Monday night’s 10-3 win over the San Diego Padres was what I’d call the ideal type of game for the Houston Astros: if they can play like that more often, then they’ll start winning games. If they make a habit of playing like that, then they’ll have one of those newfangled ticker-tape parades in downtown Houston in November.
On the pitching side, Houston had a very good game. Starter Roy Oswalt earned his second win against three losses on the season, pitching seven innings and allowing six hits, three runs, two walks and six strikeouts. He did allow two home runs, though. Relievers Tim Byrdak and Oscar Villarreal combined for two innings, two runs, a walk and one strikeout and, most important of all, no runs and no four-baggers.
On the offensive side, the Astros had their way with right-hander Justin Germano. He pitched three and a third innings, giving up 10 hits, 10 runs, three walks and a strikeout. He also gave up two home runs.
Miguel Tejada narrowly missed hitting for the cycle, going 4 for 5 with 3 RBIs, a home run and a double. He’s now hitting .329 on the season, and it’s possible his offensive surge stems from his anger over a reporter abruptly producing a copy of Tejada's birth certificate instead of talking about baseball. One has to wonder if the age issue has upset Tejada by crushing what little remaining chance he had to sing in the Latin teenybopper band Menudo. The shortstop, though, has alleged that ESPN misled him and his family regarding what the story would be about.
Kaz Matsui went 2 for 5, scoring two runs, and Hunter Pence was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Lance Berkman also homered for Houston.
The challenge will be tonight, though, as Brandon Backe (1-2) takes the mound against you-know-who: the Friars' Jay Peavey (3-0). One of those wins has already come against Houston.
Keywords: Astros, Hunter Pence, Lance Berkman, Menudo, Miguel Tejada, Padres, Roy Oswalt
