If you’re like me, you were on the edge of your seat when the Houston Astros faced the Atlanta Braves in the first game of their series. Though we lost, it was an opportunity to assess our gaps beyond the obvious pitcher injuries that are taking a toll on our team. The Houston Astros are 4-7 in home games and 6-12 overall. It has been a bumpy start, no denying that, but let’s see what we can do with a solid second round.
The buzz varied from skepticism about facing off against the Braves so early to speculation about Josh Hader’s ability to maintain stability until the anticipated return of Justin Verlander, possibly slated for this Friday. There was also excitement surrounding the potential batting prowess of Jose Altuve igniting the prospect of seeing some powerful home runs. There was a clear consensus that we want the Astros to find their groove.
It is not too far-fetched; the Astros have the fourth-best team on-base percentage in MLB play at .346, a feat largely attributed to the contributions of players like Altuve. Contrastingly, the Braves have showcased their own strengths, having a 6-3 record on the road and a 10-5 record overall. They have a .364 on-base percentage. With the Braves’ three-time All-Star second baseman, Ozzie Albies out, the matchup has all the elements to be fiercely competitive until the final innings.
Let the game begin….
Hunter Brown was the starting pitcher for the Astros. Ronald Acuna Jr., Brave’s 4 times All- Star outfielder, seemed to be unphased with a base hit to right field. So much so, that he aggressively stole second base which turned into a thrilling “cat and mouse” between him and Astros catcher, Yainer Diaz. The fans went crazy as it continued to a third base steal by Acuna that was later reviewed and overturned to an out! The crowd erupted and before the fans could come down, a quick catch in the right-center field ended in a 3 up and 3 down for Browns’ pitching start.
In the 2nd inning, Atlanta’s Orlando Arcia swung a powerful hit that sailed over to left center for a home run, setting a tone of uncertainty for both teams. Pitchers, Hunter Brown and Reynaldo Lopez, settled into a rhythm that proved challenging for batters on both sides to find their stride. Multiple double plays, a flurry of quick outs, and unsuccessful base hits scattered the 1st through the 3rd innings, resulting in swift exchanges on the field. Murmurs of frustration echoed through the crowd, punctuated by “boos” and personalized chants on both sides.
At the top of the 4th inning, the stadium became unhinged with energy as a mighty roar erupted from the crowd at the sight of Verlander gracing the big screen while engaging with the media. A refreshed Verlander took center stage, addressing the team’s myriad of injuries with both empathy and resolve. As he spoke of his eagerness to rejoin his teammates on the field, a palpable sense of nostalgia swept over Astros fans. You could hear some chanting “Ver- land -der” and screaming “We miss you.” Despite trailing by a single run as the 4th inning drew to a close, Verlander’s presence infused the moment with hope and anticipation.
By the bottom of the 5th inning, Jose Altuve strikes out by Reynoldo Lopez, Braves pitcher, who was on a roll with his third strike out, Altuve being his final strike out before closing out the inning. The Astros continued to struggle with reaching outside their strike zone for wild pitches to ground ball outs.
Hunter Brown, the Astros’ pitcher, showcased his grit on the mound throughout the game, delivering a good performance eventually closing out with 87 pitches. As the game progressed, Brown demonstrated his consistency by quickly navigating through another three batters with ease in the 6th inning. However, as the 7th inning unfolded, Brown faced a difficult challenge, finding himself in a tight spot with the bases loaded. Despite his effort, Brown allowed a double to the left by Austin Riley and issued walks to Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna.
With the bases loaded and tension mounting, the Braves’ Orlando Arcia stepped up to the plate, delivering a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Riley to cross the plate for a run. As Ozuna advanced to second and Olsen to third, the pressure intensified for Brown and the Astros. Yet, in a pivotal moment, Brown showcased his resilience by striking out Jarred Kelenic, providing a much-needed boost for the Astros. With Luis Guillome’s following with a ground ball to second resulting in an easy out, Brown demonstrated skill. Fans stood up as he exited the field for the pitcher switch, leaving fans on the edge of their seats in a sequence of intense moments.
In the top of the 8th inning, Dublin’s strikeout of Acuna injected energy back into the stadium, where dedicated fans eagerly awaited a turning point in the game as the Astros took the field. Though the inning ended with three quick outs, including Altuve striking out swinging, the atmosphere remained charged with excitement and determination.
The 9th inning proved to be a crucial moment in the game, characterized by a roller coaster of emotions and intense plays. It began with a failed Astros challenge regarding a controversial play near the foul line in left field. Atlanta capitalized on the opportunity, scoring four runs. However, the Astros quickly rallied as Kyle Tucker launched a homerun to ignite confidence in the bottom of the inning. The momentum surged when Jeremy Pena scored, narrowing the gap to 6-2. Despite Chas McCormick being walked, the Braves’ closer, Raisel Iglesias, was summoned in an effort to smother the Astros’ momentum. Nevertheless, as Caratini stepped up to bat, anticipation reached its peak. Although his base hit briefly reignited hope, it ultimately fell short, bringing an end to the game with a 6-2 victory for the Braves.
After the game, a murmur of disappointment filled the air, yet there lingered a sense of optimism among fans, fueled by the anticipation of Verlander’s return. Undoubtedly, the Astros boast unparalleled talent driven by determination and unwavering resilience. However, there seems to be a missing element, whether it be a hunger for victory, gritty determination, or simply relief from their current challenges. Regardless, every fan eagerly awaits the moment when the Astros unleash their full potential, reminiscent of the epic moments witnessed in previous years.
Sources: www.espn.com, www.theathletic.com
