GAME 13 - April 13: Wandy's Ruby Slippers

Houston 5, Florida 1

Quote of the Day: "There's no place like home... There's no place like home..." (Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz; Wandy in Minute Maid Park)

Wandy Rodriguez continued his domination of Minute Maid Park with his second terrific start of this homestand. Six days after what was arguably his best start ever, he came back and did almost as well - 7 innings, giving up only one run (on a solo homer) on 5 hits, 1 BB, and 7 Ks. His ERA for his first 3 starts is just 2.33. He might look like a little kid standing next to some of his more traditionally built colleagues, but he sure looked like a real pitcher on the mound this week. And this time, unlike the last start, the relievers held on and let him get his first W of the season. Brocail pitched a scoreless eighth and Valverde did the same in the ninth in another non-save situation. Valverde has yet to pitch a 1-2-3 inning; like last night, he put a couple of runners on before ending the game without giving up a run.

The Astros started collecting runs in the second inning, with JR Towles' 2-run homer. Towles is a funny hitter - he's only batting .207, with 6 hits - but half of them are home runs. Bourn led off the third with a solo homer of his own - his first as an Astro - to make it 3-0. The Astros managed to add on one run in the sixth and one in the seventh inning, but missed the opportunity to turn it into a blowout - they left the bases loaded in both innings.

Okay, let's not get greedy - the Astros won consecutive games for the first time this season, and took the series from the NL East division-leading Marlins.

Towles had an eventful day. In addition to his home run, he walked in a run when he came to bat with two outs in the 6th. Then in the 8th, he was hit by a pitch on his left wrist, and was taken out of the game to get it xrayed. Happily, It appears to just be a bruise, but I don't suspect that he'll be doing handstands on home plate for the next few days. With both Wiggington and Matsui on the DL, the Astros don't want to lose any more position players in the infield.

Pence got the day off today - Erstad and Cruz Jr split the game in RF.

Did I mention that the Astros won TWO games in a row?

The Astros have a day off tomorrow, before moving up to my part of the country - more or less. They will play 3 games in Philadelphia this week. Hopefully they will not have to face Brad Lidge, because they will be so far ahead that his services as the closer won't be necessary. (Lidge has pitched in 5 games so far this year, 1 inning each, and has not given up any earned runs, with 1 hit, 5 Ks and 4 BBs.)

I'll miss Minute Maid Park though. It's been nice seeing the Astros home announcers on mlb.tv; so far this year it has appeared that the home game broadcasters are picked up. It's always nice to see that big poof of white hair in the stands right behind the batter -- Barbara Bush and that guy who used to be President, sitting behind home plate. And of course, there's always Wandy, clicking his ruby cleats and saying "There's no place like home" as he strikes out another batter on that curve ball of his.