Rays 3, Astros 1: McHugh Solid, Offense Is Not In Fourth Straight Loss

What Happened

Collin McHugh had a nice comeback performance after a not-so-good outing in Boston last weekend.  The first five innings looked like the 2014 version of McHugh.  After allowing a walk and a single with two outs in the first inning, he set down the next 13 batters in a row.  In the sixth inning the first two Rays reached base with a single and a double.  Both runners eventually scored on groundouts.  McHugh got the first two outs in the seventh inning before allowing a homer to Brandon Guyer.  His final line for McHugh in seven innings was 4 hits, 3 earned runs, and 6 strikeouts (to one walk).  It was a start that was strong enough to win a lot of games.  It won't win many with the way this team is hitting right now though.

On offense the team got very few men on base.  They collected five hits and one walk.  Just like the previous few games, the only runs came on a long ball.  The scoring tonight happened on one Colby Rasmus swing.  He crushed a home run just inside the right field foul pole for the only run of the game.  Rays pitcher Erasmo Ramirez at one point retired 11 batters in a row between the second and sixth innings.  After Ramirez left the game Luis Valbuena started the seventh inning with a double, but after that the relievers retired the next nine batters to seal the win for Tampa.

Tomorrow the Astros will send All-Star Dallas Keuchel to the hill to try and stop this current skid.  He will face off against Jake Odorizzi at 3 pm.

Fun Facts

Chad Qualls made a successful return from the DL tonight.  He came in before Joe Thatcher could let it get out of hand again and got the final two outs of the 8th inning...on one pitch.

Valbuena's double was the Astros first extra base hit that wasn't a homer since Monday.

Rasmus's homer was estimated at 404 feet.

Tweets of the Night

Yeah!  Take that!  Right?

One pitch, two outs for Qualls. Take that, haters.

— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) July 11, 2015

An exciting stop on the road trip for a couple of rookies...

Lots of family and friends here for the Tampa guys, @PrestonTucker20 & @LMcCullers43. pic.twitter.com/32sBgdvA3D

— Julia Morales (@JuliaMoralesRS) July 10, 2015

Good to see he is staying busy...

Today's @Astros lineup brought to you by George, by George. pic.twitter.com/9mFCmAzWuH

— Steve Sparks (@SteveSparks37) July 10, 2015

Help is on the way!

Meanwhile, Scott Feldman's done after 5 innings for Corpus Christi: 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K 87 pitches, 58 strikes. #Astros

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 11, 2015