W: R. Wolf (3-2) L: W. Rodriguez (1-3)
HR: J. Towles (2); R. Weeks (5), B. Boggs (1)
Well, that was a dismal letdown. After the intrigue and promise of yesterday’s Caligariesque come-from-behinder, today Randy Wolf cast a catatonia over the Astros and their followers on the way to a 4-1 win. 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA in his last four starts against Houston, Wolf put the fatigued Astros to bed in the series finale and only allowed four hits in eight innings, two by Wandy the Enigma.
Wandy gave up homers to Boggs and Weeks but didn’t pitch that badly, considering the explosive offense the Brewers had displayed in the first two games. He got The Peen to strike out twice, including a clutch AB in the first inning with two runners on and the threat was turned back.
No, the blame for this one goes to the somnolent Astro offense. Houston maintained its league lead in hitting by pitchers with Wandy’s two hits, but the only help came in the form of singles by Jason Bourgeois and Angel Sanchez until Towles spanked a four-bagger in the ninth off of closer Axford. The lumber slumbered, especially for #s 4-7 of the lineup : Lee (.216), Hall (.225), Michaels (.111) and Johnson (.181). Even the usually active GameZone took a powder on this one.
On this day when we celebrate redemption and renewal, Astro faithful are instead bedeviled by confusion, disillusion and the weary expectation of a season filled with aspirations of mediocrity. Sometimes sleep is a salve; other times it is a refuge against the daily siege. I believe Bukka White sums up what it is like to be caught in that world where dreaming is the only escape.
When a man gets trouble in his mind
He wants to sleep all the time
When a man gets trouble in his mind
He wants to sleep all the time
He knows if he can sleep all the time
His trouble won’t worry his mind, won’t worry his mind
I’m feelin’ worried in mind
And I’m tryin’ to keep from cryin’
I’m feelin’ worried in mind
And I’m tryin’ to keep from cryin’
I am standin’ in the sunshine
To keep from weakenin’ down, keep from weakenin’ down
I want somewhere to go
But I hate to go to town
I want somewhere to go
To satisfy my mind
I would go to town
But I hate to stand around, hate to stand around
I wonder what’s the matter with my right mind?
My mind keep me sleepin’ all the time
I wonder what’s the matter with my right mind?
My mind keep me sleepin’ all the time
But when I had plenty of money
My friends would come around, would come around
If I had my right mind
I would write my women a few lines
If I had my right mind
I would write my women a few lines
I will do most anything
To keep from weakenin’ down, keep from weakenin’ down