Manny Machado, Padres, sweep Astros in SD, Take Game three, 5-3

After a promising three run first inning, the Astros failed to score another run the rest of the game, thus allowing Manny Machado to break a 3-3 tie and win the game with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. It is the third straight loss for the Astros, while the Padres have won their last seven, all against teams from the Lone Star state.

The Astros got on the board first, scoring early and often. George Springer led the rally with a lead-off walk, and got to second on a Jose Altuve fielder’s choice ground out. A Carlos Correa RBI single knocked in Springer, and then red hot Kyle Tucker hit his fourth homer of the season, an uncharacteristic opposite field job to right-center of starter Adrian Morejo.

Zack Greinke continued his utter mastery, throwing this, the best pitch ever thrown in the entire history of baseball.

After that pitch, he threw the following pitch, the one on the right.

However, Greinke ran into trouble in the fourth inning, allowing a Fernando Tatis single to lead off the inning. With one out Eric Hosmer plated Tatis with a double. After a Will Myer walk, Jake Cronenworth singled Hosmer home, sending Myer to third. Then, Jurickson Profar tied the score with a grounder to second. The runner on first was sent on the pitch, avoiding the run-saving double play.

Greinke ended his game with a quality start, six innings allowing three runs, four hits, two walks, and four K’s.

Here are some more pitch gems by Greinke:

After Greinke’s departure Blake Raley held the Padres in the seventh inning. However, in the eighth inning Manny Machado scored Fernando Tatis with an oppo taco home run off Enoli Paredes.

In the meantime, the Astros could produce no offense, in part due to defense like this from Tatis.

The Astros could muster only five hits, and left only two men on base. That following the previous night’s blowout loss in which the Stros bats could likewise cnjure only five hits and two runs.

The Astros come home tomorrow to start a series with the Angels. At the time of this writing the Angels are playing first place Oakland and the score is tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning. Currently the A’s are four games up on the Astros in the AL West, pending the outcome of this game.

Box score and videos HERE.

Editor’s note: A’s take the victory over the Angels, their fourth walk-off win this season, extending their lead over the Astros to 4.5 games.