Albert Suárez struggles as Houston wins to complete sweep (updated)

HOUSTON – A recent string of strong starts during a good overall season for right-hander Albert Suárez hit a speed bump in New York a few days ago. Today in Houston, it was once again quite an eventful adventure for the pitcher who had an ERA of 1.61 during this start at Yankee Stadium.

He allowed three runs and walked five in 3 2/3 innings in the Bronx. He was a lot more of a presence at the plate today, perhaps in the zone too early when the Astros went after him.

Houston scored four runs on six hits in the bottom of the first this afternoon and rode that big inning to an 8-1 victory behind 15 hits and a solid outing from left-hander Framber Valdez as they swept this series of three matches.

The O’s hit town in fine form, following Thursday’s 17-5 victory and series victory at Yankee Stadium. They were 14-6 in the previous 20 games with series wins over the Rays, Braves, Phillies and Yankees, but didn’t win once this weekend at Minute Maid Park.

At 49-28, they are swept for the second time this year (also May 20-22 in St. Louis) and return home to host Cleveland on Monday night.

The Orioles lost four of their last six games and six of their last ten games when they returned to Baltimore to face the Guardians and then Texas.

With Atlanta’s 3-1 win over the New York Yankees this afternoon, the Orioles remain 1 1/2 games out of the American League East lead as they finish this road trip 2-4.

Suárez gave up a home run to second baseman Jose Altuve on the first pitch of the home game and Houston continued to swing, seeing just 22 pitches as nine men hit that inning. Altuve hit No. 12 to lead off, his third homer of the year and his 38th^th of her career.

Alex Bregman followed the homer with a double to left, the first of his four hits. One out later, three straight hits followed. A single by Yainer Diaz made it 2-0. He scored on Jeremy Peña’s double, hit 107 mph right off the bat to left, and Mauricio Dubón’s RBI single at 101 made it 4-0.

Suárez, facing Houston for the first time in his career, allowed more hits in that first inning (six) than in six of his previous eight starts.

He got a double play in a scoreless second and stranded two in the bottom of the third. But with one out in the fourth, a double by Bregman put runners at second and third, and after an intentional walk, a sacrifice fly by Diaz made it 5-0.

Suárez falls to 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA after going five innings on 78 pitches. His final line showed a career-high 10 hits allowed and five runs to tie his career high. He last allowed five runs in a major league game on July 20, 2016, pitching for the San Francisco Giants in Boston.

In New York, his command was his downfall. Today it was early morning contact and noisy. In that first inning, the Astros hit three balls 101 mph or more and they added two in the fourth that were hit 102 mph or more.

The Orioles got into the scoring column against Valdez in the sixth. Texas native Jordan Westburg scored for the second time in two days. He hit number 13 from 366 feet to the left to make it a 5-1 game.

Houston added with Peña’s two-run double against Dillon Tate in the sixth. That gave him a three-RBI day and the Astros took a 7-1 lead. A Diaz sack against Nick Vespi in the eighth completed the scoring and gave him a three RBI day.

Houston has won by a combined score of 13-2 the last two days after its wild 14-11 victory Friday night.

The last two years, facing the O’s once a season. Valdez had allowed 13 runs (10 earned) in 12 1/3 innings against the Orioles. But he had their number today, allowing just one run on six hits in seven innings on 104 pitches. He is now 6-5 with a 3.68 ERA.

This is the first time this year that the O’s have played two consecutive games with a point scored. And that follows a two-game stretch in which they scored 28 points.

Monday night at Camden Yards, left-hander Cade Povich (0-1, 3.94 ERA) faces Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee (5-2, 3.65 ERA) at 6:35 p.m.

Final notes and post-match quotes: The Orioles were swept for the second time in 116 series. Houston completed their third sweep of the year and first against the Orioles since June 21-23, 2021. This was their first home sweep against the Orioles since April 2-4, 2018.

Gunnar Henderson went 0-for-3 but walked in the first inning. This extended his on-base streak to 30 consecutive games. It was the longest run by an Oriole since Nick Markakis made 38 in a row during the 2009 season.

The O’s face a Cleveland team tomorrow that has won five in a row, hitting 12 home runs in that span.

Manager Brandon Hyde on losing the series: “Not our best. The first night was weird and we just got beat the last two nights by two starters who threw the ball really well. … We just didn’t take our best at-bats. I didn’t lift the ball, I didn’t lift the ball. One of those unfortunate series. A bit like in Saint-Louis. I have a bit of the same feeling. We just have to bounce back and start a new series tomorrow.

“We need to empty this one.” Not much went well. We have a really good Cleveland team coming to town. Let this one go and go get them tomorrow.

Hyde, are the difficulties catching up with the O’s? : “I don’t think so. I thought we got beat by two good starters, honestly, the last couple of days. The first night was hit or miss, weird. The last two, we just haven’t had our best hitters offensively against some starters who went deep in the game against us And then we face some good starters from Cleveland who are coming in. So we have to turn the page and look to tomorrow.

Hyde on Dean Kremer who only lasted 2/3 of an inning, allowing five runs last night in Norfolk: “He didn’t last very long. It was unfortunate. He didn’t walk people around. He got hit and didn’t make it through the first inning, so yeah, we need him back ASAP. I don’t know what we’re going to do with this. Only 30 throws (39). This is not ideal.

Suárez on the four points first: “I mean, the plan was to attack the area. I think I was right, this team is aggressive and they were swinging. I just stuck with my plan inside the zone. In this first round, they just took advantage of it.

Suárez, is the league adapting to you? “I mean, like I said, every day we have to come in and make adjustments. If the league adapts to my way of throwing, I do the same. Just for me, it’s time to adapt and help the team win.

Mountcastle, is the team tired? : “I think you just doffed your cap (to the Astros). They had a great series. It was difficult to get things done. But you know, we’re excited to get home and get back on track.

Mountcastle’s team responded well after the St. Louis sweep and needs to do it again: “Yes, like I said, I can’t wait to get home and try to get back on track. There are a lot of games left this season. I’m excited for the rest.

Farm Note: Heston Kjestad was hit by a pitch three times today and was subsequently ejected from Norfolk’s Triple-A game today. Catcher Samuel Basallo left the Double-A Bowie game but I understand it was not injury related.