Astros Swept but Go Down Fighting in Extras

If there's something positive to take away from this sweep it's that the Astros remained competitive for every game. Sure they were down 9-1 heading into the ninth inning of the first game in the series, but they made it interesting in that ninth inning scoring four runs and bringing the tieing run to the on-deck circle before Clint Barmes struck out to end the game. 

In fact this past week and a half we've seen some relatively competitive baseball from the Astros taking series from the Cubs and Giants before being swept by the Rockies. 

This game had the same feel as Tuesday's game in which each team traded blows throughout the nine inning affair. Unlike Tuesday this one went into extras, unfortunately like Tuesday Colorado came out the victor scoring the winning run on a wild pitch by Aneury Rodriguez with one out in the bottom of the tenth inning. The game ended in quite possibly the same way you would describe this season. 

There were however some bright spots offensively.

Everyone's new favorite right fielder Brian Bogusevic went 3-4 with a double and a run batted in and everyone's new favorite third basemen Jimmy Paredes went 2-4 driving in 2 runs. Returning to where it all started, Clint Barmes was 2-4 with a homerun and the "should be playing more" Matt Downs also played well scoring 2 runs on a 2-5 day.

The pitching, well it was another beautiful day in the thin air of Colorado, so let's just move on. 

According to Ed Wade, Wandy Rodriguez will be staying with the Astros after failing to make a deal with the Rockies who claimed the lefty.

Earlier in the day the Astros placed Sergio Escalona on the 15-day DL and called up Juan Abreu of Michael Bourn trade fame. 

Finally J.B. Shuck was optioned back to AAA in order to make room for J.A. Happ who will be pitching Friday with Henry Sosa going on three days rest tomorrow against the Giants.

I have a feeling things may be different this time around.