Jul 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez collides with left fielder Colby Rasmus (28) while chasing down Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Welington Castillo (not pictured) double in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros first MLB trade deadline move in Scott Kazmir has already paid off for the club in his two starts since coming from the Oakland A's on July 23.
Carlos Gomez, acquired Thursday along with RHP Mike Fiers from the Milwaukee Brewers, on the other hand, started his career in Houston with a less-than-stellar performance.
In front of 34,720 cheering fans at Minute Maid Park, Gomez took his first Astros at-bat hitting second after Jose Altuve Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He ended the night at the plate going 0-5 with a strikeout.
While his Gold-Glove caliber defense will surely be the norm for Gomez, a fielding blunder in the sixth inning highlighted the centerfielder's night as he overran a fly ball off the bat of Welington Castillo, resulting in a double for the Arizona catcher when the ball bounced off his outstretched glove.
"Well Gomez called it, and I think he got there and he took a late peek at Rasmus to see where he was or the wall. Centerfield has jurisdiction out there to go as far as he can, as long as he can," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said after the game. "I think the peek to see either Rasmus or the wall cost him the flight of the ball a little bit and then he missed it. I think he overran it, I mean he covered too much ground. So that's unfortunate, hustle play, but certainly one that's his play to make."
Perhaps chalk it up to nerves from switching teams for the first time in his major-league career. Gomez admitted prior to the game to reporters that the past day since learning about the trade has been an emotional roller coaster. After all, he was virtually traded twice in two days as a deal to send Gomez to the New York Mets fell through Wednesday night before he was traded to the Astros on Thursday.
"Really crazy. First I get traded (to the Mets on Wednesday) and two hours later I get back to the Brewers," Gomez said. "Then yesterday I got a call and (Brewers general manager) Bob Melvin told me I was traded to the Houston Astros. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to be in one of the best teams in baseball right now and be a part of this and try to get to the World Series."
After the deal was made official, Gomez said he felt mixed emotions in leaving the Brewers organization.
"Yesterday is a little bit emotional for everything," Gomez said. "It's an organization that I learned a lot, and I wish the best for them, because they give me the opportunity, believe in me... Always there for me like a family."
Sure, the first night in an Astros uniform didn't exactly go to plan, but Gomez has high hopes for his new team.
"I bring a lot of stuff like energy, love and blessed," Gomez said. "I think this team's going to be really special. We have everything to win the whole thing."
Prior to Friday's game, Gomez had a .262 batting average with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 74 games with the Brewers. Gomez is a two time All-Star (2013, 2014) and was the 2013 NL Centerfield Gold Glove winner.
Follow Shawn Ramsey on Twitter: @ShawnPRamsey
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