May 9th, 2007
Astros 3
Reds 2
W: Woody | L: Encarnacion (not really, it was Belisle) | S: Wheeler
Pigpen watch: 2,963 (1-5)
Game Zone say WHAT??
Guess the roster move.
Other coverage:
Alyson talks to a happy Woody.
Yahoo!
Personal lagniappe:
It was fun tonight to finally watch the Astros again after 5 days in a drunken musical stupor in New Orleans. Looks like I missed some good ball by the Good Guys. Let’s keep it up.
M’boy or M’boys?
The anticipation began last week when it became clear the Astros would finally face Matt Belisle, the young Reds pitcher and former teammate of the Raups. Who would they root for in what JackAstro dubbed the “Raup Heartburn Classic?” While the exact scenario Jim and Mark were hoping for didn’t quite pan out, the only runs the Good Guys hung on Matt were of the unearned variety as they went on to win their 5th straight against the Dickities 3-2.
E for Effort
Aside from a lead-off double by Pigpen in the 1st, the first two innings cruised by scoreless with Matt looking sharp and winless Woody looking shaky. The top of the 3rd looked just as uneventful after Woody struck out and Bidge popped out. But then Iceberg hits a soft grounder to (E)dwin (E)ncarnacion at 3rd who scoops, pumps and bounces the throw 2 feet in front of Hatteberg and into right field foul territory and Lensberg strolls on into 2nd. Up comes Berkman, who’s well-nourished and rejuvinated from feasting on Dickities pitching, he parks Matt’s fastball into the left field stands. 2 unearned, thank you very much.
Quickest of Leads
As remy asked in the Game Zone, “Anyone have a stopwatch on that lead?” In the bottom of the inning, Woody couldn’t stand to see Matt, Jim and Mark so disappointed so he went ahead and let Brandon Phillips launch a high FB off the wall in CF that PENCE!! mishandled. The Astro killah didn’t let up until he was standing on 3rd. After a Griffey line out, another high FB to Dunn gets spanked over the LF fence and just like that, no more lead. But Woody was not to be shaken and he retired A.Gonzalez and JOSH!!! to get out of the inning.
E for Eff….didn’t I just write that?
Matt certainly didn’t deserve the deja vu he was dealt in the very next inning. After a Scott K and a PENCE!! FO, Everett smashes a grounder to (E)dwin (E)ncarnacion that he gloves, drops, then skies the throw 2 feet above Hatteberg’s outstretched glove and into right field foul territory. Everett steals 2nd for his 3rd of the year. HQ is walked intentionally (Matt’s only walk) to get to Woody who lines a single to center scoring Everett and reclaiming the lead, Woody’s first RBI of the year. 1 unearned, thank you.
Bringing it Home
Woody settled down quite nicely to earn his first win of his Astros career, working 6.2, scattering 6 hits and 2 runs with 3 Ks and 2 walks while Belise worked 7 giving up only the 3 unearned, striking out 7. The sphincter tightening by the Reds bullpen must be working as they survived 2 scoreless innings. Another key performance by Lidge going 1.1 perfect. He’s locating the FB with max velocity, getting them to swing at his slider again. TZ speculation is that he’ll be closing again sooner rather than later. Wheeler nailed down the ninth for his 8th save.
One more at Great American Lancepark. 11:35 AM. Don’t turn Milo up too loud @ work