A nine run, nine hit, fourteen batter fourth inning, featuring an inside the park home run by Cole Calhoun, three doubles, and a triple, buried the Astros in Phoenix tonight.
But perhaps worse, this pitching meltdown puts into serious doubt the prospect of a successful comeback for Lance McCullers in this short season of 2020. After throwing three perfect innings to start the game, in the fourth, after the roof was opened, McCullers allowed eight runs on seven hits, allowing seven straight batters to reach base. For the game he faced 20 batters, allowed 16 total bases, walking none, but striking out only one.