Dodgers at Astros, 6/30/08
Astros 4, Dodgers 1
W: Oswalt (7-8) L: Stults (2-1) S: Valverde (22)
HR: El Vendo (22)
OK, let’s hit the major points first:
Roy was pitching like the Roy of old
6 innings, 6 hits, no walks, 9 strikeouts, 79 pitches. Now before we all start sucking each other’s… well, before we get too excited, let’s keep in mind that this is an LA team that has had fewer hits than Milli Vanilli in recent days. However, it’s the approach that was important:
“I quit trying to pitch for contact,” Oswalt said. “I tried to use the power part of the game. The biggest problem I had the first month was fastballs up. When you don’t spot your fastball, your other pitches aren’t too good. The last month seemed like I was down in the zone more — ground balls, get some punchouts, get some guys looking.”
Roy left with a left hip injury
In the bottom of the sixth, with a runner on third, Ausmus was intentionally walked with two out to bring up Oswalt. Coop chose to leave the bat in Roy’s hands, a prudent decision with a three run lead, Oswalt cruising, and the bullpen having been heavily taxed in recent days. However, Roy called Rex Jones out during his warmups, and quickly departed, leaving Sampson to partake in the longest warmup on the field on record. Roy is reported to be “day-to-day”. Cue Dan Patrick saying “we’re all day-to-day”.
Otherwise, it was a game refreshingly free of high drama when compared to the multiple recent one-run games. Throw in a clutch Ausmus RBI, a balk call that even Bob Davidson found to be excessive, and a near appearance of the Platinum Sombrero for Jayson Repko, and you’ve got yourself a three-game winning streak.