So seeing as how Coop said it was "high noon" for Felipe Paulino, who has minor league options (and Fernando Nieve, who doesn't), allowing five hits, a three-run homer, and walking two batters in one inning probably doesn't help.
Brandon Backe apparently can't even touch his midsection without feeling pain. But Backe knows there's a downside to this:
"The doubt's there because there's no communication as to where I actually stand other than I'm fighting for a job," he said. "Looking from the outside in, it only opens up doors for others that compete against me. I want to be out there doing well with them and make it a hard decision for the Astros."
-And Cecil Cooper wasn't too thrilled with Roy's performance last night, but it wasn't the results of which he was concerned:
"I was worried about that pitch count," Cooper said. "It's a different kind of stress when you're in a game and getting up to that number. You know he's revved and he's excited. I was a little concerned. It seems like they were aware of what's going on for a numbers standpoint."
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
