Houston Astros Baseball

Astros Sweep! Offense Saves Coop's Butt

Sunday May 3



The Astros have now scored six runs in their last five games and are now undefeated in May as they have won 10 of their last 14. The series against The Brewers was a battle of power as HR's ruled each game. The Astros wowed fans on Friday as they hit five HR's including an impressive back to back to back show from Tejada, Berkman, and Lee. Pence also provided two HR's to help secure the win. Like Friday, the game today saw The Astros against the ropes, so to speak. We were behind by four and were able to muster up some big time runs to come back and win. The difference however, was today we shouldn't have had to come back like we did. Coop made some bad decisions that once again cost the team. In the 4th inning Sampson found himself in a tight spot, with runners on and only one out. Sampson had thrown alot of pitches and clearly wasn't his best, but was still throwing strikes somewhat consistently and getting alot of ground balls. unfortunately, those ground balls were all directed in between infielders and became hits. So, needing a double play, instead of leaving in a groundball pitcher, who was getting ground balls, and rarely gives up Hr's Coop decided to go with the least likely pitcher for the situation in Dave Borkowski. Bork has recently struggled mightily and has been hit very hard. Coop's move proved a mistake as Borkowski gives up a 3 run HR to the first hitter he faced. Increasing The Brewers lead to four.

The problem with Borkowski is that his numbers are misleading. If you look at his career numbers you will see a not great, but somewhat serviceable reliever. The problem is that his good outings only occur when the game isn't on the line. For example today, in a close game Borkowski gives up 3 runs. Now it isn't a close game and he pitches better. We were all hoping Coop learned from his previous mistake when Borkowski gave away the final game in The D-Backs series.

Coop also made a mistake by pinch hitting Jose Cruz Jr. Lucky for Coop, hell froze over and he got his first hit in about 20 days. Unfortunately, the base paths were so unfamiliar to Cruz Jr. that he forgot how to run them correctly and was quickly thrown out at second on a base hit by Bourn.

The Positives:
the Astros continue to score runs and lots of them. The best thing about the offense currently is that they are spreading it out. Typically we have been a one and done offense. We would score some runs in a single big inning and fall asleep the rest of the game. This hasn't been the case lately and is a huge breathe of fresh air for us.

The bullpen outside of Borkowski has been very good. The few very important pieces in The Astros bullpen have really excelled lately. Jose Valverde has been extremely solid lately and looks to be on his A game once again. 8th inning man Doug Brocail continues to impress and it looks like Coop may have found his 7th inning man in Geoff Geary. Geary has also looked very good this season, and as Coop puts him into more and more important spots in the game he continues to get outs. Left hander Wesley Wright is on another level as far as impressions so far this season. He has done everything asked of him and has shown tremendous mental strength along with a very good arm. Lately Coop hasn't hesitated putting Wright in the toughest of situations and Wright continually answers the bell and gets both lefties and righties out. Wright may be the biggest surprise and addition to the bullpen this year.

The Negatives:
So far the biggest negative in my eyes is Cecil Cooper. I believe he will be a very good manager, in time. So far he has fumbled a few key situations and our team has paid for it. Today was one of the few exceptions were our power bats were able to overcome the defacet Coop created. Also, in some situations it seems to me (A fan) that he almost over thinks some situations. Today for example, in extra innings Bourn gets on first and is expected to steal in order to place the winning run in scoring position as our big bats come up. However, he sits there and doesn't end up stealing as Kaz strikes out. My problem with this was the we needed him in scoring position. he has been the best base stealer in baseball and was forced to be a distraction to Kaz as he continued to take pitches in order to give Bourn a chance to steal, eventually causing his strike out. There may be something I am not aware of, a health issue, or Bourn not feeling comfortable getting a read, but in most circumstances, Bourn should have been at 2nd.

Our Starting Rotation has also been a pretty big concern. The first couple weeks of the season our starters were right up there with the best in The NL in terms of quality starts, yet, recently our starters have scarcely gone 5 or 6. Wandy has big a big reason for this as he is pegged to go about 190 innings this year and has been out with a groin injury, but Oswalt, Backe, and Sampson have to start lasting longer in these games, because our offense won't always be there to bail them out.




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