The Crawfish Boxes - AL Series: Houston Astros at Cleveland Indians, July 6-9, 2015Astros baseball: we've got uniforms and everything.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11437/crawfishboxes-fv.gif2015-07-09T21:26:30-05:00http://www.crawfishboxes.com/rss/stream/86672322015-07-09T21:26:30-05:002015-07-09T21:26:30-05:00Astros bats have no answer for Cleveland starters
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<img alt="Hank Conger being congratulated by Jake Marisnick in the third inning after hitting a solo home run." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sAHIIGxDcoGeBylPre-CvZspilI=/0x35:3592x2430/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46706250/usa-today-8686918.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Hank Conger being congratulated by Jake Marisnick in the third inning after hitting a solo home run. | David Richard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Astros bats still quiet for third straight game in the series, fall to Tribe 3-1.</p> <h4>What Happened</h4>
<p> </p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> jumped out to a 1-0 lead by virtue of a third inning solo home run by Astros catcher <span>Hank Conger</span>, but otherwise the team's bats were largely silent for an uncharacteristic third straight game. Brett Oberholzer pitched into the sixth inning but couldn't record an out there, and <span>Cody Anderson</span> needed just 79 pitches to breeze through the Astros lineup for 6.2 innings. The Astros managed only three hits including Conger's home run, though <span>Carlos Correa</span> was able to snap an 0-14 skid with a single.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>After cruising through five shut out innings with one walk and three strike outs, Brett Oberholzer gave up a home run to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> rookie <span>Francisco Lindor</span> to lead off the sixth inning, followed by consecutive doubles from <span>Michael Brantley</span> and <span>Ryan Raburn</span>, and just like that Oberholzer was out of the game without having retired a hitter in the sixth. <span>Josh Fields</span> entered and promptly allowed an RBI triple to <span>Carlos Santana</span>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As has been the case more often than is probably desired this season, the Astros cost themselves an out on the bases when <span>Preston Tucker</span> was caught in no man's land between second and third in what appeared to be an ill-advised stolen base attempt. Reportedly, Tucker mistakenly thought the count was 3-2 (it was actually 2-2) and was running on the pitch. Tucker - who had worked a walk and advanced into scoring position on Correa's single to right field - was erased from the bases for the first out of the inning. <span>Luis Valbuena</span> followed with a fly out to center field and <span>Evan Gattis</span> grounded out to second base and end the inning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Down to their final three outs in the ninth, the Astros sent the top of their lineup - <span>Jose Altuve</span>, <span>Preston Tucker</span>, and Carlos Correa - to the plate to face the Indians' closer, <span>Cody Allen</span>.</p>
<p>Jose Altuve singled to left-center field, Preston Tucker laced a hot shot ground ball right to Carlos Santana at first base. Santana made a good play and threw to second to erase the speedy Altuve, though Tucker beat the play at first to stave off the double play. After Carlos Correa popped out weakly in foul territory to finish the series at an anemic 1-16, Luis Valbuena walked to put runners on first and second, and Evan Gattis stood in representing the winning run against the fireballer with the wicked split-fingered fastball.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Gattis, perfectly consistent with his approach, swung at the first pitch he saw at or just above the very top of the strike zone and popped it up on the infield.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Astros will board a flight for Tampa Bay directly following the game and hope to find an answer to rouse the bats from their slumber versus the Devil <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Fun Facts</h4>
<ul>
<li>The Astros were actually only outscored 13-12 by the Indians in the series, but the Indians still won the series 3 games to 1.</li>
<li>As written about <a href="http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/135779088/aj-hinch-looking-for-more-production-at-first">here by Brian McTaggart</a>, the Astros are looking for better production from their first basemen. <span>Chris Carter</span> is mired in a 6-56 slump, and <span>Jon Singleton</span> is hitting .130 with just a .374 OPS thus far this season.</li>
<li>
<span>Cody Anderson</span> only needed 71 pitches to get through 6 innings thanks to aggressively pitching to contact. The Astros, the most prolific strikeout offense in baseball, only struck out two times in this game.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Tweets Of The Day</h4>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart">@brianmctaggart</a> Well guys,the table is set! Let&#39;s eat... <a href="http://t.co/Vhr3aLOv6g">pic.twitter.com/Vhr3aLOv6g</a></p>&mdash; The Golden Voice (@rickeygodfrey) <a href="https://twitter.com/rickeygodfrey/status/619323207896600576">July 10, 2015</a></blockquote><br><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Indians">@Indians</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a> Separated at birth? <a href="http://t.co/EaDNnve3wZ">pic.twitter.com/EaDNnve3wZ</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Froomkin (@Jordan_Froomkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jordan_Froomkin/status/619319588786974720">July 10, 2015</a></blockquote><br><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p>And clearly, some Astros fans are frustrated by the sudden lack of offense:</p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a> we can&#39;t score to save our lives.</p>&mdash; Joshua Martin (@jrm11r) <a href="https://twitter.com/jrm11r/status/619313112127262720">July 10, 2015</a></blockquote><br><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>But it's definitely not time to panic yet. On to Tampa Bay!</p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/astros?src=hash">#astros</a> gonna take the bats to Tampa like they&#39;re Joe Pesci</p>&mdash; Arrogant Astros Fan (@Dierker4HOF) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dierker4HOF/status/619325729742786560">July 10, 2015</a></blockquote><br><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/7/9/8925653/indians-3-astros-1-offense-still-mia-wheels-come-off-in-sixthJasonMarbach2015-07-09T18:00:03-05:002015-07-09T18:00:03-05:00Game Thread No. 88: Astros at Indians
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_0EsDTzxRMj3tqpy6TfL-q-UZzg=/0x2:3100x2069/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46705338/usa-today-8685641.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Richard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Join the conversation as the Astros take on the Indians.</p> <h3> <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" data-ref-index="4">Houston Astros</a> (49-38) at <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" data-ref-index="5">Cleveland Indians</a> (40-44), Jul 9, 2015 6:10 PM CDT<br> </h3>
<p id="paragraph0"><strong>TV:</strong> Roots Sports SW, MLB.TV<br><strong>Radio:</strong> KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><strong>Indians SB Nation Blog:</strong> <a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/" data-ref-index="6">Let's Go Tribe</a></p>
<h4>Pitching Matchup</h4>
<p id="paragraph2">LHP <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span> (2-1, 4.32 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) vs. RHP <span>Cody Anderson</span> (1-1, 0.76 ERA, 0.63 WHIP)</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix"> <h3>Today's Lineups</h3> <div class="lineup"><table class="zebra" cellspacing="0"> <thead> <tr> <th align="left">HOUSTON ASTROS</th> <th align="left">CLEVELAND INDIANS</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jose Altuve</span> - 2B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Jason Kipnis</span> - 2B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Preston Tucker</span> - RF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Francisco Lindor</span> - SS</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Carlos Correa</span> - SS</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Michael Brantley</span> - CF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Luis Valbuena</span> - 3B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Ryan Raburn</span> - DH</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Evan Gattis</span> - DH</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Carlos Santana</span> - 1B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Colby Rasmus</span> - LF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Yan Gomes</span> - C</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Hank Conger</span> - C</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>David Murphy</span> - RF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name">Jonathan Singleton - 1B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Giovanny Urshela</span> - 3B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jake Marisnick</span> - CF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Mike Aviles</span> - LF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"></td> <td class="td-first td-name"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span> - LHP</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Cody Anderson</span> - RHP</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div>
<p><link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3603867/mustreads-compact-only.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/7/9/8924963/game-thread-no-88-houston-astros-at-cleveland-indians-jul-8-2015-6-10Ryan Dunsmore2015-07-09T17:00:02-05:002015-07-09T17:00:02-05:00Game No. 88 Preview: Astros at Indians
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cM9mcDNopLwwRIOpWhrIuUsrH60=/0x80:3231x2234/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46705142/usa-today-8664305.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Astros look to salvage a split in Cleveland and grab win number 50. </p> <h3>
<a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/"><span>Houston Astros</span></a> (49-38) at <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/"><span>Cleveland Indians</span></a> (40-44), Jul 9, 2015 6:10 PM CDT<span><br></span>
</h3>
<p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TV:</b><span> <span>Roots Sports SW, MLB.TV<br></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Radio:</b><span> <span>KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM</span><br></span><b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Indians SB Nation Blog:</b><span> </span><a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Let's Go Tribe</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"> </p>
<h4><span>Pitching Matchup</span></h4>
<p>LHP <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span> (2-1, 4.32 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) vs. RHP <span>Cody Anderson</span> (1-1, 0.76 ERA, 0.63 WHIP)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span></span><span> </span></p>
<h3><span>Preview</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The Astros will face rookie phenom <span>Cody Anderson</span> in the final game of the four game set in Cleveland. Anderson has been nothing short of fantastic since joining the big league club, going at least 7 2/3 innings in each of his first three starts while allowing no more than one earned run.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Oberholtzer will take the mound for the Astros. Oberholtzer will hope for a better outing than last time he pitched for the big league club, as he allowed six runs in the first two innings against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> before being ejected for throwing at <span>Alex Rodriguez</span>.<span> </span>Following the game, Oberholtzer was demoted to AAA Fresno where he made one start giving up three runs over six innings. In three previous starts against Cleveland, Oberholtzer has a 0-3 record with a 2.82 ERA.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The Astros offense will look to get back on track after struggling to the tune of 19 strikeouts and only 2 runs total in the last 2 games. Luckily, the only negative to Anderson’s performance so far is his low 3.8 K/9. Look for the Astros to get a number of pitches to hit and for Oberholtzer to rebound as he looks for his first win against the Indians.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span>✮✮✮</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span></span>Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting a $125,000 one-day fantasy baseball league today. It's $2 to join and first place wins $10,000. Enter now! <a style="color: #143053; text-align: start; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; font-weight: bold;" href="http://partners.fanduel.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_6819b_970" target="_blank">Here's the link.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/7/9/8923971/game-no-88-preview-houston-astros-at-cleveland-indiansNathan Reck2015-07-08T18:02:17-05:002015-07-08T18:02:17-05:00Game Thread No. 87: Astros at Indians
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/glbcXqtPR3V-0DxNq3P991xSSLw=/0x124:3050x2157/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46697992/usa-today-8684511.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Join the conversation as the Astros take on the Indians.</p> <h4> <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" data-ref-index="5">Houston Astros</a> (49-37) at <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" data-ref-index="6">Cleveland Indians</a> (39-44), Jul 8, 2015 6:10 PM CDT</h4>
<p><strong>TV:</strong> Roots Sports SW, MLB.TV<br><strong>Radio: </strong>KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><strong>Indians SB Nation Blog: </strong><a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/" data-ref-index="7">Let's Go Tribe</a></p>
<h4>Pitching Matchup</h4>
<p id="paragraph1">RHP <span>Dan Straily</span> (0-0, 7.71 ERA, 1.93 WHIP) vs. RHP <span>Trevor Bauer</span> (7-5, 3.88 ERA, 1.25 WHIP)</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix"> <h3>Today's Lineups</h3> <div class="lineup"><table class="zebra" cellspacing="0"> <thead> <tr> <th align="left">HOUSTON ASTROS</th> <th align="left">CLEVELAND INDIANS</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jose Altuve</span> - 2B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Jason Kipnis</span> - 2B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Preston Tucker</span> - RF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Francisco Lindor</span> - SS</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Carlos Correa</span> - SS</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Michael Brantley</span> - LF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Evan Gattis</span> - DH</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>David Murphy</span> - DH</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Colby Rasmus</span> - LF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Carlos Santana</span> - 1B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Chris Carter</span> - 1B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Yan Gomes</span> - C</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Marwin Gonzalez</span> - 3B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Brandon Moss</span> - RF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jason Castro</span> - C</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Giovanny Urshela</span> - 3B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jake Marisnick</span> - CF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Michael Bourn</span> - CF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"></td> <td class="td-first td-name"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name">Dan Straily - RHP</td> <td class="td-first td-name">Trevor Bauer - RHP</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div>
<p><link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3603867/mustreads-compact-only.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/7/8/8917117/game-thread-no-87-houston-astros-at-cleveland-indians-jul-8-2015-6-10Ryan Dunsmore2015-07-08T16:00:02-05:002015-07-08T16:00:02-05:00Game No. 87 Preview: Astros at Indians
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<img alt="Preston Tucker and Carlos Correa will play pivotal roles in tonight's game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0d5MzsQgWsXmN_muwEU9vB5lQHE=/0x73:2947x2038/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46696748/usa-today-8683423.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Preston Tucker and Carlos Correa will play pivotal roles in tonight's game | David Richard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Astros look to rebound and take the third game of a four game series in Cleveland</p> <h4>
<a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a> (49-37) at <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Indians</a> (39-44), Jul 8, 2015 6:10 PM CDT</h4>
<div>
<b>TV:</b> Roots Sports SW, MLB.TV</div>
<p id="paragraph0" class="pgh-paragraph"><b>Radio: </b>KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><b>Indians SB Nation Blog: </b><a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/" data-ref-index="8">Let's Go Tribe</a></p>
<h4>Pitching Matchup</h4>
<p>RHP <span>Dan Straily</span> (0-0, 7.71 ERA, 1.93 WHIP) vs. RHP Trevor Bauer (7-5, 3.88 ERA, 1.25 WHIP)</p>
<h4>Preview</h4>
<p>The Astros look to rebound from a difficult loss to Cory Kluber, and will have to go through their third straight fireballing Cleveland right hander to do it. Trevor Bauer certainly brought his best stuff to the mound on April 9th in Houston the last time he faced the Astros, when he threw six no-innings and struck out a whopping eleven hitters. In fact, the only Houston hit in that game was a solo home run in the ninth inning from <span>Jed Lowrie</span>, who has been injured and recovering on the DL for 12 weeks after a thumb injury and corrective surgery.</p>
<p>The Astros will clearly have plenty of motivation for revenge.</p>
<p>Certainly it is important to note that several hitters on the Astros 25 man roster tonight were not with the big league club at the start of the season for Bauer's last start versus the Astros, including <span>Carlos Correa</span>, <span>Preston Tucker</span>, <span>Alex Presley</span>, and <span>Jon Singleton</span>. That bodes well for an improved offensive performance tonight. Of course, only one Astros hitter tonight has EVER had a hit off of Trevor Bauer in 22 total at bats - and that would be <span>Jose Altuve</span>, who's collected one hit in five at bats against Bauer. On the other side of the ball, <span>David Murphy</span> has seen limited success against Straily in 12 at bats, hitting .250 with one home run and two RBI. <span>Michael Brantley</span> is 2-2 in his career against Straily, also. <span>Jason Kipnis</span>, <span>Michael Bourn</span>, and <span>Carlos Santana</span> have combined to go 0-8 versus Straily so far in their careers, and no one else on the Cleveland roster has ever faced him.</p>
<p>Dan Straily met mixed reviews in his 2015 major league debut in Boston and will look to show his team, his coaches, the front office, and the fans that he belongs in the 5th spot in the starting rotation. Bauer, meanwhile, started the season very strong but has since slowed some, going 3-4 in his last 7 games with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.</p>
<p>The key to tonight's game for the Astros will be patience. They should look to see 4 or 5+ pitches per at bat if possible, and at the very least, hit the fastball hard when it shows in the zone. Elevating <span>Trevor Bauer's</span> pitch count by posting consistently solid at bats throughout the game will allow the Houston hitters to break into the Cleveland bullpen sooner. If <span>Preston Tucker</span> and <span>Evan Gattis</span> can continue their recent hot streak, and Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve can each rebound from 0-4 nights versus Cory Kluber, then it should be a fun game for Astros fans to watch.</p>
<div style="color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">✮✮✮</div>
<div>
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https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/7/8/8914991/game-no-87-preview-houston-astros-at-cleveland-indiansJasonMarbach2015-07-07T23:28:45-05:002015-07-07T23:28:45-05:00Velasquez to Double A; Oberholtzer to start Thurs.
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hehT9VqBfxCmngddFcNoIWMOjcs=/0x0:3272x2181/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46691356/GettyImages-479828854.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jason Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Don't worry it's for rest. </p> <p><span>Vincent Velasquez</span> went toe-to-toe with the 2014 Cy-Young Award Winner <span>Corey Kluber</span> and held his own. As a bit of surprise, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> optioned Velasquez following the game to Double Corpus Christi.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Following tonight's game, RHP Vince Velasquez was optioned to Corpus Christi (AA). LHP <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span> will be recalled and start Thurs.</p>
— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/618618300851965952">July 8, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Velasquez picked up his first decision as starter in his first, a loss, after giving two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Velasquez is 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA (14 ER/32.0 IP) with 31 strikeouts and 14 walks in six starts. After struggling with high pitch counts, the Astros young right-hander has pitched at least six inning in his last three starts.</p>
<p>The Astros have called up Brett Oberholtzer to start on Thursday, pushing back <span>Collin McHugh</span> to Friday.</p>
<p>Oberholtzer was recently optioned having a mental lapse, giving up six runs over 1 1/3 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> and throwing at <span>Alex Rodriguez</span> following giving up his second home run.</p>
<p>Oberholtzer has a 2-1 record with 4.32 (33.1 IP/16 ER) with 24 strikeouts and 16 walks. In one start with Fresno, he gave up three runs over six innings on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks.</p>
<p>Again this doesn't appear to be a traditional demotion for Velasquez, rather a choice of convenience with the All-Game looming. The Astros want to give Velasquez some rest and at the same time add another arm for the rotation.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/7/7/8910647/astros-option-vince-velasquez-to-double-a-brett-oberholtzer-to-startRyan Dunsmore2015-07-07T22:51:17-05:002015-07-07T22:51:17-05:00Decision Made: Kluber, Tribe shutdown the Astros
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<figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After 5 starts without a win or a loss, Vincent Velasquez gets his first major league decision, as bats fail to produce in a loss</p> <p>The term "bats going silent" is a bit misleading. Bats do make sound even when they don't produce runs, whether it's the dissonant crack of weak groundball contact or the whoosh of swinging third strike. There were a lot of those sounds from both sides tonight.</p>
<p>First the ugly: <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Astros</a> hitters ran into a buzz-saw in Corey Kluber. The 2014 Cy Young winner put in a great outing, shutting down the Astros in 6.2 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 walks and striking out 7. The Cleveland bullpen came in during 7th, worked out of a runners-on-the-corners jam and gave up only 1 hit the rest of the game. After feasting on Cleveland pitching last night with 9 runs on 16 hits, the Astros all-or-nothing offense came up with more of the latter. Both Carlos Correa and <span>Jose Altuve</span> went 0'fer, ending Altuve's 13 game hit streak. The Astros did notch 6 hits, however, they were all singles.<br><br>However it wasn't all futility for the Astros. Preston Tucker continues to rake in this series. He went 2-4 and made a perfectly-timed leap to rob former Astro Michael Bourn of an extra base hit. Bourn would return the favor in the 6th, reeling in a long fly in center that would've been for extra bases for Tucker. He is now 6-9 with a home run in 2 games as a 25 year old.<br><br>What the Astros lacked in offense, they tried to make up in defense. Aside from the aforementioned grab by Tucker, Altuve showed that the starting All Star 2nd baseman is not all bat, ranging for a couple of pretty snags up the middle. Rasmus made a spectacular sprinting catch in left in the 5th and Marwin made a Brooks Robinson-esque grab on the hot corner for the first out of the 7th inning. <br><br> <span>Vincent Velasquez</span> had another solid outing. He went 6.1 innings, striking out 5, giving up 2 walks, and scattering 8 hits for 2 earned runs, He pitched an objectively better game than <span>Dallas Keuchel</span> did last night (3 ER, 9 H, 6.0 IP) but in a cruel twist of baseball fate was tagged with a loss, proving once again that the W/L stat is (to borrow a Yiddish term) complete bupkis. Luckily Velasquez will get one more chance to get his first Major League win before the All Star bre-</p>
<blockquote lang="en-gb" class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Velasquez optioned. Innings saving measure.</p>
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/618611002360397824">July 8, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
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<br>Well crap. I guess we'll have to wait <i>after </i>the break.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/7/7/8910425/decision-made-kluber-tribe-shutdown-the-astrosRobert Breedlove2015-07-07T18:00:03-05:002015-07-07T18:00:03-05:00Game Thread No. 86: Astros at Indians
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<figcaption>Jason Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Join the conversation as the Astros take on the Indians.</p> <h4> <a data-ref-index="5" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> (49-36) at <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> (38-44), Jul 7, 2015 6:10 PM CDT</h4>
<p id="paragraph0"><strong>TV:</strong> Roots Sports SW, MLB.TV <br><strong>Radio: </strong>KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><strong>Indians SB Nation Blog: </strong><a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/">Let's Go Tribe</a></p>
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<h4>Pitching matchup</h4>
<p id="paragraph1">RHP <span>Vincent Velasquez</span> (0-0, 4.21 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) vs. RHP <span>Corey Kluber</span> (3-9, 3.64 ERA, 1.14 WHIP)</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix"> <h3>Today's Lineups</h3> <div class="lineup"><table class="zebra" cellspacing="0"> <thead> <tr> <th align="left">HOUSTON ASTROS</th> <th align="left">CLEVELAND INDIANS</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jose Altuve</span> - 2B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Jason Kipnis</span> - 2B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Preston Tucker</span> - RF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Francisco Lindor</span> - SS</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Carlos Correa</span> - SS</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Michael Brantley</span> - DH</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Evan Gattis</span> - DH</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>David Murphy</span> - LF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Colby Rasmus</span> - CF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Yan Gomes</span> - C</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Hank Conger</span> - C</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Brandon Moss</span> - RF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Marwin Gonzalez</span> - 3B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Carlos Santana</span> - 1B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name">Jonathan Singleton - 1B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Giovanny Urshela</span> - 3B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Alex Presley</span> - LF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Michael Bourn</span> - CF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"></td> <td class="td-first td-name"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Vincent Velasquez</span> - RHP</td> <td class="td-first td-name">Corey Kluber - RHP</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div>
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https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/7/7/8909131/game-thread-no-86-houston-astros-at-cleveland-indians-jul-7-2015-6-10Ryan Dunsmore