Thursday, April 16th, 2009
Astros 6
‘roots 3
W: Wright (1-0) | L: Burnett (0-1) | S: Hawkins (1)
HR: PENCE!!!, Puma
A strikingly similar lineup card to last night’s was turned in by Coop today and it may have been just what the offense needed as they helped pick up a shaky start by Ortiz and went on to take the rubber game in Pittsburgh 6-3.
A sphincter-tight strike zone took more out of Ortiz initially than Karstens. The Pirates roughed him up for 2 in the 1st and 1 in the 2nd. But Ortiz settled in and cruised through the rest of his 4+ innings scoreless and the pen gave the boys a chance.
Michael Bourn made the best of his second straight game leading off by getting on base 3 out of 5 times up and scoring twice. A PENCE!!! solo shot got the offense on the board in the 2nd and they added one in the 3rd. Then in the 4th, a Keppinger triple followed by a single by Ortiz tied it up at three. Two batters later, Puma strolled to the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs against an increasingly rattled Karstens but he lifted the 3rd pitch softly to center and the spark was snuffed.
Still stinging from the missed opportunity, Lance got his redemption with 2 men on in the 6th, this time right-handed as he took lefty Sean Burnett deep to left to post the winning runs.
Wright, Sampson and Brydek locked things down in the middle innings including a dominant 3-pitch performance by Wright vs. McClouth in the 5th and a thrilling 17-pitch foul-a-thon by Sanchez vs. Sampson. Much speculation over what gives with Valverde as LaTroy came in for the 9th for the save. Stay tuned to the beagle for more information.
Back home tomorrow with 3 against the pimply, misshapen asses.