Not much in terms of pitching happened today for either the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers. This must be the time in spring that they call the dead arm period because both squads had dead arm performances from their respective pitchers. For Houston, Roger Clemens and Ezekiel Astacio went the full 10 inning of work, with Rocket logging 6 and Zeke taking 5. Neither man really did much to distinguish himself as they got roughed up a bit by the Tiggers for 11 runs total, 7 in one inning for Rocket to go with the one previous run allowed. Zeke couldn't hold down the Tiggers in the 9th as they rallied for three to send the game into extras. The point is the Tigger pitchers, other than Ugeth Urbina who pitched a very strong two innings of work, did not do any better than Clemens and Astacio. In fact, they did worse.
The hero of the day was the wunderkynd rookie Chris Burke who has labels hanging off of him of granduer stuck on him by fans and media alike. He did everything to make 'em proud today as he went 4 for 5, including a three run homer. Burke is trying to desperately make the Astros take their eyes off Luke Scott for just a teeny itsy bitsy moment and notice him for a change. Today's performance may do it too. Good for him, as now the Astros have some serious things to consider before tomorrow nights round of cuts to get the squad down to either close or right at the 25 man roster. Good luck with that Count!
Tim Redding was supposed to start tomorrow in Kissimee against the Cleveland squad (have they played them yet? I can't remember!), but he got his arse traded, so Brandon Duckworth takes the hill to fend off Dave Burba and anyone else wanting to stake a claim on the #5 starter he has a grasp on now.
