Astros 8, Cardinals 2
W: Chacón (2-0) | L: Looper (6-4)
The Astros jumped on the Co-ards early, putting up a four spot in the first inning and continued to knock the ball around New Jake City as the Good Guys supported starter Shawn Chacón for his second consecutive victory, 8-2.
I have to admit I receive enormous pleasure watching the Astros defeat the Jakes in their own yard, quieting the BFiB and seeing .093 retreat to the depths of the dugout in hiding. Fuck’em all.
The joy started early last night. Mercury Bourn and Kaz Matsui singled, then Miguel Tejada hit a fairly deep fly just to the left of center. Bourn tagged and was safe after a rope throw from centerfielder Rick Ankiel (more on him in a minute), but Kaz advanced to second on the close play at third. Lance Berkman was then walked to load’em up for Carlos Lee. A lined 2-run single up the middle followed, but Ankiel air mailed the throw to the plate all the way to the screen, allowing Lee to cruise into second with Berkman taking third. Next up was Hunter Pence, who chopped a ball to short and beat the throw to first base for an RBI infield single, his first of 5 hits on the night. Ty Wigginton followed with a FC grounder to score the 4th run of the inning.
That was all the runs Chacón needed. He carved up the Jakes with pinpoint control, mixing his pitches and keeping most of the redbirds off balance. Albert Pooholes was 4-4 including a solo homer, but he came to the plate with the bases empty every time.
Pence had another RBI single, Tejada a two-run jack, and the Cards walked in a run to complete the scoring. There were several strong defensive play included in this victory, one of the most dramatic was Pence nailing Ankiel at the plate in the 4th inning with a strong throw from right field.
The GZ was busy recording this victory, and debate about Ankiel’s arm in the TZ.
Wandy returns tonight for game two of the series.