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?