The Rocket won his ninth game without a loss this season as the Stros made a Morgan Ensberg sac fly in the seventh hold up for a 1-0 win over the Mariners.
As usual, Clemens was brilliant and battled like a classic gamer. He did not have his best control as he walked five in six and two thirds innings, but he gave up only three hits and struck out seven. For the second straight night, the Stros languid hitters made another pedestrian Seattle pitcher — this time Joel Pineiro — look like a stopper as they scratched out only three hits. Astros manager Jimy Williams contributed to that offensive inefficiency by playing ineffectual Jose Vizcaino for the third straight game.
By the way, Lidge and Dotel made things interesting in the last two innings before nailing this one down. In the eighth, Lidge gave up a lead off triple when Bidg misplayed a fly ball (he was not given an error, but he really botched the play). Lidge proceeded to bail his teammate out by getting the next three batters on a pop up and two whiffs. Then, in the ninth, Dotel appeared to be dominant and got two quick outs before giving up back to back singles to put runners at first and second. Certainly fearing the prospect of having to face Clemens in the clubhouse after blowing another save, Dotel struck out the next batter to secure the victory.
Underachieving Wade Miller pitches for the Stros in the Wednesday night game against Mariner and former Astro farm hand, Freddy Garcia. The Stros get an off day on Thursday as they move on to Milwaukee for a weekend series with the Brew Crew on the last leg of this marathon two week, 12 game roadie.