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Several Astros Step Up In 7-5 Win Over Rockies
Astros Take Series Against Rockies To Stay In Wild Card Chase
Monday, September 8, 2008
Pinch-hitters Darin Erstad and David Newhan smacked back-to-back run-scoring hits in the top of the 8th inning, lifting the Astros to a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies Sunday afternoon at Denver's Coors Field.
The Astros have won 10 of their last 11 games, to pull within six games of NL Wild Card-leadingMilwaukee , which lost 10-1 to San Diego
Erstad's bloop single tied the game, and Newhan followed with a triple to center off Taylor Buchholz (6-5) to give the Astros a 6-5 lead. Jose Castillo added a run-scoring single in the 9th inning, and went 3-for-3 with two RBI.
TheRockies , the defending NL champions, lost for the third time in four games. They entered the day 5 1/2 games behind the NL West division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers
Doug Brocail (7-5) tossed a scoreless seventh inning to earn the win in his 600th career appearance. LaTroy Hawkins threw a perfect eighth -- hitting 97 MPH on the radar gun -- and Jose Valverde struck out the side in the ninth for his NL-leading 40th save.
Jack Cassel came in after Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez left the game in the second inning due to a left oblique strain, and turned in a solid effort. Cassel allowed two runs and four hits in four innings. His younger brother, Matt, also came up with an admirable effort on a different field earlier in the day. Matt Cassel, the backup quarterback for the New England Patriots, got in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs after starter Tom Brady went down with a left knee injury and led the Patriots to a 17-10 win.
Brad Hawpe hit a 3-run homer and Matt Holliday added a 2-run double for theRockies . Clint Barmes finished with three singles.
The Astros scored three times in the third inning on an RBI single by Mark Loretta and sacrifice flies from Lance Berkman and Castillo. Berkman finished the day 0-for-2 with two walks. He remains hitless in his last 17 at-bats.
Notes: The Astros return home to begin a 4-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night atMinute Maid Park
The Astros have won 10 of their last 11 games, to pull within six games of NL Wild Card-leading
Erstad's bloop single tied the game, and Newhan followed with a triple to center off Taylor Buchholz (6-5) to give the Astros a 6-5 lead. Jose Castillo added a run-scoring single in the 9th inning, and went 3-for-3 with two RBI.
The
Doug Brocail (7-5) tossed a scoreless seventh inning to earn the win in his 600th career appearance. LaTroy Hawkins threw a perfect eighth -- hitting 97 MPH on the radar gun -- and Jose Valverde struck out the side in the ninth for his NL-leading 40th save.
Jack Cassel came in after Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez left the game in the second inning due to a left oblique strain, and turned in a solid effort. Cassel allowed two runs and four hits in four innings. His younger brother, Matt, also came up with an admirable effort on a different field earlier in the day. Matt Cassel, the backup quarterback for the New England Patriots, got in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs after starter Tom Brady went down with a left knee injury and led the Patriots to a 17-10 win.
Brad Hawpe hit a 3-run homer and Matt Holliday added a 2-run double for the
The Astros scored three times in the third inning on an RBI single by Mark Loretta and sacrifice flies from Lance Berkman and Castillo. Berkman finished the day 0-for-2 with two walks. He remains hitless in his last 17 at-bats.
Notes: The Astros return home to begin a 4-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night at
© 2008