Astros 1, A's 8: Feldman Gets Rocked, As Houston Bats Remain Quiet

After a 14 inning win in Arlington yesterday, the Astros came home to start a series with the Oakland A's today.  Would they use the George Springer game saving catch, or the Hank Conger game winning homer as motivation to jump start a winning streak, or would there be a hangover after such a marathon game?  That question was answered early.  Leadoff batter Sam Fuld hit a routine grounder to SS Jonathan Villar, who made an error to start the game.  It didn't get much better from that point on.  Two doubles, a throwing error on Villar, and a single later, the A's had a 3-0 lead.  Brett Lawrie added a solo homer to lead off the second inning to make the score 4-0.

The Astros only run came leading off the bottom of the fourth inning, when Jose Altuve crushed a ball up onto the tracks above the Crawford Boxes.  But the A's answered back in the top of the fifth, with a solo blast from 9-hole hitter Marcus Semien, and a 3-run shot over the tracks to Billy Butler.  It goes without saying that Scott Feldman did not look good, especially on a night where we needed to save our bullpen.  In five innings, his line for the night was 10 hits, 8 runs (7 earned), with 1 walk and zero strikeouts.  One of the few bright spots on the evening was Asher Wojciechowski.  Even though he was scheduled to start tomorrow's game, Hinch brought him in with hopes he could finish the game out without any relievers having to pitch.  He did just that.  He looked much sharper than he did Thursday against the Indians.  Over the final four innings, he did not give up a run, and only allowed 2 hits and a walk, while striking out four.  Very impressive.  Wojo now finds himself headed to the airport, and will probably pass Brad Peacock somewhere in flight, on his way to make his debut tomorrow night.

So Astros fans, this one is over.  It was monumentally forgettable, so let's do just that.  Forget it.  The good thing is we get to start all over at 0-0 tomorrow night.  Come on back and see Brad Peacock as he faces off against Kendall Graveman at 7-ish.

FUN FACTS

Jose Altuve is getting it revved up.  Besides his HR, he had 2 infield hits, and has a 4 game hitting streak.

Speaking of hitting, after a lot of bad luck (along with some bad swings...I'll admit it), Evan Gattis got his first hit of the season.  It was a nice bloop into left center.  He has hit quite a few balls harder the last few days, but hit them right at a defender.  Hopefully this is a springboard to many more.

I could not be happier with the corner infield play of Luis Valbuena and Chris Carter.  Valbuena made a Blue Star play at third tonight, and Carter made plays on multiple hard hit balls.  Despite his one error the other day, he has been more than adequate over there.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Jon Singleton (@iLLJAY_SiNG) with a 3 run HR for @FresnoGrizzlies his first on the season! #Astros

— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 14, 2015