THAT was what 98 Astros games were supposed to look like. Pitching, defense, hitting, and the Roof open.
In the 1st we saw that Aubrey Huff can play the outfield. Recovering from an initial misstep in, he sprinted back and caught up to a liner right over his head and hauled it down a step in front of the wall.
In the 2nd, more defense. Lamb started it off with a swift backhand and whipped a throw to get the force at 2nd. With one out, Berkman was holding Encarnacion on at 1st, Ross swings late on an Oswalt fastball and knocks a single through the hole. Oswalt now starts to have some control issues. Runners 1st and 3rd one out, Ausmus goes out and talks to Roy. Couple fastballs, one of which Brad framed for the only reason it was called a strike. Now comes the good part, sharp grounder up the middle, Everett dives, flat out on the ground flips the ball from his glove to Biggio who whips the dp.
Inspiring. A single, two walks, bases loaded no outs for Ausmus. He drops a single into center, THERE'S THE HIT, Huff scores and Burke flies around from 2nd, his load lightened by the realization the team no longer has a chance. Two more singles, Biggio, Lamb, and the score is 4-0.
Meanwhile, Roy commences to move through the Reds like shit through a goose.
In the 6th though, Dunn doubles off the wall, Aurilia knocks him home. 4-1. In the 7th, Oswalt Ks the first 2 batters. Then he gives up a homer to the pinch hitter Olmeda and then Freel singles to right. On the next pitch, a fastball for a strike, something catches and Roy walks off the mound, then walks back on to the mound and stands there until Trainer Dave LaBoissiere and Manager Phil Garner run out to get him.
He left the game with what is being called a "muscle spasm in his neck". Either he's day to day or his head will fall off. Five years?
Ausmus ends the inning gunning down Freel as he tries to steal second.
In the 7th they play add on. Berkman drops a slider into center for a single. Then Luke Scott lines to center, Freel comes in fast, dives, and the ball gets by him. FINALLY. He's given a triple and Berkman scores, 5-2.
Wheeler comes on to get the save FINALLY. Lamb makes a nice move to his left, makes the pick up for one out. Then Wheeler gets a K on a high fastball. Then, with 2 outs, he gives up a homer, whaaaaaa?. Game ends with Berkman cornering a grounder down the line for a 3-1 putout.
Pettitte, maybe, 7:05
