Astros Lose Game, Pitchers To Reds Monday

Aneury Rodriguez finally looked like a rookie in the rotation, getting in trouble with home runs Monday in a 6-1 loss to the Reds. He still showed some promise on the mound, but those long balls will kill a pitcher every time. That's the problem with a guy who doesn't have good control; they can have a lapse at the worst possible time and give up a home run to the opposing pitcher.

Nelson Figueroa certainly didn't make anyone argue for putting him back into the rotation. His fall off a cliff lately and Fernando Abad's recent struggles caused the Astros to make a roster move after the game, designating Figueroa for assignment and calling up left-hander Sergio Escalona. I'm sure Escalona, who Wade acquired from the Phillies this winter for second baseman Albert Cartwright, will be used some as the situational lefty while Abad is either given some time to rest or just taken out of high-pressure situations and used more as a long reliever.

Either way, it was another disappointing loss. You can't blame this one on the bullpen, as the game was never close. That's as much on the offense as it is the pitching, since the Astros bats couldn't figure out Wood a week after they saw him last. This is the same guy who may lose his spot in the rotation soon, when the Reds get a few more guys healthy. J.R. Towles got the start and was moved up to the two-hole, but didn't do much with the opportunity. I like the idea of him there, since he's athletic enough to move around the bases and is swinging the bat as well as anyone lately.

Any way, Tuesday we get to see if Brett Myers has rebounded from his rough patch. Maybe the bats will hit a "Homer" as well. (get it?? see what I did there??)