Astros squeak by Orioles, 3-2. Wade Miley shines again.

The Astros came into tonight’s game on a six game winning streak in which they simply annihilated opponents. During that time they had scored 54 runs. Tonight they came to Baltimore to face one of the worst teams in baseball and managed to escape with a one run win.

But a win is still a win. Better than a loss.

Either the Orioles save their best ball for the Astros, or the Astros play down to the competition. The Orioles have the worst team ERA in the AL, 5.79. And yet, against the Astros, it was 2.60 before tonight. Tonight’s three runs by the Astros won’t change that much. The Orioles have given up 234 home runs this year, approximately two per game, but in four games against the Astros they have allowed only three. The Astros only have a .160 BA against the O’s. Tonight’s pitcher for the Orioles, Dylan Bundy has an ERA just north of 5.00. Against the Astros he is at an even 3.00.

However, the Astros got to Bundy early, scoring two runs in the first. Jose Altuve started it with a single, followed by an RBI double by Alex Bregman. Bregman then scored on a single by Yordan Alvarez.

It was the 44th RBI for Alvarez, #44, on his 44th game. One RBI per game is an amazing pace.

The only other run by the Astros came in the seventh inning when Jose Altuve tripled home Robinson Chirinos for what turned out to be the winning run.

Wade Miley sparkled yet again for the Astros, allowing only one run on five hits in 5.2 innings. His season ERA is now at 2.99. His only mistake was a solo homer by Jace Peterson in the fifth. The Orioles closed to within a run in the seventh with another solo home run, this one by Stevie Wilkerson off Joe Smith. It was the first run off Smith since his return from IL.

Ryan Pressly, just back from IL, held the Orioles in the eighth, although he looked a bit rusty, allowing two base runners. Roberto Osuna held down the ninth for his 26th save of the year.

The Astros managed eight hits tonight, two each by Altuve and catcher Robinson Chirinos, who also threw out a runner attempting to steal. Although mired in a deep slump for a while, since July 17th Chirinos is hitting .306 with a 130 wRC+ before tonight.

The Astros and O’s contend tomorrow at 6:05 CDT. No-hit hero Aaron Sanchez faces Aaron Brooks

Box score and videos HERE.