GAME 62 - June 6: Welcome Home!

Houston 6, St Louis 1

Word for the Day: Bargain. Something offered or acquired at a price advantageous to the buyer.

Brian Moehler came to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee, hoping for a chance to play for the Astros again. They liked his stuff, and gave him a $500K contract and a chance. He more than earned his salary and his place in the rotation in this welcome-home game against the Cards. In his best start of the season, the veteran righty pitched 7 shutout innings, giving up only 2 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 5. It was nice to see the other team experiencing what the Astros have been through for more than the past week: A starting pitcher that they just couldn't figure out. Unfortunately for the Astros, the other teams seemed to have plenty of those pitchers, while the Astros haven't been able to make that that claim this year. But now and then, we've seen a few "gems," as Alyson would say, and this performance was right up there with Wandy's last start.

The Astros managed to generate a whole series worth of run production in this game; Six. That is, a whole series for this new light-scoring incarnation of the 2008 team. It might be time for a rebirth in that department as well. The Cardinals didn't really make it very hard for them - half the runs were scored in the 4th inning on a pair of errors. But there were some nice offensive stats too: Loretta, subbing for Tejada in a rare start at short, was 4 for 4. Blum, playing third, was 2 for 4 with an 8th inning solo homer. Matsui also went 2 for 4. Berkman didn't have a hit or even a walk, but still managed to score a run - he got on base after being hit by a pitch.

Geary pitched the eighth, giving up a rare run - the Cards' only chance of the game. Cooper brought in Valverde in the nonsave situation to pitch the ninth - the big guy needed some exercise. He faced the heart of the St Louis order, starting with Pujols, and mowed them down 1-2-3, striking out the side. His ERA is now at a season low 3.60 - he has only given up runs in one game since April 17, when Bad Papa made his last appearance and was replaced by Good Papa.

I watched this Friday night game late Saturday night after the Sabbath.

Sad for Dad: In other Astros news, Cruz Jr finally ran out of chances as the Astros released him. His dollar-and-change batting average was simply untenable with the current offensive slump. The Astros brought up Richie Abercrombie to fill the roster spot.