Cardinals 6, Astros 11

W: Wandy Rodriguez, L: Todd Wellemeyer

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

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.

Contributed by homer.

The suitcases were lined up in the clubhouse as the Astros were set to scatter across the country after the game. Moehler and Zimmerman did their parts to keep the game moving and make sure that everyone got to their destinations on time until the game slowed to a crawl in the 6th. Kaz sent the home team into the break happy with an 8th inning three run shot to the first row of seats in right.

Bourn reached and advanced to second via an error in the first, and Tejada drove him in with a single. That run would be all that was needed to vanquish the young Mr. Zimmerman and his electric fastball 5-0. The Astros, however, did their best to give it away with sloppy baserunning and bases loaded jams in the 6th and 7th.

After a leadoff walk for El Vendo in the 4th, El Caballo launched one towards the daily Caballitos gathering, but about 3 inches too low. The call was reviewed by the umpires, but they could have just asked Carlos because he watched it all the way. Maybelline was also focused on something besides baserunning, as he ran through Clark’s stop sign and was tagged out by the waiting Nieves as he stopped about 5 feet short of home plate.

In the top of the 6th, Moehler gave up a lead off double, and, after a ground out to Puma, Moehler promptly walked the next two. An infield pop up and a 3-1 ground out ended the inning put the Nationals offense out of its misery.

In the top of the 7th, a leadoff single followed by a sacrifice bunt, a pitching change that brought Arias, and a single led to runners on the corner with one out. The speedy Nyjer Morgan easily stole second which was followed by a walk. Again, the inept Nationals offense couldn’t plate a run after a weak pop out to Berkman in foul territory and a Dunn ground out to Tejada, who was shifted up the middle, for the 6-3 put out.

In the bottom of the 7th, Blum half assed his way to first with a no hustle HBP and was followed by a Pence single up the middle. Pudge struckout for the third time, but not before arguing that he was also hit by a pitch after he pulled back on a bunt attempt. Home plate umpire Adrian Johnson ruled that he had made a bunt attempt for the swinging strike, but Pudge emphatically argued for an appeal to Jim Wolf at first. Cooper was roused from his Sunday afternoon nap to stroll out and get a close up view of Pudge losing his mind. Kaz picked him up, however, when he turned on a middle-in fastball and lined it into the first row of the right field seats.

A two on, two out 8th led to Papa Grande getting the call for the four out save opportunity which he converted without issue. The Astros added a run in the top of the 9th when Nationals pitcher Tyler Clippard caught a spike in mid delivery and balked in the Puma from third.

The Astros start the second half on Thursday night with the first of a four game set in LA. The Astros will face the Co-ards 12 times, the FTCs 7 times, the Brewers 9 times, and the Phillies 8 times for a total of 36 of the final 74 games.

Nationals 5, Astros 6
L: Joe Beimel, W: Jeff Fulchino

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

This game had its sizzling moments. There I sat in Minute Maid Park watching Roy just have a good ol’ time with the Nationals hitters when all of a sudden there’s a lot of people at the mound. “Oh Shit,” I start thinking. What’s wrong? Roy comes out of the game and the Nationals start to have some fun.

Astros Highlights:

Roy Oswalt went 6 innings giving up 3 runs. I don’t necessarily hold 2 of the runs against him since he left with numbness in his fingers. (For those scared, he should be fine.) The bullpen didn’t help him in that inning. Back to Roy he had 6 strike outs and 1 walk. The 6th inning was going to be a challenge for Roy anyway since Nyger Morgan had led off with a single then stole 2nd base. (He ended up scoring.) Glad Roy’s okay and that he was pitching good last night.

Michael Bourn was the Topps player of the game. He had 2 outfield assists. Someone last night was telling me he doesn’t hit the cut-off man. I guess sometimes it’s okay that he doesn’t. The second assist was in the top of the 9th. Michael also went 2 for 5 on the night with a homerun, stolen base and 3 RBIs. I just love Sweet Baby Bourn.

Geoff Blum did something for at least the third time this season. Had a WOGWH (walk-off-game-winning hit). Bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th and here comes Mr. Hair up to bad. Nice hit to right field. It was a great hit. Overall, he had a pretty good night at the plate going 3 for 4 with a walk. There’s been discussion about the booing from Thursday night. I don’t know what those people were upset about. Blum’s been a good player and manager this season. The only reason I’ve come up with is people in Houston don’t watch or listen to enough baseball to understand that sometimes you walk a player to create a force situation. Those of us reading the forums on this site should know better and be used to them already. The bad thing about their booing is there is a guy that wears pink shirts regularly that hears them also. Good thing Blum and Tejada didn’t get released Thursday night.

Nationals Highlights:

Nyger Morgan had 2 stolen bases.

Game Analysis:

Hopefully this team is going to stay on the right side of .500 for the rest of the season. The guys have been playing some good baseball lately. I also love having the “team that is suppose to win the division” looking up at the Astros asses.

Bench Tidbits:

I got the planter last night. If I remember, I’ll let you know how my Minute Maid Park grass turns out.

Great fireworks show last night. It was really good. I love the fireworks. I think I need to go to more Friday games. Anyone is welcome to come with me. Adam Dunn watched them with his kid from the Nationals dugout last night. That was nice to see. Chris Sampsom went to visit with him after the game. Cool to see.

Check out Taras Bulba series preview for information regarding the rest of the series.

There was some action in the Game Zone last night.

If you need some beach reading, check out Limey Time. It’s a great read for a lazy afternoon.

Busy weekend ahead and I have no other random thoughts at the moment. Have a good one everyone

Pirates 6, Astros 3
W: Paul Maholm, L: Brian Moehler, S: Matt Capps

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

I am beginning to think I am the jinx or the Astros are a bunch of scaredy cats when it comes to getting to .500 baseball. I believe last Tuesday the Astros were one game of .500 baseball, I was scheduled to do the recap. Now, Tuesday’s game I am recapping and the Astros were one game of .500 baseball. I’ve had at least two chances to recap the Astros getting to .500 and again I get to recap a loss. It does not give me confidence in this team.

Astros Highlights:

Brian Moehler pitched 6.1 innings of baseball. He gave up 4 runs, 3 earned, but I think he pitched better than that. Tim Byrdak and Chris Sampson were not able to help the two runners inherited from scoring.

Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez went 3 for 4 on the night. Got his average up to .250. Keep it up young man.

Kazuo Matsui went 1 for 2 on the night with 2 walks. Hope he keeps earning that $5 million.

Pirate Highlights:

Garrett Jones, playing left field, went 2 for 3 on the night. He stole two bases also. One of those stolen bases, in the 7th inning led to the 4 runs being scored. Bad Garrett Bad.

Game Analysis:

This game seemed to be like a lot of Astros games for me this season. They give me some hope in parts of the game then take it away somewhere else. (Berkman’s throw to home in the 7th.) I’m sure they’ll end the season at .500 or maybe above it. But they need something to bring it all together.

Bench Tidbits:

I was not going to link to the rest of the series in JaneDoe’s preview but then decided I should give props where props are due.

The GameZone was a bit of a snoozer, but there is some stuff there.

Astros 7, Padres 2

W: Wandy Rodriguez, L: Kevin Correia

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

The Astros take 3 out of 4 in San Diego for another series win. Wandy Rodriguez was dealing in this game and the bats came out early and often.

Astros Highlights:

Wandy Rodriguez went innings giving up 1 run on 7 hits with a walk and 5 strike outs. Maybe he didn’t like me saying he was not an Ace. He seems to be doing better since I said that.

Killer B’s (Yeah, I have to reference it today.)

Lance Berkman went 2 for 3 with a walk. Hopefully he is really around that corner and not just taking advantage of the Padres pitching.

Michael Bourn went 2 for 5 on the day, scoring 2 runs and also stealing a base.

Geoff Blum went 2 for 4 on the day. He hit one HR and had 4 RBI’s. Not bad young man, not bad at all.

Padres Highlights:

Scott Hairston went 2 for 4 on the day.

Beekeeper ended the 52 minute delay.

Game Analysis:

The Astros were in control of this came from the beginning. It is nice to be able to say that, especially since they won. Check out the ESPN recap to see the swarming bees and hear a bit of their report.

Bench Tidbits:

No, I’m not going to avoid mentioning the Bees. Seems to me that all the great jokes have all ready been made and the sports reports have already taken all the good titles. I just can’t do them justice. But be sure to check out the GameZone where some great reactions are. The guys (and girls) did the Bees proud. Be sure to check out the TalkZone also, there is already this thread about the beees.

This game reminded me of the one against Milwaukee (I think it was Milwaukee) where there were the huge bugs. I remember one being on the Astros pitcher’s cap. I guess since those bugs weren’t able to sting people the game could not be delayed.

The Astros may have a rougher time in San Francisco. Check out GreatBagwellsBeard’s series preview for more information.

All the best health to Ty in Tampa, I know this recap didn’t live up to your standards, but I figured I wouldn’t even try to do that, I’d just embarrass myself. Get well soon.

Troy Aikman through out the first pitch.

Happy Independence Day America!! The best place in the world.

Astros 3, Padres 4
W: Josh Banks, L: Chris Sampson, S: Heath Bell

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

Fundamentals are the most valuable tools a player can possess. Bunt the ball into the ground. Hit the cutoff man. Take the extra base. Learn the fundamentals. –Dick Williams

Playing without the fundamentals is like eating without a knife and fork. You make a mess. –Dick Williams

It takes pitching, hitting and defense. Any two can win. All three make you unbeatable. –Joe Garagiola

Be on time. Bust your butt. Play smart. And have some laughs along the way. –Whitey Herzog

Most one-run games are lost, not won. –Gene Mauch

I have to admit, I had this game on the television last night, but did not watch it. I saw snippets, but pretty much slept through most of it. So, there probably won’t be much to my game analysis, not that there ever really is. It does seem like the Good Guys don’t like to win on Tuesdays.

Astros Highlights:

Mike Hampton pitched 6 innings giving up 1 run. Not bad since he just came off the DL.

Lance Berkman went 2 for 3 with a walk. He had 2 RBIs and scored a run also. I hope that he continues on the path to the Lance Berkman that caused the creation of the furries at Minute Maid Park.

Padre Highlights:

Heath Bell got his 22nd save of the season. This kid seems be pretty good. He almost got burned after giving up two walks (Jason Michaels and Ivan Rodriguez) by Michael Bourn, but was saved by Junior Gwynn.

David Eckstein, who I have not respected since 2005, had a decent night at the plate.

Game Analysis:

Seems as though the Astros are figuring out that playing good sound baseball can help them win. I hope so.

“I needed to hit the cutoff man, and I didn’t,” Pence said. “I think I tried too hard to throw him out at home when there really wasn’t much of a chance, and I should have just hit the cutoff man. When I was throwing it, I was trying to throw him out instead of hit the cutoff man. In hindsight, I should have just hit the cutoff man.”

Astros first baseman Lance Berkman said. “We just have to do a little bit better job of executing fundamentals.

They keep teasing us with a .500 record. I hope it happens with this series, but those games back sure seem hard to make up.

Bench Tidbits:

Heath Bell’s name makes me think of Dairy Queen Blizzards.

Houston finally got some rain yesterday, not nearly enough, but some is much better than none.

Check out Mark’s series preview for game information.

Read the GameZone for in-game reactions.

Happy Canada Day.