GAME 62: Tastes Just Like Chicken

June 14: Houston 8, D-backs 3

Knowing that a big proposal effort would be starting at work on Monday, I was soooo in the mood for a nice relaxing baseball game. The rubber match of the D-backs series was made to order. The Astros rushed to get on the scoreboard, with Berkman's 2-run homer capping a trio of runs in the first inning. Starter Moehler gave back a pair on a home run in the bottom of the inning, generating a few moments of uncertaintly. But Pence added a long ball of his own in the third, to give the Astros a 4-2 lead. Moehler allowed a solo homer to lead off the fourth; after that he kept the snakes rattling harmlessly through the sixth.

Meanwhile, the Astros hitters played add on: They loaded up the bases with no outs in the sixth as Tejada doubled, followed by back-to-back walks by Pence and Berkman. Pudge hit a sac fly to score Tejada, then Michaels singled to score Pence. Astros lead 6-3. In the seventh, the Astros put together another pair of runs out of odds and ends. Maysonet led off with a bunt single, then advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Bourn's RBI single. Then Bourn manufactured a run of his own, stealing second, then third, and finally all but stole home on Tejada's ground ball to third.

Excellent work from the bullpen to back up Moehler. Fulchino threw two scoreless innings, and then Valverde took his rightful place on the mound in the ninth, for the first time in weeks. Although it was a nonsave situation, Valverde played it out in the style we all love to see: He struck out the side.

Pence is just so easy to love - the guy does it all. In addition to his 2 hits (including the homer), he walked, stole a base, and had an outfield assist.

On the D-back side, it was nice to see Qualls pitching well in a perfect ninth (easy to be magnanimous since we were well ahead when he came in).

All in all, just what I was hoping for the day before starting on a new proposal. The win gives the Astros their fifth consecutive series win. Keep it up!!!