Astros’ struggles vs. last-place groups proceed in loss to KC

KANSAS CITY — The Astros are chasing their sixth American League West title prior to now seven seasons, however one unexpected impediment has stepped into their path in September: last-place groups.

Houston nonetheless leads the division by a half-game, however the Astros started their three-game journey to Kansas City with a 4-2 loss Friday night time at Kauffman Stadium. Those within the clubhouse insist on the significance of each recreation, however as a substitute of constructing their division lead towards golf equipment properly under .500, the Astros have struggled.

The Royals have been the most recent instance. The Astros started the month by getting swept at house by the Yankees, who entered the collection in final place at 65-69. And every week after a important three-game sweep of Texas, the Astros misplaced two of three to the A’s (46-101). Now, Houston finds itself needing to win the ultimate two to take the collection from Kansas City (47-101).

Houston’s lead within the AL West dwindled from 2 1/2 video games to a half-game prior to now 5 days, with Texas’ loss Friday retaining the Astros atop the standings. The Astros are 1-6 towards last-place golf equipment in September.

“These clubs can beat you too,” Astros supervisor Dusty Baker mentioned. “They’re big [league] players. Yeah, [these games] are missed opportunities, but these [teams], they get up for us. Everyone gets up for us. We have to get even further up to them because we have five more games with them, and five more big games.”

The defending champs obtained a stable begin from Cristian Javier, however the house run ball as soon as once more put a dent in an in any other case stable outing. Javier has allowed a career-worst 25 homers this season, and his 1.54 HR/9 price is the best of his profession for any season that he has thrown 100+ innings.

Javier has given up 16 homers in his previous 76 2/3 innings, and must proceed to enhance if he needs to earn a beginning spot within the rotation ought to the Astros make the postseason. 

“We couldn’t keep the ball in the yard,” Baker mentioned. “Lately, that’s been Javier’s problem and our problem too. They’re doing to us what we usually do to other people. The last series as well. We just have to find a way to keep that ball in the ballpark.”

But it wasn’t like Javier was lacking his spots towards the Royals. The homer to Bobby Witt Jr. within the fifth inning was a 93.6 mph fastball on the within fringe of the plate. Outside of the 2 homers, Javier allowed simply three singles throughout 5 innings. 

“Felt very good,” Javier mentioned. “Tried to say as focused as possible, as positive as possible and tried to attack the strike zone. To me, [Witt] made a great adjustment to that pitch.”

The two lengthy balls put Houston in a gap it has discovered itself in regularly prior to now week. For the third time of their previous 4 video games, the Astros have failed to attain greater than two runs. The outcome? Three losses to the 2 groups with the worst information within the Majors.

“They feel like the A’s, the two games they beat us, they played really good,” Jose Altuve mentioned. “And the Royals hit three homers today and pitched good. Sometimes you have to tip the hat and realize they played better than you.”

The Astros struck out 5 occasions towards Angel Zerpa and 9 occasions whole Friday, which included 5 strikeouts trying.

José Abreu had an opportunity with two runners on within the sixth, however was referred to as out on a changeup low within the zone. Houston left seven on base and Alex Bregman grounded into two double performs, halting any offensive momentum. 

“You hate facing guys you haven’t seen before because the nod goes to them, but we had opportunities. The big play was the called third strike on Abreu,” Baker mentioned. “That looked like a ball and would have been bases loaded, one out. It was a questionable call right there.”

The Astros’ subsequent check gained’t come any simpler, both. Cole Ragans, the AL Pitcher of the Month in August, will look to guide the Royals to a collection win. Houston will attempt to keep away from a 3rd collection loss in lower than three weeks to a last-place membership, or its lead within the AL West shall be in jeopardy. 

“I wish we can win every single game, but this is baseball,” Altuve mentioned. “Sometimes the other team plays better than you. I know we got to come back tomorrow and get some momentum and start winning.”