Astros starter Roy Oswalt (15-11) allowed seven runs and nine hits in four-plus innings, his shortest outing this season and the first time in 21 starts that he failed to go at least six, as the good guys got behind early and lost to the Trolley Dodgers (yawn) 8-3 at Chavez Ravine. (more…)
It is rare for a player to collect 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. It is even more unusual for a player to surpass both milestones. But it would be unique for a player with that pair of achievements to fail to gain entry into the Hall of Fame. That is a prospect Rafael Palmeiro may face, however, when his entry to Cooperstown comes to a vote.
Roger Clemens was dominate for 8 innings against the Pyroots Saturday evening at MMPUS, pitching shutout ball with a mere two hits allowed and no walks with 9 strikeouts, but the punchless Astros could not muster a run against Kip Wells and lost 1-0.
The healthy Wilson sister, shortstop Jack, greeted Brad Lidge in the 9th with a solo shot to break a scoreless tie. It was the ninth no-decision of the season for the 43-year-old Clemens, and the sixth time the Astros have failed to score for him. He threw an economical 88 pitches but has not gone longer than eight innings this season.
“This is tough. We got such great pitching from Rocket,” Astros manager Phil Garner said. “We had opportunities but couldn’t get them across the board. That’s tough.”
The Astros stranded 11 runners.
The finale of the series tomorrow at 1:05, Ezequiel Astacio (2-5, 6.75) vs. lefty Dave Williams (9-8, 4.18)
