Why the face?
’Stros melt down in 8th
The biggest crack in the Astros’ pursuit of their first World Series title could be seen all year. Now, the weak link may bring their season crumbling down.
After receiving an unpredictably solid start from Lance McCullers Jr., the Astros led by three, and were nine outs from claiming a 3-1 series lead in the ALCS, but Houston’s beleaguered bullpen melted down once again, allowing the Yankees to score five runs — including a four-run eighth inning — and tie the series after claiming a 6-4 Game 4 win Tuesday night in The Bronx.
“There’s no panic,” said closer Ken Giles, who took the loss after allowing two runs and three hits in one-third of an inning. “This stuff happens. This is the playoffs. Anything can happen. We [have] got to bounce back and be ready to go.”
Houston’s inconsistent bullpen looked like it would have an easy night. The Yankees had produced just one hit, and the Astros entered the bottom of the seventh with a 4-0 lead, when Aaron Judge led off with a home run.
McCullers was then removed for reliever Chris Devenski — who had allowed three runs in 2 2/3 postseason innings — and he immediately allowed a triple to Didi Gregorius, and a sacrifice fly to Gary Sanchez, cutting Houston’s lead to 4-2.
Joe Musgrove, making his first appearance of the ALCS, recorded the final two outs of the eighth inning, but the 24-year-old reliever allowed singles to Todd Frazier and Chase Headley to open the eighth, with both runners moving into scoring position after Headley advanced to second after a failed rundown attempt by the Astros.
“I felt fine. I felt calm. I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I just didn’t execute pitches that well,” Musgrove said. “If we get that out there, I think I have a chance to stay in and keep the game under control.” Instead, the spiral sped up. Closer Ken Giles came in, and was asked to lock down a six-out save, after securing a five-out save in Game 1 against the Yankees. Giles had thrown two innings just three times this season, including a series-clinching performance in Boston in the ALDS.
Giles (0-1), who has now al- lowed at least one run in four straight appearances, opened by allowing a run on a Brett Gardner ground out, and then served up a game-tying double to Aaron Judge. One batter later, Gary Sanchez collected his first hit of the series, smacking the game-winning two-run double to right center.
“It may look like it’s unraveling real quick, but in my eyes, they’re just slowly putting us to the ground and that’s what they did,” Giles said. “It’s painful. I let the whole team down.
“They were very patient at the plate. ... We let a really good start get away from Lance. We should’ve taken advantage of that.”
A.J. Hinch may need the freshly scarred relief corps less than 24 hours later. At this point, the manager has no choice but to believe they can be counted on.
“I don’t think there’s anybody that’s losing their job over this,” Hinch said. “They’re the guys we’re going with. ... They have gotten outs for us all season.
“We’ll hand the ball to this bullpen with the lead [in Game 5] feeling good about it, if that’s the case.”