Hey, you know, we got this guy from Round Rock - what when Manzella went down with his broken finger - named Oswaldo Navarro. He's been playing shortstop for quite some time. Maybe he should get a look at the position. The Astros commit three more errors (six in last two games, seven in the series), but manage to hold on for a 7-5 win.
*This was the first series win since taking three of four from Colorado (three series), and finish the homestand 2-4.
*The Astros' three errors (Feliz and two from Blum) led to four unearned runs. That's the most unearned runs allowed in a game since the Astros allowed eight uneanred runs on May 25, 2009 at Cincinnati.
*The last time Cain was touched up for seven runs in less than three innings was September 22, 2009 at Arizona, when he allowed 8H/7ER in 2.1IP in a 10-8 loss.
*Wandy, while he may not be in danger of losing his job in 2010, is certainly pitching for his contract in 2011 and did quite well: 6IP, 4H/2R (0ER), 3K:1BB. It's the first time this season he hasn't given up an earned run, having allowed 14ER in his previous 8IP. His ERA dropped from 6.09 to 5.64.
*Yeah, so Byrdak allowed two hits and got two outs. He has allowed five hits in his last three outings (four outs). In 24 appearances of any length, he has retired all batters faced in just six of those appearances.
*So while the Astros committed three errors, they also turned four double plays, holding the Giants to 4x15 w/RISP.
*Jason Castro hit his first career home run, measuring 427 feet (according to ESPN). It's the third longest home run for the Astros this season (Pence has the two longest - 438 feet at Busch Stadium, and 428 feet at Yankee Stadium). It was the 7th longest homer at Minute Maid, with Chris Synder hitting a 457-foot homer off Paulino on May 3.
*In his second AB, Castro got himself a double, and is now slugging .600 in his young career, and later walked.
*Pence hit his 11th homer of the season in the first inning. In games in which Pence hits a jack, the Astros are 5-6. It's his second 3RBI game of the season. When Pence get multiple RBIs in a game, the Astros are 5-4.
*Bourn only played in two games this series, but was 4x8 with a walk.
Pitch Count Hero: Keppinger (1x3, 2BB) - 27 pitches in five PAs.
Pitch Count Punk: Feliz (0x4) - 14 pitches in four PAs.
Man of the Match: Gotta give it Castro again.
Goat of the Game: Can't decide between Feliz or Blum. Blum was 1x3 with a walk, but committed two errors. Feliz was 0x4 with an error. So I'm leaning towards Feliz.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
