Astros lose 2-1 to the Nationals on July 29, wasting a gem from Framber Valdez. Houston's losing streak hits five as the offense sputters in a record slump.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a frustrating and now historic pattern for the Houston Astros. For the 19th straight game, the opponent put a run on the board first, and for the fifth straight game, it ended in a loss. Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Washington Nationals felt like a recurring nightmare, as a brilliant start from Framber Valdez was wasted by a silent offense, extending the team's longest losing streak of the season.
Opponents have scored first in 19 straight games, setting a new franchise record and tying the expansion-era MLB record set by the 1987 Orioles.
Framber Valdez was masterful, delivering 6.2 innings of ace-quality stuff. He struck out eight, walked only one, and allowed just one earned run. Yet, it wasn't enough. The Astros' lone offensive contribution came from a Jeremy Peña RBI single in the third inning, which briefly tied the game. The lineup managed just five hits all night, with Peña and Jose Altuve accounting for four of them. The decisive blow came in the seventh when Washington's Riley Adams launched a go-ahead solo homer off reliever Nick Martinez, sealing Houston's fate in another one-run heartbreaker.
Management is clearly not sitting on its hands. Ahead of the game, the team made a significant move, designating first baseman Jon Singleton for assignment. Singleton's struggles were well-documented, hitting just .189 in 52 games, and the move signals the front office's impatience with the lack of production. In his place, the Astros reinstated top outfield prospect Jacob Melton from the injured list. Returning from a hamstring strain, the hope is that Melton's bat can provide the spark this lineup desperately needs.
The injury front offers a mixed bag of news. The bad news is that third baseman Isaac Paredes' right hamstring strain is 'pretty significant,' with no timetable for his return as he seeks a second opinion. His presence in the middle of the order is sorely missed. On the brighter side, help for the pitching staff is on the way. Right-hander Luis Garcia, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is progressing well and will move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Sugar Land, putting him on track for an August return. J.P. France also began a rehab stint in Double-A, and the team recalled reliever Luis Contreras, who has been solid in the minors, to bolster the bullpen.
The Astros are stuck in a deep rut. Tying an expansion-era record for futility is a tough pill to swallow, and the pressure is mounting on the offense to wake up. While the return of Melton and the impending comebacks of Garcia and France offer hope for the near future, the present is grim. This team needs to find a way to score early and score often, and it needs to happen now. All eyes will be on tomorrow's game to see if Houston can finally snap this streak and stop the bleeding.
