Astros vs. Nationals: Houston Ends 4-Game Losing Streak With 11-4 Win

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Astros Vs. Nationals: Offense Explodes As Houston Avoids Sweep

Perhaps the Astros took out all their offensive frustrations in one game.

Having lost the first three games of the series, scoring five runs total, the Astros finally found success at the plate, picking up 17 hits in a 11-4 win over the Nationals to break a four-game losing streak and avoid a sweep.

Bud Norris had the worst start of the series for Houston starters, but picked up the win because the offense finally showed up. Norris gave up four earned runs on 10 hits over six innings. Washington starter Edwin Jackson gave up five earned runs on seven hits over five innings.

At the plate, Jose Altuve went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and a run scored. Every Astro in the starting lineup got a hit, including Norris, who went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Jason Castro and Brian Bogusevic each went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored.

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Astros Vs. Nationals: Bats Quiet Again In 3-2 Loss

For the third night in a row, the Astros offense was held in check. After scoring three runs in the first two games of the series (zero Tuesday), Houston could only plate two runs Wednesday night, falling 3-2 to the Nationals.

Washington starter Jordan Zimmerman gave up one run on four hits over seven innings. Houston took a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout from Travis Buck in the fourth inning. The score stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh, when the Nationals tied the game on a double. The Astros answered right back with a run in the top of the eighth on a Jordan Schafer double, but a bases-loaded walk and a sac fly scored two runs for Washington in the bottom of the inning.

Houston starter Lucas Harrell had a similar line to Zimmerman, giving up one run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. Fernando Rodriguez struggled in relief, walking two batters and giving up a hit in 1/3 of an inning. The two runs in the eighth were credited to him and he picked up the loss. The Astros will try to avoid a four-game sweep with the final game of the series Thursday night. Houston has lost seven of its last eight games.

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Houston Astros Vs. Washington Nationals Wednesday Lineups

The Houston Astros take on the Washington Nationals Wednesday in the nation's capital, looking to snap a three-game winning streak that has dropped Houston four games behind the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals.

Here are the starting lineups for the Nationals and Astros.

Houston Astros

Jordan Schafer, CF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Travis Buck, LF
Carlos Lee, 1B
Brian Bogusevic, RF
Chris Johnson, 3B
Jason Castro, C
Marwin Gonzalez, 2B
Lucas Harrell, SP

Washington Nationals

Ian Desmond, SS
Danny Espinosa, 2B
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
Adam LaRoche, 1B
Jayson Werth, RF
Rick Ankiel, CF
Wilson Ramos, C
Roger Bernadina, LF
Jordan Zimmermann, SP

As if facing Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez already wasn't tough enough, Houston's offense now has to go up against Jordan Zimmermann, who is plenty good in his own right. The Astros will likely need Harrell to go toe-to-toe against Zimmermann, who has a microscopic 0.79 WHIP through his first two starts.

For more on the Houston Astros, be sure to head over to the Crawfish Boxes and join the discussion.

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Astros Vs. Nationals, Game 3: Preview, TV Info And More

The Houston Astros are looking to break a four-game losing streak in Washington on Wednesday night, a day after Wandy Rodriguez's stellar pitching performance was undone on a fielding error and zero offense in a 1-0 loss. Offense has haunted Houston in their three game skid, as the Astros as 2-for-29 with runners in scoring position, including an 0-for-6 night on Tuesday (quote courtesy of MLB):

"We talked to a few guys about that today," Astros manager Brad Mills said. "I don't like the word relax, but just feel a little bit more confident with themselves knowing they've got the upper hand, not the pitcher, in those situations."

Lucas Harrell will start for Houston on Wednesday, against the Nationals' Jordan Zimmerman, looking for his first win in the National's hot 9-3 start.

Date / Time: Wednesday, April 19, 6:05 p.m. CT

Location: Nationals Park Washington, D.C.

TV: FS-Houston

Radio: Astros Radio Network

Streaming: MLB.tv

For more on the Houston Astros, check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Washington Nationals news and info can be found at Federal Baseball and all your MLB news is at Baseball Nation.

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Astros Vs. Nationals: Houston Can't Find Offense In 1-0 Loss

For the second straight night, the Nationals' pitching staff stifled the Astros at the plate, as Washington won 1-0 on Tuesday night.

The Astros had four hits in the game, as Washington starter Gio Gonzalez gave up just four baserunners over seven scoreless innings, picking up the win. The lone run was scored on a two-out RBI single from Washington's Adam LaRoche. Washington had just one at-bat with a runner in scoring position, and LaRoche brought the run home. The Astros went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Jed Lowrie was the only Astro to reach base multiple times, going 1-for-3 with a double and walk. The Astros couldn't give any support for starter Wandy Rodirguez, who gave up one earned run over seven innings. The Astros have now lost six of seven games after a 3-1 start to the season.

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Astros Vs. Nationals, Game 2: Preview, TV Info And More

The Houston Astros didn't have the kind of start to the series against the Washington Nationals they were hoping for, losing 6-3 on Monday, but the second of the four-game series could turn out to be a bit different for the team. Of course, this won't be Stephen Strasburg's home debut.

Be sure to read Tuesday's Three Astros Things at the Crawfish Boxes blog. Part of what the blog hits on is that Houston is going to have to get used to playing on the road in the upcoming weeks.

"Houston is in the midst of a 13-game road trip in the next 16 total games. That's a seven-gamer and a six-gamer broken up with three games against a hot L.A. Dodgers team at MMP. Houston is 4-6 through its first 10 games." - David Coleman

Here is a look at the schedule and television information for Tuesday night's game:

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 17, 6:05 p.m. CDT

TV: Fox Sports Southwest

Read more about the Astros at the Crawfish Boxes. For more on the Nationals visit Federal Baseball.

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Astros Vs. Nationals: Weiland Roughed Up In Series-Opening Loss

Kyle Weiland gave up six earned runs as the Astros lost for the fifth time in six games in Monday night's series-opener against the Washington Nationals.

Weiland lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up 10 hits and four walks. The score was tied at two heading to the bottom of the sixth, but Weiland gave up four runs in the frame and was chased before the inning ended.

Chris Johnson went 2-for-4 with the only two RBIs for the Astros. Travis Buck went 2-for-4 with a run scored. But the Astros offense was kept in check by Washington starter Stephen Strasburg, who gave up two earned runs on six hits over six innings, picking up the win. Houston did have its chances, but couldn't get the clutch hit when it was needed, finishing 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

For more on this game Astros fans should check out The Crawfish Boxes and for Nationals news check out Federal Baseball. For more news and notes from around Major League Baseball head over to Baseball Nation.

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Jordan Schafer Injury Update

After leaving Sunday's game against the Miami Marlins with dizziness after a collision at second base, Houston Astros center fielder Jordan Schafer is back in the lineup for his club on Monday night as they take on Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals.

Schafer will be in the leadoff spot for Houston. In 10 games played this season, Schafer has a .242 batting average to go along with a home run and a pair of RBI's.

He was part of the package that the Atlanta Braves sent to Houston in exchange for speedy center fielder Michael Bourn in 2011.

The Astros are off to a 4-5 start, and sit two and a half games back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central Division entering Monday night's play.

For more on this game Astros fans should check out The Crawfish Boxes and for Nationals news check out Federal Baseball. For more news and notes from around Major League Baseball head over to Baseball Nation.

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Astros Vs. Nationals: Starting Lineups Announced

The Astros and Nationals have announced the starting lineups for the opening game of their series, set to begin at 7:05 p.m. EST on Monday.

For Houston:

1. Jordan Schafer, centerfield, L

2. Jed Lowrie, shortstop, S

3. J.D. Martinez, left field, R

4. Carlos Lee, first base, R

5. Travis Buck, right field, L

6. Chris Johnson, third base, R

7. Jason Castro, catcher, L

8. Jose Altuve, second base, R

9. Kyle Weiland, pitcher, L

For Washington:

1. Ian Desmond, shortstop, R

2. Steve Lombardozzi, second base, S

3. Ryan Zimmerman, third base, R

4. Adam LaRoche, first base, L

5. Jayson Werth, right field, R

6. Xavier Nady, left field, R

7. Rick Ankiel, centerfield, L

8. Wilson Ramos, catcher, R

9. Stephen Strasburg, pitcher, R

For more on this game Astros fans should check out The Crawfish Boxes and forNationals news check out Federal Baseball. For more news and notes from around Major League Baseball head over to Baseball Nation.