With the Stros knowing that the Giants and the Cubs had already won their games on Sunday afternoon, Roger Clemens threw eight innings of two hit ball in leading the Stros to a 1-0 win over the Brew Crew on Sunday night at the Juice Box.
In sweeping the Brewers in the three game weekend series, the Stros kept pace in the National League Wild Card playoff race in which they trail the Giants by a game and the Cubs by a half game. The Stros are off on Monday as they travel to San Francisco for their big three game series with the Giants beginning on Tuesday.
Clemens was magnificent in winning his 18th game of the season, tying teammate Roy O for the most wins in the National League, striking out 10, and walking two. Brad Lidge struck out the three Brewer batters in the ninth in gaining his 25th save in 29 attempts.
Carlos Hernandez will pitch the first game for the Stros in the Giants series, and then it’s anyone’s guess who the Stros will pitch in the next two. Keep your fingers crossed that Roy O’s rib cage feels good enough for him to pitch one of those final two games of the Giants series.