MLB Scores: Astros 4, Red Sox 8 - Final

I'm trying something a little different with these live recaps. Instead of overloading one page with GIFs I'm going to try and break them up into either three inning increments or key points in the game. This post will continue to act as a live recap updated regularly through out the game as well as a central linking point for the GIF articles from the game. With that lets get to it.

1st Inning

The Astros sent eight men to the plate but only scored two runs. The bases were loaded on three different occasions for four hitters and while two of the three hitters drove in a run with a walk and a sac fly the Astros failed to get a hit off of Felix Doubront who was struggling to find the strikezone.

Astros GIF Recap: Does Chris Carter Need To Be More Agressive? - The Crawfish Boxes
A look at Chris Carter and his aggressiveness at the plate with the bases loaded.

4th Inning

Brad Peacock's night is done after 90 pitches, 51 of which were strikes. Peacock at times showed good stuff but struggled to get hitters out with two outs and in key situations. David Ortiz in particular seemed to have Peacock's number getting a single in the first with two outs and then a double in the second to drive in two of the Red Sox four runs. Peacock was replaced by Travis Blackley with one out and Ortiz again at the plate with a runner on third. Blackley got Ortiz to fly out for the second out in the fourth inning, unfortunately, the fly ball was deep enough to score the runner from third giving the Red Sox a 5-2 lead.

7th Inning

Astros get their third run of the game after Marwin Gonzalez singles to right field and moves to second on a passed ball. Gonzalez would steal third then be driven in by Jose Altuve's ground out to short. this put the Astros within two runs of the Red Sox.

Unfortunately, Hector Ambriz gave up three runs in the bottom half of the inning extending the Red Sox lead to 8-3.

8th Inning

After two walks to begin the inning by Carlos Pena and Carlos Corporan, Matt Dominguez drives in a run with a single to left field. Gonzalez then flew out to right field, Robbie Grossman lined out to Jonny Gomes who has some how found a gold glove in left field. Altuve reached on an error but Rick Ankiel ended the threat with a strikeout. Astros losing 8-4.

Pitching

This horrendous stretch of pitching has got me thinking about the reason why Astros pitchers have pitched so poorly:

1. It's still too early
2. Doug Brocail
3. The Astros have faced some really good teams
4. The Astros pitchers really aren't that good
5. Welcome to the American League!

9th inning

Astros go down in order and fittingly with two strikeouts from the last two batters, both looking.

Game Thoughts

Very frustrating game to watch. The Astros offense had their chances and the Astros pitching just couldn't execute and a starter again failed to get through the fifth inning. I can't imagine Jeff Luhnow and Bo Porter are going to allow this to go along much longer. I would expect changes to the rotation next week if things don't start turning around for the starters. I'm also starting to wonder whether or not Doug Brocail finishes the season as the pitching coach.

How much of effect Brocail has on the pitchers is debatable, however, sometimes changes are made to shake things up a bit and the rotation could certainly use some shaking.

Right on cue:

#Astros' Porter said changes will be made if starters can't turn things around.

— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) April 28, 2013