Boxscore

The Astros (6-11) finally had their offense show up yesterday as they scored 4 runs in the first inning. If only the Rockies (8-8) hadn’t already scored 6 in the top of the first.

Chris Sampson (0-2) couldn’t make it out of the first inning. He allowed 6 runs, all of them earned. It was all downhill from there, as it usually is when you have to go to the bullpen in the first.

Franklin Morales (1-1) got the win for the Rockies, although he wasn’t too sharp either. When a total of 10 runs are scored in the first, you know you’re not in for a pitchers duel.

The Astros turn to Wandy Rodriguez to end their two-game losing streak and hopefully start some winning today. Gametime is 7:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

No doubt pumped up from playing loud music in the clubhouse, Bronson Arroyo (0-2) allowed all of the Brewers (10-6) runs in the less than six innings he pitched for the Reds (7-10). Can’t blame that one on the bullpen.

Ben Sheets (3-0) got the win, but pulled up lame before the 6th. Who had April 18 in the Sheets injury pool? Actually, that’s a bit earlier than I expected.

A very hairy Eric Gagne (S 5) got the save for the Brewers, coming in to stop the Reds only scoring inning of the day. It’s a good thing the Reds did score those 2 in the 9th, otherwise it might not have looked close.

The same two teams play again today at 1:10pm EDT with Jeff Suppan battling against rookie phenom Johnny Cueto.

Boxscore

The Cubs (10-6) mastery of the Pirates (7-9) continues, albeit within the regular nine innings this time.

Ian Snell (2-1) had one bad inning where he allowed all the Cubs runs. (It’s never a good thing to start an inning by allowing a lead-off triple, like Snell did to Fukudome.) That was enough for Rich Hill (1-0) and the Cubs bullpen. Kerry Wood (S 4) chimed in with the save.

Nate McLouth continues his hot hitting, extending his streak to 16 games (that’s every game this year, I believe) with a homer in the 8th.

The two play again today with Tom Gorzelanny pitching against Jason Marquis at 1:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

Jose Valverde is still in after-school suspension. Sure, he was the least of the problems for the Astros (6-10), but he was a fitting bookend to the blowout at the hands of the Phillies (8-8).

Brandon Backe (1-2) started and was pulled in the 4th for sucking. He allowed 5 earned runs in 3 innings. If that’s not bad enough, he also allowed 10 hits and 2 walks. Not a good night for Backe.

It was the opposite for Brett Myers (2-1) who owned the Astros, collecting 8 strikeouts over 7 innings of one-run ball.

But Valverde merits a mention. In what I believe is his first appearance since blowing the game after a great start earlier this week, he came into a game the Astros had already lost. It’s a complete lack of pressure, and he allowed a two-run homerun. Sigh. Brad Lidge never looked so good.

The Astros return home to host the Rockies. Chris Sampson for the Astros, and Franklin Morales goes for the Rockies.

Boxscore

I meant to post this morning, but work got in the way. How dare what gives me the ability to write these meaningless jibber-jabbers in my spare time interfere with my…spare time. Um, anyway.

The Reds (7-9) proved that even Dusty Baker isn’t a perfect loser as they beat the Cubs (9-6) behind another impressive performance from young Edinson Volquez (2-0). Volquez has now allowed two runs. For the year. Not a bad start.

I was concerned when Volquez was hitting for himself in the bottom of the 5th with his pitch count well north of 100. But the bullpen took over in the 6th. Either Baker has learned a lesson from one of his many mistakes in Chicago, or upper management has a tight control on the number of pitches the young guys can throw. Time will tell.

Ted Lilly (0-3) sucked again, continuing to do nothing to make me think that his last year wasn’t a fluke of a career year performance. He needs to turn things around for the Cubs to contend this year.

The Cubs start a series with the Pirates next, while the Reds entertain Milwaukee.