Jakes at Astros, 4/7/08
Astros 5, Co-ards 3
W: Valverde (2-0), L: McClellan (0-1)
HR: (Deep breath…) Berkman (2), Lee (3), Towles (2), Tejada (2)
AP/ESPN
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Gamezone
Breakdown of Pence’s breakdowns in the TalkZone

Probably not a stretch to say that this was the best game that Wandy Rodriguez has pitched. 7 1/3 innings, no runs, three hits, and perhaps most telling, no walks to go with 6 strikeouts. He was working the fastball-curve combo beautifully, and the Cardinals never really threatened off of him.Read More

Astros at Padres, 3/31/08
Padres 4, Astros 0
W: Peavy (1-0), L: Oswalt (0-1)
HR: None (it’s PETCO, after all)
AP recap
The first Daily Footer 

I must admit, the pressure of writing the first SnS game recap was getting to me.  Fortunately, pravata dragged out this gem from the vaults of NYCU:

‘Three words — pitching, speed and defense.’ I said ‘Where’s hitting?’ He said ‘If you do those other three right, the hitting will work out,’

So let’s evaluate:

Pitching – Roy looked OK.  Not great, not bad, but OK.  A liner from the bat of Kouzmanoff that either caught Roy’s hip square, or was deflected by quick glove work (replays were inconvlusive), did not help matters; Roy was not crisp with his pitches, leaving a few too many up for sharp singles and doubles.  On the other hand, I counted at least four or five bleeders that dropped for the Pads and not the good guys. Roy’s biggest sin was letting the bottom of the order beat him – Peavy drove in 2 of the 3 scored off roy.

In the pen, Wright and Geary were sharp, Borkowski muddled through, and Moehler gave up the fourth run on two hits and a walk.

Speed – Michael Bourn is a fast, fast man. So fast that his only issue on the bases appears to be oversliding the base. Two SB’s for the youngster on the night – granted, Peavy is not renowned for holding runners, but Bard might as well have eaten the ball both times for having no shot at him.

The less said about Tejada’s attempt at a double in the 9th, the better.

Defense – Bourn saved 3 runs by tracking down a long drive to RCF. Wigginton and Berkman chipped in nice plays. Tejada looked fine at SS, although he did play one ball to the side that immediately brought out Lou Brown screaming, “What is this ole bullshit?”

Where’s hitting?  It will come, my friends. If Bourn can keep having AB’s like this; if Pence can adapt to the 2-hole; and if we don’t have to face Jake freaking Peavy every night – oh yes, it will come.

Backe tries to even the tally tonight, 9:05 CDT.

Brewers 6, Astros 0
W: Gallardo (9-4) L: Albers (4-9)
HR: Mench

AP: ESPN

One team came with some serious business to attend to.

And Albers took care of exactly that, dotting Ryan Braun in the first inning. Memo to Matt – make sure not to give up two-run doubles after you deliver the team’s messages.
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Astros at Brewers, 9/3/07
Astros 9, Brewers 7
W: Borkowski (4-3) L: Aquino (0-1) S: Qualls (4)
HR: Berkman (28)

AP recap: ESPN
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Oswalt. Sheets. A pitching duel waiting to happen. And that’s what we got for three innings.
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Nationals at Astros, 8/20/07
Score: gNats 7, Astros 0
W: Timmah (3-3) L: Jennings (2-9)
Home runs: Pena (7), Young (12)
Read Jim Molony’s wrap-up here: Astros.com

Let’s go to the Ricoh scouting report:

“Keep the ball in the park”

Washington – Top of 2nd

W Pena homered to left.

Washington – Top of 3rd

D Young homered to right, F Lopez and R Zimmerman scored.

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