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

The Chubs…err Cubs, won the series with Houston 2 games to 1.

Runs Scored:
Chicago 17
Houston 11

This is how Houston ended up in playoff contention last year while being outscored by their opponents. They win the close low scoring games and lose big on occasion, ala’ when they face the Texas Rangers or when Brian Moehler gives up 8 runs in two innings.

Hits:
Chicago 31
Houston 18

Chicago definitely out hit Houston but if you take away Moehler’s 10 hits in two innings the margin of difference is a little closer, but alas, those hits count.

Quality Starts:
Chicago 2
Houston 2

The difference was in the third game when Houston lost the slug fest.

Bullpen Runs Allowed:
Chicago 2
Houston 4

Defense:
Chicago 1 Error, E6.
Houston 2 Errors, both E6. Tejada did have some nice defensive plays however.

Chicago nearly out performed Houston in all areas deservedly giving them the series win.

Series MVP: This is tough. Hunter Pence hit two home runs, Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada and Michael Bourn were all consistent as well. Our bullpen also pitched well and you can not forget Wandy Rodriguez.

However, my pick goes to Jeff Keppinger. He won game two in his first at bat and singled and homered in his 2nd and 3rd at bat as an Astro. Welcome to the team J-Kepp.

Series let down: Carlos Lee. 1 for 12 with two GIDP. I don’t expect Carlos to be the series let down too often.

Series Record: (0-1)
Team Record: (1-2)

Place in the division: Tied for last with Cinci. 1 game back of 1st.

Today will decide who takes the series between the Cubs and the Stros.

Brian Moehler (0-0) is taking on the lefty Ted Lilly (0-0).

Cecil Cooper is posting his 2nd lineup today, which was to be expected against Lilly the lefty.

Matsui 2B
Keppinger 3B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Tejada SS
Pence RF
Pudge C
Bourn CF

I like this line up better.  Not because Blum isn’t in it but because Pence is in the 6 hole and Pudge is in the 7 hole.  I wouldn’t mind Pudge and Pence swapping spots in the right handed line up.

What am I looking for this game?: Carlos Lee to pick it up.  He has yet to record his first hit and has grounded into a double play both games.

Let’s go Moehler! Let’s go Stros!

Game time: 7:05 central.

Cubs 4
Astros 2

Carlos Zambrano pitched just over 6 innings giving up only earned run and striking out 6.  Roy Oswalt went 7 innings and gave up 3 earned runs including a leadoff home run by Alfonso Soriano, his 50th lead off dinger, and another home run by Aramis Ramirez to lead off the 2nd inning.

Houston struggled at the plate logging 8 hits but none for extra bases.  Michael Bourn hit an infield single in 7th to score Miguel Tejada.  Hunter Pence hit a sac fly in the 9th that also scored Tejada, who scored both of the Astros runs.

Matsui 1-3, BB
Rodriguez 0-4, 2K
Berkman 1-2, 2BB
Lee 0-4, GIDP
Tejada 3-4, K, CS, 2 R
Blum 1-3, BB
Pence 0-3, RBI, GIDP, K
Bourn 2-4, K

Good news: Roy pitched pretty well and hopefully will probably settle down on the home run tip.  I doubt Roy is ever going to pitch a no-hitter in his career because he is such a strikeout/pitch to contact type power pitcher. Also, Bourn was 2-4.

Bad news: Pence, Lee, and Rodriguez did not look real good at the plate. I was surprised by how free swinging Pudge is.

Pitching Lines:
Roy Oswalt 7IP, 3 ER, 2 SO, 1BB (0-1)
Geoff Geary 2 IP, 1 ER, 2 SO, 1 BB

Houston takes on the Cubs again tomorrow at 7:05 with Wandy Rodriguez taking on Ryan Dempster.

Houston 0-1

The scoop from stros.com:

Carlos Lee…er the Stros at the plate: “Michael Bourn opened the game with a triple and scored on Pudge Rodriguez’s base hit. Carlos Lee lifted a sacrifice fly to score Rodriguez, who had advanced to third on Darin Erstad’s double. Lee drove in another run in the third with a double. Jason Smith led off the fifth with a double and scored on a Rodriguez base hit. Lee knocked a two-run homer in the seventh.”

More of this please. Thank you. Carlos could have won the game on his own with his four steaks.

Stros on the bump: “Russ Ortiz, the projected fifth starter, allowed three runs — two earned — on five hits over six innings. ”

Alyson Footer gives the 5th spot to Ortiz and I don’t think anyone else disagrees.

And the Houston Astros Grapefruit league record is: *drum roll please*

10-18-3

Double digit wins!