Aarrgghh. Make that uugghh.
As bad as the baseball was for the month of June, the month of July has not shown any promise of being any better. In July, the Astros are batting .226 as a team, with a whopping on base percentage of .290, ranking them next to last in the National League in both categories. Their paltry .312 slugging percentage in July ranks them last in all of the major leagues. During the same time span, the pitching has been mediocre at best–a 4.21 ERA, giving up 55 hits and 32 runs in 62 innings. The result: a 1-5 record, tied for last place in the NL Central with the Pirates. Uugghhly.
PNC Park
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Monday, July 7 6:05 p.m. FSN
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Tuesday, July 8 6:05 p.m. FSN
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Wednesday July 9 6:05 p.m. FSN
Probable Pitchers
Monday: Runelvys Hernandez, RHP (0-2, 5.40) vs Phil Dumatrait, LHP (3-4, 4.66)
Tuesday: Brandon Backe, RHP (5-9, 5.22) vs Ian Snell, RHP (3-7, 5.99)
Wednesday: Brian Moehler, RHP (4-4, 4.13) vs John Van Benschoten, RHP (1-2, 10.64)
Dumatrait and Snell will be making their first starts fresh off the DL versus the Astros. Van Benschoten has just been moved from the relief role to the starting rotation replacing Tom Gorzelanny who was recently optioned to AAA. Just look at those ERAs. If the anemic Astros bats don’t take advantage of this fresh meat to beef up their hemoglobin levels, then nothing short of a complete transfusion will do.
On the other hand, Hernandez, Backe and Moehler are coming off of rather disappointing starts themselves and the wounded Pirates (just swept by the Brewers) will be looking to plunder this pitching staff for any booty they can.
Watch out folks, this could get butt uugghhly.
Injuries
Pittsburgh–Matt Capps, bursitis in his right shoulder and internal rotation deficit; Franquelis Osoria, bursitis in right ankle.
Houston–Berkman has “goopy” (possible pinkeye) and may not play. Oswalt is in Houston for further evaluation of the hip pain he is experiencing and is not expected to pitch in this series. Matsui (hamstring) will be eligible to return on the 8th. Quintero (concussion) and Paulino (pinched nerve) round out the growing injury list for the team.
Promotions and Giveaways
Monday–McDonald’s Scratch and Win Monday–Every fan is guaranteed to win a prize (if you can call the colored, flavored, sauced up cardboard they call food a prize). Nine “lucky” fans will win Pirates dugout jackets.
Tuesday–Pirates T-shirt Tuesday and Pup night presented by Pup-Peroni.
Wednesday–Lady Buc’s Club Party–It’s an All American Summer Bash complete with a makeup bag giveaway.
Other Stuff
There is no other stuff. I am on vacation.