Astros limp out of Seattle, Lose Seventh out of Last Eight, 7-2

The Astros put up another punchless performance this afternoon, scoring two runs on only one hit.

Starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi couldn’t make it to the fifth inning once again in his second start of the season. However, he pitched better than his four runs in 4.1 innings indicate. He was shaky in the first but after walking two batters escaped with only one run on a weak single by Evan White.

Then he cruised until the fifth, allowing a walk and a single before Mitch Haniger tripled off the glove of Myles Straw. That chased Odorizzi, who struck out seven for the day. But his relief, Brooks Raley, allowed a homer to Ty France, one of the runs credited to Odorizzi.

After a perfect sixth inning by Ryne Stanek, Joe Smith was once again completely ineffective in relief in the seventh, allowing two runs on a walk and two doubles to Mitch Haniger and Ty France respectively.

The Astros managed a run in the second inning on an RBI ground-rule double by Aledmys Diaz and another run in the fifth on a Myles Straw sac fly that scored Chas McCormick.

Give credit to McCormick for a hustle run. He walked, stole second, took third on a fly to right field, and scored on the fly by Myles Straw.

In a familiar pattern, the Astros only got one hit with runners in scoring position, but I guess that’s to be expected when you’ve only got one hit.

Rookie pitcher Pete Solomon got his first appearance in the big leagues, throwing a scoreless ninth inning. I’d show you his picture, but there aren’t any in the files.

Oh wait, this popped up on Twitter.

By the way, the last two Twins game were postponed due to COVID.

Hmmmm.

Box Score and videos HERE