Boxscore

Wandy Rodriguez made his second start after a stint on the DL and seemed to be closer to his usual self. So often a pitcher’s first start after being activated stinks, and Rodriguez was no exception. Last night, however, he threw 6 innings of shutout ball against the Pirates.

The Astros have a slumping offense, and a dominant pitching performance was just what they needed to help them win on just two runs.

The Pirates got another good start out of Phil Dumatrait, but the team also had no offense. Who would have guessed the game would be a pitching duel?

There’s a chance tonight’s game will be another low-scoring affair, at least for one side, when Roy Oswalt starts against Zach Duke at 7:05pm EDT.

We haven’t had time to podcast since our 100th. And with RHM being out of town on business this week, it wasn’t looking good, but I cranked up the old recording studio and took a shot at recording a solo effort.

It’s short (that’s what she said) because I discovered quickly that I suck by myself. Amanda makes it sound easy, that’s for sure.

At any rate, enjoy a few short minutes of me rambling about the state of the NLC. Hopefully, we’ll get the podcast back on track again next week.

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Boxscore

When last we checked in on the Brewers, they were continuing to struggle along, finding it difficult to make to much headway towards .500. Well, apparently Houston was nice enough to bring a cure-all tonic with them up from Texas as the Brewers swept the Astros over the weekend.

Shawn Chacon was terrible for Houston, allowing 4 runs in his one, that’s right, one inning of work. Jack Cassel, who relieved Chacon, wasn’t much better, coughing up 6 (4 earned) in his 2 1/3 innings.

Dave Bush was stellar for Milwaukee, and Ryan Braun and Russell Branyan both homered to lead the offense.

The win puts the Brewers one game above .500 for the first time in a while. They’ll try to stay there as the Diamondbacks and Doug Davis come to town. Jeff Suppan tries to keep the Brewer’s win streak going at 8:05pm EDT.

As for Houston, they have a day off to travel to Pittsburgh.

Boxscore

More often than not, Roy Oswalt has struggled this year. So much so, that he was given plenty of time off for this start against the Cardinals. He was better. In fact, he ended up in a pitching duel with Kyle Lohse.

Ultimately, Lohse won, thanks to a bit more offense and the power of ex-Reds in the bullpen. Ron Villone and Ryan Franklin both pitched in relief, with Franklin getting his fourth save. Amazing to see how he’s excelled in relief with St. Louis. It makes me shake me head in wonder.

The Astros travel to Milwaukee and send Brandon Backe against Manny Parra at 8:05pm EDT. Meanwhile, the Cardinals stay at home to host the Pirates, with Zach Duke starting against Todd Wellemeyer at 8:15pm EDT.

Boxscore

Adam Wainwright dominated the Astros last night, allowing three hits and one run in 8 innings. Oh yeah, and he fanned eight Astros. Should Chris Carpenter ever return, he and Wainwright would make a dynamite one-two punch for St. Louis. Of course, that’s very similar to Chicago’s refrain over last few years.

Benjie Molina and Cesar Izturis drove in the bulk of the Cardinals runs, while the Astros lone run came from a Ty Wiggington solo shot. Whenever Izturis has a good game, it seems to spell doom for whoever’s facing the Cardinals. If only he had them more than once every month or so.

Roy Oswalt, starting off 6 days rest, hopes to get things figured out tonight at 8:15pm EDT when he starts against Kyle Lohse.