I knew the Astros were in trouble today when it was revealed that shortstop Miguel Tejada is two years older than previously thought. Makes me wonder if his parents got his birth certificate from the same office that issued Danny Almonte’s infamous birth certificate.
Tejada, well on his way to qualifying for AARP benefits (actually, he now has 17 years instead of 19), did hit a home run today—as did Carlos Lee. Bad news, that was all of the offense as the ’Stros got creamed by the Philadelphia Phillies 10-2. I guess the City of Brotherly Love wasn’t so brotherly for Houston.
Astros starter Brandon Backe, who’d done so well so far, lasted three innings and got shelled for 10 hits, six runs (five earned) and a home run. Jose Valverde, who had been the Astros closer, went out and essentially pitched batting practice in the eighth inning: two hits, two earned runs and a home run. He has an ERA of 12.27. Of course, considering the score had been 8-2 when Valverde took the mound, he was essentially a mop-up pitcher today.
Houston, at 6-10 on the season, return home for the beginning of a three-game series Friday night against the Colorado Rockies.
Keywords: Astros, Brandon Backe, Danny Almonte, Jose Valverde, Miguel Tejada, Phillies, Rockies
