Astros 2, Cubs 0 (7 1/2 innings)

W: Moehler L: Dempster

The Astros pushed across a run in the first on a strong baserunning play by Miggy, who took second on a deep fly by Berkman (no doubt understanding that Anaheim Jimmy’s arm is toast). That led to a Lee single to right, which drew the worst throw of all time by an outfielder – yes, Bonds in the 92 NLCS has been unseated – as Fukudome managed to bounce one over the dugout when trying to throw home.

Another run followed on three singles and a walk (explanation: Lee was the lead runner).

After that, it was all rain and lightning, and Wally Bell’s stubborn insistence on resuming play when an official game had already been recorded.

Reds at Astros, 7/28/08
Astros 5, Dickities 4
W: Oswalt (8-8) L: Cueto (7-10) S: Valverde (27)
HR: Dunn (30), Blum (9)

The Daily Footer
Boxscore

(I was) walkin’ the tightrope steppin’ on my friends
Walkin’ the tightrope (it) was a shame and a sin
Walkin’ the tightrope between wrong and right
Walkin’ the tightrope both day and night

Yes, Roy returned to his all-too-familiar tightrope act Monday night against his old friends from Cincinnati. Spotted to a 3-run lead in the bottom of the first, Roy proceeded to load the bases in the top of the second with nobody out. Longtime Astros observers (such as the fine readers of this esteemed site) knew what was coming; let’s be honest, at this point, Astros fans in a persistent vegetative state knew what was coming.

Ah, but as the saying goes, hitting is timing, but pitching is distrupting timing. And thus Oswalt threw all of us off balance with three straight strikeouts to escape trouble and keep the 3-0 lead.

This only delayed the inevitable.

You see, Roy at this point will go Oswalt Inning ™ at some point. It is, as they say, a matter of when, not if. And Roy made it all the way to top 3, when 2 singles and a walk loaded the bags for Dunn, who then deposited a bomb just to the left of Tal’s Flagpole to make it a 4-3 game. (ed note: Why isn’t there any trade interest in a guy with 30 HR?)

Fortunately, Geoff Blum either really, really wants out of Houston, or he really, really wants a starting job, as he continued destroying the ball in the manner of his Sunday game. Following a first inning SF, Blum blasted a Cueto hanger into the first few rows in RF to make it a 5-4 game.

There it would stay, thanks especially to some strong work from a bullpen that seemed to say “Reliever?? Seriously, Ed? HOW ABOUT A FREAKING BAT!!!” Byrdak, Geary, Wright, and Valverde combined for 4 innings of shutout, 1-baserunner ball, and this one went into the books for the good guys.

Limey’s recipies, and the horror that is today’s Milo Hamilton, in the GameZone.
Trade deadline chatter in the TalkZone.

Pirates at Astros, 7/21/2008
Pirates 9, Astros 3
W: Yates (4-2) L: Valverde (4-3)

Box score
Who gave Footer the night off?

It was destined to be a strange night from the beginning, as Coop the Mad Scientist put a prototypical #2 hitter in the leadoff spot, and a player with no future but as a leadoff hitter in the #2 spot.

Lineup dyslexia:

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