There was the promise of good pitching to start the night. Darren Oliver looked sharp mowing down the side in the top of the first. Before Oliver took a warmup toss in the top of the second inning, he was replaced by Kirk Bullinger, which in essence put the Astros in the unique position of having to use a spot starter for the spot starter. There were bad throws, misplayed balls, bullpen flops, easy groundouts played into hits, and a fateful dry spell at the plate.
Exactly one month ago today, the Astros and Braves had identical 42-41 records. Today, the Braves are in control of their division race at 60-47, winners in 23 of their last 30 games. The Astros are left clinging to one final last-gasp chance, which begins today with nine games against the lowly Expos and Mets. they fell six games behind the Cubs in the wild-card race. Chicago, beginning to play its best baseball with the acquisition of Nomar Garciaparra, completed a sweep of the Rockies on Thursday.
When was the last time Lance Berkman and Jeff Bagwell both were double-switched out of a close game in the late innings? Never.
When was the last time closer Brad Lidge was called into the game in the seventh inning? Never — not since he became the closer when Octavio Dotel was traded, anyway.
Garner used nearly every arm in his bullpen after Oliver's injury. He was aggressive with his baserunners. He was daring with his calls, intentionally walking Chipper Jones with two outs in the seventh inning in order to get to Andruw Jones, whose 17 home runs and 62 RBIs are second on the Braves only to J.D. Drew.
By the end of the night, the only reliever left in the bullpen was Tim Redding. The only bench player was Raul Chavez.
But now, 20 games after the break, how much more mediocre could this team be than 54-54 overall, 28-29 at home, 26-25 on the road, 11-11 with the Minute Maid Park roof open, 13-13 with it closed and 4-5 when it is both open and closed?
But the bats went quiet for four innings, just like they have at critical times all year.
A 5-1 lead going into the sixth against the Braves? No way you blow that game.
The Astros did.
Just an Astro fan who is disappointed in what has become a season to forget....instead of remember.
Exactly one month ago today, the Astros and Braves had identical 42-41 records. Today, the Braves are in control of their division race at 60-47, winners in 23 of their last 30 games. The Astros are left clinging to one final last-gasp chance, which begins today with nine games against the lowly Expos and Mets. they fell six games behind the Cubs in the wild-card race. Chicago, beginning to play its best baseball with the acquisition of Nomar Garciaparra, completed a sweep of the Rockies on Thursday.
When was the last time Lance Berkman and Jeff Bagwell both were double-switched out of a close game in the late innings? Never.
When was the last time closer Brad Lidge was called into the game in the seventh inning? Never — not since he became the closer when Octavio Dotel was traded, anyway.
Garner used nearly every arm in his bullpen after Oliver's injury. He was aggressive with his baserunners. He was daring with his calls, intentionally walking Chipper Jones with two outs in the seventh inning in order to get to Andruw Jones, whose 17 home runs and 62 RBIs are second on the Braves only to J.D. Drew.
By the end of the night, the only reliever left in the bullpen was Tim Redding. The only bench player was Raul Chavez.
But now, 20 games after the break, how much more mediocre could this team be than 54-54 overall, 28-29 at home, 26-25 on the road, 11-11 with the Minute Maid Park roof open, 13-13 with it closed and 4-5 when it is both open and closed?
But the bats went quiet for four innings, just like they have at critical times all year.
A 5-1 lead going into the sixth against the Braves? No way you blow that game.
The Astros did.
Just an Astro fan who is disappointed in what has become a season to forget....instead of remember.
