Cardinals 6, Astros 11
W: Wandy Rodriguez, L: Todd Wellemeyer
Even though this team is 2 games over .500. Even though they are playing good baseball and beating good teams. I still have that little bit of hair raised on the back of my neck reminding me that this is the team that sucked really bad in the beginning of the season. I’ve said before I think they have the parts, but something was missing. I think that something is a good manager.
I feel bad that after the Astros score 11 runs and win the game that I still have doubts about this team. But when my team has a manager that does crazy things, I just can’t feel comfortable about their chances.
Astros Highlights:
Wandy Rodriguez was allowed to pitch only 7 innings, probably due to a combination of a 100+ pitches and having to run the bases in the bottom of the 7th. My #2 guy did a good job. He even kept Prince Albert off the bases. He was also named the Topps player of the game.
Carlos Lee, who is overpaid according to Mr. Justice, hit a homerun with three Astros on base. That was fun. What I thought was gravy was that my friends and I were cheering quite loudly and Carlos came out for a curtain call (take that BFiB) and Geoff Blum hits one into the RF seats. Back-to-Back homeruns.
Hunter Pence hit a 2-run homerun in the 2nd to give the Astros the lead.
Cardinal Highlights:
P.J. Walters pitched 2 innings giving up 4 hits and 6 runs. I normally would feel for the guy, but he’s a Cardinal.
Astros Lowlights:
Chad Paranto and Wesley Wright came in the 8th to get some outs. They combined for 5 runs on 4 hits. We thought maybe there was some deal made in the bullpen about giving Jose Valverde a chance to get a save. Thankfully that did not materialize.
Cardinal Lowlights:
Their mustaches need to be shaved. They are horrible.
Game Analysis:
This was a great game to attend. I did not like Wandy being pulled after 7 innings. I heard the “it was a long inning and he ran the bases” reason, but he’s our #2 pitcher, he needs to suck it up and finish his own games, because Cooper can find a way to take that “W” away.
Michael Bourn is still impressing me. I’m glad that he has done well with the Astros this season. He certainly has showed Cooper that he is a valuable member of the team. I sometimes am waiting for Bourn to have a dry spell at the plate and Cooper to move him back to the 8-spot in the lineup.
The Astros scored in 6 of the 8 innings they batted. That is good offense. The Cardinals scored in 2 of the 9 innings they batted. That is good pitching and defense. Yeah, I’m looking at you Blum and Coste.
Kazuo Matsui may end up on the DL after fouling a ball off his knee.
Bench Tidbits:
Check out the GameZone for some in-game reactions and other stuff.
Craig wrote a rather pleasant series preview that will give you information about Wednesdays game.
Happy Birthday Drayton McLane! May you get to say your team is World Series Champions.