Earth below us, drifting, falling: Astros 1, Phillies 0

How’s the wrist, Bryce?

For the fourth straight outing, Ranger Suarez pitched seven-plus innings with three or less runs allowed and for the second time the Philadelphia Phillies (47-32) couldn’t string together enough offense to back him up as they lost the series opener against the Houston Astros (46-33) by a score of 1-0, their first shutout loss since May 9th in Cleveland.

In his career, the Phillies are 18-3 when Suarez goes seven-plus with sub-three runs surrendered and two of those three losses happened this month.

The Astros’ own southpaw, Framber Valdez, was equally effective, scattering four hits and four walks across seven scoreless innings.

Phils had opportunities in the second, fourth and sixth innings, all in which they boarded two runners with an out or less and couldn’t cash in, stranding nine runners overall and seven in scoring position.

The decisive moment came in the bottom of the eighth when Astros’ left fielder, Cooper Hummel, climbed out of an 0-2 hole to work the count full before pouncing on one of Suarez’s rare mistakes for the game’s sole run.

Edmundo Sosa had two hits, including a double.

Game two of the series is tomorrow night as Zack Wheeler will face off against rookie left-hander, Colton Gordon.