The Randy Wolf Drive To The Pennant started today. And, at first, it looked pretty much like the Astros Drive Into A Ditch we’ve been watching so far.
Wolf lasted one out into the 5th . Apparently he and Ausmus had a long session before the game, because he looked well versed in the familiar too many pitches, too many walks, giving up a homer and turning the game over to the bullpen too soon that we’re accustomed to so far.
But, Chris Sampson entered into the game in the 5th with the score 8-4, 2 on, and turned the game around. In all, Sampson went 2.2 innings, gave up 1 run and got the win. Chad Paronto, probably headed back to the minors when Roy is back tomorrow, also pitched 2 solid.
Some might say the Astros’ 5th is what really did it. A collection of walks, bloops, bunt hits, a Tejada rocket that bounced off the Brewers 2b and Geoff Blums’ 2nd homerun of the game produced a 7 run inning. Brewers fans wondered, out loud at times, why Suppan was left in. Saving the bullpen for the Cubs maybe?
Cooper noticed Blum’s statistical success against Suppan and played the odds. Blum came through with the 2 homers, 4 rbi and some decent play at 3rd. Cooper also let Ausmus catch Wolf, he says Quintero will be his usual catcher, but Ausmus’ hitting, he collected 4 today with 2 runs scored and 2 rbi, was more helpful than his handling of Wolf. Tejada, wedged into the 2 spot for this series, contributed 2 hits that lead to 3 rbi
3 more runs in the 8th, sparked by Pence’s lead off double, solidified the Astro’s 11-6 win.
Cooper said before the series that the Brewers might be looking past them to the Cubs and the team “just might come in sneak three wins out of here” , “under the radar” as one reporter put it. Link They would have done it too except for the flumnuttery in the late innings on Saturday.
But can they fly in under the radar for the rest of the season? Is it possible? Lets ask that great American General Buck Turgidson
“Ah… If the pilot’s good, see. I mean, if he’s really… sharp, he can barrel that baby in so low … you oughtta see it sometime, it’s a sight. A big plane, like a ’52, vroom! There’s jet exhaust, fryin’ chickens in the barnyard!”
Chickens, barnyard, right, but have they got a chance?
“Have they got a chance?! Hell Yeee…!”