In the first the Astros lit the fuse. Three hits and a walk should have been enough to put up a nice cushion; but Burke got caught going on first move and Ensberg popped up and the promising run explosion turned into one of those novelty round bombs that Boris Badenov used to favor. Pfffffft?.poof, one run.
The steM?s super rookie David Wright got the run back and more and by the end of the 4th, Pasadena and the boys were in a 2-1 hole and it looked like a typical Astros game.
Both Pettitte and Whiner #2 held the hitters in check by working the outside edge and changing speed. The Astros defense did good work, Dr Who and Mr Peepers used their youthful enthusiasm and lots of running around to keep the ball in front and stop runners from advancing. Berkman scooped a couple low throws from Maximus and Mo.
But, in the 7th a miracle occurred. Down by a run, and late, the Astros began to hit.
Beltran played a double by Lane into a triple by Lane. Everett scalded a liner that short stop Reyes saved. Then Omar Nelson Bradley, sick and tired of watching these pitchers mincing the corners like an old lady with ivory dentures nibbling a plate of tea cookies, took Glavine to RIGHT! OH it was GENIUS, right down the first base line, tie game. Then Biggio, adding injury to injury, croqueted the ball off Glavine?s pin and Ausmus raced home from second. Astros 3 to 2.
But it didn?t last. In the 8th, Wheeler on, Matsui weasled his way to first by trying a bunt. He got hit in the foot instead. Garner argued, no he didn?t, the ump showed him the scuff mark on the ball and the argument was over. Garner never played the trump card that Matsui never brought back the bat on the bunt. So in fact, it was a strike. Somehow Matsui made it over to third and with 2 outs, Cameron hit a rocket into the hole at short. Everett dove and stopped the ball and tried to throw out Cameron while practically lying down. And he almost did. 3-3 going to the 9th, 10th and 11th.
Then the top the 11th. Viz lob wedged a base hit to left, Berkman, broken bat single, Ensberg ripped a ground rule double right over Pinky?s head. By the time the worm finished turning, 6-3 Astros and JD says ?Hey! Everybody?s going home??
Pope finished it with 3 Ks in the bottom.
And so we bid adieu to Shea for another season. Scrape the goo off the bottom of our shoe, wash our hands, dry them on our pants, finagle the exit door open with our elbow, briskly walk away, careful not to touch nothin.
It?s home again tomorrow, 7:05, Wandy Rodriguez vs. Ted Lilly.
