As Houston weathered a pretty lame attempt at a hurricane in Eduardo, the Astros were playing in Chicago where the weather was at least a little bit nicer... That couldn't be said for last night as the Astros beat the Cubs 2-0 with the game being called in the 8th inning due to a terrible lightning storm in Chicago. Berkman(usually the most honest and vocal of the Astros), had this to say about last nights game.
"I'm not trying to put it on [Cubs general manager] Jim Hendry or anything like that," Berkman said. "But whoever is in charge of the Cubs and their operations here, if it was me, when the tornado sirens went off the first time, I would have immediately said, 'We're not playing this game.'
"We've got to keep some perspective here. This is a baseball game and these games are important because teams are trying to make the playoffs and everybody understands that. At the same time, don't lose your mind. You've got tornado sirens going off and severe weather all over the place. There's no reason for it. There's no reason to put fans at risk, there's no reason for the players to be at risk."
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I agree with Lance... Tornado sirens!?! That's pretty crazy if you ask me...
But the game was well pitched by both teams, but luckily for the Astros, they didn't give up a run and managed to hold the Cubs off (through multiple stoppages in play due to weather) until the game was called and take home the victory. I made a comment during the game thread for Monday's game that right after the 5th inning was over, that now the rain could come... funny enough, it did almost instantly start raining and the grounds crew immediately covered the field.
Today's game was a completely different story... no stoppages in play due to the weather, and many more runs scored.
Wandy Rodriguez.. what happened to you buddy? Just 2 games ago your ERA was 3.16 and you were coming off 2 straight dominant, 1 run outings and 4 wins of your last 4 decisions... now your last 2 games have been terrible. On July 30th against the Reds, Wandy went just 4 2/3 innings and gave up 9 hits and 6 earned runs to lose his 4th game of the season. Today he managed to get through 5 innings and allowed 9 hits and 6 earned runs again... Now his ERA is 3.98!!! The Astros did manage to take away Wandy's loss today by taking the lead in the 7th inning 7-6, but then turned around in the bottom half of the inning and gave up 5 earned runs to give the game back to the Cubs. Sampson had one of his worst outings of the season since moving to the pen and gave up 3 earned runs in an inning and a third. I know this next stat doesn't mean a whole lot, but... Sampson has yet to give up a run in a game that he came in as a reliever in which he pitched 1 inning or less. Maybe they should make him a closer! Brocail wasn't so hot either... an inning and a third while giving up 2 earned runs and a 3 run home run to Soriano(with some of Sampson's baggage on the base paths). Still not sure why Cooper is using Brocail in these type of situations...
There are some positives in this game...
Haren started the game for the Cubs and had given up no more than 1 run in any of his 4 starts as a Cub... the Astros beat that 4 fold by putting up 4 earned runs and knocking 2 balls out of Wrigley Field. I know that doesn't really do much for you being that the Astros still lost... but it's still (sort of) an accomplishment. Erstad had a pretty good game going 4-4 with an RBI. That's something to be happy about... especially since Erstad has looked a little off in a few of the more recent games.