The Stros showed signs of breaking out of their collective slump of over the past week as they cranked out 12 hits on Saturday night in defeating the Mets, 7-4.
Andy Pettitte won his fourth straight game since coming off the disabled list, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts in 6 innings. While Miceli and Lidge were both strong in an inning of relief each, Dotel made things interesting in the ninth by walking the first two batters before getting the next three, two on K’s.
SS Adam Everett had a 2 run yak (his 3rd of the season) and 2B Jeff Kent also had a couple of hits and RBIs. Another positive sign for the Stros is that third baseman Morgan Ensberg continued his hitting resurgance. After posting an anemic .552 OPS (i.e., on base average + slugging percentage) during April, Ensberg has warmed up to a very respectable .951 OPS during May.
The story of this Major League Baseball season to date — The Rocket — goes for his eighth straight victory Sunday afternoon before an SRO crowd at the Juice Box. It should be fun.