Lance Berkman

Well, Lance Berkman didn't win the home run derby last night. No worries, though. MLB.com's Alyson Footer reported that Berkman, who strongly hinted he'd bat right-handed, chose to go left-handed possibly because of Yankee Stadium's short right field fence.

Continue reading "Berkman loses home run derby, makes a splash"

Oswalt is now 5-6 on the season with an ERA of 5.06

Houston first baseman Lance Berkman, sporting a comfortable lead in the race to start at first base in the All Star game, continued his torrid hitting with a 3 for 4 performance. This included a triple, a home run and five runs batted in. Berkman now is hitting .379 with 19 homers and 56 RBIs on the season. Whether he will become the first Triple Crown winner in decades is up in the air: he's currently second in the NL in batting average behind unbelievable but modest Atlanta Brave Chipper Jones (who's at .420 and has flatly insisted that hitting .400 is all but impossible), second in homers behind the Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley (who has 21), and is tied for second in RBIs with Utley behind the San Diego Padres' Adrian Gonzalez (who has 57).

Continue reading "Ol' Roy O shows up, Astros beat Brewers 6-1"

Towles had a hit but is still at .150 for the season. He did get a vote of confidence from Lance Berkman, so that's good.

What did I like? Houston's pitching. Sure, Shawn Chacon gave up those three runs in the first. But after that, smooth sailing: Chacon pitched seven innings and got what turned out to be his first win of the season, giving up five hits, three runs, one walk and five strikeouts. Doug Brocail pitched a perfect eighth inning for his eighth hold of the season and Jose Valverde--who earlier this season was seen getting lit up like a White House Christmas Tree

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His current batting average is a respectable .293. In the game, he went 3 for 4.

Lance Berkman, meanwhile, is hitting .388 with 16 homeruns and 44 RBIs and is trying to do what hasn't been do

Continue reading "Astros get a slam from Hunter Pence"

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.  

Continue reading "Back to work for the Houston Astros"

What’s more, Astros pitchers today didn’t walk a single batter. 

Lance Berkman provided early fireworks with a two-run, first-inning home run. Apparently Lance likes Great American Ballpark: his sixth home run on the season was also his 18th career round-tripper at GAB—the most of any active non-Reds players. 

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p>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 B

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’ have brought in some very good players this year and brought back most of their core.  Lance Berkman, Kaz Matsui, Miguel Tejada, Ty Wigginton, Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence lead this very balanced line-up.  The key is the health of Roy Oswalt, as it always is.  This rotation is very thin but if Roy can stay healthy and be a CY Young candidate that will go a long way to helping keep things together.  Wandy Rodriguez, Brandon Backe and Woody Williams just are not going to scare people or cut it as the rest of the rotation.  This team needs to attempt to make a move to help the rotation.  The bullpen is also pretty thin but has a very good closer in Jose Valverde.  I didn’t think this team had anything but today when I looked at the roster the talent on this team surprised me.  I am just telling you, in a very bad division this team, granted they stay healthy, could make some noise.

Continue reading "Part II: NL Central"