Astros Waste Another Good Start, Lose Series to Reds

Mike Hampton pitched 6 + innings giving up 3 earned.

Geoff Geary came in for Mike Hampton with a runner on 2nd in the top of the 7th and proceeded to give up a single and a walk to load the bases for Joey Votto.

Tim Byrdak was brought in to face Votto and gave up a 2 run double. Bourn, Tejada, and Rodriguez teamed up to gun down Hairston at the plate preventing him from scoring on the double as well.

Houston had a great opportunity to tie the ball game in the bottom of the 8th with Berkman at the plate and runners at 1st and 3rd after a lead off double by Jason Michaels and a walk by Miguel Tejada. Berkman couldn't come through and eventually Hunter Pence was struck out on a called 3rd strike to end the inning with the bases loaded. Hunter is 0-4 this year with the bases loaded.

Matsui 1-3, K, sac bunt.
Tejada 0-3, BB, GIDP
Berkman 1-4, HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
Lee 1-3, HR, BB, 1 RBI, 1 R
Pence 2-4, K, R, 4 LOB
Blum 3-4
Rodriguez 1-4, RBI, GIDP
Bourn 1-4, K
Hampton 0-2
Michaels 1-1, 2B

Pitching line:
Hampton 6.1 IP, 8 H, BB, 5K, 3 ER
Geary 0.0 + IP, 1 H, BB, 1 ER
Byrdak .2 IP, 1 H, 1K
LaHawk 1 IP, BB, HBP, K
Valverde 1 IP, K

Good news: Berkman and Lee each hit homers, Berkmans first from the left side. Mike Hampton pitched 6 strong innings.

Bad news: Houston has managed to blow 3 out of 4 great starts from their starting pitching. The club continues to struggle with RISP. Hunter Pence left 4 on tonight and Berkman failed to bring home a gimme RBI. Geary is not pitching well right now either, earning his second loss tonight.

Geary (0-2)
Arroyo (3-0)

Houston (4-9)