Boxscore

We’ve all had those weekends, you know the ones. You’re filled with optimism, excited about your prospects, only to have it all come crashing down. That was what happened to Houston.

The Yankees completed a sweep yesterday, winning by 13 and shutting out the Astros. Roy Oswalt did not follow up his last excellent start with another excellent one. He allowed 7 runs over 5 2/3. Of course, 4 of those were unearned, so the defense wasn’t doing him any favors. Still, ouch.

Houston has lost 5 in a row and plunged to 5th place in the division, ahead of the hapless Reds by a half game.

The Astros have today off, hoping that some time spent not sucking at baseball will make them not suck at baseball.

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

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.

Boxscore

Roy Oswalt had his best outing of the year by far, dominating the Brewers in 7 innings of work. Astros fans are happy everywhere today.

If Oswalt returns to his Cy Young self, the Astros rotation will receive a healthy shot in the arm, that’s for sure. And this time it won’t be Roger Clemens or Miguel Tejada holding the needle.

Oswalt struck out 10, allowing only one run on a solo shot from Ryan Braun.

The same two teams face off again tonight when Manny Parra battles Brandon Backe at 8:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

The Cardinals continue to hang with the Cubs, despite the temporary losses of Adam Wainwright and Todd Wellemeyer.

Kyle Lohse pitched well enough to win and Ryan Franklin got his 8th save as St. Louis squeaked by the Astros.

For Houston, Wandy Rodriguez pitched pretty well, but the unimproved Astros defense did him in. Rodriguez had a shutout in terms of earned runs. But those 5 unearned runs did the team in.

Both teams have an off day today.