Offense MIA again as Houston loses third straight

HOUSTON — The Astros are discovering new ways to waste prosperity amid this trying stretch of offensive incompetence. Some games seem filled with opportunities to waste. Others have none at all. Both are contributing to borderline reckless baserunning in hopes something can ignite a spark.

Saturday’s 5-1 loss showcased a new, more miserable method of torture. The team’s two worst hitters started the eighth inning with productive at-bats. Miami committed an error to help Houston’s cause, loading the bases with no outs for a man who never strikes out and another that once craved clutch moments.

Marlins reliever Dylan Bass brought his glove toward his cap. The 31,379 gathered here finally found reason to cheer, causing a problem with Bass’ PitchCom. He received the signs and stared toward Michael Brantley, Houston’s contact-crazy two-hole hitter with a wonderful ability to work at-bats.

He had not struck out in his past 30 plate appearances. Bass accomplished the feat on four pitches.

Alex Bregman brought himself to the batter’s box. Nothing in his recent history suggested success. He brought a .709 OPS to the ballpark Saturday. Manager Dusty Baker avoided questions

about his struggles before the game, telling reporters “let’s wait” before bringing a broad assessment.

Perhaps the wait would end here, amid the sort of situation Bregman has mastered in his major league career. One swing would sway the tenor of his season and the result of Saturday’s game. He took it on an 0-1 pitch, a slider that broke down and away from the righthanded hitter.

Bregman lined the baseball softly toward Bass. He caught it in the air, but none of the four umpires seemed to notice. Bass threw to first base and doubled off Jose Altuve. With no signal of a catch, a carousel of Astros kept running the bases. Mauricio Dubón crossed home plate. Martín Maldonado tried, too, but Marlins manager Don Mattingly’s protests interrupted the dream.

Mattingly did not have his managerial review. Bass implored the umpires to make a call. When they did, no argument arrived from Houston’s dugout. Only dread remained. Miami’s bullpen retired six of the next seven it faced, sending the Astros to the type of loss becoming far too common.

Houston has scored one or no runs 11 times in 59 games. Their performance with runners in scoring position is pitiful. Their at-bats with runners on base are no better. After going 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position on Friday, the Astros managed a 1-for-13 mark Saturday.

Karen Warren/Staff photographer Yordan Alvarez, one of the few Astros who has been hitting well lately, expresses his displeasure after striking out against Marlins reliever Steven Okert in the eighth inning Saturday.