Royals 2, Astros 1

W: Zach Greinke, L: Russ Ortiz, S: Joakin Soria

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

Astros Highlights:

Russ Ortiz pitched 7, seven, sept, siete, sieben innings of 2 run baseball. Russ did a great job. I was surprised when he came out to bat in the bottom of the 5th inning. I thought for sure Cecil Cooper would have pulled him. Glad he didn’t.

Miguel Tejada is still hitting the ball. He went 3 for 4 on the night. If the Astros were going to take Andy’s advice, he’s a great one to start trading.

Alberto Arias, Tim Byrdak, and LaTroy Hawkins pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief. The bullen pen did a good job.

And Michael Bourn got a single on the night.

Royals Highlights:

Zach Greinke pitched 8 innings of 1 run baseball. His first win since May 26. Sometimes the Astros have a way of making the other guys come out of slumps. He probably would have gone 9 innings, but was pinched hit for in the top of the 9th.

Billy Butler went 2 for 4 on the night. One of his hits was for a homerun.

Game Analysis:

I have to admit, this game was kind of boring. Not sure why, could have just been my section or us. The homerun by Butler was loud. The Astros had their chances and didn’t capitalize. Maybe it was an Ortiz start that makes one not excited. Still I can’t say the Astros sucked on the night, but they definitely weren’t great. Go get’em today Roy.

Bench Tidbits:

At a game where Lance Berkman was honored for hitting 300 homeruns, the promotional give away was this. Seriously, this was the lamest give away ever. It did provide some entertainment during the game, but it is hard to describe what we were doing with it. Plus, the only appearance Lance made was before the game when he got a bat and hopefully correct lineup card from the Astros and a pinch hit in the 9th.

Check out stroysray absolutely awesome series preview.

There was some stuff posted in the GameZone.

Seems like a good College World Series is going on right now. People were more interested in that score than the game last night. Good luck to both schools. I’m rooting more for Texas since I’m from Texas, I just hope Longhorn fans don’t act like jackasses if they win.

Astros 2, Twins 5

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

Astros Highlights:

Well, Oswalt finally pitched a complete game. 8 innings of a complete game anyway. He gave up 5 runs on 10 hits, 4 K’s and 4 BB’s. Nice that he pitched a complete game, I really wish he could have gotten a win. I thought he did a good job.

Michael Bourn, was 0-1 with 2 walks. He got caught stealing in the 1st, not really. But what you gonna do? He also hit a sacrifice fly to score Kaz Matsui.

Lance Berkman went 0-2 with 2 walks. He was safe on his stolen base attempt.

Darrin Erstad went 2 for 2 on the night. Maybe he is getting his stroke a little bit. I hope so, he seems like a good guy.

Twins Highlights:

They hit 4 doubles, 2 by Delmon Young.

Kevin Slowey got his 10th win of the season. He had 6 K’s in his 6 innings of work. He also only allowed one run. Did just enough to let his bullpen finish it for a win.

Joe Nathan recorded his 16th save of the season and 216 of his career.

Game Analysis:

I have nothing new. The lights in the Metrodome suck. That place looks like it sucks. I bet even the Twins are ready for a new stadium. Anyone know if it has a retractable roof? If it doesn’t, it should.

I don’t understand why Miguel Tejada is batting third. Yeah, I know he’s got a good average and all, but really Cooper, why?

I am thinking that since Cooper didn’t use the bullpen tonight (not that I think he should have) he is going to use them like a kid with a couple bucks in a candy store in the next two games.

I do think the Twins look like a pretty good team. I would feel better about the Astros if they could win 2 of 3 from the Twins. If they don’t, I wouldn’t be upset if they ended up being sellers this year. Our “trash” could be someone’s treasure.

Bench Highlights:

Check out the GameZone for some kind of discussion.

Taras Bulba did the series preview. And I agree, I hate interleague play. Why do you have to change the National League because your pitchers can’t run. Freaking pansies. I bet their jock straps have ruffles on them.

I decided to share a story regarding my dad in honor of Father’s day. (I hope it is not one that I’ve shared before, if it is enjoy it again.) One I think that seems to be pretty special and sports related is this one. I was a freshman in high school I was running in a cross country district meet. After I finished 2nd (yes, I was able to run a bit back then, regionals was different) and my dad was there at the end of the finish line. I didn’t know he was going to be there, but like most of my life, he’s been there. He’s a great man. I am blessed. I hope all you dads are there for your little girls and boys. As you know, we don’t forget the things that may seem little.

Astros 1, Rangers 6
Astros lose the battle for the Silver Boot.
W: Kevin Millwood, L: Wandy Rodriguez

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

Astros highlights:

Congrats to Ivan Rodriguez for his record catching game. Hopefully tomorrow you will get a win for your record breaking game. And may you hit a homerun in that one also.

I’m glad Michael Bourn is still batting lead-off. He has been doing a good job at that role. Minus the “stolen base” attempt in the first, he does what I want out of a lead off hitter.

Alberto Arias did a good job in relief going 3 innings of scoreless baseball. That, young man, is an excellent way to help your team. Tim Byrdak pitched the 8th without giving up any runs.

Rangers highlights:

Ian Kinsler hit two homeruns off of Wandy in the first inning then in the second inning, got a walk for his third plate appearance. Wandy might want to consider just tossing a softball pitch at him so he doesn’t have to waste a good pitch on him and limit the damage to one base the next time he pitches to him. Ian went 3 for 4 on the night. I hope Russ Ortiz and Mike Hampton keep him off the bases.

Kevin Millwood was the Cy Young pitcher this game. Seems like the first pitcher the Astros face in a series is good enough to win the Cy Young that game. He only gave up 4 hits in 7 innings of work. Of course, the Astros helped him a bit.

Game Analysis:

I have to say that the Astros offensively did not look ready to play this game. I do not think the best defense was out there. Nothing against Darrin Erstad, but when was the last time he started a game? Glad he’s getting the work. Kaz Matsui looked rusty also.

I am also going on the record saying Wandy Rodriguez is not an Ace. This team doesn’t really have one. Every pitcher has to deal with umpires that don’t necessarily make the calls you want or deserve. You have to pitch through it. Hopefully he does better in his next start.

Hunter Pence hopefully does a better job showing off for his peeps than he did in this game. I’m assuming that his peeps were there since he is from Arlington, Texas.

It is hotter than Hades in the Arlington area. Apparently there is nothing to do during the day. Boot be dammed. Maybe I could blame the heat, or the day off, or even the pressure of winning the Silver Boot for Drayton, as a reason for this team losing but I will not. I have not exactly made it a secret that I do not have a lot of faith that this team will do their second half magic as they have for the past 5 years. I’ll even go out on a limb and say the Astros get swept this series. They’ve been doing good for the past 5 series, but they just haven’t really shown me anything making them seem like they are turning a corner.

Bench Tidbits:

You want to know the best way to watch this game? Go work out after work. Run a couple errands, change the shoe strings in your tennis shoes, cook dinner, take a shower. Then sit down and watch the game in fast forward. Any special moments needed to pay attention were highlighted in the Gamezone.

Check out Jane Doe’s Series Preview. She’ll sing for you.

Astros 8, Diamondbacks 3
W: Brian Moehler, L: Billy Buckner

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

Astros Highlights

Michael Bourn went 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored. Seems like the boy, excuse me, young man gets on base he scores. He’s keeping that average hovering around .290, I’d love for it to go up, but I’m not going to complain. He’s been a favorite of mine since the trade. (I can’t say the favorite since Bradley Ausmus was still an Astro.)

Miguel Tejada went 2 for 4 on the day with 2 runs scored. He’s having a good season. I’m glad he’s having a good season. It will help to trade him, if that happens.

Hunter Pence scored 2 runs on 1 hit and 1 walk, he also stole a base.I really don’t know what to think about Pence. I have a hard time trusting the numbers the kid is putting up this season. I’m thrilled for him, but I just can’t believe it is for real. I sincerely hope this isn’t a career year for him. Oh, yeah, he hit a homerun too.

Lance Berkman went 1 for 3 with a walk. He had two RBIs. Good thing Tejada was on base when he hit his homerun. I’m glad Tejada and Pence are making it easier for Berkman to find his groove this season. Imagine the conversations on talk radio stations if those two were having the season Berkman was having also.

Brian Moehler went 6 innings giving up only 3 runs. The thing I now find interesting is that his ERA is now 6.66. Seems the beast is there now.

The two members from the bullpen who pitched today threw 3 innings of scoreless baseball. Good job by Jeff Fulchino and Jose Valverde.

Diamondback Highlights
Clay Zavada pitched a scoreless 8th. There are no words necessary for his facial hair but I’m going to add some anyway. JD mentioned a similarity to Rollie Fingers and there was a Three Amigos reference from a friend while watching the game (and another I can’t remember right now). I really can’t imagine the chicks dig the long handlebars. Then again, maybe he can work some magic with it.

Chad Qualls pitched a scoreless 9th inning. I always liked him and hope he does well in his career. I wouldn’t mind him back with the Astros bullpen.

The Astros gave up another first for pitcher Billy Buckner, his first double. Seems like the Astros do this a lot. I’m sure other teams do this also, it’s only reasonable, but I really wish the Astros didn’t seem to do it as often as they do.

I felt bad for Chris Snyder when Bourn went to steal 2nd and no teammate of his covered the base.

Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds both homered off of Moehler.

Game Analysis

I watched this game at a friend’s house today, great chicken spaghetti. While the game was fun to watch, I must admit, it did not have me excited. I guess I am still expecting that other team to come back. You know the team we saw earlier this season. The team that could and would find ways to lose. I don’t know maybe it is because I don’t think the Astros have beaten any good teams in the 5 series winning streak. The Astros have won 5 series in a row and are still three games back of .500. I don’t even want to talk about how close they are to the wild card or division leader.

Bench Tidbits:
The Lakers finally ended the NBA season.

For the in-game reactions, please check out the GameZone.

The Hangover hangs on to the box office lead this weekend. I haven’t seen this movie yet, but I plan on it. Mainly because one person I know said she wasn’t impressed with it and Bradley Cooper is HOT. (Not necessarily the picture I wanted to link but one I thought was good.)

Is there a pool or something where I can wager on how long before Miley Cyrus is involved in a scandal? Seriously, the girl is a time bomb, especially now that she is 16. Only a matter of time before something breaks.

Astros 6, Diamondbacks 4
Contributed by BatGirl

Astros recap

After suffering through a 7-game losing streak in May, the Astros have gone on to win 4 series in a row, and are playing Sunday in hopes of extending it to 5 straight. Oh, and they’ve also pulled to within 5 games of first place in the Division. Also, suck it, Joe Buck.

Roy Oswalt got win number three Saturday as the Astros beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 at Chase Field. He held them to just one run in 7 innings and showed better command and more confidence in his curveball – hopefully a sign that he’s beginning his patented second-half-of-the-season-dominance.

The excitement began in the sixth inning, when Miguel Tejada hit number 2000 of his career and drove in Bourn from third to tie the game at 1. Miggy continues to have a career offensive year for the Astros, and is hitting .341. He is only the 29th shortstop all-time to reach 2000, and had his wife, kids, sister, and several close friends on-hand to help celebrate the achievement.

Lance Berkman followed Miggy’s milestone with one of his own, just one out later. He jacked one almost 400 feet off of Jon Garland to collect his 300th career homerun. That makes the Puma only the 7th switch-hitter to hit 300 HR’s.

Coop ended up using almost every single player on his bench Saturday, and acknowledged after the game that the Astros were, “pushed to their limit,” and that, “it took everybody and almost everything they had to win”.

Literally. That’s because Pence!!! was the only position player left on the bench. The Astros had to piece this one together using what little they had, considering the bench is short and the injuries just keep on keepin’ on…

Carlos Lee got crampy in the leg while galloping to first base during the 4th and had to leave the game, and the D-Backs chased Sampson out in the bottom of the 8th after he began experiencing right arm fatigue. They’ll be able to compare notes with Blum and Keppinger on where it hurts.

Jose Valverde, available for first time since April 26th, was brought on in the eighth when Arias ran into trouble getting out of the inning. Although Coop had hoped to get Valverde back on the mound in a “non-pressure situation”, he called on him with 2 out and a man on 2nd. Papa Grande looked ok, but he may have gotten lucky with the pop-up that ended the inning that came on a fastball that was up in the zone.

La Troy Hawkins closed the 9th and collected the save.

For less information, read the GameZone and embrace the brevity
(now available with 100% fewer hockey references).

Moehler takes the mound Sunday at 3:10 for the final game of the series.

Cubs 7, Astros 1
W: Ted Lilly, L: Brian Moehler

Astros recap
Yahoo recap

All I can think to say about the Astros for this game is they are shitburger factory.

The offense was bad against “a slop throwing lefty that sucks shit through a straw” pitcher, Lilly. The defense wasn’t always sharp for Moehler, I guess he forgot to tell Maysonet not to screw up before the game. And the pitching wasn’t all that great either.

Seriously, why do the Astros treat us fans like this when they play these assholes? Why? What did we ever do to them? Not buy enough food and beverages at the games? Not go to enough games? Is Hunter mad because not enough people are sitting in the lodge? What could the reason possibly be for them to produce shitburgers against this team? Ughh, I hate the Cubs.

Hopefully Wandy will find a way to get off his 3-game skid to allow the boys a chance against Zambrano. (Talk about an asshole that I absolutely hate.)

Question of the day for the Talk Zone. If you could get rid of one of the current Cub players, which would it be. I honestly can’t decide between Zambrano and Sorryano. I hate them both. And I don’t usually hate, usually I stick to a strong dislike of someone.

Bench Tidbits:

The Red Wings wanted to win the NHL Lord Stanley’s Cup on home ice, so game 7 here they come.

The Orlando Magic were able to win a game against the Minnesota Lakers, so they won’t get swept.

Check out Mark’s preview for more information on the series.

Read the GameZone for game-time reactions.

Want to know something about the future of this team/organization. Check out the 2009 Draft thread in the Bus Ride Discussion Forum.