GAME 92 - July 9: Shocking News - The Astros Win!

Houston 6, Pittsburgh 4

Quote of the Day: "We played awfully hard the last three days -- the last day in Atlanta and the two days here. Just long days. It was really good to finally get a win." (Cooper)

I'd have to agree with Coop: The Astros played both awfully and hard the previous three days, losing all three games. So it was really good to watch them get a win tonight, as Houston salvaged one from another blown series. It wasn't a game I'll remember for years, or for more than a day or two - just a regular good game, with decent pitching, competent fielding - and a few runs thrown in too, at least enough of them to pull off a rare win.

Houston got off to a big start with a first inning 2-out rally: Berkman was hit by a pitch, Lee walked, then Blum (substituting at short for resting Tejada) hit a 3-run homer. Consecutive singles by Bourn, Wigs, and Ausmus put another run across, giving Moehler a nice 4-0 lead to work with. He strung it along for 5 innings, giving up a run here, two there, with the Astros unable to answer, until it was all tied up 4-4. In the seventh a medley of singles, sacs, ground outs, and a double pushed in two more runs.

Not a big lead to work with, considering the events of the past few game. But no blown saves this time: Sampson, back in the pen, threw two perfect innings. Valverde didn't dare do his cat-playing-with-a-mouse routine. He closed without letting a batter past first base.

Of note in this game: Kaz is back from the DL. He liked returning to second base so much that he hit a pair of doubles so he could spend more time there. Berkman stole 2 more bases, giving him 14 for the season.

In other news: Villareal was put on waivers. Did they really think he'd take a minor league assignment, when he didn't even want to pitch out of a big league bullpen?

The Astros leave Pittsburgh, all alone in the cellar of the NL Central division. Next stop: Washington DC to play the Nationals, who are undoubtedly the worst team in the majors this season. If it was hard to lose a series to the Pirates, it would be really demoralizing to lose the the Nats. My younger son gave me tickets for Sunday's game, and is coming down for NY to go to the game with me. I'm really really hoping for a big win, no rain, and no extra innings.