Boxscore

We caught most of this game in the hotel after some vacationing fun around downtown Houston. The first 7 innings flew by thanks to the lack of scoring, and I found myself thinking, “Self, this game is boring.” By then it was the hotel’s complimentary happy hour, so we headed down to the bar to enjoy ourselves.

Somehow during the elevator trip, the Astros (3-5), who had been boringly leading since the 7th, decided that was no way to stage a home opener. So shiny new closer Jose Valverde (2-0) coughed up the lead so Miguel Tejada could win the game in walk-off fashion. Nothing like saving the incompetence and excitement for the end, I guess.

Kyle McClellan (0-1) gets the loss, although I still like the kid. He could have a very bright future.

The two teams play the second game of their series, where we’ll be in full attendance, tomorrow at 7:05pm EDT. The marquee matchup is Brad Thompson versus Shawn Chacon.

Boxscore

Wow, 12 innings! It took 12 whole innings for the Cubs (4-3) to finally defeat the Pirates (3-4). And that was thanks to Pittsburgh having one remaining reliever in the pen, Rule V draftee Evan Meek (0-1).

I don’t know which makes me more concerned about the Cubs, the way they won, the fact that Jon Lieber (1-0) isn’t in the rotation while Dumpster and Marquis de Suck are, or the fact the Ted Lilly blew chunks today. Regardless, it goes down as a W for Chicago, but I think this team has serious question marks.

The two face each other again when Ryan Dempster faces Zach Duke at 6:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

The Reds (4-3) came close to overcoming Bronson Arroyo’s (0-1) craptastic start against the Phillies (3-4), but ultimately failed. Arroyo’s start felt sickeningly like his bad ones in the first half of last year, didn’t it?

To be fair to dear Bronson, it’s not like he had the best team available. Following the good idea that bench players should have a start every week, Dusty Baker decided all the bench players should start against Cole Hamels (1-1). There’s just nothing more intimidating than Juan Castro in the 2-hole.

Brad Lidge (S 1) got the save for the Phillies, largely thanks to a bad call that struck Javier Valentin out. Perhaps the home plate umpire didn’t want to have to deal with a 12 inning game like his brethren in Pittsburgh.

The Reds make their first road trip of the year when they head to Miller Park, where Johnny Cueto (1-0) will take on Jeff Suppan(1-0) at 8:05pm EDT.

Or, notes from the transaction list…

The big news is that LHP Jon Coutlangus has been traded to Arizona for outfielding prospect Daniel Perales. (No more Coutlangus jokes. Sniff.)

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Boxscore

Houston (2-5) closed out their series against the Cubs (3-3) with a loss.

Brandon Backe held his own against Carlos Zambrano (1-0). Back provided a quality start with 6 innings, 2 runs, and 7 strikeouts. Zambrano outlasted him and the Cramps to get the win, while the Astros bullpen allowed a run in the 7th, with Oscar Villareal (0-2) picking up his second loss on the young season. Kerry Wood (S 3) showed he could pitch a lot in a short number of games by getting his 3rd save.

The Cubs fly to Pittsburgh to play in beautiful PNC Park against the Pirates today at 1:35pm EDT. Ted Lilly (0-1) for the Cubs and Tom Gorzelanny (0-1) for the Pirates.