Carlos Beltran cranked a triple and a mighty upper deck yak, Mike Lamb chipped in with another two run tater, and new Daddy Roy O hurled 7 2/3rd’s strong innings as the Stros continued their utterly incredible late season surge by pounding the Reds again at the Juice Box on Tuesday night, 9-7.
The Stros have now won 11 straight games, 13 of their last 14, 19 of their last 22, and now trail the Cubs by a half game in the National League Wild Card playoff race. The Stros have also won seven straight against the Reds while outscoring them 63-23 in those games.
The Stros again took extra batting practice on the pathetic Reds’ pitching staff, cranking out 11 hits for 23 total bases and enjoying 8 walks in between. Meanwhile, Roy O did his usual number on the Reds, controlling the game efficiently until he left with two outs and two on in the eighth. Springer‘s three run gopher ball after relieving Oswalt and Lidge‘s uncharacteristic two run gophie in the ninth made the score of the game closer than it really was.
The Rocket goes for the Stros 12th straight and his 16th win of the season in Wednesday afternoon’s Businessman’s Special before the Stros take off for a six game swing through Pittsburgh and St. Louis. Right now, this club will not even need an aircraft to fly into those cities.
Houston's Clear Thinkers
Longtime Houston attorney Tom Kirkendall's observations on developments in law, business, medicine, culture, sports, and other matters of general interest to the Houston business, professional, and academic communities.
Good to see the Astros doing so well. They’re still not going to catch my Marlins, however, not with 10 games against the Cardinals and Bondses. 😉
I agree that the games against Bonds and the Elfs will be tough. But as far ahead as St. Louis is, I don’t see them having as much enthusiasm during the dog days as the teams that are still battling for a playoff spot. I guess we’ll see if my theory holds water next week.
Well, I do agree that Astros will be hungrier than St. Louis, but I also think the Cards will have motivation, as they don’t want to let any doubt enter anyone’s minds that they are the best team in the NL, especially against a PO contender.
Thing that worries me about the Stros is that their hitting this year, as every year, is so much feast or famine. Much of this year has been famine. Lately, oh my, what a feast it has been, but when the pressure’s on, against great pitchers, will they revert to historical form? I still like a team that can play smallball down the stretch better than a team of sluggers.
Plus, top to bottom, Astros’ pitching staff isn’t as good as the Marlins. That will show up over the next 20 games, IMO.