Rangers 0, Astros 7
W: Wandy Rodriguez, L: Harrison

This was the game that starts the patented Astros second half. You just wait and see. The Astros are going to start rattling off wins. And before you know it, there will be series wins and maybe even sweeps. Things are starting to turn around. All the hard work is going to pay off. The guys deserve it. Us fans deserve it. Now’s the time to show all those “experts” how great this team is.

Carlos Lee is starting to hit for power. Jason Michaels is starting to get his swing going for the bench. Hunter Pence is going to remain FOTF. Michael Bourn is going to run like the wind around the bases. Brett Wallace is going to find his way back to hitting the ball. Clint Barmes is doing good things with his glove. Wandy Rodriguez is going to start going 7 to 8 innings every start along with the rest of the starters. And Chris Johnson is going to find his swing from the end of last season.

Of course all that could happen if a couple things don’t happen. First, you can’t trade the players involved in the patented Astros second half. And secondly, you have to keep the bullpen off the field.

Seriously though, this was a nice win for the Astros. They played a clean game and had good starting pitching.

Hopefully, they can continue it throughout the weekend. It would be nice to hear some good news for a while.

Rays 7, Astros 2
W: Wade Davis, L: Bud Norris

Recap and Boxscore
GameZone

This was the usual Astros game that we are all accustomed to at this point in the season. A starting pitcher having a pretty decent outing, at least good enough to get a win. A player gets on base and forgets all lessons ever learned in baserunning. A bad bullpen giving up runs. Grounding into double plays.

I really, really, really wanted the Astros to score 5 runs in the bottom of the ninth (yes, I know it wasn’t going to happen) just to see who Brad Mills would have put at catcher. How awesome would that have been? I’m thinking it would have been Bourgeious behind the plate, unless he went to second and Keppinger caught.

Was it just me or did it seem like Hunter Pence did a cartwheel after his throw home? Seriously, all I could see were arms and legs flying everywhere. I couldn’t even watch the ball because I was watching that train wreck. So, I’m not sure if the call at home was right or wrong. You can see the replay on the video section of the recaps.

So, here’s my story of the evening. I was invited to go to the game by a friend of mine. I haven’t seen her in years. She’s a nice person but…..

The plans were made to meet at 4:15 and go to Front Porch in Midtown (at least the Midtown it is now, not the one HudsonHawk used to know). I was not going to join them for this part of the evening for two reasons. First, none of the three are what I’d consider drinking buddies. I’m not saying I want to hang out with someone that pounds the beers as a buddy, but if I’m going to meet up for drinks before a baseball game, I want to join other drinkers, rather like SnS on Opening Day. Secondly, I was at Galveston getting on my tan.

So, I meet the other three at the baseball game. We are a pretty quiet group. Nothing rowdy. Then the friend that invited me, let’s call her Sally, tells everyone that she believed me, for years, that Republicans don’t do the wave. I think it was a game in either 2006 or 2007 when I and another friend told her this. She was getting ready to participate in the wave at a game and we didn’t want her to do that so we told her that Republicans didn’t do the wave. She sat right back down. I am amazed that anyone is that gullible to believe us. And to believe it for years.

So, Sally is also a fan of Hunter Pence. Is anyone surprised? I was. I really didn’t think she would know any of the Astros. She made a comment that “he plays hard all the time.” I question that comment because she really doesn’t watch baseball.

So, the Astros double out to end the game and we decide that we are going to stay and watch the free concert. The concert was supporting the Boot Campgain.

Michelle Branch did a pretty good job. It was an acoustical performance. I really did enjoy it. She even sang the song, The Game of Love (Sphinx Drummond was worried about that.). I wasbsitting there enjoying the concert and Sally realizes it is 10:00 and she is ready to go. She’s tired. Apparently it is 2 hours past her bedtime. Sometimes people surprise me and this was one of those times.

I know I’m “talking” about someone that is a friend, but seriously? She’s like the energizer bunny hyper which can be quite tiring for those around her. So, while I love going to Astros games I’m not sure I’m not sure I’m ready to go with her again. I probably will because I love going to the games, even though the Astros are bad and she’ll drive me nuts in the process.

A special thanks to strosray fro letting me have his Rays game to recap. You’re the best man.