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4/4 The year started with a bang. Ryan Ludwick hit a 2-out 3-run homer in the ninth to propel the Astros to a 7-6 win in Colorado. Good way to start the year, guys.

4/5 The Astros scored 4 in the first and 3 in the 8th enroute to a 7-2 win over the Rockies.

4/6 Light hitting Henry Mateo hit a bomb, just nicking off the right fielders glove, helping give the Astros their first sweep in a long time. The final score: 6-4. On the downside, Barry Zito was taken out for precautionary measures in the 4th inning after feeling discomfort in his back. He is only DtD, and will make his next start.

4/8 Grady Sizemore hit a grand slam in the 3rd, and Eric Munson added a solo shot in the 6th as the Astros won their 4th in a row to start the season. Brandon Backe went 7 strong, giving up 4 hits and 3 earned runs. Brade Lidge came on with 2 outs in the eighth to get his MLB leading 3rd save of the season.

4/9 Winning streaks can’t last forever. C.C. Sabathia scattered 7 hits and 5 runs over 2.1 innings, but it just wasn’t enough to puck up the win. Cincinnati went on to win 9-1.

4/10 Despite a 2-run homer by former Astro Mike Lamb, we managed to get back on the right foot. 2B Brooks Conrad legged out 2 triples, and scored both times. All together, the Astros worked together to garner 31 total bases on 15 hits. For those who don’t want to do the math, that is singles, 2 doubles, 4 triples, and 2 home runs. Roy Oswalt went 7 strong inning giving up 3 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 10.

4/11 Barry Zito scattered 6 hits and 2 runs over 7 innings, but failed to get the win when the bullpen allowed three runs in the eighth and ninth innings. Eric Munson was the hero when he singled with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the ninth, to move the Astros to a NL Central leading record of 6-1.

4/12 Yet another win. This team just keeps chugging along. SP Carlos Hernandez is out for 1 week with a tight elbow, and will most likely miss a start. Brandon Duckworth will start in his place.

4/13 Ryan Ludwick hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 9th to win it. Brandon Backe pitched 8.1 innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 run.

4/15 Great Pitchers duel. Sabathia just can’t seem to buy a win. He has been solid in all 3 starts, but has come away with a record of 0-2. In this game, he gave up 3 runs and 6 hits over seven innings, but Ben Sheets was better, guving up 1 hit and no runs over 6.1 innings. Oh well, at least my team seems to be a little bit better than last year.

4/16 Brooks Conrad didn’t even start but ended up going 2 for 4, driving in 2 with a 2-run homer to tie it, and scoring the winning run in the 14th inning. Brad Lidge blew a save. He came in with a 2 run lead in the bottom of the ninth, and promptly gave up 2 runs to tie it. He would be the goat if his teammates hadn’t rallied for the win. We are now 6-1 in 1 run games. I know that this pace can’t continue, but being able to win the close games and the late come-from-behind games is what defines most champions.

4/17 Barry Zito got pounded, allowing 5 runs in 4 innings.

4/23 C. C. Sabathia just can’t win a game. He gave up 2 runs in 7 strong innings, yet got saddled with yet another loss.

4/27 Brandon Backe won the game – literally. Not only did he scatter 5 hits and 2 runs over 7.2 innings, but he also hit a 2-out bases loaded double in the 2nd to help his own cause.

4/29 Stop the presses. C. C. Sabathia won a game! He pitched brilliantly, allowing 5 hits and no runs in 7.1 innings while striking out 9.

Ended the month with a record of 13-11, not exactly what we wanted, considering our 10-3 start. But then again, at least we have a record over .500. At this point, I don’t think that Adam Everett will ever get out of the funk he has been in since I took over the team. He hit .214 last year and was hitting .182 this year. I am gonna demote him and bring up SS Eric Bruntlett.

Around the League

Awards:
AL Pitcher of the Month: Brad Radke (MIN), 4-1, 1.13 ERA
NL Pitcher of the Month: Ben Sheets (MIL), 3-1, 1.01 ERA

AL Batter of the Month: Vladimir Guerrero (ANA), .385 AVG, 22 RBI
NL Batter of the Month: Aramis Ramirez (CHC), .400 AVG, 5 HR, 15 RBI

Performances:
4/14 Cleveland has no chance in a 2-hitter by Bobby Jenks (CHW)
4/20 Vladimir Guerrero (ANA) pounds three dingers
4/25 Scott Rolen (STL) pounds five hits
4/27 Jake Peavy (SD) pitches his 1st shutout of the season


Injuries:
4/6 Mike Hampton (COL), Back Spasms, Out 7 Weeks
4/6 Jason Marquis (PIT), Bone Chips in his Shoulder, Out 5-6 Weeks
4/20 Jon Rauch (WAS), Ruptured Tricep Tendon, Out 5-6 Weeks
4/22 Brandon Webb (KC), Strained Tricep Muscle, Out 5 Weeks
4/30 Mark Moulder (STL), Bone Chips in his Elbow, Out 5 Weeks

Notable Transactions:
None