Back to work for the Houston Astros

Mixed results for Houston in their first two games against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In Friday’s game, Houston’s hitters did nothing for the first eight innings before scoring three ninth-inning runs off Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen. Lance Berkman tied the game with a sacrifice fly while Carlos Lee won it with a home run.

Astros starter Shawn Chacon, despite giving up six walks, pitched well enough to win as he scattered five hits over seven innings and gave up only one earned run. However, Houston’s bats couldn’t get anything going. Wesley Wright picked up the win in relief while Jose Valverde picked up the save.

In Saturday’s game, Houston again struggled against the Cards’ starting pitcher as Adam Wainwright. Wainwright pitched a complete game, giving up five hits, three runs, two walks and six strikeouts. He did give up three home runs (two to Lance Berkman), but when they’re all solo shots, no worries. St. Louis scored a ninth-inning run to win the game 4-3 and end Houston’s six-game winning streak.

Houston used six pitchers today, and that number bothers me. Roy Oswalt pitched six innings, yielding five hits, three runs, three BBs and five K’s. He did not get a decision.

Michael Bourn had another fruitless day batting leadoff, going 0-4 with three K’s. I hope Houston considers using Kaz Matsui in leadoff full-time. Speaking of icy bats, venerable Astros catcher Brad Ausmus went 0-3 today to lower his season batting average to .080.

Houston’s now 12-13 on the season.