The punchless Stros continued their quest to become an afterthought in the race for a playoff spot as they lost their second straight game to the Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday night, 5-3. The hapless Stros are now 42-41 on the season and nine games behind the Cards in the NL Central.
This game was fairly typical for this Stros team as they cranked out their usual 8 total bases, 4 of which came on Ausmus‘ solo yak in the fifth. With that crank, Ausmus finally achieved double figures in extra base hits this season — it took him “only” 67 games to do so. Alas, he still has hit into more double plays than extra base hits. Bags — the highest paid singles hitters in baseball — had a 2 run single, which completed the Stros’ offensive outburst. Starting pitcher Pete Munro was equally mediocre, giving up four runs and seven hits in four innings.
Roy O at least gives the Stros a chance on Wednesday night against the Pads’ Jake Peavy, who has one of the best ERA’s in the league. Just what the Stros’ hitters need at this point. After this game, the Stros travel to L.A. to face the Dodgers over the weekend in a four game set.