It only took 4 series' for the Astros to do it, but they finally won their 1st series of the year after beating the NL East leading Florida Marlins, 2 of 3 games at Minute Maid Park.
This series provided a few 1st for the Astros.
- 1st series the Astros scored 5+ runs per game
- 1st series that Jose Valverde didn't give up a run in any appearance
- 1st series that an Astros starter recorded a win (Backe and Rodriguez both recorded wins)
- 1st series win
Roy Oswalt started the 1st game of the series and left the game after giving up 8 earned runs and earning his 3rd straight loss of the season. This has to be the 1st time Roy Oswalt has started off a season 0-3 right? Wrong... This is actually the 2nd time in his career to do so. He did this in 2002, but in a much different fashion. In 2002 Roy started off the year 0-3 and gave up just 5 runs over his 1st three games. Roy turned it around fast by winning his next 9 decisions and ending the season with a 19-9 record and a 3.01 ERA.
The Astros have an off day today and head to Philadelphia to play the Phillies for a 3 game series before coming back home to play the Rockies.
Kaz Matsui had another setback over the weekend which has been attritbuted to a stiff back caused by lack of use while he was nursing his body after surgery. Matsui was hoped to have been back for the Phillies series, but missed his last 2 rehab starts because of the bad back. Matsui is now scheduled to make 3 rehab starts with Roun Rock and then join the Astros on Friday to play in the series against his old team, the Colorado Rockies.