Hunter Brown to start Game 2 against White Sox

Yikes. Brown’s unexpected meltdown came at the worst possible time for Houston and ultimately led to their elimination from the postseason. The 28-year-old ace surrendered four runs on five hits, one walk and one error, recording just two outs on 36 pitches (22 strikes) in a disastrous opening frame. He was pulled after issuing a two-out walk to Colson Montgomery to load the bases, and the damage would’ve been even worse if not for AJ Blubaugh coming on to extinguish the threat.

Hunter Brown, the team’s ace, last pitched on September 25, so he would be on three days’ rest if he pitched on Tuesday. The Astros are likely going to have him start Game 2. Peter Lambert just pitched Sunday, and Hayden Wesneski threw seven innings Saturday. As a result, it will probably be AJ Blubaugh for bulk innings on Tuesday before the Astros can turn things over to their starting rotation.

Brown had some control issues, as he walked four and threw just 60-of-100 pitches for strikes. He was able to whiff four, and he would have allowed just a single run if not for some poor defense behind the 28-year-old. The Astros remain in first place despite being two games under .500, and if they clinch the division, Brown will likely start Game 2 of the Wild Card. If not, his season ends with a 3.18 ERA, 6-4 record and 124/55 K/BB over 107 1/3 innings.

Brown gave up three hits, walked two and struck out 10. He’s had 10 strikeouts in three of his last five starts. Brown left the game with a 1-0 lead, but the bullpen allowed four runs as soon as he left the ballgame. He has a 3.26 ERA this year. Brown is lined up to face the Athletics on the road next Saturday.

Brown was outstanding on Tuesday against the Royals. He had stranded three baserunners over four scoreless innings before giving up one run on a walk and a double in the fifth. He’d end his day after five frames at 91 pitches, tying a season-high 10 strikeouts on 15 whiffs. The 28-year-old right-hander will take a 3.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 110/49 K/BB ratio across 97 innings into a start against the Braves in Houston on Sunday.

This was a frustrating start by Brown. As far as the first three earned runs he gave up, they all came in the third inning and it was a lot of timely hitting and well-placed knocks by the Phillies with an error mixed in by right fielder Cam Smith. Then, Trea Turner took him deep in the fifth. That was his last frame and reliever Bryan King immediately blew the game in the sixth after Brown left with a lead. Regardless, he struggled to command his breaking balls consistently as has been a trend lately. Turner’s home run came on a hanging slider as did an RBI single from Luis Arraez. That’s been a huge hindrance in Brown trying to find his groove over the last month and will likely keep less reliable than we’d hope start-by-start to close the season. Next up, he’s scheduled for a two-start week against the Royals and Braves with both coming at home.

Brown racked up seven strikeouts on the afternoon while allowing two free passes. All of the damage done against him came in the second inning as the White Sox put together four singles to scratch out two runs. The 28-year-old hurler generated 14 swings and misses on 101 pitches on the day, posting a strong CSW of 36 percent. Now 5-3 on the season, he’ll carry a 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 93/46 K/BB ratio (87 innings) into Wednesday’s battle against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Brown tossed two scoreless innings, then ran into some trouble in the third. He surrendered a solo homer to Donovan Walton to lead off the frame, then loaded the bases before escaping the jam with a ground ball double play. Brown settled in to pitch two more scoreless innings and record the first two outs in the sixth before departing at 101 pitches. He scattered seven hits in all and walked three batters while collecting four strikeouts. The 27-year-old right-hander will take a 3.51 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 76/43 K/BB ratio across 74 1/3 innings into a start against the Mets in New York next weekend.

Brown gave up a homer in the first and two walks and a single in the third. He actually walked three batters in a row with two outs in the fourth, but the Mariners couldn’t capitalize then after Brendan Donovan declined to challenge a 3-2 strike with the bases loaded; the pitch was very close to the top of the zone, and it’s unclear if it would have been overturned. Brown is up to 40 walks in 68 2/3 innings this season. Last year, he walked 57 in 185 1/3 innings. In spite of his issues, he still seems like a fine play in a home start against the A’s next weekend.

Brown tossed a clean first inning, then gave up a run in the second on a walk and a base hit. The Giants added another run in the fourth before Bryce Eldridge took Brown deep for a solo homer in the fifth. Brown’s day would be done after five innings with four strikeouts. The 27-year-old right-hander will take a 3.68 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 67/35 K/BB ratio across 63 2/3 innings into a start against the Angels in Houston next Tuesday.