Cooper on surrendering 4-0, 6-2, 7-5 leads ”It’s unacceptable.”
Link

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In a hysterical… errr… historical moment for this fansite, SpikesnStars has been invited to partner with 1560 The Game as another addition to their ample stable of team fansites in and around the Greater Houston Area. We’re certainly not the first nor the last fansite that 1560 The Game provisions a radio segment to in order to take the pulse of the everyday fan of a local team (Rockets, Astros, Aggies, Horns, Dynamos, Comets… Comets?)… but we intend to be one of the best. If not in the minds of others, certainly in our own minds. Which of course is usually all that matters to us any way. That and good beer and donuts, but I digress.

By the way, I find it odd someone would think it is a good idea to ask you freaks what you think… but I digress again. (more…)

It’s likely Hunter Pence will spend a few more days watching “Sometimes reflection helps a young player,” Cooper said. “He looked like he was on his way, but the last two, three days, he kind of stepped back a little bit.”

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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Astros 6
D-Backs 4

W: Brocail (1-0) | L: Gonzalez (1-2) | S: Valverde (5)

HRs: Towl…wait.

Our favorite Footer
AP via Yahoo!

One night after Dan Haren held his thumb down on the Astros offense for most of the 7+ innings he pitched, the boys seemed determined to not let that happen again. Granted, Edgar Gonzalez is no Dan Haren and the bats jumped all over him in the 1st, then the 3rd to post just enough runs to best the D-Backs 6-4. (more…)

At the end of each month, I will capture the good & bad of each farm team based on their standings in league stats. Lexington led us off and now it is Salem’s turn. At 11-12, they are currently in second place in the Carolina League South. All stats through Monday 4/28. Rankings listed are out of the 8 teams in the Carolina League.

The Good

Hitting

The Avalanche lead the league with 205 hits, 57 of which are doubles which also leads the league. The team is ranked 2nd with a .252 average, 299 total bases and 93 RBI. The Avs are also tied for 2nd in runs scored (105). They are 3rd in OBP (.325) & OPS (.692). (more…)

Round Rock

The Express only got one hit after the 5th and that resulted in a 13 inning loss.

“They came in and did their job,” manager Dave Clark said. “Carlos (Hines) gave us three innings and that last inning kind of slipped from us a little bit. It happens, but I was really impressed with the way they pitched.”

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The Astros became the first MLB team this year with four straight games of six or fewer hits.
Link

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Astros at Diamondbacks, 4/28/08
DBacks 5, Astros 3

W: Haren (4-1) L: Sampson (1-3) S:Lyon (8)

Footer
AP/ESPN
Box score

When your wobbly #5 pitcher faces a Cy Young candidate, you’d better do everything right. The Astros did not as a team, and Sampson certainly did not individually.
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At the end of each month, I will capture the good & bad of each farm team based on their standings in league stats. Lexington leads us off. At 8-16, they are currently at the bottom of the Sally North. All stats through Sunday 4/27. Rankings listed are out of the 16 teams in the South Atl. League.

The Good:

Hitters

Lexington as a team ranks 3rd in homers (20), 5th in average (.250) and slugging (.391). They are also tied for 3rd fewest times caught stealing (7). (more…)

Lexington

The Legends had a long meeting after Thursday’s game. Greg Langbehn saw progress but it wasn’t quite enough. Leandro Cespedes had his worst outing of the season giving up 8 runs in a little over 4 innings of work. He gave up 3 home runs in the process. (more…)

Wandy Rodriguez threw a bullpen session on Saturday morning, his first since the strain a week earlier.

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Astros (12-14) vs Diamondbacks (18-7)

Chase Field

Monday, April 28, 8:40 p.m. CST  FSN-HD

Tuesday, April 29, 8:40 p.m. CST  FSN

Wednesday April 30, 2:40 p.m. CST  FSN-HD

After a 6 game winning streak, the Astros have dropped their last two (fuck the Jakes),  so a change of scenery could do them some good.  So its off to Arizona, the home of the Diamondbacks, the leaders in the NL West.  This series will be the first time that Berkman is reunited with his long-time man love, Chris Burke, who was traded with Quall’s Balls and Gutierrez to Arizona for Ponche.  Expect an extended makeout session at 1B if Burke gets on base, in fact he may pull up at first on what should be a double, just to have some much needed alone time with Lance.  Of course, since Burke is batting .143 for the season, and only .059 against the Astros pitchers he has faced, the chance for liplock may never materialize. (more…)

You knew the general jackassery would break out sometime today.  It was the 5th, as Backe was getting tired, his control was off all day, not only walks but wild in the zone, and the offense (but not the defense) was giving him no support.

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In the past the Astros and Cardinals spoke about a respectful rivalry. Maybe now that Bagwell and Biggio are no longer on the team, the respect is gone; because the Cardinals are certainly acting like it. Lets hear no more about the “friendly” rivalry against the Cardinals.

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Lee said of gaining the .500 mark. “It means we get to start over again” Link

Bourn played the 9th Friday, probably in the lineup Sat. but he’s trying not to get too excited,

“I want myself not to be anxious, because when I’m anxious I’m over-anxious, too hyper…”

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Astros 3, Cardinals 2

W: Dequam LaWesley Wright , L: Jason Isringhausen, S: Jose Valverde

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap
Box Score

“Never give up,” Carlos Lee told Greg Lucas after the game. And boy was he right tonight.
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Busch Stadium

Friday, April 25, 7:15 p.m. CDT – FSN

Saturday, April 26, 12:10 p.m. CDT – FSN-HD

Sunday, April 27, 1:15 p.m. CDT – my20

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Lance Berkman has a trick ankle.

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We often focus on the players but the minor league coaches are also trying to work their way up. Kevin Welch, is the strength coach at Salem this year but he has roots in Indiana and the Terre Haute News did a piece that gives some insight into his life as a minor league coach. (more…)

Lexington

The losses keep coming at home. The Legends committed five errors in the first 5 innings leading to 4 unearned runs. Craig Carrado, who has been hot a the plate, had a hot time at the hot corner committing 3 errors bringing his season total of errors to 10. Ronald Ramirez also committed his 10th of the season. All this adds up to the Legends 10th loss at home this season. (more…)