Astros manager Joe Espada talks with plate umpire James Hoye as he challenges the call that Mauricio Dubon was tagged out at home by Yankees catcher Jose Trevino in the ninth inning Thursday. The Astros lost the challenge and the game, 5-4.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) delivers during an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Ariana Ceron-Rangel, 9, gets her photo taken with an Astros cutout display before the start of opening day during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston, TX
Former Houston Astros Michael Brantley throws out a ceremonial first pitch before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Fan pass a new mural near center field before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Fan pass a new mural near center field before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Fans wait in line to have their caricature drawn by an artists before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
A woman wears a hat depicting Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Aaron Martinez wears an Orbit-themed hat before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Jessica Rocha wears a custom, baseball-themed headband before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Cooper Hott calls out to Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker for a ball before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Tony Solis is seen wearing a large hat with baseball pins before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Nicki Saucedh reacts after catching a ball tossed by Houston’s Mauricio Dubón before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Gustavo Hernandez looks for an Astros cap before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
Fans wait for the gates to open before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston.
A dad and his two sons were at the right-field entrance on Hamilton Street some four hours before the first pitch was to be thrown.
Pinstriped Yankees invaders arrived early as well, waiting to get into the streetfest that has become a standard opening-day and postseason pop-up.
“Happy opening day” was being tossed around like “howdys” in Aggieland by excited fans and cheerful stadium workers at Minute Maid Park.
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Yep, baseball was about to be back.
The first day of the baseball season offers hope. Everybody has a chance.
But as has been the case for seven years running, the Astros enter the season with more than hope.
They have expectations.
“The goal doesn’t change; the message doesn’t change,” first-year manager Joe Espada said. “We are here to go back to the World Series. It’s clear. Transparent. There’s no way around it.
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“This is a team that we come to compete for a championship. These guys, their mindset is they want this.”
ALSO SEE: Parents, sister among crowd for Joe Espada's debut as Astros manager
After a record seven straight trips to the American League Championship Series, the Astros are still hungry. They have even gotten an infusion of energy from Espada, who has waited a long time for this opportunity. He’s ready.
And he was ready for the why questions that all managers face. He got them Thursday after the Astros blew a four-run lead and lost to the Yankees 5-4.
Why did you pinch-hit Jon Singleton for Jake Meyers with runners on the corners in the sixth inning? Singleton has one hit in 24 career pinch-hit at-bats. He grounded out weakly to the pitcher, ending the threat. Meyers had a home run earlier in the game, but it was against a different pitcher.
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Simply, Espada liked the matchup of the left-handed-hitting Singleton against Jonathan Loáisiga, who throughout his career has been significantly tougher on righthanded hitters.
It wasn’t a mistake. It just didn’t work out.
The loss sent the sellout crowd of 42,642 home in a funk after they brought a playoff-like enthusiasm, almost shaking the roof when the Astros ended the Yankees’ half of the first, second and fourth innings with double plays.
Lefthander Framber Valdez, who started his third straight opening day, putting him into elite company in the franchise’s history, didn’t have great command, throwing 41 balls and 45 strikes. But the ground-ball pitcher escaped trouble with the help of the Astros' infield.
Valdez finally had to be taken out of the game in the fifth inning, leaving with the bases loaded and two runs in. Seth Martinez came on and quickly walked in a run.
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The nine walks the Astros handed the Yankees, six by Valdez, would have tied for the second most by Houston in a game last season.
The Astros’ bullpen was not at full strength Thursday because of a two-game suspension Bryan Abreu is serving for an incident in the ALCS last year in Arlington. Espada will face some challenges if his starting pitchers don’t go a little deeper in games than Valdez managed.
Rafael Montero gave up a game-tying home run to Oswaldo Cabrera in the sixth. Ryan Pressly, trying to adjust to no longer being the closer, gave up the winning run in the seventh. Pressly had not entered a game in the seventh inning since 2021.
With Josh Hader, who struck out the side in the final frame, as the new closer, Pressly will do more pitching in the eighth inning than the ninth. It’s going to take some getting used to.
With all that went on for eight-plus innings, the Astros still had a chance in the bottom of the ninth. They ran into, or on, Yankees right fielder Juan Soto. Mauricio Dubón tried to score from second on a Kyle Tucker single but was called out on a close play at the plate.
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That was the last gasp for the first loss of Espada’s managerial career.
ALSO SEE: Joe Espada defends decision to pinch-hit Jon Singleton for Jake Meyers
Aside from the emotion of his family and friends all wishing him well, Espada had a rough first opening day.
You can’t win 'em all.
Rest assured, Espada will not be one of the eight men who lost their only game as an MLB manager.
He will be back Friday, and Saturday, and Sunday, and this team will win a lot of games.
“Joe loves the game, and he is locked kin,” Astros general manager Dana Brown said. “He has a great relationship with the players. I saw that all throughout spring training. I think he knows how to get on the players when he has to get on 'em. And I think he knows how to let up when he has to let up and pat 'em on the back.
“Ultimately, I feel great about Joe and what he’s going to do with this club.”
Baseball is back. Soon, winning will be, too.
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