:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47135310/GettyImages-487146012.0.jpg)
The Astros did not have the greatest week, even though four of the games were at home. They ended up going 2-4, but even in the losses (except last night) they scored runs. They had two games in which they scored eight runs each (both wins), and one nine-run game (a loss). Here are some of the top performers with the bat this week.
Honorable Mention
Hank Conger
Hank has not been the greatest hitter on the team this season. He hasn't even been that great a hitter since he took over the full time catching duties after Jason Castro went on the disabled list. He makes the list this week because he hit his second grand slam of the season, and second of his career. For a team that sometimes struggles to score runs, that took a 3-0 game that seemed close and helped make it a laugher. In that same game Conger ended up with five RBIs. Yes, he only batted .250 on the week, and half of those hits came in one game. But a special performance like that deserves some recognition.
<iframe src='http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=449837683&topic_id=6479266&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>
Carlos Gomez
The much-maligned trade acquisition had himself a good week, and hopefully it is a sign of good things to come. He batted .318 with a .900 OPS. His batting line didn't include any home runs, but did include four doubles. He had a nine-game hitting streak stopped mid-week, but picked it back up with back-to-back multi-hit games. He didn't have any runs batted in but did score four times. He is also making more contact as he only struck out four times. He seems to be getting more comfortable as a member of the team, and I hope this is what the team gets from him into the future.
Winner
Jed Lowrie
Jed went on a LONG drought up until recently. The thing was, he hit the ball hard, but the results were not there. Even he knew that. It all came together as he batted .400/.429/.850 this week. In fact, since he broke out of his 0-for-twentysomething slump, his line is .407/.448/.889. He hit three doubles and two homers, including a go-ahead grand slam in a win against the Twins on Sunday. He scored six runs and drove in five. It has taken him a couple of weeks, but he looks like he is getting back to where he was before he went on the disabled list for the majority of the season. The team could use these hits down the stretch.
<iframe src='http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=458394883&topic_id=8009980&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>