Astros 6, Nationals 5
W: Brocail (2-0) L: Ayala (1-2) S: Valverde (7)
With the tying and go-ahead runs on base with two outs in the 8th inning, Carlos Lee fell into an 0-2 hole but smashed a liner to right on the next pitch that the Nats rightfielder dived for and missed, allowing the Astros to pull out this see-saw battle 6-5 at open-roofed Minute Maid Park. Read More
Rockies 11, Astros 5
W: Morales (1-1) | L: Sampson (0-2)
Arriving in Houston after sunup Friday morning, the Rockies used the momentum from a 22 inning victory in San Diego Thursday night to jump on the Astros and Chris Sampson for a 6-spot in the first inning and cruised to an 11-5 victory over the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Read More
Phillies 4, Astros 3
W: Seanez (1-1) | L: Valverde (2-1)
Entering the bottom of the ninth with a 3-0 lead, Astros closer Jose Valverde completely tanked. First, he allowed a solo home run to pinch hitter Chris Snelling, then bored a slider into Chase Utley for a HBP. After he made good pitches to Ryan Howard for the K, he went to a 3-2 count on Pat Burrell before throwing a very straight waist high outside fastball that Burrell slammed into the right field seats to tie the game. Visibly upset, Valverde proceeded to whiff Geoff Jenkins on an inside slider that bounced off catcher Brad Ausmus’ mitt for a passed ball that allowed Jenkins to reach first base. The next batter, Pedro Feliz, hit a liner just past the diving Geoff Blum into the left field corner. With Jenkins running through a stop sign at third, leftfielder Carlos Lee finally corraled it and one-hopped cutoff man Miguel Tejada, who threw a strike to Ausmus seemingly in time to tag the sliding Jenkins, but he was called safe. Ballgame. Read More
Cardinals 5, Astros 3
W: Reyes (1-0) | L: Geary (0-1)
HR: none
The reflected glow from last night’s exciting home opener victory faded quickly as the Astros could only dent the Jakes mound staff early, scoring all three of their runs in the third inning and mustered a mere three hits in the final 6 frames as the Coards of St. Louis evened the series at a game apiece.Read More
Padres 3, Astros 2
W: Enrique Gonzalez (1-0) L: Oscar Villarreal (0-1) S: Trevor Hoffman (2)
Astros.com wrap from Sandy Burgin (?)
The Astros bats lost their momentum after last night’s exciting ninth inning rally, managing a mere six hits and two runs as they failed to achieve the split in the final game of a four game set in San Diego, losing 3-2 Thursday afternoon.Read More
Astros 8, Reds 5
W: Paulino (1-1) | L: Coutlangus (4-2) | S: Lidge (17)
HRs: Pence (16) Votto (3)
AP recap from that ya-hoo site
Alyson’s wrap
Time is running out on Craig Biggio’s career, but he drove in the go-ahead run in game one of his final road trip as the Astros rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Reds 8-5 Tuesday night at the rainy Great American Empty Ball Park.Read More
