Wandy Rodriguez held the best hitting team in the NL to one run through 5. Not bad for the kid. But, through 4 the Team was making Ramon Ortiz look like Cy Young. And really, I think Cy Young could hold this team close, as he is today, all corpsified and all, he?d stand a chance. Ensberg?s ab in the 4th was emblematic of the problems the Astros are experiencing at the plate. 2 balls, close outside, then Ensberg takes 2 strikes on the corner outside, no thought of a swing. Then he swings at a slider that at no point had a chance to be a strike. No confidence.
But in the 5th, down 1 to nothing, ( Wandy gave up a, gasp, run) Everett. Quintero, and Lamb, pinch hitting said ?What the hell? Lets swing the bat, see what happens.? And 2 runs scored. Q, couldn?t get a bunt down in the beginning of the inning, singled and eventually scored on a sac fly, was seen in the dugout apologizing to Gar about failing on the bunt.. But, all was forgiven, (except maybe in Kangaroo Court) as MoBerg got in on the jail break and jacked a 3 run homer into the Crawfords. 5 to 1 Astros.
Springer, Gallo, Qualls, Wheeler, and finally Lidge, who made things interesting, finished it out to get the win for Wandy.
5 teams now under a Derby Hat for the WC.
7:05, Pettitte v. Claussen.
