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(3-game series in Houston)
Houston We Have a Problem
This was a self-destruct game for the Astros. It all happened in the 5th inning. Wade Miller started off great against the Cardinals, but then came "the inning". St. Louis scored 10 runs on 8 hits. 8 of those 10 runs came off of Miller. This will be an inning the Astros will never forget. You may ask why I didn't take Miller out sooner. Well lets all go back to the ALCS last year when Grady Little left Pedro in and cost them the game. Just like Grady, I wanted to let my guy finish the inning, but in this case he got pulled early. One positive thing is that the "Big Three" (Bagwell, Kent and Berkman) combined for 4 homeruns.
Final Score: STL 12, STL 11
WP: Ray King(1-0)
LP: Brad Lidge (0-1)
SV: Jason Isringhausen (2)
Player of the Game: 2B Jeff Kent (HOU), 4-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 Runs
Astros Bounce Back
The Astros were actually able to arrive at the ballpark with confidence. They learned from their mistakes and beat the Cardinals behind the arm of Tim Redding. The Astros scored 5 runs in the 1st inning and never looked back.
Final Score: HOU 6, STL 4
WP: Tim Redding (3-0)
LP: Woody Williams (1-2)
SV: Octavio Dotel (4)
Player of the Game: RF Richard Hidalgo (HOU) 2-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 run
Houston Just Barely Escapes
There wasn't much to this game to report on. The only good thing is that Jeff Kent extended his hitting streak to a career high 14 games and Lance Berkman extended his to a career high 11 games.
Final Score: HOU 3, STL 2
WP: Brad Lidge (1-2)
LP: Mike Lincoln (0-1)
Player of the Game: Roy Oswalt (HOU) 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 91 pitches, 1.46 ERA
Team Leaders:
HR's: Jeff Kent (9)
RBI's: Jeff Kent (25)
SB: Jeff Bagwell (2)
WINS: Andy Pettite/Roger Clemens/Tim Redding (3)
ERA: Roger Clemens (0.78)
K's: Roy Oswalt (38)
NL Central Standings:
1. Houston 13-3
2. Cincinnati 10-6 (3 GB)
3. Chicago 9-7 (4 GB)
4. St. Louis 8-8 (5 GB)
5. Pittsburgh 5-10 (7.5 GB)
6. Milwaukee 4-13 (9.5 GB)
Houston travels to Colorado for a 3 game series.