Hall’s Error Proves Costly As Astros Lose 5-4

After Monday night's heroic 4 for 4 performance, Bill Hall really struggled at the plate and in the field. His error on a hard grounder from Matt Kemp loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the third inning, and Jerry Sands made him pay with his first career grand slam giving the Dodgers a 5-0 lead. Chad Billingsley finally received some run support, and it seemed like he didn't know how to react in the bottom of the third. A two out walk from Michael Bourn, a looping single by Clint Barmes into left field, a Hunter Pence slicing double down the right field line, and a Carlos Lee single up the middle cut the deficit to 5-3 all with two outs. A sac fly from CJ provided the rest of the offense as we could only muster one run after loading the bases with no outs against Billingsley in the sixth.

The bullpen continued to pitch very effectively as Enerio Del Rosario, Sergio Escalona, and Wilton Lopez combined to pitch four scoreless innings in relief. J.A. Happ lasted five innings, and he allowed four runs (one earned) while striking out four. He still seems to be plagued by high pitch counts as it took him 93 pitches to get through his five innings of work, but his control is looking better than it did earlier this season.

Pence is really swinging the bat well right now, and his 37 RBI's are tied for the National League lead. Bourn is also showing lots of patience at the plate, and it looks like the offense might be turning a corner. Otherwise, we'll see if A-Rod can pitch well tomorrow in the daytime rubber game and win the series.