Live Blogging: Houston Astros at St. Louis Cardinals 07/26/2019

MLB: Houston Astros at St. Louis Cardinals 07/26/2019

Hello and welcome to another edition of 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. Tonight it is an interleague matchup, as Houston Astros take on St. Louis Cardinals.

​ This just became a battle of division leaders as the Cardinals swept the Pirates, to move into a tie with the Cubs, in the N.L. Central. Meanwhile the Astros have a lead in the A.L. West and is 2 back in the loss column to the Yankees, for best record in the American League.

These are former division rivals from 1994-2012. There most famous clashes came in 2004 & 2005, where they played against each other in National League Championship Series. Cardinals won in 2004 and Astros won in 2005.

​Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of righties. Jose Urquidy for the Astros and Jack Flaherty for the Cardinals. Urquidy comes in with a K/BB ratio of 17.00, while averaging 4.27. Meanwhile Flaherty comes in with a K/BB ratio of 3.30, while averaging 4.15.

It is Houston Astros taking on St. Louis Cardinals, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
Houston Astros:
1. George Springer, CF
2. Jose Altuve, 2B
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Michael Brantley, LF
5. Carlos Correa, SS
6. Yuri Gurriel, 1B
7. Josh Reddick, RF
8. Robinson Chirinos, C
9. Jose Urquidy, P

St. Louis Cardinals:
1. Yario Munoz, 3B
2. Dexter Fowler, CF
3. Jose Martinez, RF
4. Paul Goldscmidt, 1B
5. Paul DeJong, SS
6. Tyler O'Neill, LF
7. Kolten Wong, 2B
8. Matt Wieters, C
9. Jack Flaherty, P

Only Tim McCarver will join Dan McLaughlin, for Tonight's Broadcast on Cardinals/Fox Sports Midwest Telecast.

Astros are in their traveling gray uniforms, navy caps, with a white H and an orange star in the middle of the cap. Cardinals are in their home white uniforms, with red caps, and white STL on their caps. 

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Springer
2. Altuve
3. Bregman
Jack Flaherty now starting as Cardinals Pitcher.
​​MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 7:18 p.m. CDT.
Springer gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Altuve grounds out to Flaherty. 2 outs.
Bregman flies out to Fowler. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 1st Inning.

Middle of 1st Inning:
HOU 0, STL 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Munoz
2. Fowler
3. Martinez 
Jose Urquidy now starting as Astros Pitcher.
​Fitzpatrick Leads by 2 Strokes at FedEx/St.Jude
Munoz grounds out to Correa. 1 out.
Fowler singles to left field, against the shift. Runner on 1st.
Martinez flies out to Springer. 2 outs.
Goldschmidt grounds out to Correa. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a base runner.

End of 1st Inning:
HOU 0, STL 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Brantley
5. Correa
6. Gurriel
Flaherty currently at 7 pitches.
​Edgar and Holloway Make Weight For UFC 240 Main Event
Brantley strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Correa pops out to Goldschmidt. 2 outs.
Gurriel doubles to right center field. Runner on 2nd.
Reddick grounds out to Wong. 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
HOU 0, STL 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. DeJong
6. O'Neill
7. Wong
Urquidy currently at 13 pitches.
​DeJong draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
O'Neill reaches on 6-4 fielder's choice. DeJong is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 1 out.
Wong pops out to Reddick. 2 outs.
Wieters grounds out to Gurriel, unassisted. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a base runner.

End of 2nd Inning:
HOU 0, STL 0

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Chirinos
9. Urquidy
1. Springer
Flaherty currently at 24 pitches.
​Chirinos lines out to Munoz. 1 out.
Urquidy strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Springer strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
HOU 0, STL 0

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
9. Flaherty
1. Munoz, 0-1
2. Fowler, 1-1
Urquidy currently at 30 pitches.
​Flahetry gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Munoz grounds out to Bregman. 2 outs.
Fowler grounds out to Correa. 3 outs.
Cardinals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.

End of 3rd Inning:
HOU 0, STL 0

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Altuve, 0-1
3. Bregman, 0-1
4. Brantley, 0-1
Flaherty currently at 40 pitches.
​MLB Scores:
Altuve loses an 11-pitch at-bat, by striking out swinging. 1 out.
Bregman draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
HOME RUN: Brantley hits a 2-run home run over right field. HOU 2, STL 0
​Correa gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Gurriel singles to left field. Runner on 1st.
CARDINALS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: HOU 5, STL 4
Reddick gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Astros get 2 runs, off a homer by Michael Brantley.

Middle of 4th Inning:
HOU 2, STL 0

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Martinez, 0-1
4. Goldschmidt. 0-1
5. DeJong, 0-0
Urquidy currently at 44 pitches.
​Martinez gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Goldschmidt singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
DeJong pops out to Correa. 2 outs.
O'Neill singles to left field. Goldschmidt advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
RBI-SINGLE: Wong hits an RBI-Single to center field. Goldschmidt scores. O'Neill advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. HOU 2, STL 1
​Wieters strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Cardinals get a run, in their half of 4th Inning. 

End of 4th Inning:
HOU 2, STL 1

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Chirinos, 0-1
9. Urquidy, 0-1
1. Springer, 0-2
Flaherty currently at 72 pitches.
​Chirinos lines out to Martinez. 1 out.
Urquidy gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Tyler Webb (LHP) warming up in Cardinals Bullpen.
Springer grounds out to DeJong. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
HOU 2, STL 1

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Flaherty, 0-1?
1. Munoz, 0-2
2. Fowler, 1-2
Urquidy currently at 63 pitches.
​Flaherty will bat for himself. 
Flaherty strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Munoz flies out to Springer. 2 outs.
Fowler strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.

End of 5th Inning:
HOU 2, STL 1

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Aluve, 0-2
3. Bregman, 0-1
4. Brantley, 1-2, HR, RBI
Flaherty currently at 91 pitches.
​Altuve strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Bregman grounds out to Flaherty. 2 outs.
Brantley grounds out to Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt to Flaherty. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.

Middle of 6th Inning:
HOU 2, STL 1

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Martinez, 0-2
4. Goldschmidt, 1-2
5. DeJong, 0-1
Urquidy currently at 77 pitches.
​Martinez grounds out to Correa. 1 out.
Goldschmidt strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
DeJong draws a 2-out walk. Runner on 1st.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: HOU 4, STL 4
Chris Devenski (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
O'Neill lines out to Correa. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a base runner.

End of 6th Inning:
HOU 2, STL 1

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Correa, 0-2
6. Gurriel, 2-2
7. Reddick, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: John Brebbia (RHP) replaces Jack Flaherty, as Cardinals Pitcher.
​MLB Scores:
Correa pops out to Wong. 1 out.
Gurriel grounds out to Brebbia. 2 outs.
Will Harris (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Reddick grounds out to Wong. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning:
HOU 2, STL 1

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Wong, 1-2, RBI
8. Wieters, 0-2
9. Brebbia?
PITCHING CHANGE: Will Harris (RHP) replaces Jose Urquidy, as Astros Pitcher.
​Wong grounds out to Harris, unassisted. 1 out.
HOME RUN: Wieters hits a solo home run to right field. HOU 2, STL 2
PINCH-HITTING: Rangel Ravelo pinch-hitting for John Brebbia.
Ravelo gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Munoz fouls out to Gurriel. 3 outs.
Cardinals tie the game, with a solo shot by Matt Wieters.

End of 7th Inning:
HOU 2, STL 2

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Chirinos, 0-2
9. Harris?
1. Springer, 0-3
PITCHING CHANGE: John Gant (RHP) replaces John Brebbia, as Cardinals Pitcher.
​Chirinos strikes out swinging. 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Yordan Alvarez pinch-hitting for Will Harris.
Alvarez doubles to left center field. Runner on 2nd.
PINCH-RUNNING: Miles Straw pinch-running for Yordan Alvarez. 
Springer lines out to Fowler. 2 outs.
Altuve draws a 2-out walk. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
CARDINALS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: HOU 4, STL 3
Bregman draws a bases loaded walk. Bases Loaded.
PITCHING CHANGE: Andrew Miller (LHP) replaces John Gant, as Cardinals Pitcher. Bases Loaded. 2 outs. HOU 2, STL 2
​Brantley draws an RBI-Walk. Straw scores. Everybody moves 90 feet. Bases Loaded. HOU 3, STL 2
Correa strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Astros get a run, but leave the bases loaded. 

Middle of 8th Inning:
HOU 3, STL 2

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Fowler, 1-3
3. Martinez, 0-3
4. Goldscmidt, 1-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryan Pressley (RHP) replace Will Harris, as Astros Pitcher.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: HOU 3, STL 3
Fowler draws a lead-off walk. Runner on 1st.
Martinez doubles to left field. Fowler advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
PINCH-RUNNING: Harrison Bader pinch-running for Dexter Fowler. 
HOME RUN: Goldschmidt hits a 3-run home run just over left center field wall. Fowler and Bader score. HOU 3, STL 5
​PITCHING CHANGE: Chris Devenski (RHP) replaces Ryan Pressly, as Astros Pitcher.
DeJong strikes out swinging. 1 out.
O'Neill draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
MANAGER'S CHALLENGE: Hinch challenging call at 1st Base. O'Neill is safe on a pickoff attempt. Call stands. Runner on 1st.
Wong hits an infield single to third base. O'Neill advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Wieters flies out to Brantley. 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Tommy Edman pinch-hitting for Andrew Miller.
Edman flies out to Reddick. 3 outs.
Cardinals get a 3 runs, off the home run from Paul Goldschmidt. 

End of 8th Inning:
HOU 3, STL 5

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Gurriel, 2-3
7. Reddick, 0-3
8. Chirinos, 0-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Carlos Martinez (RHP) replaces Andrew Miller, as Cardinals Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Tommy Edman stays in the game, to play 3rd Base. Yairo Munoz moves from 3rd Base to right field. While Harrison Bader stays in the game, to play center field. 
Gurriel flies out to O'Neill. 1 out.
Reddick singles to left field. Runner on 1st.
Chirinos strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
CARDINALS MOUND VISIT #3: MVR: HOU 3, STL 2
PINCH-HITTING: Aledmys Diaz pinch-hitting for Chris Devenski.
Reddick steals 2nd Base on fielder's indifference. Runner on 2nd.
CARDINALS MOUND VISIT #4: MVR: HOU 3, STL 1
Diaz grounds out to C. Martinez. 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner to end the game. 

Final:
HOU 3, STL 5
HOU: (66-39)
STL: (56-47)
W: Miller (4-4)
BS,L: Pressly (5) (2-2)
SV: C. Martinez (10)
PoG: Goldschmidt (STL) 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
ToG: 3:09

Final Thoughts:
With Cardinals win and Brewers victory over Cubs, The Cardinals lead the Cubs by 1 game and 2 games to the Brewers, for N.L. Central. As for the Astros, Hinch will probably questioned as to why Pressly pitched to Goldschmidt with runners in scoring position, nobody out in the Bottom of 8th Inning. 

Astros will throw Gerrit Cole, while Daniel Ponce de Leon will go for the Cardinals, for Tomorrow Night. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.
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