Boxscore Breakdown #100: Aced in the hole – Astros 6, Angels 3

Facing the team your tied with atop the division, in their stadium, without your best player. I can’t think of a better time to have your ace on the mound. Unfortunately, I also can’t think of a worse time for that ace to turn in a clunker of a start, which is exactly what Garrett Richards did instead of stepping in to save the day for the Trout-less Halos.

Astros 6, Angels 3

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1tjzqr23wrIw0A5HWn0Ke7e570yTz6KFgcWQXPhmm4sI/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] Carlos Perez finally woke up from his offensive slumber, perhaps because of the motivation to show up his former team. Erick Aybar had a quality game as did Conor Gillaspie, who continues to do his best to make sure he remains employed once Freese comes off the DL. Unfortunately, the other new guys, David Murphy and David DeJesus, made poor first impressions, especially DeJesus.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1tjzqr23wrIw0A5HWn0Ke7e570yTz6KFgcWQXPhmm4sI/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] It was another all-around offensive effort from the Astros lineup. Jon Singleton led the way with his homer, but it was Jose Altuve who first gave Houston the lead, because of course it was Jose Altuve.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1tjzqr23wrIw0A5HWn0Ke7e570yTz6KFgcWQXPhmm4sI/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] Garrett Richards just didn’t get the job done and he knows it. He steamrolled Houston the first time through the lineup, but kind of fell apart after that. His issues with homers are becoming a legit concern now. Lance McCullers has been great as a rookie and this was probably his best start so far. I’m literally going to cry if Houston somehow adds David Price now.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1tjzqr23wrIw0A5HWn0Ke7e570yTz6KFgcWQXPhmm4sI/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] Jose Alvarez got roughed up and made it so that when Luke Gregorson struggled in the ninth that the game was never actually in much jeopardy for Houston.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1tjzqr23wrIw0A5HWn0Ke7e570yTz6KFgcWQXPhmm4sI/pubchart” query=”oid=41272350&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”315″ /] Once again the Angels had an early edge, but instead of blowing it quickly, they slowly bled to death, which was more painful for fans than the one inning meltdown.

Halo A-Hole

The Angels took a Bullet to the head.