Astros Fall to Athletics 5-1 in Weekend-Series Opener

HOUSTON – The 2022 All-Star Break is coming up soon and with over 80 games already played, the Houston Astros are a team dealing with injuries and shortness of rest. After winning the three-game series against the Angels in Los Angeles, including a 10th inning win last night, the Astros did not have enough time to rest and recover as they came home early Friday morning.

The Astros are 5-1 against the Athletics so far this season, but this is the first time Oakland makes the trip to Houston. Before the game, the Astros did not do any batting practice, but did some warmup drills. Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Framber Valdez, Kyle Tucker, and Justin Verlander all received their 2022 All-Star Jersey and were honored before the game.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (8-3) takes on Oakland Athletics left hander Cole Irvin (3-7). Jose Altuve was out due to a knee injury that occurred when he was hit by a pinch in the first inning yesterday. Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez are still in recovering from their injuries and will likely not be back until after the All-Star Break. The Astros lineup against the A’s were mainly rookies and bench players.

Both pitchers started out well, not allowing a run through four and half innings. Jose Urquidy gave up a few hits, but was able to  keep the A’s from scoring. Chas McCormick doubled to deep right in the bottom of fourth to give the Astros their first hit of the game. He would later advance to third on a J.J. Matijevic grounder to second, and would score on a Jose Siri sacrifice fly to center. The Astros took the lead 1-0 over the A’s. Cole Irvin was pitching one of his best games as he would give one run on three hits and four strikeouts in six innings of work.

Another close game between these two teams seemed to be coming down to the last few innings. However, in the top of seventh, The A’s bats would get the best of Urquidy. Seth Brown started off with a single to left and Chad Pinder doubled to right field, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Elvis Andrus singled to right center, bringing in Brown and Pinder as the A’s took a 2-1 lead. In the past few games, the Astros defense has had issues committing errors. In this seventh inning tonight, they would commit two. Former Astro Tony Kemp, who now plays for the A’s, struck out and Jose Urquidy’s day was done. Astros reliever Ryan Stanek came in to try to stop the bleeding, but A’s Skye Bolt singled to right bringing in Andrus to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Astros did not respond in the seventh  or eighth inning, but the game was still close. In the top of ninth, Astros reliever Seth Martinez took the mound. Tony Kemp doubled deep to right center and then Skye Bolt homered to center (425ft) to put the nail in the coffin for the Astros.

The Oakland Athletics defeated the Houston Astros 5-1 to win the first game in this three-game series. Jose Urquidy allowed three runs on six hits with nine strikeouts in 6 plus innings. The A’s Skye Bolt went 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs in what was the first 3-hit game in his career. Chas McCormick went 1 for 3 with a walk, a double, and a run scored. McCormick is batting .327 against lefties this season. The Astros look to rest up and try to even the series tomorrow with 2022 All-Star Justin Verlander taking the mound against Oakland’s Jarred Koening.

Written by James Leyva

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