GAME 9 - April 8: Ugh...

St Louis 5, Houston 3

Words for the Day: Groundhog Day. The movie, not the holiday.

As exciting as last night's walk-off home run was, you know what I really wanted to see tonight? A big blow out, with double-digit runs, some of which were not scored on solo homers. Lots of base-running and fist-pumping, fun without nail-biting, and a line of grinning Astros high-fiving each other at the end. And being the ever-optimistic Fan in Exile, I would write it up afterwards as the game that would spark the offensive juggernaut that drove the Astros to their second pennant.

Unfortunately I'll have to wait. Tonight's game was just more of the same. A not-too-bad start by Chacon (although a little heavy on the walks), with flawless performances by two of the three relievers. Unfortunately the other relief pitcher gave up the Card runs that won the game. Meanwhile, the offensive juggernaut has yet to materialize. The Astros continue to leave runners stranded in scoring position - partly because they wait to get anyone on base until there are two outs in the inning. Tonight they left the bases loaded in the 2nd, left Pence stranded on third in the 7th, and Blum on second in the 8th. (Perhaps some juggling of the lineup is in order?)

The Astros scored all of their runs in the 3rd inning. Berkman started the fun with a two-out double. Lee walked, and Tejada knocked them both in with a double. He advanced to third on the attempt to make a play at home, and then scored on a wild pitch. At that point it looked like the Astros were going to do some damage, but POOF! That was it for scoring.

Meanwhile, the Cards just nibbled away until they overtook the Astros. Chacon had some problems in the early innings - he walked three batters in the second, before allowing the first Cardinal run on a sacrifice. After that he settled down, and lasted 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, 4 BBs, and 2 Ks. Both Wright and Villareal pitched perfect relief innings in the 7th and 9th. In between Geary gave up a pair of runs on a 2-out double, earning the loss.

All in all, not an impossible situation for a win - with even a hint of the run support that is expected from this lineup. Still waiting. The person who must be the most frustrated is Pence, who struck out twice tonight (after 3 K's yesterday!). He whacked the ball hard for a triple in the 7th - maybe that will be the turnaround to get him out of his batting lull.

Nice defensive play tonight, by Towles and Loretta: With Cards on the corners, and the runner going from first, Towles threw to second. Loretta immediately shot the ball back to home to catch the runner who was dashing in. Towles tagged him to end the inning.

So, if I can put in my order for tomorrow night, I'd like a big helping of hits and no stranded RISPs. And as long as I'm asking, a great start for Sampson. And, if it's not too greedy to ask, let it be the start of a nice long winning streak.