Brandon Webb handcuffed the Stros with his array of sinkers and dinkers as the Arizona Diamonbacks beat the Stros 4-1 Monday night in the first game of their four game series at the Juice Box.
Webb was masterful, giving up 6 singles and one run in 7 1/3rd innings. This game was essentially infield practice for the DBacks as Webb’s sinkers had the Stros pounding the ball into the ground with futility the entire game.
Andy Pettitte only gave up three hits in five innings, but the problem was that two of them were back to back gopher balls in the first inning to Gonzo and Hairston. That was all Webb needed on this night. Pettitte left after the fifth game because of soreness in his left elbow, a problem that has bothered him all season. Given the club’s disminishing playoff chances, the Stros will soon have to give serious consideration to shutting Pettitte down for the season.
The best news for the Stros on this day was the signing of Troy Patton, the Tomball High School lefty who was projected as a high draft choice until he announced that he would be attending the University of Texas on a baseball scholarship. Most major league clubs backed off on him as a result of that news, but the Stros took a flyer on him in the ninth round of the draft earlier this summer and the bet has paid off. Patton will report to the club?s affiliate in Greeneville of the Appalachian League.
Patton was 12-0 with an 0.91 ERA during his senior season at Tomball High. He struck out 142 hitters in 77.1 innings pitched, while walking only 24 and allowing 24 hits. Patton threw three no-hitters this spring, including one perfect game, and opponents hit only .122 against him in 2004.
Roy O tries to get the Stros back on track on Tuesday night against some fellow with a 12+ ERA for the DBacks. The way this season is going, the game will probably be a nailbiter.