The Silver Boot, in all its meaningless glory, remains in Houston this year. The Astros took it to the Rangers by a score of 9-5 on Sunday night, bagging them the weekend series win as well as the entire interleague series between the Rangers.
Houston got on the board first in the 1st inning with a two-out two-run single from Eric Munson. However, Texas answered with a four-run 2nd inning consisting of four consecutive two-out run-scoring hits, three of which were doubles. That would be the hardest inning Wandy Rodriguez was hit; he went into the sixth inning, giving up five runs on seven hits.
The Astros lineup exploded in the 4th, batting around and notching seven runs on seven hits. Willy Taveras had a two-run double, Craig Biggio and Morgan Ensberg each drove in a run of their own, and Munson hit a three-run double to give him five RBI on the day. Rangers starter Kevin Millwood had to leave in the middle of the inning with a strained bicep.
The Astros find themselves at 40-42 heading into a three-game set with the Cubs at Minute Maid. Roger Clemens will try again for his first win of the season on Monday night, while Carlos Marmol goes for the Cubs. First pitch is 7:05pm CDT.
