The Astros better hope that preseason baseball means nothing, because if not they’ll be irrelevant by July. The Astros dropped to a MLB-worst 11-23 after a 7-6 defeat at the hands of the Phillies. They head back to Houston losers of eight of their last nine and will face the Boston Red Sox in an exhibition Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.
Bud Norris was roughed up for six earned runs in the loss, walking four and striking out two to end his spring training with a 8.05 ERA. Nate Bump pitched five innings, allowing just one run, to pick up the win for the Phillies. The Astros did make it interesting with some runs off the back of the Phillies bullpen, J.B. Schuck hit his second homer of the spring to keep things alive in the ninth, but utlimately Ebelin Lugo was able to close things out for the Phillies.
The Astros named Brett Wallace the starter at first base, and he responded by going 2-for-3 with a walk. Enerio Del Rosario continued his dominant run in spring training, as he goes into the last game with a chance at maintaining a 0.00 ERA. The Astros will open the regular season on Friday in Philadelphia.