Astros 8, Blue Jays 2
W: Oberholtzer (4-7)
L: Dickey (9-11)
It was a highlight reel kind of night for the Home Nine, who may have moved up another rung on the ladder into the lower reaches of mediocrity. Houston is no longer Unable to Compete, now that they have credible starting pitching and can employ the AL Great Equalizer – the home run – to stay in games they couldn’t stay in before. They’re making the rough parts smooth. Can it last?
Three Astros had three hits last night – Carter (with a 2B and HR), Castro (HR) and Singleton (2B and inside-the-park HR) and they combined to drive in seven. Grossman leaped above the wall in right to rob a homer from Juan Francisco. Obie continued his run of strong starts with seven innings of two-run ball. Altuve scored after a wild pickoff attempt by Dickey. And this just in – Foltynewicz throws real hard.
It’s good to see – well, see isn’t the right word, because we sure can’t see this team without going to the ballpark – it’s good to read about this team and their recent fortune against some of the better teams in the league. Little steps. It’s a process. Not unlike a conk in many ways.