SAN DIEGO -- The Astros dropped their second straight series Sunday afternoon, falling 7–2 to the Padres at Petco Park.
Following a series loss to Toronto earlier in the week, Sunday’s finale marks the first time since the All-Star break that Houston has dropped consecutive series.
The afternoon initially began with promise for Houston. Center fielder Daulton Varsho -- acquired from the Blue Jays at the Trade Deadline -- provided an immediate spark in the second inning, pulling a two-run shot to right-center to grab a quick 2-0 lead.
“Made an adjustment -- kind of went down to a lot of older film and made an adjustment from last year,” Varsho said. “Getting a little bit better, just got to be a little more consistent with myself.”
Astros manager Joe Espada noted the encouraging sign from his new outfielder.
“That was very encouraging to see, square that ball in the air,” Espada said. “Today was just good for him to see him get that barrel out and pull that ball with confidence.”
However, that early burst proved to be the peak of Houston's afternoon. San Diego answered quickly in the bottom of the second with a solo shot from Jackson Merrill before taking control in the fourth against Astros starter Cristian Javier.
Making his third start since returning from a right shoulder strain, Javier gave up a three-run home run to Fernando Tatis Jr. on an 88 mph changeup to put San Diego ahead, 4-2.
Javier worked five innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts on 86 pitches.
“My main focus was to be around the zone and attack the hitters,” Javier said through interpreter Otto Loor. “I took to my game plan, they executed on the pitches that they needed to. It's just stuff that I can't really control on that end. … I just have to keep working and stick to my game plan and keep attacking. I think the swing-and-misses, we got some of those, those will come.”
Evaluating Javier’s outing, Espada pointed to execution and pitch location when facing a potent lineup.
“For me, what really caught my eye was there wasn't much swing and miss,” Espada said. “The execution to put hitters away wasn't as sharp as the previous outing. ... You really got to execute your fastball and then throw it up in the zone because if you miss, you'll give up some damage like they did [with] Merrill. If he gets that fastball a little bit up, he'll swing down under, and then the changeup to Tatis, he just wasn't in the dirt low enough.”
With the trip through San Diego wrapped up, the Astros head to San Francisco looking to reset their bats and defend their standing atop the American League West.