Astros a big zero in key spots, one loss from WS elimination

ATLANTA (AP) — Time and time again, the Houston Astros clogged the bases.

So much traffic early, it looked like the notorious congestion on the Downtown Connecter that drives Atlanta commuters crazy.

Only for the Astros, hardly anyone ever got home.

“We really had them on the ropes,” manager Dusty Baker said.

Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve all had their chances Saturday night. But a big hit once again eluded the Astros and they fell to Atlanta 3-2 in Game 4 of the World Series, leaving them one loss from elimination.

Baker even tried a novel approach with his lineup. He put good-hitting pitcher Zack Greinke in the eighth spot, ahead of catcher Martín Maldonado — the only other time in World Series play that a pitcher didn’t bat ninth was in 1918, with a Red Sox lefty named Babe Ruth.

Greinke came through with a single, in fact.

But in the end, it didn’t matter. Bases loaded, runners at the corners, second and third — no matter the situation, the result didn’t change.

The team that led the majors in hitting this season, a club packed with All-Stars and the two top hitters in the AL batting race, couldn’t come through in the clutch.

Houston finished 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, most of that in the first few innings, wound up stranding 11 and is hitting a paltry .206 overall this week.

“They say good pitching beats good hitting, and then when you don’t hit, they say what’s wrong?” Baker said. “And they’ve been pitching good against us. They’ve been pitching great against us.”

Aside from a 7-2 romp in Game 2, the Astros have totaled four runs in their three losses.

And just like that, the solidly favored Astros can get knocked out in Game 5 on Sunday night.

“We’re trying hard as hitters. We’ve...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Astros-a-big-zero-in-key-spots-one-loss-from-WS-16578373.php