Astros' Woes

Johnny looked really good tonight.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough.  Roy Oswalt looked just as good, if not better.  But that’s to be expected from a guy who’s 23-1 against the Reds. 

Francisco Cordero gets tagged with the loss, and rightfully so; he did lose the game for us.  I’m not mad at him for it.  I’m not even mad at Dusty Baker for running him out there.  It makes good sense to send your best pitcher into a tie ballgame in the ninth as a stopper.  No problem with that.  Cordero just left some pitches out over the plate and they got smoked. 

Something has to be done about either the cleanup spot (Brandon Phillips) or the six hole (Edwin Encarnacion) or both, if possible.  These guys aren’t hitting and they’re killing the club.  Joey Votto has done it all for this team so far, but he can’t keep doing it all without some help from his cleanup batter.  Jay Bruce has come around and has started to hit, and that’s great.  Ramon Hernandez and even Alex Gonzalez have looked better as of late, too.  Chris Dickerson is a hole in the lineup and in left field. 

Adam Rosales can HIT, too.

Meanwhile, SS Adam Rosales and OF/1B Wes Bankston rank third and 10th respectively on the International League batting average leader board. 

I know, Dusty, I know… “where would they play?”  I know!  And to make a stab at an answer…they would probably play…shortstop and left field, maybe 1B if Joey needs a day off (he doesn’t).  Did I mention Rosales played 2B and 3B last season during his September call-up?  Chris Dickerson and Miguel Tejada collided tonight forcing C-Dick to leave the game.  I’d put Dickerson on the 15 day DL and call up one of these two prospects.  I know this isn’t going to happen though. 

Something has to be done.  We’ll see what that something is—hopefully.  (Is it just me, or has Walt Jocketty been awfully quiet lately?)

Moving on…Aarong Harang vs. Wandy Rodriguez tomorrow.  Like the game precap earlier, I have to say that I like our chances.  I know Wandy’s good and he looked great against the Reds and Harang earlier this month, but Aaron Harang is Aarong Harang and I believe in the guy. 

Here’s hoping for a better outing tomorrow.