NEW YORK -- The pitch was supposed to be away, and Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira is definitely the kind of hitter that can make you pay for mistakes. Just ask reliever Ken Giles, who surrendered a tiebreaking three-run homer to Teixeira in the seventh inning to send the Astros to an 8-5 loss on Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
Teixeira reached out and sent a Giles fastball on the outer half of the strike zone down the left-field line and into the first row of seats to break a 5-5 tie. For Giles, it was his second homer allowed in as many appearances for the Astros, who sent five pitchers to the Phillies in December to acquire him.
"It doesn't matter where he hit it," Giles said. "I didn't do my job. I point blank didn't do my job."
It's been a frustrating start for Giles, who last year saved 15 games and posted a 1.80 ERA in 70 innings with the Phillies. He allowed only two homers last year, but Giles has already matched that with the Astros.
Giles made his Astros debut Tuesday and gave up a leadoff homer to Didi Gregorius before recording three consecutive outs. On Thursday, he replaced Will Harris in the seventh inning with a runner at first and allowed Alex Rodriguez to single on an 0-2 pitch. Teixeira followed with the game-breaking homer.
"The 0-2 pitches -- both to A-Rod, one by [starter Mike] Fiers and one by Giles -- came back to haunt us," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "Ton of traffic on the bases the entire game. We didn't execute the outs."
Hinch announced earlier this week that Luke Gregerson would be his primary closer, and Gregerson earned the save on Tuesday. Giles admitted the decision caught him somewhat by surprise, but his struggles of the spring and messy start to the regular season have so far validated Hinch's decision.
"It's all on my part," Giles said. "Just not making quality pitches. I've got to adjust. That's all it is."