Astros' Bregman shoulders blame for Game 1 loss: 'I was horrible'
The Houston Astros came close, but ultimately fell to the Washington Nationals 5-4 in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night.
American League MVP candidate Alex Bregman was quick to point the finger at himself after the game.
"I've got to be better," Bregman said, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "Starts with me. I was horrible all night."
Bregman went 0-for-4 and struck out three times, his last punchout coming as he led off the ninth. It's the first time Bregman struck out three times in a game since May 27, 2018, against the Cleveland Indians.
The 25-year-old hasn't been at his best this postseason. After going hitless on Tuesday, he's now 9-for-39 (.230 batting average) with one home run in 12 games.
"I've been terrible this postseason," he said, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.
The saving grace has been his ability to reach base even when he's not getting hits. His seventh-inning walk was already his 11th of the playoffs.
Still, his relative struggles have Bregman searching for answers.
"Better take my bat home, sleep with it, figure it out," he said, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
He'll get his chance to rebound when Game 2 goes Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.