Astros 8, Rangers 16
W: Jamey Wright L: Wesley Wright BS: Frank Francisco
This was a game where the Astros bats showed but the defense and pitching disappeared. 5 errors in one game. Has any team, in MLB, ever won a game after having 5 errors in a game? Reminds of the football statistic that says 3 or more turnovers in a game and you’ll probably lose the game. I’m sure that is the same for baseball. I’m thinking 3 or more errors in a game and there is a good chance you are not going to win the game. Seems this game was a total team loss.
Shawn Chacon only lasted 3.1 innings (8 runs, 5 earned) much to the Rangers dismay. Wesley Wright went 1.1 innings giving up 2 earned runs. Doug Brocail had a small one-out performance without giving up a run, but Oscar Villarreal was the Rangers MVP of the night. He went 1 inning giving up 2 earned runs, but the 4 unearned is the part of the inning that might have made Astros fans cry. Dave Borkowski did a good job though, he pitched 2 innings and did not allow a run.
The Ranger pitching really wasn’t much to brag about. They gave up 8 runs, 7 by Sidney Ponson, with the blown save by Frank Francisco. Jamey Wright got the win.
The Rangers had fun throughout the whole game. 4 out of 5 of the innings they scored runs they did so in multiples. The trade for Josh Hamilton (5 for 5, 5 RBIs, 1 BBs, 4 runs) seems to be paying off some serious dividends. That dude is pretty freaking good. The Rangers scattering 17 hits through 8 innings is not shabby hitting, have to give them their due. Even if the opposing pitchers are tossing BP, they still have to hit them. And hit them they did.
This game can and should be something the Astros use to build upon. The need to improve defense is always there. Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn made some good defensive plays, and then they made some not so good ones also. The 5 errors awarded to Kaz Matsui (8, fielding), Ty Wigginton (3, throw), Miguel Tejada (5, missed catch), JR Towles (1, fielding), and Michael Bourn (3, fielding) prove that you can always improve on defense no matter how much you can hit the ball. The pitching also needs to nut up and pitch through errors – yeah, I’m talking about you Oscar Villarreal.
Lance Berkman continued to do a good job at the plate, but he was totally outshined by Hamilton.
BenchTidbits:
Michael Bourn has 18 stole bases for the league lead. I wish he had not gotten drilled in the back though.
Shawn Chacon now has the record for no-decisions, passing Dick Stigman. Of course, his perfect record (4-0) against the Rangers is no more.
Gwat may have been a culprit for a jinx in the Game Zone.
No offense meant to Hunter’s mom, but I know that curly hair takes a lot of conditioning. Especially in the Dallas/Arlington area where it can dry out.
My cousin finished putting the bookshelf together for me. Thanks austro for the advice.
Big thanks to Passion Fruit rum and Diet Coke which helped write this recap.
Astros have Roy Oswalt going against Vicente Padilla tomorrow at 6:05 pm.