Bad News Bears Win Again

OK, the Astros aren't really the Bad News Bears, but they played like it on Thursday. The Bad News Bears often played sloppily, but won the game in the end. That's exactly what happened Thursday against the Royals.

Consider that starting pitcher Brian Moehler was touched for four runs in five innings, but only ONE of them was earned. That gives you an idea of the comedy that was not so funny at the time. Wild throws, dropped throws, bases untouched and plays unmade all contributed to the Royals taking a lead early in the game. Moehler actually started the "comedy" when he was unable to make a play on a ball hit back up the middle that should--or at least could--have been playable. After that it was his buddies on the infield... Keppinger, Matsui, Tejada and Quintero that contributed.

Notably absent from the defensive lapses was first sacker Lance Berkman. He had made a key error on Wednesday night that opened the door to a tying rally in the 9th which ultimately resulted in an 11th inning Kansas City victory.

On Thursday Lance was nothing but hero. He cracked a two run homer to give the Astros a 2-1 lead and drive in his career 1000th and 1001st runs. That puts him in a class that only includes Biggio, Bagwell and now Berkman in Astro annals.

Berkman wasn't finished either. He singled off the left field wall and later hit another two run homer that wiped out another KC lead and gave the Astros their final margin of victory.

All of his hits were to the opposite field and both homers into the Landry's Crawford Boxes. After the game Lance told me on the post game interview that nothing was planned. He wasn't trying to hit the ball the other way, the pitches were just such that hitting to the opposite field was the way to go. Few have done it any better than Lance.

With the rest of the teams in the NL Central losing to American League teams the Astros gained back the game they lost in the standings on Wednesday and trail the division leaders by five games. They are still, however, under .500. Gaining will not be easy the rest of this homestand as the AL Central leading Detroit Tigers come to town Friday. Justin Verlander and his 100+ mph fastball will start. Action begins on FS Houston with Astros Live Pregame at 6:30. First pitch at 7:05.

PAULINO BACK?
The Astros.com website was reporting Thursday that Felipe Paulino will be activated prior to Saturday's game and will be the starter. Cecil Cooper had been not saying that specifically but was leading reporters the think that was the likely scenario. Of course, that will require a roster shuffle just as will be required when Geoff Blum is ready to return. One cannot totally discount the possibility of trades, but more likely one pitcher will be sent to Round Rock and the same for one infielder. Teams don't like to totally release players unless that is definitely the only rational option. They like to keep as many major league calibre players under their control. This normally results in those that have options being sent up and down as much as necessary. Geoff Geary is a pitcher they took a chance they could retain even if he was designated for assignment and eligible to declare free agency. Geary elected to stick with the Astros system and keep playing under his major league contract, but in Round Rock. Would Brandon Backe, for example, do the same in the same circumstance? Based on performance and current role with the Astros Backe is not an important pitcher for the big league club right now. He cannot be sent to the minors outright on waivers since he has too much major league service time. He can only be released after clearing waivers, designated for assignment--in which he would have the right to declare himself a free agent-- or be traded. Will it come to that or will the Astros simply use the options they still have on Fulchino or Wright? We should know by Saturday.