Jose Altuve went hitless in a three-game series, finishing 0-for-14, as the Houston Astros struggled to maintain their position in the AL West. His defensive error added to the team's frustrations.
Jose Altuve goes hitless in series as Astros make pitch to halt AL West drop originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jose Altuve looked frustrated.
Nothing appeared to be going right for theĀ Houston Astros second baseman.
Attempting to protect a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday, Altuve pivoted and reached out to snare Daniel Schneemann's sharp one-out grounder. Altuve booted the attempt. Although ruled a single, the effort was one Altuve often executes.
What likely aggravated Altuve more was that his defense couldn't make up for his offense. Altuve failed to generate a hit during the three-game MLB series at Progressive Field, goingĀ 0-for-14.
Most MLB insiders believed the Astros' pitching staff would hamper the team's quest to compete in the AL West, but few could have predicted this big a falloff.
Fifteen games into the season, the Astros led the league with a 146 team wRC+, but theyĀ dropped six straight and were 6-9.
The losing streak reached eight games following a 6-2 road loss to the Seattle Mariners. During the skid, Astros pitchers allowed 64 runs and 51 walks.
Altuve likely will not go hitless in too many other series this season, but for the Astros (10-16) to rise out of the AL Central's basement, two pitchers, Bryan Abreu and , need to turn their seasons around.
Jose Altuve went hitless due to a combination of poor performance at the plate, finishing 0-for-14, and a defensive error that compounded the Astros' struggles.
Altuve's lack of hits and the Astros' overall performance have contributed to their difficulties in maintaining a strong position in the AL West.
The Astros struggled in the series, with Altuve's hitless streak highlighting their offensive challenges during the three-game matchup.
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Preparing to welcome the New York Yankees to Daikin Park on Friday for a weekend series, the Astros' 5.81 team earned-run average ranked last in the league. The team's offense, however, was tied for third with a .259 team batting average.
Abreu (0-2) continues to struggle while attempting to fill in for injured Josh Hader. In Abreu's opening six appearances, the 29-year-old right-hander registered a 14.73 ERA. In his opening 3.2 innings, he surrendered nine earned runs. He has remained out of action since April 17, when he allowed three earned runs in one inning.
Blubaugh (2-2), who opened the season by allowing a "mammoth"Ā home run to Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout on March 26, carried a 6.19 ERA through 11 appearances. Most of the 25-year-old right-hander's issues developed during a two-game stretch April 5 and 8, when he yielded nine earned runs in three combined innings.
Including one shut-out inning during the Astros' win over the Guardians on Wednesday marked his fourth straight scoreless outing.
Altuve's recent offensive frustrations shouldn't last long and the Astros will hit.
Their season will likely depend on rapid pitching improvements.