TCB Astros Blue Stars of the Week: August 19-25

Great outfield plays, and even pitchers and catchers get in on the act

By erniebreakfast Aug 27, 2015, 11:00am CDT

What a week it was for the Astros in general, and for the defense in particular. There were a ton of big plays this past week from outfielders nailing runners, to catchers taking care of business, and even a pitcher gets in the mix with some fancy glovework. Here are the Astros Blue Stars of the Week.

Altuve Catch of a Liner Starts Double Play - 8/19/2015 v. TB

Jose Altuve makes a catch on a pretty simple soft liner from James Loney. Not to spectacular. I include it because he doubles off Tim Beckham at first with the best impersonation of a Robinson Cano throw I have ever seen.

McHugh Behind The Back Snag - 8/19/2015 v. TB

Collin McHugh showing Dallas Keuchel is not the only Astros pitcher with defensive chops. The no-look, behind-the-back grab on Loney looked so easy.

Marisnick Does His Part In Fiers No-Hitter 8/21/2015 v.LAD

I went looking for the best defensive play in this game, since I couldn't leave out our highlight game of the week. I know this swing was the one that scared me the most. Off the bat I thought it might be gone, or at least a double. Jake Marisnick and his speed tracked it down and made easy work of this warning track fly ball.

Rasmus Nabs Rollins Trying To Take An Extra Base 8/22/2015 v. LAD

Rollins hit this one into the gap in left center and thought he had a double. Colby Rasmus gets behind the ball and in perfect position to get the speedy runner at second with a perfect throw. The call was reviewed and upheld

Castro Completes Double Play With A Caught Stealing - 8/23/2015 v. LAD

With a right handed batter in the box, Jason Castro catches strike three on A.J. Ellis, then makes an accurate one-hop throw to Valbuena at third to catch Andre Ethier trying to swipe the bag to end the inning.

Gonzalez Gets Runner Trying To Take Second Base - 8/23/2015 v. LAD

Marwin Gonzalez has been playing a lot of left field lately. He made a great play when he anticipated the bounce off the wall on a hit by Ethier and the shortstop in him made a throw from left field to Altuve at second to keep Ethier from stretching it into a double.

Valbuena Barehands Bunt Attempt In Extras - 8/23/2015 v. LAD

Kike Hernandez said the support from the fans was "sad" in Houston. Not as sad as trying to bunt for a hit on Luis Valbuena. The barehanded grab and throw changed the situation from two on base and no outs to man on second one out in the tenth inning of the eventual Astros win.

And finally...

Gomez And Conger Team Up To Keep Game Tied - 8/24/2015 v. NYY

Both pitchers were throwing scoreless games into the seventh inning. The Yankees had men on first and third. On a fly ball to center field, known speedster Brian McCann decided to test the arm of Carlos Gomez. Gomez threw a strike and Hank Conger made a great tag to end the inning with no score.