Aubrey Huff

2 for 3, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB 20th homer overall First time he's hit homers in back-to-back games for Houston

This is what it was like last year, a new hero each night, five RBI coming with two outs. In a game in which Lance goes hitless, Ausmus comes up clutch, and Aubrey comes up huge. Biggio hustles his ass off, not like he doesn't always, first beating out lazy Hancock's throw to first, then avoiding Belliard's tag, and staying off the grass goddamnit.

Miller, Qualls and Wheeler nail it down after Clemens goes five stellar . . . Huff's blast was supreme, but this is team chemistry that has been awful rare this year.

Still alive for the final week; not too bad, only one other thing you might ask for. . . .

San Diego's got plenty of incentive to beat the Cardinals. If Matt Albers can dig deep for a good game tomorrow night two levels above his '06 comfort zone, then this could get interesting.

For now, try not to ask "where was this play a month ago," and just congratulate the 'Stros for the shot at .500 they've earned, the hold on second place they've won, and the life--even if temporarily--they refused to yield.