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General Discussion => Archive => News Archive 2006 => Topic started by: Waldo on October 24, 2005, 12:53:33 pm
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The hitters cashed in on several scoring opportunities, but Sunday it was the bullpen that would cost the Astros the game. Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge gave up a 7th-inning grand slam and the walk-off blast, respectively, to give the White Sox a 7-6 victory and a 2-0 series lead as the teams head back to Houston.
The beginning of the game was a repeat of Saturday's back-and-forth act, this time with the Astros getting in front first with a 2nd-inning leadoff dong. A couple of defensive miscues in the bottom of the 2nd would let the Sox go on top 2-1. Chris Burke misplayed a fly ball in left with a runner on, and then Craig Biggio dropped a popup in shallow right to allow Aaron Rowand to score. A fielder's choice to second Juan Uribe then allowed AJ Pierzynski to score.
The Astros bounced back in the top of the 3rd when Willy Taveras hit a 1-out triple, and scored on a sac fly by Lance Berkman. Berkman would later add two 2-out RBIs in the top of the 5th on a double to left, giving the Astros a 4-2 lead.
The Astros held that lead until Dan Wheeler relieved Andy Pettitte in the bottom of the 7th. For some reason, Wheels had trouble finding the zone, and the Sox hitters took advantage of it. Uribe knocked a 1-out double, and after striking out Podsednik, walked Taduhito Iguchi. Then, on a 3-2 pitch to Jermaine Dye, Dye checked his swing on an up-and-in pitch. Replays showed that the ball glanced off Dye's bat, but he was awarded first base with an apparent HBP. Garner decided he had seen enough of Wheeler and went to Qualls, who served up a meatball grand slam on his first pitch to Paul Konerko. Just like that, the Astros were down 6-4.
The Astros came back in the 9th against fireballer Bobby Jenks. The rally was started by Jeff Bagwell who singled to center for the first hit of the series. After Jason Lane struck out, Burke walked on four pitches. A Brad Ausmus dribbler to the right side advanced the runners but made it two outs. Garner then decided to pinch hit for Adam Everett with Jose Vizcaino instead of the power threat Mike Lamb. The decision paid off, and Viz laced the first pitch he saw through the left side. Bagwell scored easily, and Burke rounded third base before the throw came in and made an excellent slide at the plate to avoid Pierzynski's tag and tie the game. Pinch-hitting for Biggio, Lamb ended the inning with a fly ball to left.
Brad Lidge was then brought in to send the game to extras, but for whatever reason, he suffered the same fate as Wheeler and Qualls. His first out was a long fly ball to center. Then Podsednik turned on a 2-1 pitch and deposited it over the wall in right-center. It was only his second homer of the entire season.
Game 3 at Minute Maid Park will get underway at around 7pm central time on Tuesday.