The Stros ran out of relief pitchers as the Braves came back from a four run deficit to win the rubber game of the clubs? series, 6-5 at the Juice Box on Thursday evening.
Stros’ starter Darren Oliver was the latest Stro pitcher to get a hitch in this giddyup as he left after an inning with the seemingly ubiquitous ?stiff shoulder.? That prompted a parade of Stro relief pitchers, who actually pitched reasonably well with the exception of Gallo, who looked like he was throwing grapefruit to the appreciative Braves hitters. After Gallo gave up two runs and put another runner aboard, Weathers relieved him, Marrero cranked the longest yak he will ever hit on the first pitch, and Presto! The Braves had comeback from a 5-1 deficit and all Stros? fans had that old ?Uh, oh, here come the Braves? feeling again. The Braves pushed a run across in the top of the ninth against Miceli to nab the win.
Although the Stros scored five runs ? a monstrous total for them against the Braves ? most of the production was courtesy of the Braves ? they walked nine Stros? hitters. The Stros had just two extra base hits, including Beltran?s solo yak, and after the fifth inning when the Stros staked their 5-1 lead, the Stros managed just one hit off of four Braves relievers.
On a club that struggles to score runs as much as the Stros, it is inexplicable how management allowed Jimy Williams and now allows Phil Garner for the past two games to continue not to play Mike Lamb, the club?s fourth best hitter this season behind only Berkman, Beltran, and Bidg. Simply astounding.
Roy O takes his turn tonight in the first game of the weekend series against the Expos? Rocky Biddle, who has almost a 7.00 ERA. The Stros embark on a nine game roadie after the Expos series against the Mets, Expos, and Phillies.