2005 SEASON
JUNE 30-JULY 3: HOUSTON @ CINCINNATI
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2005 (Game “77a”) – Houston @ Cincinnati
Houston 2, Cincinnati 2
Midnight: It was a wet and dreary night, the sky as grey as the Astros road jerseys. And it was a wet and dreary game too. It started almost 2 hours late, lurched along for 7 innings, and was delayed again when the rain resumed. After 7, the score was tied at 2-2, and that’s where it will stay forever in the books: A tie, to be replayed from scratch in a twi-night double header on Saturday. All for nothing. Or not quite nothing – the stats stay in the books – Backe’s 6 walks and his RBI double, Ensberg’s 2 hits, as well as Taveras, Biggio, and Berkman’s lack of hits.
All in all, a miserable excuse for a baseball game.
Backe started the game. In keeping with the tone of the night, it was a very mediocre start: He gave up 2 ERs on 4 hits, 6 (SIX!) walks, with 5 strikeouts. He let a couple of Reds get on base in every inning he pitched. He gave up the first run in the second – a no-hit inning -- the run scored on the 4th walk of the inning. Garner took him out in the 4th inning with 2 outs (both Ks) and 2 on (both singles), after 81 pitches. Harville came in and immediately gave up a hit, scoring one of Backe’s inherited runners.
Backe was much more successful at the plate than on the mound. His 2-RBI double in the 2nd was responsible for the Astros only runs.
But something seemed to be bugging him on the mound. Maybe he was just jittery from the rain delay. In the first couple of innings, he seemed to be having problems with the signs from Chavez – either Backe couldn’t see them or he didn’t like them. Between innings, the two of them could be seen in heated conversation in the dugout. He seemed very edgy and pumped up, but not really in a good way.
High points:
- Backe hasn’t been pitching all that well lately, but the kid sure can hit. In the 2nd inning, he came up to bat with 2 out and 2 on. He doubled hard to right, scoring the two runners.
- After giving up the single that scored Backe’s inherited runner in the 4th, Harville settled down and pitched two scoreless innings. knocking his ERA down from 5.40 to 4.79. Qualls also pitched a scoreless inning. The good outings by the relief pitchers made all the difference in this game: Had they given up a run, the Reds would have been ahead when the game was called, and it would have counted.
Disappointments:
- Houston will have to call up pitcher from Round Rock for the makeup game on Saturday. Wandy is pitching the other. Two rookie pitchers doesn’t make for a good prognosis.
Notes on the Other Good Guys:
- The Nationals swept the Pirates, 7-5, in another close home game. It was Washington’s 20th win in June.
Notes on the Other Bad Guys:
- The Rockies shut out the Cards, 7-0. Keep it up, Colorado!
- The Brewers beat the Cubs, 10-6.
Final 7th123456789RHEHouston 0200000 -- 250Cincinnati « 0101000- -281==============================================================================
FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2005 (Game 77) – Houston @ Cincinnati
Houston 10, Cincinnati 7
The Astros dried themselves off and played a great offensive game Friday night, sending the last place Reds to their 5th loss in a row. After the Astros’ 16-9 June, it was a good start to the month of July. The Astros hit like crazy, especially in the early innings – they scored 7 runs in the first three innings, and caused the Reds to remove starting pitcher Hudson after only two innings.
Given that Cincinnati is second in runs in the NL, and the Houston is still dead last, the Astros’ offensive blitz was a lifesaver for Andy Pettitte. Pettitte, who has had a recent run of excellent starts, was not as sharp tonight, giving up 4 runs (only 1 earned) on 122 pitches in 6 innings, on 10 hits, no BBs, and 4 Ks. He gave up 2 runs, both unearned, in the 2nd inning, after his own fielding error. Then he gave up 2 more in the 3rd, one unearned, after Taveras’ fielding error.
The Astros wore road greys. I watched this game after Shabbat (following the Saturday double-header).
Friday was a terrible day for our family. Uncle Arnold passed away in the morning. I have the poster from his trip to Dodger’s Baseball Camp up in my office. Miry and I will be going to Atlanta for the funeral on Sunday.
High points:
- Ensberg went 3 for 5, including a 2nd inning 3-run homer (#21) that went 417’ into the upper deck. The homer followed a pitch that nearly beaned Ensberg, knocking him on his butt. His other two hits were doubles. He had 4 RBIs in the game, raising his RBI count to 58 for the season.
- Berkman continues to improve. As his knee gets stronger, he seems more stable at the plate, more of a power hitter. He was 3 for 5 Friday night, with 2 RBI.
- Everett hit a 2-RBI home run (#6) in the 5th inning, scoring Lane from 2nd base. The bottom of the Astros lineup seems to be contributing more at the plate recently.
- Ausmus had a great night at the plate too, hitting 3 for 5, with two doubles, and a RBI. Ausmus has significantly diminished his leg hitch recently; he always seems to be making little adjustments looking for a way to hit better.
- Biggio went 2 for 4, with a walk, and scored twice.
- Springer struck out the side in the 7th inning. He then struck out the first batter in the 8th, before he was taken out for Franco (see Disappointments).
- Wheeler closed the game, and pitched a perfect 9th inning, for his first save.
- Disappointments
- Taveras was caught stealing in the 2nd. Unfortunately, Biggio walked 2 pitches later, so he’d have gotten the base anyway. And that walk was followed by two hits, so Taveras would have scored. He also had a fielding error in the 3rd. He runs really well, but hasn’t yet really learned to gauge the major league outfields yet.
- Phil Garner brought in John Franco to pitch in the 8th inning, replacing Springer, who had just struck out his 4th consecutive batter. Franco gave up 3 ER on 3 hits and a walk – pretty much what I expect when Franco comes in. That was probably his last performance for the Astros, as he was designated for assignment on Saturday. Franco, the oldest pitcher in the major leagues, was 0-1, with an ERA of 7.20, pitching as Houston’s lefty specialist this year. His leaving positions Clemens as the old man of the team.
- Lidge is still having arm pain, and isn’t available to pitch. He may not be able to pitch at all in Cincinnati. The team says that his injury isn’t severe, but they are being very careful about letting him pitch.
Notes on the Other Good Guys:
- The Nationals beat the Cubbies, 4-3, in another squeaker in Washington.
Notes on the Other Bad Guys:
- St Louis shut out Colorado, 6-0. I knew it was too good to last.
- The Brewers beat the Pirates, 8-4. Pittsburgh is really on a dive, giving Houston more space above the bottom of NL Central.
Final123456789RHEHouston « 24102100010142Cincinnati 0220000307130W: A. Pettitte (5-7) L: L. Hudson (1-3) S: D. Wheeler (1) ==============================================================================
SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2005 – (Games 78 & 79) – Houston @ Cincinnati
First Game of Doubleheader: Houston 4, Cincinnati 3
Second Game of Doubleheader: Cincinnati 11, Houston 6
Saturday’s twi-night double header included the replay of Thursday night’s rained-out mess, and featured two rookie Houston pitchers: Wandy Rodriguez and Zeke Estacio (brought up from Round Rock for the occasion). The Astros and the Reds split the honors.
In the first game, Wandy Rodgriguez pitched a relatively solid 6 innings, giving up only 3 runs on 5 hits, 5 walks, and 6 strikeouts. This was one of his better outings, and good for the win; his record is now 4-3, with an ERA of 6.55. The Astros played catch-up throughout this ping-pong game, matching the Reds’ scoring just about inning for inning, until they managed to get one extra run in the 7th to squeak out the win.
In the second game, Ezekiel Astacio pitched, fresh up from Triple A Round Rock again. He got great run support from the Astros in the beginning of the game: Houston scored 4 runs in the 1st inning, starting with a lead-off homer from Palmeiro, and continuing as the Astros batted through the entire lineup. Houston managed to hold on to that lead until the 5th inning, when Astacio made a bad throwing error, that resulted in 4 unearned runs scoring. Although they came close, Houston never regained the lead, and gave away all hopes of winning when Harville started pitching in the 8th.
Garner played significantly different lineups in the two games: Berkman sat out the first game, with Lamb playing first base. Taveras, Biggio, and Everett sat out the second game, replaced by Palmeiro, Vizcaino, and Bruntlett, respectively. Chavez caught for Rodriguez in the first game; Ausmus caught for Astacio in the second.
The Astros wore road greys for the first game and road reds for the second. I tuned in as soon as Shabbat ended, with Houston just a tantalizing one run down in the 8th inning of the second game. So I got to see what was probably the worst part of the doubleheader. I won’t be able to watch the games for the next couple of days; I will be in Atlanta for Uncle Arnold’s funeral.
High points:
- Adam Everett hit well again today, going 2 for 4 in the first game. Everett got a two-run home run (#7) in the 2nd inning, his second long ball in two games
- Ensberg hit a double in each of the two games. On this date in 2004, Ensberg got his first home run of the season. Yesterday he hit his 21st homer of this season.
- Biggio was 1 for 4 in the first game, doubling in the 4th inning to tie Lou Gehrig’s career hit total at 2,721. They are tied for 51st place. Next up: Barry Bonds.
- Rookie Mike Burns pitched two scoreless innings in relief in the first game. Wheeler pitched another perfect 9th inning, for his second save. At least if Lidge is out, there’s a good heir apparent. Wheeler’s ERA is a nice 1.78.
- Taveras stole second in the 6th inning of the first game (#19), then scored on Mike Lamb’s single.
- The Astros winning run came on a pinch hit sac fly by Palmeiro in the 7th.
- Berkman was 2 for 4 in the second game, raising his batting average to .288.
- Ausmus was 2 for 4, with a double, in the second game. Is it my imagination, or is his hitting improving? Maybe it’s changing his leg kick…?
- Russ Springer pitched another good relief inning in the second game, with two more strikeouts.
Disappointments
- Chavez, catching for Wandy, went 0 for 3 in the first game, dropping his average to .177. He’s not making a good offensive case for keeping him on the roster when Quintero recovers.
- Astacio made an error in the 5th inning of the second game that resulted in his giving up 4 ER.
- Harville had another shady outing in the second game. I tuned in after Shabbat with the Astros one run down, just in time to see Harville give up 4 ER in the 8th. He had a HBP, a wild pitch and a homer to contribute tonight.
Notes on the Other Good Guys:
- The Nationals beat the Cubbies again, 4-2.
Notes on the Other Bad Guys:
- St Louis lost to Colorado, 3-1. Good work, Rockies!
- The Brewers beat the Pirates again, 5-3.
Game 1
Final123456789RHEHouston « 010001200480Cincinnati 100101000370W: W. Rodriguez (4-3) L: A. Harang (4-7) S: D. Wheeler (2) Game 2
Final123456789RHEHouston 4000002006 101Cincinnati « 10204004x 11 141W: R. Ortiz (4-6) L: E. Astacio (0-4) ==============================================================================
SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2005 (Game 80) – Houston @ Cincinnati
Houston 9, Cincinnati 0
I didn’t get to watch this Sunday game live. While the Astros were beating the Reds, I was at Uncle Arnold’s house, visiting with my cousins before his funeral. Downstairs in his private refuge – a beautiful book-lined library – I saw much evidence of his passion for baseball, including autographed photos of Pee Wee Reese and other Dodgers players. A regret: I never got to go to a baseball player with this rare relative who shares my attachment to this sport.
Meanwhile, Roger Clemens was doing his usual thing. Another brilliant start, and for once the Astros hitters went nuts to support him. Clemens pitched 7 shutout innings, giving up only 4 hits and one BB, with 4 strikeouts. The Astros uncharacteristically scored 8 runs on his watch, and they threw in another for good measure before the game ended. This Sunday, even one run would have been enough for the Astros, as Houston pitchers totally crushed hapless Cincinnati.
But it was definitely the Roger Clemens Show on Sunday – in addition to his incredible performance on the mound, he was 2 for 3 at the plate, hitting an RBI single in the 4th, and a ground-rule double in the 7th, then scoring on Berkman’s subsequent double. Even the Reds’ fans were applauding him after the double, his first of the year. (He has not yet stolen a base this year, which he claims is his goal for the season.)
The Astros wore road greys. I watched this game when I got home from Atlanta, with the sound of 4th of July fireworks in the background.
High points:
- Ensberg continues to thrill, with his 22nd home run (3rd in the NL) – a solo in the 9th. This continues his hitting streak to 10 games. Unfortunately, he was not picked for the All Star team this year, even if he may be the best 3rd baseman in the NL.
- Taveras went 4 for 5 – with 3 more infield singles and a double. Not that looks like a leadoff batter!
- Ausmus continues to hit well, going 2 for 3, with 2 RBI singles. The His leg kick is almost gone now.
- Berkman was 1 for 5, but the 1 was a double with the bases loaded in the 7th.
- Gallo is back up from the minors, replacing Franco as the lefty specialist. Other than the batter he hit, he pitched great in the 8th inning. Burns pitched a perfect 9th. No relief screw-ups to lose the game for Roger Clemens this time!
Disappointments
- Biggio had the day off.
Notes on the Other Good Guys:
- The Nats did it again - they beat the Cubs in another 1-run squeaker, 5-4. Brian Schneider’s 12th inning homer won the game.
Notes on the Other Bad Guys:
- St Louis beat the Rockies, 5-4. The Pirates beat the Brewers, 11-10.
Final123456789RHEHouston « 0202004019 120Cincinnati 0000000000 42W: R. Clemens (7-3) L: B. Claussen (4-6) 
