May 4: Astros Own Lone Star Series and MLB, Mariners Even Up Against Angels, A's Have One Win Since April 22

Yeah, that's right: April 22. Think about that. Think about what you were doing April 22, Think about how long ago that was. Anyway, scores here, notes and links when you hit "read more."

Astros 10, Rangers 1 

The Astros, owned for so long in this series, are now doing the owning and also rubbing some hot peppers in the wound with grand slams, bench-clearing almost-brawls and, in this game, Carlos Correa hitting for the cycle. 

All of the things that have gone wrong for the Rangers went wrong all at once - bad starting pitching, bad bullpen work, weak sauce offense. 


Mariners 8, Angels 7

The Mariners rallied (sans monkey) in the 8th to score 4 runs and then held on in the ninth for the one-run victory, setting up the rubber match in the series for tonight. 

Blake Parker, the journeyman reliever for the Angels this season, has actually been very good this year but could simply not get the final out in the 8th inning - here's Mike Scioscia to tell you about it. 


Twins 7, Athletics 4

The A's April success has proved less prologue and more painfully misleading. So far. 

The box. 

Astros (19-9)

They are now officially the best team in baseball. And they got there in the most satisfying way possible by destroying their hated enemy. And it was destruction, too, with Charlie Morton pitching one of this best starts of the year and the offense putting up 10 runs even without Jose Altuve getting a hit. The go for the sweep next, and then it's off to Los Angeles to play the second-place Angels.

Do the already-loaded Astros have a mid-career breakout candidate on their hands? 

Angels (15-14)

Ricky Nolasco got some questionable calls through the first four inings - there, I said it - and also got hit pretty hard. In another words, he did not look right. He's already missed a start due to mechanical issues. But maybe it was just some cramping in the leg. Still, the Angels had the lead thanks to a homer from Mike Trout (of course) and the heating up Angels bats. Still, the team might need more smart pitching moves from The Office of the GM.

The Blake Parker implosion was bound to happen, when you look at it from a certain point of view. 

Mariners (12-16)

The Mariners move into third place with the win. They have to be pleased with the off-speed wizardry of Hisashi Iwakuma, although watching him this season, he seems to live close to the edge through every start. Taylor Motter was fun, but having Jean Segura back at shortstop has put energy into the offense. Look at the top half of the batting order last night: Segura, rookie Ben Gamel, Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager. You can see why GM Jerry Dipito has said he is not worried. On the other hand, he might worry about the starting rotation after James Paxton, especially with Felix Hernandez out for maybe a month.

Roll up for the Mariners emotionally destructive two-day tour.

Athletics (11-16)

The A's actually were one swing away from winning the game Wednesday night, but former Twin Trevor Plouffe hit into a double play instead. Both Sonny Gray and Kendall Graveman got hammered the last two nights but I'm still bullish long term on this young rotation. The A's attempt to avoid the sweep tonight with Jharel Cotton on the mound. 

 Josh Phegley looks to be out, and the A's are compared to F Troop. Sean Doolittle is out, as well.

Rangers (11-17)

This is a low. Knocked into last place by your arch-rival. And they've lost Cole Hamels for a couple months. After years of mostly good baseball, the Rangers are in serious trouble.

The Dallas Morning News asks the question every Rangers fan is asking. 

 


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