in the first. Pence was caught stealing, and that proved costly, since Erstad doubled behind him.

Backe starts off with 2 outs, but then gives up a hit and walk and now trying to get out of the inning. Frank Thomas strikes out.

0-0 after 1.

Backe pitching well so far. However, he had to work himself out of jams in both innings. Quintero committed an error in the 2d, putting a runner at 3d base., and broadcasters point out that Astros are committing errors by the "bushel."

I recall one of those dugout microphones last year picking up Backe telling a teammate: "That guy, Eckstein, is such a pest."

Backe gets an out on the pest by the way.

for his 9th error. 37 spring training errors for the Astros.

Backe induces a DP to short to erase the effect of Wiggy's error.

walks the bases loaded with 2 outs, but gets out of it with a K of Newhan.

without a run, with a good throw out of the Jays' runner at the plate. At best I can tell, Cruz threw to Perez, playing short, who make a good strike to the plate.

0-0 after 4.

Jays take a 1-0 lead. A couple of doubles, I think. Other than that, Backe is pitching well. Announcers point out that Backe is showing a lot of competitive fire, even though this is just a warm up game.

Then he got smoked for 5 earned runs.

Astros lose 8-3, Erstad and Loretta both 2 for 2, but the Astros only had 5 hits ont he day. Bourn, Pence and Wigginton were the only 3 Astros starters to play this game.

my posts after the 5th inning. Backe had been pitching well, but had a melt down in the 6th. Perhaps he was gassed after 5 innings. Villareal also had a bad day, with 1 IP and 3 H, 2R. This is a bit concerning, because Villareal hasn't looked good in several recent games. Valverde and Moehler looked good in relief. Cruz with a RBI and Loretta with a 2 run HR. The Astros continued their porous defense with 3 more errors. Rotoworld, commenting on Wigginton's poor spring, said that the Astros may be tied with the Marlins for the worst left side infield defense in the major leagues. Rotoworld suggested that the Astros consider Loretta at 3d base. Wigginton, by the way, is hitting .200 after going 0 for 3 today. Bourne is hitting .234 after going 0 for 3.