Steve Webb
Bauer, Dodgers sunk by gopher balls in Houston
Trying to keep the train rolling out of Houston and extend the winning streak, Trevor Bauer took the mound and faced an amped-up Astros team. This game turned into a pitching duel with enough sloppy play peppered in to keep Dodger fans watching till the final out. In the end, three home runs proved to be the Dodgers’ undoing and the winning streak was snapped at eight as the Astros managed a series split with the win by a score of 5-2.
Pitching Matchup
In flashback to 2017, Jose Altuve hammered a homer deep to left field to lead off the game. Reminiscent to the scene in Bull Durham, you would have sworn that Altuve knew the Trevor Bauer fastball was coming.
Luis Garcia, starting for Houston, is putting together a really nice start on the season. Home runs have been the Achilles’ heel; in his last start, 2 of 3 hits given up went over the fence. In the Dodger top half of the third inning after a two-out walk to Yoshi Tsutsugo, Mookie Betts hit an innocent grounder that was booted by Garcia. The error would cost him. With two on now, Max Muncy pounced on a ball, driving in the game-tying run. Dodgers 1 – Astros 1 after 3 innings.
Bauer, who gave up only his second hit of the game to Miles Straw with two outs, took on Jose Altuve in the bottom of the 4th inning. Jose again hit the ball well right at the well-positioned fielder Yoshi Tsutsugo, who smothered the hard liner to end any threat. When Astros hitters made contact, the contact was solid, a hint at what was upcoming maybe?
Astros Take the lead
Bauer pitched into the 6th inning and after a quick out to Kyle Tucker, Yuli Gurriel hit a sharp liner to reach first. Gurriel, agressive to get into scoring position was picked off trying to steal by a laser from Will Smith to Max Muncy and the Dodger had two outs. Bauer looked to get out of the inning but Carlos Correa jumped on Bauers 96th pitch of the game and lined it over the left field wall. Astros took a 2-1 lead.
Dodger Bullpen
The first arm out of the Dodger pen was reclamation project Nate Jones on in relief of Bauer. Jones would get a quick out but then sloppy defense jumped up and took over. Gavin Lux looked to be in between ideas as his throw airmailed Albert Pujols and bounded into the Dodger dugout. With a runner on 2nd, Dodger fan favorite, Jose Altuve singled in a run. Next batter up, Aledyms Diaz launched a homer and the dagger was sunk deep into the good guys’ backs. Astros up 5-1 after seven.
Astros Fans?
Dodger Fans made the trip to Minute Maid in droves to stage their trash can demonstrations. How would you feel if tables were turned and out-of-towners came to Dodger Stadium with this much passion?
Dodger comeback not to be
The Dodger eighth inning had Sheldon Neuse sneak in a solo homer to cut the Dodgers deficit to three. The homer was Sheldon’s third on the year but with only a .189 average in 53 trips to the plate, we need to see Cody Bellinger back in blue soon.
The Dodger ninth gave us some hope as we managed to walk – walk our way to a game tying at bat. The hitter, Albert Pujols 2021 version, came up and struck out on nothing but sliders. The league is learning to not give AP a fastball. With only one big hit on breaking balls in clutch at bats this year for Albert.
Bring on The Giants (again)
San Fransisco comes to town for a four-game series at the Ravine. Game time Thursday is 7:10, with starters not announced but looks like a bullpen game to start for dem Bums.
Lets get back in the win column – Lets Go Dodgers!!!
