaled seven innings and allowed 12 runs (eight earned). In his seven other starts on five or more days\u2019 rest, he has allowed 12 runs in 41\u2154 innings.<\/p>\n
Such a small sample may not carry much weight. Wesneski\u2019s velocity was down a tick Sunday, however. His four-seam fastball averaged 92 mph, compared to a 93.6 mph average in his previous starts. He did not generate many whiffs and the Rays jumped on him early.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
\u201cToday it just didn\u2019t really happen, and it\u2019s part of it,\u201d Wesneski said. \u201cI think this is just a one-off day, kind of, when it comes to the velo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three of Wesneski\u2019s first four batters struck hits. Victor Mesa Jr. lined a two-run triple and scored on a groundout by Chandler Simpson. Wesneski worked a scoreless second inning but issued a leadoff walk and a one-out single in the third. He still could have escaped unscathed but for Pe\u00f1a\u2019s error.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust dropped the ball,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cNothing else I can say.\u201d<\/p>\n
Down by seven, the Astros did not send Wesneski back out for the fourth. He threw 62 pitches. Four of seven runs he allowed were unearned. He owns a 3.70 ERA in nine starts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have some guys that needed to pitch and if we can save any bullets from Wesneski,\u201d Espada said. \u201cKeep in mind he\u2019s coming back from an injury, and we\u2019ve got some more games here to go, so saving some pitches can be meaningful towards the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Five hitless for Freddy Peralta<\/p>\n
Peralta, acquired by the Rays from the Mets at the trade deadline, is finding a stride before the playoffs. The right-hander entered with two runs allowed in 18 innings over his previous three starts. The Astros did not muster a hit in his five innings Sunday.<\/p>\n
They struggled to time Peralta up or produce any hard contact against his mostly fastball-changeup mix. Eleven balls put into play against Peralta averaged an 81.8 mph exit velocity. Just one left a bat above 95 mph, the Statcast hard-hit threshold.<\/p>\n
Peralta retired his first six batters. He issued all three of his walks in the third inning, loading the bases with two outs. Paredes grounded out to strand them. Tampa Bay warmed a reliever as Peralta reached 30 pitches in the inning. He still worked two more frames.<\/p>\n
No Astro reached base during them. With a comfortable lead, the Rays removed Peralta after the fifth and 86 pitches.<\/p>\n
Yordan Alvarez returns<\/p>\n
Alvarez returned to the lineup but had little occasion to test the right ankle that he turned running the bases Thursday in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went out there and played and I think that\u2019s what matters,\u201d Alvarez said, through interpreter Otto Loor. \u201cI think it\u2019s important that I was able to go out there and compete, and tomorrow\u2019s a day off, it\u2019s going to be a chance to get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alvarez took two plate appearances, striking out and drawing a walk against Peralta, before being lifted for pinch-hitter Nelson Vel\u00e1zquez in the sixth. The five swings he took produced foul balls or swing-and-misses.<\/p>\n
Entering the day, Alvarez was first in the American League in batting average (.310) and second in home runs (38) and RBIs (96), retaining a shot at a Triple Crown. He trailed Junior Caminero in home runs (40) and Pete Alonso in RBIs (99).<\/p>\n
Up next<\/p>\n
The Astros are off Monday before starting their final homestand of the regular season, featuring series against the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.<\/p>\n
Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier are slated to start the first two games against the Royals for Houston, which has not announced a starter for the finale. Ethan Pecko would be on turn to pitch; Houston used an opener ahead of Pecko in this weekend\u2019s series against the Rays.<\/p>\n
The Royals are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Wacha, left-hander Daniel Lynch IV and righty Seth Lugo in the series. The Astros won two of three games in a mid-June series in Kansas City against the Royals, who are in last place in the AL Central.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to show up,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to show up, keep our head up. This team has no quit.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta delivers to the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":435324,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,58,57],"class_list":["post-435323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-houston","tag-houston-headlines","tag-houston-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435323"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435323\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/435324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}