GAME 4 - April 3: Watching Reruns

San Diego 3, Houston 2

Word for the Day: Deja Vu. Impression of having seen or experienced something before.

It's not really worth spending much time writing up this game. Just go back a couple of days and read about the one-run loss.

Same good news: The much maligned pitching was excellent - Chacon gave up only 2 runs over 6 innings, on 5 hits, 4 BBs and 4 Ks. Then Villareal pitched two innings in relief; the 1 run he allowed earned him the loss.

Same bad news: Someone forgot to tell the rest of the guys to hit in a few runs. Pence, Berkman, Lee, and Tejada had exactly one hit (and 5 Ks) between them. The Astros' measly 2 runs were both scored on RBI doubles, one by Loretta and one by Towles, but neither of the scoring base runners had gotten on base with a hit. Of course, 2 runs is twice as many runs as the Astros scored in their first two games combined, so in that sense, this can be seen as offensive improvement. And give credit where it's due: The Padres have pretty awesome pitching.

Bottom Line: Although it's tough to lose the opening series, there's a lot that actually bodes well for the Astros' season. The pitching has been much better than anticipated. The worst game, in terms of opposition runs scored, was the classic Wandy Road Show - which the Astros ultimately won. The second worst game was Oswalt's Opening Night loss. I'm not really worried about Oswalt; the other two losses were despite the pitching, not because of it. I'm not really worried about the Astros' offense yet either - this lineup has just got to score a lot of runs this season. And the agressive baserunning adds energy to the game; everyone expects Bourn to run - but Berkman? He stole another base in this game. Bourn and Berkman lead the major leagues in SBs! I'm not going to make my season predictions until the Astros go back to Houston for their home opener - but despite the W-L record, I'm actually leaning in a very positive direction.

GAME 3 - April 2: Now That's More Like It!

Houston 9, San Diego 6

Word for the Day: Epitome. A typical or ideal example; embodiment.

Finally, the Astros played a game that epitomizes the predicted 2008 team: Roughed-up starting pitching, but enough big bats to offset at least some of the damage. Wandy's first start of the season continued his "road" pattern of 2007 - in 5 innings he gave up 4 runs on 8 hits, 1 BB, and 6 Ks. (Let's hope that his 2007 "home" pattern continues too!) But the big offense started early, and came back at the end to give the Astros their first win of 2008.

The first run came in the first inning, doubling their run count for the whole season. Like the other run the night before (on a bases loaded walk), it wasn't a very imposing offensive feat - Berkman scored on a 2-out throwing error. But in the second inning, the bottom of the lineup lit up against old nemesis Greg Maddux: Blum and Wiggington hit back-to-back home runs to give the Astros a 3-run lead. That didn't last long, as Wandy gave up a pair of runs in each of the next two innings.

From there on, it was a game of cat and mouse - the Astros would tie it up, only to have the Padres come back in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead. Carlos Lee tied it up 4-4, in the 6th with his first home run of the season, but Borkowski gave it back in the bottom of the inning on 4 hits. Then Berkman showed a new side in the 8th: After hitting a leadoff double, he stole third base! BERKMAN!? The unexpectedness of it was probably a factor in the success. That put him on third when Tejada came up, with one out, and hit a sac fly to score him, tying it up at 5-5.

Unfortunately, the Padres regained the lead in the bottom of the 8th, scoring off Valverde on a sac fly. That put the Astros up in the 9th, trailing by a run, and facing the Closer of the Century Trever Hoffman. Wiggington ground out - one down. Towles flied out - two down. Cruz Jr came up to pinch hit. Soon there was a full count, and the Astros were on the verge of extending their season-long losing streak.

I think my favorite baseball expression is "They came back to win it." Really, is there anything better than to go into the 9th a run behind, and then with 2 outs and a full count on the batter, they rally?

Cruz was patient - he walked. Bourn singled, two on, two out. But it's hopeless, right? The Astros at that point were 0 for 20 with RISP!!! But my guy Hunter Pence was up - he hit a single to right, scoring Cruz to tie the game! Then Berkman, already with two doubles on the night, whacked the ball out over the center field wall, for a 3-run homer. Astros lead 9-6. Valverde came back out for the bottom of the ninth, and shut the Padres down for the win.

There is so much to like in a game like this: Berkman hustles! Four dingers! Come from behind! ASTROS WIN!!!

Quirky Thing from this Game: Cooper really is going to try to use Ausmus as a backup infielder. He brought him in to play second base in the bottom of the ninth. He might have done fine (remember the double play he turned when Garner put him at SS in a reverse blowout last year?), but didn't get the chance. Valverde struck out two and the other guy flied out.

I'd like to see a lot more "epitome" games, and perhaps a few less "inauspicious" ones! Tomorrow: A day game to end the series - care to split it?

GAME 2 - April 1: Close But No Cigar

San Diego 2, Houston 1

Word for the Day: Ironic. Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended.

So things aren't quite what they seemed they would be. The Astros' highly touted offense remained silent for a second night. When at last they put a run on the board, it came on a walk with the bases loaded. Meanwhile, the much maligned pitching was excellent, holding the Padres to just two runs, both scored on a 4th inning homer. Oddly, these Astros looked more like the 2005 team than the new big-bat team that was predicted, as they flailed away to their second loss of the season. (I won't complain if the outcome is more like 2005 that what is predicted.)

But there's always something to like...

The Pitching: Backe pitched 5 nice innings of baseball, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, 3 Ks, and 3 BBs. He was taken out after 5 innings when Coop brought Cruz Jr to pinch hit in a rare scoring opportunity. Villareal and Brocail finished up with 3 scoreless innings in relief.

Bourn Burns: For the second night, Bourn made Ed Wade look like a genius. Hitless, he walked twice - the first time stealing second (#3 for the year), and the second time pushing over the Astros' only run of the game (and the season, so far). He made another spectacular turned-around running catch deep in center field, as well as an outfield assist.

Pence Hits: After a hitless first game, Pence went 2 for 5, including a dribbler to first with 2 outs in the 9th. Many batters would have just accepted what appeared to be an easy out, but Pence went to the Biggio School of Baserunning and ran all out, beating the pitcher to the base.

But the bad news: Two games, two losses, and only one run to show for their trouble. Oh well, as Scarlett said, Tomorrow's another day...

GAME 1 - March 31: Opening Night

San Diego 4, Houston 0

Word for the Day: Inauspicious. Not auspicious, boding ill, unfortunate.

Everything did not go as planned for the Astros last night. Actually, very little went as planned. Jake Peavy won his trashtalk battle against hunting buddy Roy Oswalt, shutting down the Astros bats, as the Padres peppered Oswalt with hits. Then Peavy rubbed his nose in it, taking personal responsibility for half of the Padres' RBIs. Meanwhile, the Astros' anticipated lovefest with the bat was put on hold, as the big boys - Pence, Berkman, and Lee - together batted .000.

Fan-In-Exile Motto #2: There's always something to like in a game. (#1 is "It's not over till it's over.") Michael Bourn, acquired in the off-season for his speed, showed it off last night, getting on base twice (single, BB) and zipping off to second both time for his first 2 steals of the season. His speed also showed on an amazing running catch in center field in the 6th inning, saving the Astros at least 2 extra Padre's runs.

More to like: Miguel Tejada, a risky and expensive off-season trade, made his case on Opening Night by going 2 for 4 (single, double), accounting for half of the Astros' hits.

The Bullpen (last year's woe) also accounted well for itself. Dave Borkowski pitched himself (and Oswalt) out of trouble in the 6th, loading the bases with one out, but not allowing any runs to score. New guys Wesley Wright and Geoff Geary put up perfect relief lines. Brian Moehler, on the other hand, gave up 2 hits and a dreaded walk in 2/3 of an inning, allowing another Padre run to score.

Fashion Statement: The Astros wore the red road jerseys. Berkman has apparently abandoned the huge muttonchops that had infested his cheeks at Spring Training.

Fanning-in-Exile: It's not always being a Fan in Exile. I am a prisoner of the wiles of mlb.tv, and the victim of the dreaded Nationally Televised Game blackout. So I went into last night's game (broadcast on ESPN2) expecting to only being able to get the audio broadcast. With a starting time of 10:05 PM, and not owning a TV (let alone cable), I wasn't really in a position to ask one of my friends to invite me over. Happily, I was surprised to find that the game was not blocked, and I got to watch the Astros loss live. Unfortunately - and this is my biggest dissatisfaction with mlb.tv - I don't get to choose which team's broadcast I get to see. Of course, it was the Other Guys'.

Ya Gotta Love...

At Spring Training 2005, I was overcome by a certainty that those Astros were going to the World Series. This year, I did not experience any kind of epiphany or other-worldly visitations (the Spirit of Pennants Past?). I just made a more rational material assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the team's composition. So, is this The Year?

I don't really know. The losing record the first week of Spring Training is no real indication, of course. I repeated that to my husband like a mantra that during the games we attended: It's only the first week, they are taking a look at a lot of kids and non-roster invitees, Berkman is a notoriously slow starter, the pitchers are building up endurance and trying out new stuff, this is not what the team will look like on Opening Day, etc. There are some holes, especially in the pitching rotation, and there are some favorites who are gone. But there are also some things that you just have to love about this team. Here are a few:

J.R. Towles: That mop of blond hair makes him instantly recognizable among the mass of unfamiliar players. It goes with a big smile, and a big bat too. So far Spring Training has been a continuation of Towles' short but impressive plate performance last September - after the first week, he's batting over .450. His youthful energy, conditioned with Ausmus' maturity and encyclopedic mentoring, give him tons of potential. If he has a 20% higher batting average and up to 20% lower IQ than Ausmus, he'll be great.

Jose Valverde: Berkman's entitled to his opinions; I'm sure that the players view the antics of the other guys differently than the fans do. Assuming that Papa Grande continues his mound performance from last year, stats-wise, his emotion and sense of humor will play very well with the fans. At Spring Training he was constantly engaging with the fans, bowing and chatting, making faces at the press photographers who were trying to take his picture. Then he gets on the mound and looks like a monster.

Roy Oswalt: The opposite end of the emotional display scale from Valverde, Oswalt wears a deadpan facade to work. He's all business on the mound -- and with the kind of run support that is anticipated, this could be the biggest year of his career, win-wise. The rest of the rotation may be suspect, but Oswalt's ERA plus some big BAs could add up to CYA this year.

Jose Cruz Jr: The sentimental wild-card among the non-roster invitees, Junior is getting a lot of playing time this Spring. Whether it's out of deference to his father or a serious look, Cruz has gotten more at-bats than any other player so far. So far he's coming through-- in 10 games, he's batting .345 and leads the team in hits. It's hard not to want him to be successful, with his dad looking on from first base.

Hunter Pence: After a year in the Big Leagues, he doesn't clap his hands when he gets on base anymore. But Pence still has great energy and enthusiasm and a big smile and a wave for the fans. While he's not hitting .500 in Spring Training this year, his .357 BA after the first week is more than respectable. He's got "star" written all over him, and if he's not a nice guy, he's a hell of an actor.

More things to love about the 2008 'Stros in my next post. But first I have 2500 Spring Training photos to wade through, looking for the best shots for my website Photo Album.

The Most Familiar Face

Not everyone on the roster is a stranger, of course. There are a handful of returning players -- Berkman, Oswalt, Pence, Ausmus, Lee, Loretta, Wigginton, Wandy, Williams, Borkowski. Just enough to give a sense of Astroness to the team. It's great to see them all on the field.

But there was one face that was the most welcome sight of all - Jeff Bagwell in the dugout, sitting with the coaches, giving batting advice to the Minor Leaguers at the practice fields. It's a little embarrassing to admit, but I got a lump in my throat when I saw him walk onto the field the first time. The last time I saw Bagwell in person was at Spring Training 2006, when he was trying so hard to make a comeback. By the time the season started, Bagwell had admitted that he would not be able to play.

I did see Bagwell a few times on TV (well, mlb.tv) during the past couple of seasons - when Biggio got his 3000th hit, when Number 5 was retired. But it's not the same as seeing him in uniform, out on the field, even if he's not playing. It's just so right to see him wearing Number 5, hanging out with the players.

Live from Kissimmee!

After two games, a few initial observations from Astros Spring Training...

I already knew that it was going to be a very different team this year, after all the trades and acquisitions over the winter. But I am still surprised how different it is. The past couple of years at Spring Training, I could recognize most of the players at a glance, without having to check out the backs of their jerseys. Not so (yet) this year. There are so many new faces on the roster, not to mention the non-roster invitees and guys with really large jersey numbers up from the minor leagues up for a cuppa. This early in Spring Training, there are lots of players rotating out on the field. I try to photograph as many different players as possible -- who knows who will make the team, or will be a star in the future? But then I can't always figure out who they are when I format the pictures. This picture, by the way, is Nick Gorneault scoring the tying run in the 9th inning of Friday's come-from-behind win.

A second observation: I know that I'm not seeing the Starting Day lineup (especially in yesterday's split squad game), as there are a lot of guys that Cooper and the coaches want to take a look at. But so far the scoring has been pretty light - 4 runs in Friday's win, 3 runs in Sunday's loss to the Nats. It would be nice to be seeing some of those 8- or 9-run games that have been predicted. Yesterday's game was practically poetic - to borrow inaccurately from T.S. Eliot:

This is the way the game ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.

Pitching - the big question for this year - has been mixed so far. Oswalt was Oswalt on Friday. I'm hoping to see him pitch again later in the week. Brocail and Valverde were terrific on Friday; both got beat up on Sunday. Brocail's back-to-back homers must have been pretty disappointing for a guy who'd like to spend the year back in Houston. Paulino's looking great. Chacon was good on Sunday, despite a double and homer that put the Nats ahead in the first. Cassell got clobbered on Friday. Non-roster invitee Carlos Hines has pitched scoreless 9th innings in both games I attended so far. I haven't seen Villareal or Geary pitch yet.

Trivia: Cooper seems to be keeping up Garner's tradition of moving his catcher to an infield position for an inning or two. Quintero played a reasonable first-base on Sunday. I heard from another fan that J.R. House had played first on Saturday, with less effective results.

Well, I'm off to see the Astros beat the Yankees. I expect the stands to be pretty packed, and the Yankees fans to be as annoying as usual.