Every ball a Houston Astros batter knocked out of Minute Maid Park is met with a symphony of fireworks, train whistles and echoed cheers. That symphony turned into a raucous cacophony throughout Homer Bailey's short-lived second start for the Oakland A's, culminating in a 11-1 loss on Monday night in Houston.
Bailey departed with no outs in the third inning having given up nine earned runs, including three home runs pummeled by Yuli Gurriel, Aledmys Diaz and rookie sensation Yordan Alvarez, who already has 11 home runs and 35 RBI (surpassing Albert Pujols for most in a player's first 30 games).
Manager Bob Melvin retreated forces in by the fifth, pulling Matt Chapman, Matt Olson and Marcus Semien to give those key players a breather on this 13-game stretch.
In truth, any hole Bailey dug the offense into would be monumental against Astros starter Gerrit Cole, he of a 90 mph slider and wicked 98-plus mph fastball.
Cole held the A's to one run over seven innings, striking out 11 A's. Mark Canha's RBI double to score Matt Chapman, who'd singled, was all they'd muster against him.
