Astros' Tatsuya Imai returns from IL with disaster start vs. Mariners, ERA now at 9.24
Here's how Imai opened the fourth inning: HBP, HBP, walk, grand slam.
The Houston Astros were hoping for a much-needed reinforcement with the return of Tatsuya Imai from the injured list. They got something else instead. Making the fourth start of his MLB career, Imai allowed 5 hits, 6 earned runs, 3 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches in a full meltdown against the Seattle Mariners.
The Astros lost 10-2, sending them further into the basement of the AL West. The disaster came in the fourth inning, which Imai opened by hitting Randy Arozarena and Luke Raley on back-to-back plate appearances. He then walked J.
P. Crawford on four pitches. Perhaps wanting to avoid an extra free pass, Imai kept his next pitch in the zone against Dominic Canzone.
Unfortunately, Canzone took that middle-middle slider and deposited into the right-field seats at Daikin Park for his first career grand slam (video above). Cue the boos in Houston. After hitting Randy with my slider, I couldn’t adjust my command.
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