How the mighty have fall. Injuries, under performing , and dare I say poor roster construction has doomed the Rangers' 2014 season. There is no better example for this then the Rangers' Monday starter Miles Mikolas. Before the Rangers had put him in Triple-A Round Rock's starting rotation this season, Mikolas hadn't made a professional start as a pitcher at any level since 2009.
Tonight Mikolas had his first taste of major league defeat. It began in the second, here is a reaction of the game's events -
Jon Singleton, Matt Dominguez, Chris Carter, Carlos Corporan, and Enrique Hernandez started off the inning with five-straight singles. Marwin Gonzalez cleared the bases with a triple, putting the Astros up 5-0 early. Alex Presley added another single in the inning to score Gonzalez, setting the score at 6-0 Astros. The numbness of last week was zapped away with the smiles and joy from the Astros dugout as the runs came rushing in .
Jarred Cosart appeared to nibble a bit too much with his big lead, falling behind many times to the Rangers hitters. The Rangers would put at least one run in four straight inning to chip away at the Astros' lead. 2014 All-Star third baseman Adrian Beltre once again had his way with Cosart, collecting a double and a home run with two RBIs in the game. But, Cosart held through five to keep his win intact.
Jon Singleton shut the door on any chances of a Rangers' comeback with a 3-run homer in the forth inning. Singleton smacked his 425' home run on the sixth pitch he faced from Mikols, it was the fifth fastball in the at-bat. He appeared to square up the timing on a pervious foul ball.
Alex Presley added another run batted in for the game with a solo home run in the sixth. He would leave the game in the eight with runners on the corners after fouling off five-straight pitches. It appears to be some kind of strain in his back. L.J. Hoes took over Presley with a 3-2 count and drove a pitch to the outfield for a sac fly. Jon Singleton would drive in another run with a double in inning.
The middle of the Astros bullpen was sharp tonight. Jose Fields struck out all three batters he faced. Tony Sipp struck out four of the five batters he faced.
Jose Altuve broke the Astros' record for hits before the All-Star break with 124 hits, passing Bob Watson. He had two hits, two runs scored, and stolen base in the game - what you would call a Monday for Jose Altuve. Alex Presley had a nice game, 2-4 with a home run, two RBIs, and stolen. Jon Singleton was 3-for-4 and was one triple away from the cycle, he had four RBIs and a walk.
An all a round good night of baseball for the Astros. They pick right back with the Rangers at 7:05 PM CT, Brad Peacock faces Nick Martinez.