The Stros might as well be in “Groundhog Day.” The story goes like this:
Stros take lead.
Stros blow lead.
Stros lose.
Munro pitched well and deserved to win. However, Weathers and Harville stunk in relief and gave up a 4-1 lead. Bags and Ensberg had solo yaks and a couple of hits each, but the rest of the Stros hitters beyond Berkman remain tepid. Even Beltran is being affected, as his OBP fell to a pathetic .318. Bad hitting is contagious.
Andy Pettitte opens the Diamondback series on Wednesday in Phoenix. At least the Stros will be playing someone their speed in the D-Backs (31-63). The Stros are now only a game out of last place in the NL Central.