On an auspicious day, 6/6/?1944, the day the weather, if not the tide, turned on the beaches of Normandy. Does that have anything to do with today? No, not even a little.
Today the Astros sent the best starter they have in an Astros uniform; Wandy Rodriguez, with an assist from Jim Deshaies' slump busting blue tartan sport jacket, to take the mound on 3 days rest.
In the 1st, with 2 outs, the Cubs worked a walk and a single, and No Cup was faced with runners 1st and 3rd, staring at Aramis Ramirez, Wandy got the ground out on a change and the game was begun.
The 2nd, Wandy benefited from another dp, but also endured a two out walk. Another dp in the 4th and in the 5th, another two out walk, so it went, nothing overpowering. Some well placed fastballs and a good change got Wandy through 7 shut out innings.
Meanwhile, the Astros scored runs. The bottom the 2nd, Preston swings, connects, and as he leaves the batters box, spits, the ball flies and bounces off the BOS sign on the score board for a double. Red Rover walks, No Cup, unsure of the sign, trots down to Mensa, they hug, he comes back with the word and bounces a lousy bunt right at the pitcher. But, Kerry, ?Hey, Anyone Remember When I Struck Out 20? That?s why I carry American Express,? Wood throws to 3rd. But not so much 3rd, as left field. Wilson scores. Then Burke takes a ball low and away to right center. The fly bounces off Jacque Jones? outstretched glove. ?Triple? scores 2. 3-0. That?s different. Different is good.
In the 4th, Lance whales a fat hanging curve to the second deck, just over the spot price of unleaded. 4-0. Afterwards, the telecast shows Berkman talking to Burke in the dugout, Berk-man, Burke (Berk?), suspicious. Well, in the game, Ensberg misses 3 fat mistakes from Wood but then slaps a belt high fastball right off the ?In? in the ?Best In Texas? phrase at the top the scoreboard. The Cubs bring in Will ?Liked But Not Well Liked" Ohman to get Lamb, who is robbed of a looping single by a diving Juan Pierre in right center.
There?s another scoring chance for the Astros in the 6th. Vendo rockets a liner off the ?there? on the ?AIB The strength to be there? sign. But, Ensberg watches a 3-2 fastball on the corner from the blazing Marmol and strikes out. We go to the commercial as Mo seemingly argues his mid-term grade.
Again, in the 8th, bases loaded, 2 outs Morgan Ensberg swings through a 3-2 high, possibly ball 4, fastball, 7 years of college down the drain.
Meanwhile, Qualls and Lidge finish off the 8th and 9th. Lidge had a little hiccup in the 9th when Mabry bounced a double up The Hill to score the Cubs run.
?Let him who has understanding?? Big TBA for the Astros tomorrow at 1:05, the Cubs rookie lefty Sean Marshall.
