“It just never got to a point where Tal and Drayton were there [in Kissimmee, Fla.] at the same time, although they were there at different times. We were playing lousy, and you try to hit the right opportunity to make an announcement like this.
But to me, this was a foregone conclusion all along. There was no magic to it. [Saturday is a] home game, and we took advantage of everyone being here.” link
The long losing streak in ST and the slow start made an announcement awkward. But a series win in Pittsburgh looks to have given them the opening to make the announcement.
Roy “pissy” ? may have caused a spark.
Yesterday I posted a quote from Roy where he says the Astros hardly had enough offense for him to have time to take off his hat. The offense noticed,
Blum “If we could have given Roy [Oswalt] even half those runs [Friday], it would have been two wins. I think we’re all a little frustrated after Roy pitched so well yesterday and taking a loss late.” link
Frustrated and they did something about it,
On Saturday two everyday players — Carlos Lee and Ivan Rodriguez — worked with hitting coach Sean Berry prior to the team’s regularly-scheduled hour of batting practice. link
Rodriguez and Rodriguez
Cooper credited the dynamic relationship between Rodriguez and catcher Ivan Rodriguez as one of the keys to the pitcher’s success.
“I’ll tell you, the guy who’s squatting and catching for him has been a godsend for him,” Cooper said. “They really connect, and Wandy has been as good as any pitcher in the game right now. He is really throwing the ball well.
“They’re speaking the same language, and it gives him confidence that the guy back there is putting down the right fingers.”
“Wandy has a lot of faith in me,” the catcher conceded. “We’ve been working very well together. [He] just throws a lot of strikes, and when you have a pitcher that throws a lot of strikes, it makes my job easier.
Tejada credits “game face”
“He’s showing more emotion now,” Tejada said of Wandy Rodriguez. “Now when he gets an out, you can tell that he’s fighting. And I think he needs that. I think the form in which he pitched today it’s going to help us. Especially with the help he’s getting from Pudge, I think he’s going to be fine.” link