Astros

200 strikeouts after 20 games.

300 strikeouts after 30 games.

400 strikeouts after 40 games.

All you can ask for is consistency!

Astros really loading up tonight!

I know how to spell "unstoppable" but what about "juggernaut".

Something isn't right with Cecil

In yesterday's game against the Marlins, Astros manager, Cecil Cooper made a rather mind-bending decision in the 6th inning when he intentionally walked journeyman Nick Johnson to pitch to Hanley Ramirez who is leading the National League in hitting.

It didn't work. Anybody surprised?

Ramirez hit a run-scoring single which broke open a close game eventually ending in a 8-6 win for the Marlins.

I did see the highlights and the several hundred Marlins fans there appeared ecstatic.

Fast forward to this morning where the following conversation took place between Astros owner, Drayton McLane and Cecil Cooper:

McLane: First off. Is everything ok at home?

Cooper: Yep, just fine. Is this about that Nick Johnson/Hanley Ramirez thing last night?

McLane: Well, yes. Lately, you have kind of had us all a little worried.

Cooper: Look. Johnson is left-handed. Ramirez is right-handed. I was setting up a righty/righty match-up with Brian Moehler on the mound. It just didn't work out.

McLane: But Ramirez is leading the league in hitting and hits everybody. We do want you to use some independent judgement with these things.

Cooper: (rolls eyes) It was righty/righty. That is how you are supposed to do it.

McLane: What are Moehler's numbers against Ramirez anyway?

Cooper: Hell if I know! We had a righty/righty match-up!

(Pause)

McLane: Did I ever tell you how important this team is to me?

Cooper: It was righty/righty!

(Silence)

McLane: Are you sure everything is ok at home? We've got programs you know.

Carlos Lee concentrates A LOT less when nobody is on base; say he

Per Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle, Carlos Lee of the Astros does not concentrate as much when he is at the plate and there are no runners on.

"To be honest, I concentrate A LOT (emphasis mine) more when there are runners on base," Lee said. "I give up less at-bats. (He said it) Sometimes I get away from my game with nobody on and try to drive the ball or hit a double instead of just concentrating on getting a good pitch to hit."

If you think about it, this is great material. You can't make this stuff up! You just can't.

"Hey, Lee is up with 2 outs and nobody on. Let's go get a hot dog."

Joel Hanrahan gets the win while sleeping on his couch!

So last night, the Nationals and Astros completed their game of May 5th which was suspended by rain. The pitcher of record for the Nationals was Joel Hanrahan who was subsequently traded to the Pirates on June 30th. The Pirates incidentally were off yesterday.

In the continuation game, the Nationals win and Nationals, err Pirates, pitcher, Joel Hanrahan is credited with the win. Hanrahan was interviewed last night on ESPN and was asked what he was doing when he heard that he had been credited with the win and he responded, "Taking a nap."

This kind of reminds me of those situations where the President is awoken in the middle of the night to be notified of a national emergency.

Taking this back to a baseball context, I can just see next week some major league slugger who is not participating in the All Star Game being woken up late night by a call from his agent advising him that he has just won the Home Run Derby.

"Great! This is just like the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. I know I have that bonus thing in my contract for this too. I'll take it! We'll talk in the morning."

Considering that Hubert Humphrey won the 1968 Democratic nomination for President without entering one single primary, you tell me it can't happen.