Debby Wong – USA TODAY Sports
If there is one adjective that has never even been fathomed to be used to describe the 2013 Houston Astros, it’s clutch. They’ve put up a .230 average with runners in scoring position, which is good for third-last in the league. Their team ERA with runners in scoring position is 13.15, placing them at last in the league.
Focusing on the positives on Tuesday, everything seemed to click for the Astros initially. They managed to string hits together to start rallies, and had the necessary clutch hitting to finish them. In the second and third innings, Brandon Barnes, Jason Castro and the most unlikely of heroes, Chris Carter, managed to get runs in. Carter’s hit even came with two outs, a situation where he’s hitting .159 on the season.
Although scoring in the situations is supposed to be a given at the major league level, it’s anything but routine for the Astros.
Jordan Lyles made a strong case to stay in MLB after a long string of disappointing starts. The worst situation he saw was in the bottom of the fifth with a man on first and third and no outs. He managed to get a double play and another harmless out to get out of the inning. Lyles went seven strong innings, allowing only one run and reminded Astros fans of the consistency he showed earlier in the year.
And what about that horrible time when MLB’s worst bullpen is called into action?
Well, let’s just say that’s the one aspect that reminded everyone why Houston is still in last place, though Chia-Jen Lo did earn an impressive save. But again, let’s focus on the positives — every win is something big.
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