Loretta a super alternative at second
Loretta a super alternative at second
Loretta a super alternative at second Mark Loretta is considered a “super utility” infielder, which is what he signed up for both times when he joined the Astros as a free agent. But even with Kazuo Matsui slated to come off the disabled list on Tuesday, Loretta will be busy in the near future.
Astros RHP Brocail ejected (PA SportsTicker)
Houston Astros righthander Doug Brocail was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the ninth inning of Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Moehler hit hard in Astros loss
Moehler hit hard in Astros loss to Braves After losing to the Braves at Turner Field, 6-2, the Astros swapped places with Cincinnati and took over last place in the National League Central. The Astros offense sputtered against Braves righty Tim Hudson and Brian Moehler allowed five earned runs.
Tuesday circled for Matsui, Oswalt
Astros mark Tuesday for Matsui, Oswalt Tuesday could see the return of two key players for the Astros — second baseman Kazuo Matsui, recovering from the right hamstring strain that has sidelined him since June 23, and Roy Oswalt, who will miss his scheduled start Saturday while continuing to recover from a left hip abductor strain.
Billingsley shuts down Astros in Dodgers‘ 5-2 win (AP)
Chad Billingsley didn’t need many tricky pitches to beat the Houston Astros. Billingsley pitched eight strong innings and Andre Ethier homered for the second straight game to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-2 win Thursday. Billingsley (8-7) gave up six hits, struck out five and did not allow an earned run to win his fourth straight start.
Perry helps Braves beat Astros to end skid (AP)
The Atlanta Braves were feeling down after five straight losses and the demotion of popular teammate Jeff Francoeur. How down? The Braves hadn’t led a game in a week. Jason Perry’s debut as the fill-in for Francoeur helped end the drought. Perry hit a run-scoring triple in his first major league at-bat, Tim Hudson gave up only one run in seven innings and the Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-2 Friday…
Astros Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
Roy Oswalt’s next start was officially pushed back to Tuesday. Chris Sampson will take Oswalt’s turn in the rotation and start Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.
“You have to take how they feel and what they’re thinking too in consideration,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “Then you have to consider the big picture. And the big picture says let’s skip one. And if we have to skip two, we skip two. … His health is the most important thing.”
Oswalt, who suffered a strained left hip abductor in the sixth inning Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, will start on three extra days of rest Tuesday against the Pirates at PNC Park.
“It’s still a little cranky,” Oswalt told the Houston Chronicle.
Even by starting Tuesday, Oswalt can still get in two starts before the…
Military honored at Turner Field
Military honored at Turner Field Atlanta first baseman Mark Teixeira (pictured) and the Braves welcomed Capt. Joseph Anthony of the U.S. Army to Turner Field before Friday night’s game against the Astros at Turner Field. Anthony was the honorary captain.
Oswalt’s return further delayed because of injury
After Roy Oswalt gave an honest assessment of his strained left hip abductor during a brief chat with manager Cecil Cooper this morning, the Astros‘ ace’s next scheduled start was officially pushed back until …
Astros silenced by Billingsley, Dodgers
Astros shut down by Billingsley Brandon Backe battled through 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs and striking out eight in a 5-2 loss to the Dodgers on Thursday. J.R. Towles’ fifth-inning double scored both Astros runs.