Houston Astros Falter, Drop Series to Tigers With Tuesday Loss
The Houston Astros (2-4) dropped Tuesday night's contest to the Detroit Tigers (2-3) in 6-3 fashion. Houston also lost the series to the Tigers, a team they are vastly more talented than, at least on paper.
Astros starter Framber Valdez pitched an impressive game going 7.0 innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out nine. In fact, Valdez was so impressive he needed just six pitched to record all three outs in the top of the second inning. It was a sub-two minute half inning.
It is becoming more normal for innings and games as a whole to be shorter due to the new pitch clock rules. Games this season are averaging nearly half an hour less than in 2022. On Tuesday, the matchup between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers lasted less than two hours.
Despite the solid outing for Valdez, Houston's offense once again failed to materialize. The Astros were only able to plate two runs, one of which came off of a Kyle Tucker solo shot in the bottom of the fourth inning. It was his second of the season and travelled 397 feet.
The other run came in the first inning, also from Tucker when he recorded an RBI-single scoring third baseman Alex Bregman.
Detroit on the other hand was able to provide their pitching, headlined by Matt Manning, with plenty of run support. The Tigers were able to plate six runs on the evening. Two came off of Ryne Stanek when he gave up a two-run home run to Spencer Torkelson.
The Astros have at times this season struggled to produce runs. When they have been able to create run support, their pitching has failed to come through.
While it is still early, the chemistry of this team is something to watch out for as they continue to search for their identity in 2023. As well as the win column.
They will play the final of three games against Detroit on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT.
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