TOOTBLAN's Lead to Extra Innings Loss for Astros

George Springer and Evan Gattis piled up back to back TOOBLANs in the top of the 9^th and helped the Astros snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. "What is a TOOBLAN?" I’m glad you asked. It means "thrown out on the basepaths like a nincompoop." It is tracked by the good people at http://tootblan.tumblr.com/. Springer was put in to run for Preston Tucker and was promptly picked off. Hinch challenged it and the umpires upheld the call. Moments later, Evan Gattis sends a rocket down the left field line (that would have easily scored Springer). Evan tried to stretch the line drive into a double. He was thrown out at 2^nd in what appears to be a very close play. Hinch was able to get the umpires to review it again, and the TOOTBLAN was upheld.

It’s a shame. Lance McCullers pitched well in 6 innings. He was able to fan 6 and dueled evenly with the other young left hander Andrew Heaney.

The lone Astros run came on a 2-0 low and in fastball to Carlos Correa that he smashed over the left fielder’s head to plate Jose Altuve in the 6^th. The young phenom continues to join some elite company with his hot start.

Carlos Correa is the 10th 20-year-old to hit at least 4 HR in first 15 career games, joining Ted Williams, Frank Robinson & Orlando Cepeda.

— Dan Clasgens (@DanClasgens) June 24, 2015