The Astros managed not to turn their first series loss of the season into their first sweep of the season. In a game in which the only scoring was on home runs, Lance Berkman and Jason Lane drove in a total of three runs to give Houston the 3-2 victory. The win busted up Cincy's six-game winning streak.
Chris Burke filled in for Craig Biggio at second base, but he also filled Bidge's shoes at the plate. Burke led off the game with a plunking, and advanced to second on a slow chopper by Willy Taveras. Maybelline then crushed a 1-1 offering by Elizardo Ramirez over the head of Adam Dunn and into the LF seats. Lane homered in the 4th with nobody on and his ball landed about 20 yards left of Berkman's in left field.
Taylor Buchholz continued his pretty good rookie run, pitching into the 7th and allowing only two earned runs. Those runs came on a Dunn blast to right-center in the bottom of the 6th. Taylor left the game after walking two straight batters with one out in the bottom of the 7th. Chad Qualls got out of the inning and pitched a 1-2-3 8th. Brad Lidge struck out the side in the 9th, earning his 8th save. The save was not without at least a little drama, however - after whiffing the first two hitters, Lidge gave up a single and a walk.
Berkman's homer gave him 29 RBI, setting a new Astros record for RBI in the month of April. His ten homers also ties a club record. Buchholz improved to 2-1, and his ERA of 2.05 leads all Astros starters.
Monday makes the season a little more interesting, as it is the first day the Astros may negotiate a contract with Roger Clemens. You can, of course, stay tuned to OWA and the TalkZone for all the latest scuttlebutt. Monday also brings another stop on the Astros' road trip as they head to Milwaukee for a two-game series. Wandy Rodriguez and Tomo Ohka are your starters. First pitch is 7:05pm CDT with television coverage by KNWS 51.
