Carlos Lee. Carlos Lee...what's going on? 0x4 going into the 10th, and then a game-winning grand slam? Astros win 6-2.
*Carlos Lee's first four ABs: inning-ending fly out to center, fly out to center, fly out to center, line out to second, 411-foot homer to left.
*That was Carlos Lee's 15th grand slam of his career, and his 5th homer in extra innings. Of those five grand slams, two came in extra innings. It was the second grand slam of his career against the Rockies, and the second grand slam in extra innings that broke a tie. It was his first 4RBI game since August 31, 2009.
*Michael Bourn, Humberto Quintero, and Tommy Manzella all had two hits each. This was Manzella's 7th multi-hit game of the season, and the second time he's had back-to-back two-hit games. His .206 average is the highest it's been since May 30 (.210).
*Bourn stole his 20th base of the season, in his 58th game. He stole his 20th base in game 60 (June 13) in 2009.
*Bourn was also 2x2 w/RISP. In his previous 37 plate appearances w/RISP, he had gotten on base 13 times (seven hits/six walks).
*Berkman was only walked intentionally for the second time this season - May 28 was the first, to get to Pedro Feliz when Lee was batting 4th and Berkman was batting 5th. Feliz GIDPd to end the inning.
*Felipe Paulino threw 8IP, 8H/2ER, 7K:2BB. Both walks were intentional. It was his third straight 8IP performance, and his 3.82 ERA is the lowest it has been since May 4, 2009, when a blown save at Washington raised it to 3.60.
*Paulino's 17 swinging strikes are a season-high, and his 35 non-contact strikes are the most in five starts (39 against the Padres on May 8).
*Brandon Lyon got the win, because he pitched the 9th inning that carried over to Lee's grand slam 10th. The win, his 5th, means that he now is the team leader. Brett Myers has four.
*This win, combined with the Pirates loss, means that the Astros are out of last place in the NL Central for the first time since April 27, a span of 44 days.
Pitch Count Hero: Jeff Keppinger (0x5) - 21 pitches in five PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Pedro Feliz (1x5) - 10 pitches in five PAs
Man of the Match: Has to be Carlos Lee. Though Felipe Paulino would have been an acceptable answer.
Goat of the Game: Pedro Feliz. Ended three innings, only saw 10 pitches all night.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
