Astros Fall To Guardians 6-1 in Series Opener

HOUSTON — Coming off winning a three-game series against the Texas Rangers, the Houston Astros hope to keep that momentum against the Cleveland Guardians in a three game home series.

The Guardians are coming off homestands against the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds and are looking to get back on a winning track. Monday’s game features the Astros playing in their Space City alternate uniforms. The Astros are off to their second-best start in franchise history 27-15 in 42 games only other times were in 1998, 2015, and 2019.

Houston’s right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia started on the mound tonight against Guardians right-hander Tristian McKenzie. Both pitchers got off to a good start until the top of the 3rd inning when Guardians Myles Straw and Luke Maile hit a few singles to get on 1st and 2nd base.

Amed Rosario would ground into fielder’s choice to Garcia and Maile would score on a throwing error by Garcia to second, leaving Straw on 3rd base. The Guardians would get another run on a Jose Ramirez ground out to first which brought in Straw from third, extending the Cleveland lead to 2-0.

Astros catcher Martin Maldonaldo singled into center field in the bottom of the 3rd inning, but Astros would not get another hit until the bottom of the 6th as the offense struggled all night against McKenzie.

In the top of the 5th, the Guardians extended the lead as Maile would walk and then Jose Ramirez would hit a 409 ft home run to right center field, which Astros centerfielder Jose Siri tried to bring back into play but was out of reach. The Guardians went after Luis Garcia tonight as he would give up five hits and four runs in five innings of play.

Astros hitter Jose Altuve got hit off McKenzie in the bottom of the 6th inning, just shy of the Crawford boxes in left field, and ended up with a double. The Astros, however, would not capitalize as Michael Brantley would line out to center after and end the inning.

Astros RHP Bryan Abreu would come in for Garcia in the top 6th, and in the top of 7th it would all fall apart for him. Maile would once again get a single into right, Straw would walk, and Rosario single into center field loading the bases. Ramirez would ground into shortstop, Maile and Straw would score on a error by Jeremy Pena throwing to first to Yuli Gurriel extending the lead 6-0.

The Astros finally got on the board when Alex Bregman homered to right field (390 feet), scoring the only run of the night. McKenzie would finish the night one run on three hits, one walk, and three strikeouts in seven innings.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Astros tried to have a rally as Jeremy Pena would single into center and Jose Siri walked, leaving two men on base with no outs. The next three batters would strike out and grounded out as the Astros were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

The Guardians would go on to win 6-1 against the Astros improving to 18-20, while the Astros drop to 27-16 on the season.

It was a homecoming for Myles Straw, who spent 3.5 seasons in Houston before being traded to Cleveland last July and was honored with video tribute and a standing ovation before the game. He was a part of the 2019 ALCS championship team, helped the Astros in the 2020 playoffs and made to big contributions to the team last season that went on to the World Series.

Alex Bregman got his first home run since May 8th against Detroit. Guardians center Luke Malie went 3-3 with a walk and three runs scored and Jose Ramirez went 2-5 with a home run and 4 RBI’s. Houston’s Framber Valdez start against Guardians Zach Plesac tomorrow night as the series continues.

Written by James Leyva

Share This Story:

Related Content