Jun 9, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) runs to second base for a double in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Coming into this series, I thought that the Diamondbacks could get the two game sweep. They had won 8 of their past 11 series and were playing really well at home, plus it seemed like everybody was raking at the plate. Plus the Dbacks were playing the A.L Worst Houston Astros who have been at the bottom of the major leagues the past two seasons. But this isn’t the same Astros team that we saw over the past two years. They are starting to win again, and they might actually loose less than 100 games. The Astros are starting to build a great core that includes recent call-ups George Springer, and Jon Singleton. Dallas Keuchel is starting to develop into a premier ace, and Jose Altuve leads the A.L in hits. The Dbacks had to settle for a two games series split and now head to Houston to play two in the Astros home park as part of a home-away inter-league series.
Game 1: Astros-4 Diamondbacks-3
Josh Collmenter was on the mound, and as of late, that usually means the Dbacks win, and the pitching match-up favored the Dbacks so I thought this was a win able game. George Springer wasn’t even in the lineup that night! Then again, I forgot just how hot the whole entire Astros lineup is. Josh Collmenter spent more time throwing pitches where ever he felt like, than actually pitching, and as a result, the Houston lineup took advantage. It took Josh 48 pitches and 14 batters to reach the middle of the second, and this is a lineup that is without Springer. Collmenter wasn’t showing great control and the Astros hit the mistake pitches. The Tomahawk wasn’t helped by Aaron Hill‘s third error of the season at second base, which is more than the amount of errors he committed in all of 2013. The Dbacks offense managed to get nothing the first time through the order against Zach Cosart and once again another comeback fell just short.
Game 2: Astros-1 Diamondbacks-4
The Diamondbacks got a late rush in the 7th inning from the bats to propel the team to a much needed series split against the Astros. Simply put the Dbacks couldn’t get swept by the Astros. Bronson Arroyo after putting up his two worst starts in a Diamondbacks uniform, he put up a great performance against Houston, a team that he had faced 21 times before, giving up only 1 run. THe Dbacks defense helped him out turning three double plays, and Paul Goldschmidt hit a shot into the pool. He now leads N.L 1B in RBI’s and is third in hits of any player in the MLB over the past two seasons.
The Dbacks start a two game series with the same team, this time in Houston tonight at 5:10pm Arizona time when Dallas Keuchel faces Brandon McCarthy.