First, the Stros blew the suspended game from last night to the Reds in 13 excrutiating innings 3-2, but then they came back to salvage Saturday afternoon’s game, 8-0.
The completion of the suspended game was pure agony. 13 innings, four hits, only one extra base hit (a double) against the worst pitching staff in the National League. Watching bowling or billiards would have been much more exciting than enduring that travesty.
And despite Darren Oliver‘s five inning, one hit, no walks, 6 K performance in replacing injured Andy Pettitte in Saturday’s regular game, the Stros had scored only 2 runs through eight innings in that affair. There is no better indictment of the Stros’ main problem this season — hitting generally and hitting with power particularly — than scoring just 4 runs in 21 innings against this Reds pitching staff. The last time I looked, the Reds’ staff had a negative 63 RSAA, which means that they have given up 63 more runs this season than an average National League pitching staff has allowed.
Beltran cranked a three run yak and Lamb followed with a two run toaster to run the score up in the ninth inning of the Saturday afternoon game. But make no mistake about it: If the Stros cannot score more than 4 runs in 21 innings against this Reds pitching staff, then the wildcard playoff spot will likely be out of reach for the Stros in about another week.
Roy O goes against Cincy’s most reliable starter this season — Paul Wilson — in Sunday’s rubber game. The way the Stros are struggling at the plate, I recommend highly that you keep the clicker close so that you can check out the golf tournament at frequent intervals.