Andy Pettitte strained his left forearm after pitching four innings, but the Stros’ recently maligned bullpen pitched well as the Stros beat the Cubs for the second straight night at the Juice Box, 7-3. Pettitte gave up a run on two hits, and the Cubs were only able to muster two runs off of one (Mike Gallo) of the Astros’ five relievers. Miceli, Lidge and Dotel were throwing smoke in the last three innings as they struck out six of the last nine Cub batters in the game. The Stros listed Pettitte as day-to-day, but with that type of injury, I would be surprised if he doesn’t miss a start to two.
Lance Berkman hit his seventh yak in the last nine games, and both of the Jeffs — Kent and Bags — also cranked dingers. The Stros raked Greg Maddux hard as it is starting to look like Maddux — who, along with Roger Clemens, is one of the best pitchers of his generation — is going to have a hard time maintaining a spot in the Cubs rotation when all of their flamethrowers come off of the disabled list.
The Stros take a day off on Thursday and then begin a three game weekend series at the Juice Box with the Cards on Friday night behind Clemens. The Stros are 26-20 and a game behind the Reds in the NL Central race.