Well well. Astros rally, Myers goes another six innings and the Astros win 9-4, spoiling Jake Westbrook's debut by roughing up the bullpen.
*With the win, the Astros moved to 46-59. More significantly, because the Cubs got the hell beat out of them by the Brewers, the Astros are in 4th place in the NL Central.
*It's the first time they haven't been in 5th or 6th place since April 25. It's also the first time they've been within 13 games of .500 since May 22, when a loss to Tampa Bay put then at 15-28.
*Since losing G99 to Chicago (and the resulting six-game win streak), the Astros' pitching staff has thrown 54IP, 32H/6ER, 53K:17BB.
*So Myers goes six innings for the 22nd time - all his starts - allowing 3H/3R (2ER), with 4K:4BB, throwing 90 pitches.
*Keeping an eye on his BABIP, the Cardinals were 3x16 on balls put in play against Myers.
*Everyone save for Quintero (0x5) got a hit, dropping Quintero's OPS to .566.
*Carlos Lee got on base four times by way of two hits, two walks, and an RBI. Since July 23, Lee is 10x35 with 3K:4BB. Three of those hits have been for extra bases.
*Jeff Keppinger was 2x5 with 4RBI. It's the second time he's had 4RBI in a game this season, and it gives him 40RBI for the year. His career high for RBI is 43.
*Brett (The Hit Man) Wallace got on base three times: single, HBP, IBB. Interesting moment in the 8th, with Jason Motte on the mound: With the score 4-4, Lee on third and Keppinger on 2nd, the Cardinals intentionally walked the guy with 10 career plate appearances in the Majors for the guy hitting .341 coming into the game. There wasn't anybody out, so it's likely LaRussa wanted a double play situation, which Quintero obliged to end the inning.
Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn (1x4, BB) - 28 pitches in five PAs.
Pitch Count Punk: Hunter Pence (2x5) - 13 pitches in five PAs.
Man of the Match: I think we have to go with Keppinger here - he's just hitting everywhere he's in the lineup.
Goat of the Game: Humberto Quintero!
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
