Houston Astros’ insane streak ends in ugly collapse

The Houston Astros’ brutal 4-3 overtime loss to the San Francisco Giants on Monday hurt for several reasons.

For starters, it was their second loss in as many days. After blowing a 7-4 lead to the Los Angeles Angels and losing in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday, the Astros coughed up a 3-1 lead and lost in the bottom of the 10th on Monday.

The back-to-back collapses marked Houston’s first losing streak of the month, dragging the team’s record seven games below .500.

Worse still, the Astros missed a golden opportunity to extend their historic streak.

Before Monday’s loss, which came in the team’s 67th game of the season, Houston had won 12 straight games in its 67th game of the year, a streak dating back to 2011.

Even more impressive, the Astros absolutely dominated these affairs (even during the lean years of 2011-2014), winning all but one game by multiple points and outscoring their opponents 87-33.

Unfortunately for Houston, that streak finally ended Monday in San Francisco.

The Astros battled the Giants to a 1-1 tie through nine innings before finally taking a two-run lead in the top of the 10th, only to see it immediately slip away.

Josh Hader had already pitched the ninth, so Joe Espada called on Rafael Montero to close things out. He immediately imploded, giving up four hits and getting charged with three runs while recording just one out. He gave up the game-winning single to Austin Slater, costing Houston another winnable game and spoiling the team’s special streak in the process.

The Astros will look to bounce back in Game 2 of the series at Oracle Park on Tuesday night.

Both teams will send their breakout pitchers to the mound, with Ronel Blanco taking the hill for Houston and Jordan Hicks calling the shots for San Francisco.