Roger Clemens shut down the Cardinals’ potent hitters and then Brad Lidge came in to get the final out of the game after Darren Oliver and Dan Miceli almost screwed the pooch in the bottom the ninth as the Stros took the first game of their three gamer with the Cards in St. Louis on Tuesday night, 7-5.
Clemens won his 327th game with seven strong innings of five hit, one run pitching while improving to 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in four starts against the Cardinals this year. He’s now tied with Roy O and the Marlins’ Carl Pavano for the National League lead in wins and is tied for the major league lead in winning percentage with the As’ Mark Mulder, who is also 17-4.
Lance Berkman had four hits, including a three-run double that highlighted the Stros’ five-run fourth. The Astros have won 15 of 18 and remained a game behind in the Wild Card race to the Giants, who beat the Brew Crew, and a half-game back of the Cubs, who beat the Pirates 3-2 in 12 innings. The Marlins also won to remain a game and a half back in the race.
Although Clemens was dominant through seven innings and Russ Springer pitched a scoreless eighth without any problem, Manager Phil Garner‘s effort to give the previously injured Oliver some game time experience for the first time in over a month almost blew up in his face in the ninth as Oliver gave up three hits and a walk before being relieved by Dan Miceli with two outs.
The Cards’ Cody McKay then greeted Miceli with a two-run double to make the score 7-4. Miceli induced a popup from the next hitter, but then shortstop Eric Bruntlett and third baseman Mike Lamb collided, letting the ball drop for an error and allowing McKay to score to make the score 7-5. Lidge entered with a runner on second and intentionally walked Pujols after falling behind in the count. The runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch before Lidge struck out the final Card hitter to secure his 23rd save in 26 chances.
Whew! After that adventure, I don’t think Oliver is going to be seeing too many key relief roles down the stretch.
Carlos Hernandez pitches on Wednesday night as the Stros go for two in a row over the Cards. The Stros’ hitters better keep their crank hats on because seven runs will probably not be enough to win this one.