11 games back. Thanks to a pathetic offense and an effective Adam Wainwright, Magic Wandy took the loss despite allowing just three hits in a 1-0 loss at St. Louis. So that's 11 back with 37 to play. Anyone want to call this season?
Last night's game was the first time since August 16, 2006 the Astros have lost a 1-0 game. It is, however, the 9th time the Astros have been shutout this season. Let's just do the thing:
Wandy: 7IP, 3H/1ER, 6K:1BB, 15/25 first-pitch strikes, 30/64 non-contact strikes (24 called:6 swinging)
LaHawk: 1IP, 1K, 2/3 FPS, 4/11 NCS (1c:3s)
The pitching wasn't the problem. Wandy gave up an RBI double to Pujols in the first, and that was pretty much it. No other offense to speak of. After Pujols' double, Wandy retired 20 of the next 22 batters. Problem was, after a Michael Bourn leadoff double in the 1st, Adam Wainwright got the next 17 batters, which Bourn broke up with another single. This was just a miserable performance by the Astros' batters, going 0x5 with RISP (0x3 in the first inning alone).
Pitch Count Hero: Blum - 20 pitches in 3 PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Pence - 12 pitches in 4 PAs
Man of the Match: It could go to Bourn for providing two-thirds of the offense, but this one is going to Wandy. Remember Road Wandy last year? 4-2 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP (1.35 and 0.25 higher than his road stats, respectively). Road Wandy this year? 5-6 record - thanks, offense - but a 3.95 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP, lower in both.
Goat of the Game: Hunter Pence. 0x4 - 1K and three groundouts, and 0x2 with Michael Bourn on base.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
