Wait, the game was played in Florida....
That's better.
Russ Ortiz was nearly perfect, allowing just one hit in six innings of work. After struggling in his last start, this was the kind of performance Cecil Cooper was looking for. If I had to put money on it, I'd say he is our fifth starter.
Chris Sampson hasn't given up an earned run so far this spring. It looks like his elbow is fine.
Bud Norris struggled in 1/3 inning of work, but he was throwing hard, and placed his slider well on multiple occasions.
Offensively, Lance Berkman knocked a two run shot in the sixth. Outside of Lance, the bottom of the order keyed a two out rally in the second, with even Russ Ortiz chipping in with an RBI single.
Defensively, the team has struggled this spring. We saw mixed results today, with Geoff Blum committing a throwing error at third. On the other hand, Edwin Maysonet turned a double play and made a supber play throwing a Red out at first after making a play deep in the hole. Chris Johnson made a nice throw to first in his one opportunity.
Next Game: Tomrrow, Saturday March 21, Astros at Blue Jays
0 recs | 8 comments
Pudge Rodriguez is an Astro for one day
and already good things happen. Coincidence?
Joe in Birmingham - March 20, 2009
Absolutely not a coincidence.
entropic soul - March 20, 2009
Today the Reds...
tomorrow the world.
clack - March 20, 2009
Muuwaaahahahaha
Stephen Higdon - March 20, 2009
oh my god.
i will be surprised if we lose another game this year.
bubblescreen - March 20, 2009
The Astros are still on track...
for the worst spring record ever.
But, as the RJ blog points out, even some of the teams on the list went on to have good, and even playoff, seasons.
TexSkins - March 20, 2009
This spring does say a lot.....
You don’t do this poorly as a team without it being some sort of indication. Some good vets on this roster, yes. The pitching is more than suspect after Roy O. Valverde is still a blown save waiting to happen from time to time, and the middle relief is average at best. Not enough. No farm league talent to trade in a deal, and they really don’t need to be doing that anyway. This organization needs to be patient and build their talent from within. They may have to suffer through a few lean years, and this will be one of them, but it will be worth it.
MrScott - March 20, 2009
A chronicle poster convincingly predicted an even worse future
I cannot do him justice, but he pointed out Lee, Berkman, Oswalt and pretty much everyone but Pence will hit the biological ages where abilities decline or the players will be gone; and the best of the minor league system are not rated better than B- quality players.
So for the time being, while expecting a third or fourth place finish (I know even that is optimistic), I’m clinging to hope the Astros put together a successful post-season run.
Joe in Birmingham - March 21, 2009
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