The Astros lost back-to-back-to-back games against the Braves and Nationals this weekend dropping their spring training record to 1 – 4. The losses came on Saturday, 7 – 5, and Today 6 – 4 and 8 – 3. All three games the ‘Stros recorded 9 hits but hits don’t always mean wins.
During the Saturday game against the Braves Wiggington hit a solo-homer off Tom Glavine giving Houston a 1 run lead. The Astros managed to take a 2 run lead into the 4th, but Atlanta scored 3 runs off the bat of right fielder Jeff Francoeur when he went yard with 2 on and 2 out giving them a 3 -2 lead. Houston countered with 1 run in the bottom of the 4th tying the game at 3. The 3 – 3 tie made it all the way into the 8th until Nick Gorneault doubled scoring David Newhan to make the game 4 -3, Gorneault later scored off an error giving Houston a 2 run lead into the top of the 9th. Man… if only the 9th never came we would be talking about a victory because Atlanta’s John Anderson hit a 2 run single tying the game at 5. Later, with 2 on, Martin Padro slapped a single of his own clearing the bases and giving the Braves the final score of 7 – 5. RBI coming from Wigginton, Quintero, H , Pence, and 2 from Gorneault.
Sunday’s first game against the Braves had a different score but the same result, 6 – 4. Houston couldn’t put together enough late runs to steal the lead they were chasing the entire game. It started in the 3rd when Yunel Escobar hit a two-bagger giving Atlanta a 2 – 1 lead that the ‘Stros would never recapture. Jeff Francoeur started the 4th with a double and was later brought in off a single by Matt Diaz giving the Braves a 3 – 1 lead. Matt Diaz also hit a sac fly that contributed to Atlanta’s 2 run 6th pushing the lead to 5 – 3. Houston added a run in the 9th to counter Atlanta’s 1 in the 8th but to no avail. Final score of 6 – 4, RBI coming from Matsui, House, Wigginton, and Sutton.
Sunday’s second game vs. the Nationals was very weak on the offensive side for the Astors. They only produced 3 runs total and separated them as much as possible. 1 coming in the 1st, 1 in the 5th and 1 in the 8th. The Nationals on the other hand had 8 runs and 10 hits. 3 of the Washington hits came off homers from Zimmerman, Pena, and Belliard. Houston pitcher Felipe Paulino had the most impressive day for the Astros working 2 scoreless innings giving up no hits and only walking 1. Although a strong effort from Paulino, Houston lost 8 – 3. RBI coming from Berkman, Loretta, and Maysonet. Hopefully Houston can begin to string together some hits and runs to win some of these close ballgames.
Next Up: Wandy Rodriguez will take on Mike Mussina and the Yankees Monday at 12:05.
