Houston Astros Baseball Blog » Astros Game Reviews

Houston Astros Shutout in Game III to Reds: Paulino Pitches Well

cardsjason — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:08:16 +0000

Houston 0

Reds 4

Instead of putting 0-whatever after everyone I’m just gonna post strike outs, hits, and walks.

Matsui 2K

Bourn 2K

Tejada 1-4, 2B

Lee

Pence

Blum 2K

Erstad

Towles HBP, K

Paulino

Michaels BB

Berkman 0-1

Pitching Lines:

Felipe Paulino

5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 3K, 1 earned run

Chris Sampson

1 IP, H

Tim Byrdak

1/3 IP

Doug Brocail

1 IP, H, 2 BB, 1 earned run

Good News: Felipe Paulino was great tonight. I would really like for him to stick in the rotation. Samp and Byrd also threw well tonight. Also, Houston won the series.

Bad News: Our offense was shut out tonight for the 4th time this season. Defense wasn’t looking real alive tonight either, especially on a goof up in the outfield when Bourn and Lee collided on an easy fly ball.

Houston is off tomorrow and will head to Atlanta to open a 3 game series with the Braves starting Friday.

Paulino gets the undeserved loss.

Houston Astros Defeat Cincinnati Reds 4-1 Behind Great Performance from Roy O

cardsjason — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:04:29 +0000

Houston 4

Cinci 1

Man, what does a guy gotta do to get a W around here? Apparently be a relief pitcher.

Houston’s offense was slumbering aside from a Berkman bomb in the 6th. The O finally woke up in the 9th with 3 hits and 3 runs, two singles from Lee and Miggy respectively and then a 2 run double from Hunter Pence who ended up on 3rd after a fielding error from Jay Bruce.

Hitting Line:

Matsui 1-4, K

Bourn 1-4, 2B, K

Berkman 1-3, HR, RBI, BB, K

Lee 1-4, GIDP, R

Tejada 3-4, R (Guess I was wrong, sorry Coop.)

Pence 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R, K

Blum 0-3, RBI, Sac Fly

Rodriguez 0-4, K

Oswalt 1-3

Pitching Line:

Roy Oswalt

7 IP, 6 H, 2 K, BB, 1 ER

Tim Byrdak

.2 IP, 1 H

Chris Sampson

1.1 IP, 1 H, K, (w)

Good News: Berkman’s bomb opposite field is a good sign, however, you will know when Lance is feeling comfortable again when he starts to hit doubles.

Starting Pitching was also very good tonight and our bullpen was great the past two games.

Defensively the Astros played well turning 3 double plays. Hat tip to Pudge Rodriguez who made two great plays coming out from behind the dish to throw runners out at 1st.

Bad News: Our offense was non-existent until the top of the 9th. It would be nice if the offense could produce with some consistency and get our starting pitching more wins.

Chris Sampson W (2-0)

Houston has Wandy Rodriguez, who has been great so far this season, on the bump to take on Aaron Harrang tomorrow in game two of this three game series.

Houston 8-12

Cinci 10-9

Houston Astros Lose Game III to Dodgers But Take Series

cardsjason — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:18:54 +0000

Tough loss for Houston. They battled but just couldn’t mount an attack against the duo of Billingsley and Broxton.

Wandy Rodriguez pitched another great game and is one of 3 pitchers in the majors with 4 quality starts. The offense couldn’t string any hits together.

Hitting line:

Matsui 0-3, Sac bunt

Tejada 2-4, 2B

Berkman 0-4, GIDP, K

Lee 0-4, 2 K

Blum 0-3, BB, K

Erstad 1-4, K

Rodriguez 0-2, BB, GIDP

Bourn 1-2, BB, SB

Wandy Sac Bunt

Michaels 0-0 HBP

Pence 0-1, (lined out on a hard hit ball to short)

Pitching Lines:
Wandy Rodriguez 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 K’s, 2 BB

Geoff Geary 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, K

Wesley Wright 1IP, 1 H

Good News: Wandy Rodriguez had another quality start to make it his fourth out of 4 starts. That’s about it. Geary pitched better even though he gave up 1 run.

Bad News: Houston’s offense was non-existent tonight.

Tough night for Houston. They just flat out got beat. Great pitching performance by L.A.

Wandy Rodriguez (1-2)

Houston starts a series against Milwaukee tomorrow night at 7:05 with Felipe Paulino facing Yovani Gallardo at 7:05 and I’ll be there. Can’t wait!

Dodgers 2

Stros 0

Houston Astros Take Game One, End Dodgers’ Streak

cardsjason — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:06:02 +0000

Boy was this a long game.

Houston 8

Dodgers 5

After Ortiz struggled through the first I thought we were gonna be in trouble tonight. However, Ortiz battled and got his first win in nearly two years.

The Astros bullpen did well aside from Jeff Fulchino giving up a 2 run shot to Manny who actually didn’t stand at the plate.

Carlos Lee hit a monster 2 run shot and Houston performed much better with RISP this evening.

Jose Valverde came in with a the run lead and gritted through the inning to get his first save. Gutsy performance by Jose.

Good performance up and down the line up tonight. Hunter Pence was the only Astros to not reach base.

Matsui 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB

Tejada 2-5, 3 RBI, R, K

Berkman 1-4, RBI, K

Lee 2-4, 2 Run HR, 2 RBI, R

Pence 0-4, K

Michaels 1-3, 2B, BB

Rodriguez 2-4, 3 R

Keppinger 2-3, R, HBP

Ortiz 0-1, Sac Bunt

Bourn 0-0, Sac Bunt

Matsui, Tejada, and Lee were the stand outs for tonights offense but Rodriguez and Keppinger were also major cogs as well.

Pitching Lines:
Russ Ortiz

5 IP, 5 BB, 3 Hits, 3 ER, 2 K

Wesley Wright

1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER

Jeff Fulchino

1 IP, 2 H, BB, HR, 2 ER, BB

LeHawk

1IP, 1 H, 0 ER

Jose Valverde

1 IP, 1H, 1 Error, BB, 2 K, first save

Good News: Haven’t been able to say this much this season but the offense. Great job getting key hits and driving in runs, giving Ortiz his first win of the season. Carlos Lee hit his second home run in as many games.

Bad News: Seems like Houston has left the bases loaded at least once the last few games. Bullpen was a little rough but better.

Russ Ortiz W (1-0)

Jose Valverde S (1)

Tomorrow Houston has their ace on the mound in Roy Oswalt and he will face Randy Wolf. Game time 7:05 Central

Great win tonight for Houston who end the Dodgers streak.

Houston (5-9)

L.A. (10-4)

Houston Astros Waste Good Start by Hampton, Drop Series to Reds

cardsjason — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:20:48 +0000

Reds 4

Astros 3

Mike Hampton pitched 6 + innings giving up 3 earned.

Geoff Geary came in for Mike Hampton with a runner on 2nd in the top of the 7th and proceeded to give up a single and a walk to load the bases for Joey Votto.

Tim Byrdak was brought in to face Votto and gave up a 2 run double. Bourn, Tejada, and Rodriguez teamed up to gun down Hairston at the plate preventing him from scoring on the double as well.

Houston had a great opportunity to tie the ball game in the bottom of the 8th with Berkman at the plate and runners at 1st and 3rd after a lead off double by Jason Michaels and a walk by Miguel Tejada. Berkman couldn’t come through and eventually Hunter Pence was struck out on a called 3rd strike to end the inning with the bases loaded. Hunter is 0-4 this year with the bases loaded.

Matsui 1-3, K, sac bunt.

Tejada 0-3, BB, GIDP

Berkman 1-4, HR, 1 RBI, 1 R

Lee 1-3, HR, BB, 1 RBI, 1 R

Pence 2-4, K, R, 4 LOB

Blum 3-4

Rodriguez 1-4, RBI, GIDP

Bourn 1-4, K

Hampton 0-2

Michaels 1-1, 2B

Pitching line:

Hampton 6.1 IP, 8 H, BB, 5K, 3 ER

Geary 0.0 + IP, 1 H, BB, 1 ER

Byrdak .2 IP, 1 H, 1K

LaHawk 1 IP, BB, HBP, K

Valverde 1 IP, K

Good news: Berkman and Lee each hit homers, Berkmans first from the left side. Mike Hampton pitched 6 strong innings.

Bad news: Houston has managed to blow 3 out of 4 great starts from their starting pitching. The club continues to struggle with RISP. Hunter Pence left 4 on tonight and Berkman failed to bring home a gimme RBI. Geary is not pitching well right now either, earning his second loss tonight.

Geary (0-2)

Arroyo (3-0)

Houston (4-9)

Houston Astros Lose Game III to Cincinnati Reds

cardsjason — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:50:24 +0000

0-11 with RISP. Is there anything else I really need to say? Houston’s offense has been a ghost with RISP this year it seems.

Good News: Felipe Paulino. I’ll go as far as to say he earned himself another start, especially with Moehler most likely missing his next start.

Bad News: Our offense. Anyone seen Lance Berkman lately?

The bad call may have cost Houston some runs but that’s baseball and this wont be the last time it happens. Sometimes it’s in your favor, sometimes it isn’t.

Houston (4-8)

Geary L

Houston Astros Defeat Cincinnati Reds 7-0 on Two-Hit Effort from Rodriguez

cardsjason — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:00:17 +0000

One of those games where you would have taken some of these runs last night but a great win for Houston.

Wandy Rodriguez pitched another great game getting his first win of the season.

Geoff Blum led the squad today with 3 RBI.

Bourn 1-5, 1 H, 1 R, 3 SO, 4 LOB, SB

Tejada 1-4, 2 R, SB

Berkman 0-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 LOB (Berkman has as many strike outs this season as he does walks. 11)

Lee 3-3, 3 Hits, 1 RBI, 2 R, BB

Pence 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 K, 4 LOB, SB

Blum 3-4, 3 RBI, 1 R,

Rodriguez, 2-4, 2 RBI,

Smith 0-4, 2 K (not looking good for Jason)

Erstad 1-1 (first hit of the season and remains as the only bench player not to have a start)

Michaels 0-1

Great game out of the offense today, now if they could only put up some runs with some consistency.

Pitching Lines

Wan-Rod!!

7 IP, 2 H (that’s right, 2 hits), 2 BB, 10 K (ties a career high for Wandy, who got 10 K’s during a previous contest against the Reds)

Sampson 1IP, 1 BB

Fulchino 1IP

0 earned for Houston pitchers tonight.

Good news: Wandy freaking Rodriguez is pitching like the ace of the staff right now. That’s 3 solid starts for the little lefty who got his first win tonight.

Houston scored 7 runs tonight also a good sign. Carlos Lee had a great game tonight but the offensive mvp goes to Blummer who got his first RBI of the season tonight and added 2 more to give him 3 on the day.

Bad News: Houston stranded 9 runners on base.

Something has to be wrong with Lance Berkman. He hasn’t done anything from the left side this year and he already has 11 K’s.

Wandy Rodriguez W (1-1)

Tomorrow will have Felipe Paulino facing Edinson Volquez at 1:05 Central.

Houston (4-7)

Cincinnati (5-5)

Houston Astros Lose to Cincinnati as Jose Valverde Blows His First Save

cardsjason — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:23:47 +0000

Houston’s offense was asleep tonight. They only had 2 hits, both by Miguel Tejada, until the 9th, and their only run was scored off of a Lance Berkman walk.

Roy Oswalt deserved the win but didn’t get it.

Bourn 0-3, K, BB

Tejada 2-4

Berkman 0-1 3 BB, RBI

Lee 0-4, K, GIDP, 6 hitters left on base

Pence 0-3, BB

Blum 1-4

Rodriguez 1-4, K

Smith 0-4, GIDP

Oswalt 0-1 BB, R

Michaels BB

Good grief Carlos Lee.

Pitching Line:

Oswal 6 IP, 5 hits, 4K, 3 BB (Roy absolutely earned a win tonight.)

Geary 1 IP, 0 H
LeHawk 1 IP, 1H, (I thought this was a very good inning for LeHawk. He Battled)

Valverde 1 IP, 1H, 1 HR, 2 ER

Good News: Roy Oswalt pitched well enough to earn his first win and Geary and LeHawk both pitched well. Defensive props to Hunter Pence for throwing out Willie T at 3rd.

Bad News: OFFENSE!! Carlos Lee left 6 men on base by himself. That’s your MO Caballo.

Valverde blew his first save opp to get the L.

Stros (3-7)
Roy (0-2)

Valverde (0-1) Blown Save

Tomorrow has Wandy Rodriguez facing Aaron Harang at 6:05 central.

Houston Astros Defeat Pittsburgh for First Series Win

cardsjason — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:47:42 +0000

I was at class today so I didn’t get to watch/score the game so here is the wrap from Stros.com:

Bourn 1-3, 2 BB, 2B, 2 R
Tejada 2-4, BB, R
Berkman 1-4, BB, K, 3 RBI, R, 3-run HR
Lee 1-4, RBI
Pence 1-4, BB, RBI, HR, K
Blum 1-5
Rodriguez 1-4, BB, K
Keppinger 1-2, R, BB, 3B
Ortiz 1-2, RBI

Pitching lines:
Ortiz 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
Wright .1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER (got the W)
Sampson 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 ER
Byrdak 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K, 0 ER
LeHawk 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, (save)

Good news: Berkman and Pence both went yard for the 2nd and 3rd home runs respectively. Keppinger and Tejada stayed hot and our bullpen didn’t give up any runs. Russ Ortiz also hung in there and kept Houston in the game.

Bad news: Ortiz didn’t quite go 5 innings. Houston left 10 on base.

Wright (1-0)
LeHawk (Save)

Tomorrow has Roy Oswalt taking on his favorite team the Cincinnati Reds for the start of a 10 game home stand for Houston.

Houston Astros Lose 5th Consecutive Game

cardsjason — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:54:33 +0000

Pittsburgh 7 Houston 0

Moehler left the game early with a knee injury adding injury to insult in his 2 outings this season.

Houston’s bats are completely dormant right now. The Astros haven’t scored a run in 18 innings and only had four hits today. Two of their hits were doubles by Tejada and Keppinger.

Thank the lord Houston has a day off tomorrow. Hopefully it will give them a chance to regroup and literally come out swinging against Ohlendorf on Wednesday in support of Mike Hampton.

Btw, why give your hottest hitter in Michael Bourn a day off? Maybe Coop is going slot him higher in the line up on Wednesday?

Who knows, but lets hope that between now and then Houston finds their bats.