The Astros lost for the first time in a week ("streaky" is an adjective we ought to get used to) to the Nationals 6-3, and Berkman was held out due to some soreness in his bicep - but could be back in action tomorrow.
The Astros scored their three runs on nine hits, while the Nationals scored their six runs on eight hits. Bourn and Michaels had two hits each; Matsui, Newhan, Pence, Johnson and Capellan accounted for the other five.
Pitching line:
Capellan: 5IP, 6H, 5ER, 3BB, 4K
Byrdak: 2IP, 1H, 1R (0ER), 1BB, 1K
Wright: 1IP, 2H, 1BB, 1K
Notice Wright allowed three baserunners in an inning and did not give up a run. Capellan, however, may be fading at the wrong time. That's two starts in a row in which he has given up five earned to push his ERA to 4.58. Here's your race for SP5 as of tonight:
Ortiz: 22.1IP, 19H, 8ER, 9BB, 16K, 3.22 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
Capellan: 19.2IP, 20H, 10ER, 4BB, 11K, 4.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Ortiz has allowed one earned run in his last two starts (11 innings). Still think Ortiz, because of the clause in his contract saying he can opt-out if he doesn't make the team, has the inside track while Capellan may start out in Round Rock.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
