Boxscore

The home run derby continued at Minute Maid park and again the Astros were on the receiving end.

For one brief inning, things looked like they might go Houston’s way, when Miguel Tejada hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first to draw first blood. Milwaukee responded–oh, did they respond.

Prince Fielder, Mike Cameron, and Corey Hart all hit shots out of the park to give the Brewers a 5-run second. With Ben Sheets on the mound, that was really all the Brewers needed, although the bullpen made it a little interesting.

The Brewers won the series and seem to have their bats working quite well. Of course, not every game can be played in the homer-friendly Minute Miad, nor can it be played against a team who allows more homers than any other. Still, they look to continue their winning ways when they return home to host the Twins. It’s Kevin Slowey versus Dave Bush at 8:05pm EDT.

As for the Astros, the loss gives them a losing record again. Shawn Chacon looks to get things back on track when Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees come to town at 8:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit hit a two-run home run in the first inning to start Pittsburgh on the right track as they sought to win the series from the Nationals.

And they did, thanks to his 3 for 3 day, along with some help from the bullpen when things got scary in the 6th. The win moves the Pirates back to within one game of .500.

They’ll attempt to achieve long-desired mediocrity today when inter-league play begins again. This time, the Pirates travel to take on the Orioles. Phil Dumatrait goes against Brian Burres at 7:05pm EDT.

Just back from watching the 7-8 year old “Reds” play, and I see that the Cardinals aren’t even beating the grown-up Reds yet.

And Arroyo’s even going!

Boxscore

The Reds were shutout by Braden Looper, who threw the first complete game of his career. Thanks to Dusty Baker’s “swing at everything” philosophy, Looper was able to complete the game by throwing only 98 pitches.

The Reds looked terrible last night, the exact opposite of the Pujols-less Cardinals. Yet on paper, the talent-level seems the same, if not possibly in the Reds’ favor. What on earth could the difference be?

Seriously, how much longer will the Reds hang with Baker? I know he has a large contract, but it was a terrible signing at the time and grows worse as time goes by. Perhaps I’m overreacting, but it seems to me that Cincinnati always looks terrible against well-managed, competently run teams. Like both games so far against St. Louis.

Of course, Baker wasn’t playing. That was Johnny Cueto, who struggled like an inexperienced rookie often does and allowed two homers and 6 runs in 5 innings.

Looper lead the Cardinals to their 40th win of the year, keeping them 2.5 games behind the Cubs, who also won their game yesterday.

The Cardinals go for the sweep today sending Joel Pineiro out for his first back-from-rehab start, while the Reds counter with Bronson Arroyo at 7:10pm EDT.

Boxscore

The Astros and Brewers teamed up to have a little home run derby yesterday, with 8 balls leaving Minute Maid Park and driving in 11 of the 16 runs.

The Brewers had more, homers and runs, and Manny Parra got the win, his fifth in a row. I remember when Parra started the season and seemed to be doing terribly, but his ERA is back to average levels. Of course, he allowed 5 runs in 5 innings last night, so I wouldn’t call that good. Better lucky than good, I guess.

The teams close out the series this afternoon, and whoever wins the game, wins the series. Ben Sheets goes for the Brewers and Brian Moehler goes for the Astros. Honestly, I’m liking Milwaukee’s chances.