WP:Joel Pineiro (1-0) S: Kyle McClellan (1)
LP: Mike Hampton (0-1)

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap
Box Score

Simple game review. Pitching for the Astros. Mike Hampton went 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks for the Astros. Astros relievers were Geoff Geary, Doug Brocail and Tim Byrdak, each getting an inning of work with Brocail giving up 1 run on one hit with 3 walks. Word in the TalkZone is he has an injured shoulder.

Pitching for the Cardinals. Joel Pineiro went 6.2 innings of work giving up 2 runs on 8 hits with 1 walk. Cardinal relievers were Josh Kinney, Jason Motte and Kyle McClellan who gave up 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks.

Batting for the Astros. Carlos Lee had 3 hits and Geoff Blum had 2 hits on the night with them each scoring a run. The other run was score by Hunter Pence singled in the 6th then scored off of Lance Berkman’s double.

Batting for the Cardinals. Skip Schumaker went 3 for 5 on the night and a run scored. Ryan Ludwick went 2 for 3 on the night plating one run. Albert Pujols was hitless on the night, but scored after walking to get on base, more on that later. Chris Duncan had the other hit.

Not-so-simple game review. The Astros pitchers gave up 8 walks on the night while Cardinal pitching gave up 3. 6 Cardinal hits versus 11 for the Astros. Those walks will kill a team.

Carlos Lee had a great game at the plate. He may be finding his groove. That will be great for the Astros. Michael Bourn was hitting outs into left field, while outs were still hit to left, so I think that is a positive. Jeff Keppinger is making Astros fans not worry who the PTBNL is. (Fans should note, this was only the 4th game of the season.)

The Astros, or specifically, Hunter Pence had his opportunities to change the game. He struck out with runners in scoring position in the 7th and then grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game. Not all blame for the loss gets lumped onto Hunter Pence (i’m talking about you Mike Hampton.) but he had horrible at-bats when he could have changed the game by getting on base. His getting on base brings Lance Berkman to the plate, that changes a game.

It’s Mike Hampton’s turn now. Yadier Molina hit a grounder to Hampton in the 3rd inning, Mike Hampton looks at Albert Pujols, gently tosses/lobs the ball to Lance Berkman for the out at first. Albert Pujols ends up scoring on the play. Good defense helps win a game too.

Bench Tidbits:
Seems like the same things all over again. The Astros were not patient at the plate. It sometimes feels like most of the team is going up there for the big hit. The ball doesn’t have to leave the park everytime you swing, just put it into play and run like the wind. The hits will find holes and the traffic that gets generated will eventually find a way home.

The GameZone was a hopping place Friday night.

To know more about the rest of the series, check out Mark Raup’s Series Preview here.

This picture reminded me of the one of Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell after Darryl Kile passed away. May his friends and family find peace.

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend.