GAMES 87-89 - July 5-7: Weather War, Bullpen Battle

Friday, July 4: Atlanta 6, Houston 2
Saturday, July 5: Houston 6, Atlanta 1
Sunday, July 6: Atlanta 7, Houston 6 (17 innings)

Quote of the Day: "My guys battled. That's all you can ask. They battled and played hard. We had a lot of chances to squeeze one across. We just couldn't get it done. Everybody -- every stinking pitcher that went out there -- battled, and that's all you can ask for. They laid it all out on the line." (Cooper, on Sunday's 17-inning loss)

At least they ended it in style Sunday night - a similar style to that best-ever 18-inning game in the playoffs three years ago. It would have been nice if the ending had been similar with the Astros dancing on the field. But instead they trudged exhaustedly back to the visitor clubhouse to pack up for the trip to Pittsburgh, another series loss in the record book. But I'm way ahead of myself... let's start at the beginning of the weekend.

The fireworks sure weren't for the Astros on the Fourth of July. Taking on an Atlanta team that had lost its last 5 games and hadn't had a lead in a game in a week, Houston had a big opportunity. But it faded faster than the fireworks, as Moehler gave up 5 runs and the Astros continued with a weak offense - the killer combo that's accounted for quite a bite of this Losing Season. That's "Losing" with a capital "L": The Astros fell back into last place in the division - behind even Pittsburgh. I guess I should be glad if the Astros save their losses for Friday night, when I'm off celebrating the Sabbath.

Saturday night was a big improvement. When I turned on the computer after the Sabbath ended, it was the bottom of the ninth, and the Astros had a nice fat 6-1 lead. They had scored the last two runs in the top of the ninth, so Valverde was all warmed up to pitch for the save. Now it wasn't a save situation, but the big guy didn't feel that it was necessary to turn it into one to make it exciting. I waited an hour for the game to show up on the MLB.tv archive, and watched it - not live, but it was the first game I'd gotten to watch since Wednesday night, and the first win since last Monday.

Sampson, jumping back out of the bullpen to fill in for Oswalt, pitched a nice, and very economical, game. In his 5 innings, he threw 56 pitches, giving up 1 run on 2 hits, no walks, and striking out 2. The Astros got some early runs for him - 2 in each of the first 2 innings on a mix of walks, singles, and doubles from up and down the order. Loretta, starting at second, had a great night at the plate: 3 doubles, with 4 RBIs. Brydak, Brocail, and Valverde combined to pitch the other four scoreless innings, allowing the Astros to break their 4 game losing streak.

Sunday's series decider got off to an ominous start: A huge rainstorm that delayed the game almost 2 hours. When they finally got going, Wandy gave up a first-inning homer to Chipper Jones. But the Astros came back to score 5 runs in the third, in an inning capped by Wiggington's first career grand slam. Amazingly, all the action in the inning began with 2 outs. Wandy gave back two of the runs in the bottom of the inning, with Chipper J again in the troublesome mix, making it 5-3. In the sixth inning, again with 2 outs, Newhan and Ausmus combined to put another run across, giving the Astros a 6-3 lead.

That was about it for Wandy; lefty Wright came in with one away in the bottom of the sixth, striking out both batters he faced. He fared less well in the seventh, getting two quick outs before giving up a walk and an RBI double (it was Chipper - again - who scored). With the Astros lead cut to 2 runs, Coop brought in Brocail to finish off the inning. In the eighth, Brocail struck out two batters, interspersed with a single and a walk. For some reason, Cooper thought this called for the early entry of the closer. This time the drama queen did make it too interesting: Valverde walked his first batter to load the bases, then allowed a 2-run single to tie the game.

At this point, the ramifications of that weren't fully realized: It would take another 9 innings - a whole game's worth of play - before anyone scored the next run. Cut to the chase: It was Atlanta's turn to win the Marathon. Brydak - the last reliever standing , pitching his third inning- gave up 4 consecutive singles in the bottom of the 17th, giving Atlanta the 7-6 win.

But kudos to the bullpen. On the way to that point, Geary pitched 3 innings and Borkowski threw 2 - each of them only allowing a single hit. And Brydak had pitched his way out of trouble for two innings before his 17th inning meltdown. Unfortunately, the Astros were matched inning by inning by a similar performance from the Brave's pen. Although they threatened, getting runners to 3rd in the 13th, 15th, and 17th, Houston couldn't get a run across. The most disappointing chance was in the 15th inning, when Berkman came in to pinch hit with 2 outs and the bases loaded. Berkman, who was sitting out the game with a goopy eye (diagnosis: pink eye), flied out.

The game ended about 5 1/2 hours after its rain-delayed start. The Astros' flight was then delayed and the did not arrive in Pittsburgh until 3 AM. And now for the bad news: With Runelvys scheduled to pitch Monday - not a really reassuring thought - there's really not much available in the bullpen. So, on to Pittsburgh, where the Astros and Pirates will duke it out for last place in the NL Central.

In Other News: Two Astros made the All Star team. Berkman won the popular vote for first base - the first time he's been voted in by fans. Tejada didn't catch up in the shortstop voting, but was picked by the players. Lee didn't get a spot, but is one of 5 players in the runoff vote. Oswalt, unfortunately, will miss his next start, still out with a hip injury. Back at Spring Training, I was hoping that he'd be leading the race for the Cy Young this year, with all this expected run support, maybe a starring role in the All Star Game. Instead, he's (literally) limping along in his worst season ever. Meanwhile, the Astros have a new pitcher on the roster: They brought up Paronto from Round Rock, and designated Abercrombie for assignment. (Now we can guess who will relieve on Monday.) And far off in Philadelphia, Lidge just got a huge contract to stay with the Phillies for another 3 years. Lidge did make the All Star team - he's having a huge year, with a minuscule ERA. Good for him! Hey, he didn't ask to be traded!