Both the Phillies and the Marlins lost today but the Astros couldn't take advantage.
Oswalt gave up 4 runs in 6 innings and only made one really bad pitch; a hanging curveball to rookie Rickie Weeks with 2 outs in the 4th.
The Astros offense wasted a number of scoring opportunities. Berkman lead off with a double in the 2nd. Lane couldn?t move him, struck out, and when Lamb blooped a pop over short, Elvis thought it was going to drop and took off; Weeks easily made the catch and got the double play.
In the third, with one out Ausmus walked. Then he and Oswalt executed a perfect hit and run, Brad chugging into third on Jenkin?s looping throw. But, after Taveras walked, Burke struck out and Viz flew out.
Then the 4th, Berkman singled and, continuing his aggressive base running, advanced to 2nd on a deep fly to center. But again, Lamb and Everett failed to advance him.
Again, the 7th, they had runners 1st and 2nd and no outs and weren?t able to advance them as Ausmus and the pinch hitter Scott struck out.
Ridiculously Helling shut out the Astros for 7 innings. They were whaling at letter high fastballs and almost every out was a lazy fly.
Finally, in the 8th, they brought in Eveland and Burke homered on the first pitch. Then Vizcaino tripled and Lane got him home on a ground out. But that was it.
Offense would be a good idea tomorrow, Backe v. Dontrelle Willis at home, 7:05
