Back to H-Town 5-1

The Houston Astros dropped the first game of the two game set to the Angels Monday night. Carlos Correa decided a second loss was not going to happen.

BOOMBAH. Carlos Correa launches an oppo taco two run shot to take the lead over the Angels in the ninth inning Tuesday afternoon. The offense looked a tad sluggish today, but three home runs and four runs was all they needed to take care of business. Earlier in the game Correa walked up to the plate with one out and two runners in scoring position. He popped out just passed second base, and it wasn’t a great at-bat overall. He more than made up for that mistake with his game winning home run. (Please Jim Crane, open up the check book.)

Now, let’s talk about the pitching and the incredibly awful strike zone. Zack Greinke hung a curveball to Mike Trout in the first inning, and we can all take a guess where the ball landed (it hasn’t landed). The Astros were down 2-0 early on, but solo blasts from Kyle Tucker and Aledmys Diaz will do the trick to tie the game right back up. Greinke went seven strong innings with 5 H, 1 BB, and 4 SO. Exactly what the doctor ordered because the bullpen had to be exhausted after no starting pitchers for Houston went more than five innings against Oakland or the first game in Anaheim.

The strike zone was another story. Angel Hernandez was behind the plate, and as it goes for any umpire, if fans know your name it’s probably not a good thing. The zone was all over the place, and Astros players were letting Hernandez know it after a few called strikeouts. If you don’t believe me, watch this video of all the blatant missed calls on both sides of the game.

Horrendous. What’s it going to take to get this guy out of the league? He’s been calling playoff and World Series games for years, too. Make it stop, please.

Anyway, the Astros are so good that they’ve only trailed twice in the six games played so far. TWICE. That’s an insane stat. You want to know what’s even crazier about that stat? Look at this tweet:

Yeah, the Astros are good. They’re 5-1, and headed back to Houston to spank the A’s again. Minute Maid is going to be rocking. The boys are back in town. Let’s make it loud for them.

Stoney (@stoneystrank)