Around the Bases: Houston Astros Weekly Report

I’m not much of a homebody, but there are times where the perfect remedy to a long, difficult week is spending some quiet, quality time at home. After a forgetful 2-7 road trip, which actually ended with a win in San Francisco on Wednesday, some home cookin’ was exactly what the Houston Astros needed to wake up their seemingly dormant offense. Simply being back in their home ballpark seemingly did wonders as the Astros took 2 out of 3 from the Brad Ausmus lead Tigers over the weekend. Even with the Tigers welcoming perennial All-Star 1B Miguel Cabrera back into their lineup, his return was not enough to prevent the Astros from taking the series.

The Astros offense is such a different animal at home that it’s borderline ludicrous. They won this series not just by getting great starter pitching, which they’ve accomplished a lot of lately, but with timely, clutch hitting. The Astros had been awful with runners in scoring position on their last road trip. But in this series, they were able to garner big hit after big hit to finally help reward their pitching staff. Preston Tucker’s 9^th inning game tying homerun on Saturday night (which literally had me jumping up and down like a jubilant child) and Jose Altuve’s 9^th inning, game winning, single to left center to win yesterday’s game were just two of the timely, clutch hits that helped the Astros end the week with a 3.5 game lead over the second place Angels. Credit for last night’s win should also go to Colby Rasmus, who fueled the team’s offense early yesterday with 2, count ‘em 2, “Colby-Jacks” to right field to give the Astros the lead early. Now if only Evan Gattis, and especially the newly acquired Carlos Gomez, can get on track, this offense can be on the verge of really breaking out.

The Astros look to continue their good fortune at home as they begin a 4-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Lefty Scott Kazmir will take the mound tonight against righty Erasmo Ramirez. The Astros will remain at home through the weekend as Dodgers come into town on Friday for a 3-game interleague series. Here’s to hoping the friendly confines at Minute Maid Park stay friendly to our boys in orange.

Until next week, Astros fans. Stay classy.