Astros Lose in KC 7-2, Become Footnote for Santana

Coming into today’s game Eric Bedard had allowed 3 runs or few in his last five starts dating back to May 5th, lowering his ERA to a respectable 4.75. Today was a step back for Bedard as he surrendered 6 runs on 8 hits, while allowing 3 walks over 4 2/3 innings. Brad Peacock came in for what turned into a tandem start to strike out 2, giving up a run on 2 hits over 3 1/3 innings. Peacock was able to lower his mammoth ERA 39 points to 8.07. On the positive side, Houston pitching did not allow a home run in the contest.

The offence was stagnant for most of the game as Ervin Santana tossed a KC masterpiece though the first five innings, recording 6 strike outs and allowing just one hit to that point in the contest. The lone single came off the bat of Matt Dominguez in the 4th. As an interesting side note, Dominguez and Royals’ Mike Moustakas were high school teammates at Chatsworth High School and were both drafted in the first round in 2007 (12th and 2nd respectively). Houston would manage a small rally in the 6th as Brandon Barnes slapped a double to left with two outs and came home on a Jose Altuve single up the middle. Jason Castro would follow with a single of his own before J.D. Martinez grounded out to end the threat. Chris Carter went Chris Carter going 1 for 3 with a home run in the 7th and 2 punch outs.

Now with a record of 22-41, the dog days of summer are in full effect for Houston. The good guys did not do themselves any favors in a loss to the Royals tonight recording 3 errors, one for each beach ball that drifted on the field. Houston has now committed 13 errors in the last 10 games. The Astros will come into tomorrow’s game trying to avoid their 7th sweep of the season. The team has actually lost every series this season in which a game was nationally televised. Looking at the games in which Astros fans living in the state of Texas can see a televised game (including Ranger games) the team is 1 and 7.

Injury note: Brandon Barnes left the game in the 6th strained a hamstring after coming into score in the top of the inning. If Barnes is down for any considerable amount of time, it is going to hurt considerably more than the thorough loss tonight.