They had a chance, several in fact. But errors and no clutch hits doomed the final game of the Astros season.
It started in the first. A bad throw by Burke on a grounder to the outfield grass put the first batter of the game on 2nd. Then with a runner on 3rd, one out, Berkman picked up a grounder and threw to the plate. The throw was off line and the runner was safe. 1-0.
Chris Sampson was throwing strikes and kept the Astros in the game. However Jeff Francouer led off the 2nd with a homerun.
This would not have been a problem had the Astros taken advantage of their chances. In the 2nd they had runners 2nd and 3rd, no outs. Everett lined out, then Quintero blooped a fly to Francouer in right. He made the play and threw out Huff trying to tag. The throw was up the 3b line but Huff was still tagged out as he ran past.
In the 3rd they had bases loaded, 2 outs, no runs. And in the 5th, same thing. 6th, 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs, nothing. In the 7th they broke through for a run on a Berkman single but could get no more, leaving 2 runners on with no body out.
The Braves meanwhile tacked on one more run in the 3rd . Runners 1st and 2nd, 1 out, grounder to 3rd, Lamb stepped on 3rd and made an errant throw to first. Instead of an inning ending double play, run scored.
There was one excellent defensive play on the Astros side. With the bases loaded in the 5th, fly ball to center. Taveras came on for the catch and threw a strike to get the runner at home for a double play.
The Braves only scored one earned run. Sampson gave them a good start, considering, and relievers W Rodriguez, Springer, Lidge and Qualls all pitched well in relief. Nieve pitched the 5th but was lucky he didn?t give up a run.
Next game, April 2, 2007, Oswalt.
