At approximately 830pm local time, you could hear the roar emulating at Daikin Park for miles. Nelson Velazquez had erased Chicago’s lead with one mega blast. 21,236 in attendance left the exits satisfied.
Astros 6 White Sox 3.
Even though Dana Brown was jettisoned a week ago, the waiver acquisition of Velazquez is firmly notched on the plus side of his ledger. Nelson’s two-run shot to left field traveled 415 feet, landing on the train tracks. As important as the runs were, of equal importance was generating some power from another left-handed bat in bottom third of the lineup.
As he’s prone to do, Peter Lambert had flashes of brilliance, but it wasn’t sustained for a deep outing. He’d strike out Vargas and Benintendi in the first, and for the night, recorded six punchouts. However, walks were also on the menu, five in total were served up before being pulled in the fifth. A 30-pitch, 4th inning pretty much told the story. 8 Sox batters would appear that frame, and when it concluded the Sox had their only lead of the night. Lambert has now gone winless in his last 9 starts.
Lambert’s counterpart, Anthony Kay, would also depart after going 4.2 innings. He’d leave with the bases loaded, and things only got worse from there. Trevor Richards came on in relief, and the game was busted open thanks to a Cam Smith 2-run double. At that point, the Astros were up 6-2. The White Sox would load the bases in the 6th but failed to score. However, in next inning, they’d inch closer on Colson Montgomery’s solo homer. It was Montgomery’s 29th of the season cutting things to 6-3. That would be the only run the White Sox would manage off of four different Astros relievers.
Bryan Abreu came on in the ninth to close the door.
Odds & Ends:
Peter Lambert’s 5 issued walks tied a career high. The Astros would allow 10 on the night.
September brings roster expansion. Expect the Astros on Tuesday to activate Mike Burrows from the IL.
Jose Altuve earned a rest day in the midst of a current 13 day stretch of contests.
With the win on Monday Night, the Astros finished August with a mark of 14-13.
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