Edwin Maysonet is now a Brewer

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says that the Brewers have signed Edwin Maysonet to a minor-league deal with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

Astros claim Cesar Carrillo

Zach Levine tells us (and by "us," we of course mean, "everybody") that the Astros have claimed Cesar Carrillo from the San Diego Padres. According to Levine, he won't join the Astros, but Edwin Maysonet has been designated for assignment in the corresponding roster move.

Carrillo is a 26-year old RHP from Chicago, and was the Padres' 1st Round pick in the 2005 draft. He spent all of 2010 with Triple-A Portland, and posted a 5-14 record, 5.60 ERA/1.48 WHIP, 95K:57BB in 151IP, allowing 20HR, as well, for a 1.2 HR/9 rate.

Just because it's funny to note, the Padres claimed Carrillo on September 15, after designating him for assignment on September 1, where he was claimed off waivers from - yes - the Phillies.

Carrillo had Tommy John surgery in 2007 to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow.

Beerleaguer sums it up as such:
Carrillo, 26, surrendered five home runs in his final start with Triple-A Portland before he was put on waivers. The Pacific Coast League hasn't been kind to the once-promising right-hander. He finished 5-14 in 27 starts with a 5.60 ERA and 95/57 K/BB ratio. The University of Miami product once rated as the Padres' second-best prospect by Baseball America, but elbow and control problems have kept him from realizing his full potential. Before the surgery, his fastball routinely sat in the mid-90s and he was considered to be on the fast track; he was drafted in June of 2005 and would be pitching in Double-A later that season...Carrillo, who throws fastball-curveball-changeup, was added to the 40-man and will become a fun reclamation project for next season.

Eddie's Farm: August 25

Round Rock

Memphis took a 3-0 lead into the 6th, and the Express' attempt to mount a rally fizzled. Memphis wins 3-1. Andy Van Hekken threw 6IP, 9H/3ER, 6K:3BB while Chris Sampson and Casey Daigle allowed a hit and struck one out each. The Express only got five hits - two from Edwin Maysonet, and one each from Bellorin, Van Hekken, and an RBI pinch-hit double from German Duran. 1-6 in the order: 0x20, 7K:4BB (2BB from Shuck).

Man of the Match: Edwin Maysonet

Corpus

You won't win too many games allowing nine runs in an inning. And that's exactly what the Hooks did, with Midland getting nine in the 4th and rolling to a 10-3 win over Corpus. Bubbie Buzachero got the start, allowing 5H/6ER, 2K:3BB, and a balk in 3IP. Three of those runs were courtesy of Arcenio Leon, who allowed 3H/4ER of his own, with 3K:3BB. Evan Englebrook (2IP) and Jailen Peguero (1IP) allowed one hit in the final three innings. Federico Hernandez was 2x3 with a homer and 2RBI, and David Cook hit a solo homer in the 7th, finishing the night 1x3 with a walk.

Man of the Match: Federico Hernandez

Lancaster

Only Lancaster could throw a no-hitter, and still need extra innings to win. Lake Elsinore was blanked in the hits column, but got a run in the 8th, forcing the game to the 10th where the JetHawks put it away for a 3-1 no-no. Five pitchers combined for the feat. Robby Donovan threw 5.2IP, 4K:2BB and got the first 17 Storm batters before walking two straight batters. Edwin Walker walked one in 1.1IP. David Berner made things interesting in the 8th, walking Jesus Lopez, committing a throwing error on a sac bunt by Robert Lara, then making another throwing error on Brad Chalk's sac bunt, scoring Jesus Lopez. With the bases loaded, David Carpenter got a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning. Carpenter pitched the next inning, and Jose Trinidad preserved the no-no in the 10th. Final Tally for JetHawk pitchers: 10IP, 0H/1R (0ER), 9K:6BB. David Flores was 2x4 with a solo homer (2RBI on the night), and Bryce Lane - hitting a robust .316 in his short time at Lancaster - was 2x4 with a double and an RBI. Flores and Lane provided the RBIs in the 10th.

Man of the Match: Robby Donovan

Lexington

Jeebus. Lexington scored the first run of the game, and then allowed the next 13 for a 13-1 loss to Kannapolis. Zach Grimmett allowed 7H/9ER, 1K:4BB, 2WP in 3.2IP. Mike Schurz walked four (one hit) in 2.1IP, and Dan Sarisky allowed 7H/4R (3ER), 2K:0BB in 2IP. Grant Hogue was 2x3, and Jiovanni Mier, Kody Hinze (RBI), Ben Heath, Jonathan Meyer, and Renzo Tello had your other hits.

Man of the Match: Jiovanni Mier

Tri-City

Tri-City continued Lexington's trend of scoring early, and then getting blasted. Taking a 2-0 lead in the 2nd, Hudson Valley scored 10 of the next 11 runs for a 10-3 win over the ValleyCats. Jake Buchanan allowed 11H/5ER, 4K:0BB in 3.1IP. Murillo Gouvea (2IP, 1H/1ER, 4K:1BB), Adam Champion (0.2IP, 1H/2ER), and John Frawley (2IP, 4H/2ER) all gave up runs in relief. ValleyCats pitchers hit three batters. Ben Orloff was 1x2 with an RBI and two walks; Dan Adamson was 1x3 with a walk and an outfield assist, and Buck Afenir, Adam Bailey, and Jacke Healey (RBI) provided the other hits.

Man of the Match: Ben Orloff

Greeneville

Danville opened up a can on Greeneville, collecting 21 hits in a 10-1 win over the Gastros. Euris Quezada allowed 9H/7ER, 2K:0BB, WP, Balk, HBP in 4.1IP, Rodney Quintero gave up four hits and a walk, (and two runs charged to Quezada) in 1.2IP. Angel Gonzalez allowed 6H/3ER in 2IP, and Justin Harper gave up 2H/0ER in 1IP. Rafael Valenzuela was 2x4 with an RBI, and Delino DeShields (SB), Telvin Nash, Ricardo Garcia (3BB), Ryan Humphrey, and Hector Rodriguez each had hits.

Man of the Match: Ricardo Garcia

Tranzactionz!

Shake-up among the organization's catchers as Cash moves out, and dudes move up!

Lou Santangelo assigned to Round Rock from Corpus.
John Curtis assigned to Corpus from Lancaster.

And in a couple of other transactions...

10th Round pick Evan Grills assigned to GCL Astros
Edwin Maysonet assigned to GCL Astros (rehab)

Yep, just like a weatherman

Earlier today we had a post entitled Berkman's Chance of Being Ready Equal to that of a Chance of Rain. And just like a weatherman, he's right.

In that it's not likely. After trying to run at practice today, the knee swelled. Berkman:

"When I tried to run, I just couldn't do it. They're going to back me down for a few days and see what happens."

It's now a "good possibility" Berkman begins the year on the DL. What does this mean? McTaggart says this:

If Berkman is disabled, that leaves Geoff Blum, Kaz Matsui, Tommy Manzella, Pedro Feliz, Chris Johnson and Jeff Keppinger as the six infielders.

I'm going to agree with how McTaggart wraps this part up. If The Apparatus wants Johnson to play every day, they should have held off on sending Edwin Maysonet to Round Rock, as he makes more sense playing around the infield than Johnson. Johnson, because of his bat, could see time at 1B, and the whole "Defense" thing wouldn't be as big of a deal.

Here's my main problem with this decision. If Wade knew that Berkman would be ramping up his rehab today, just over two weeks after surgery on that knee, then why wouldn't he wait to send out Shelton or Maysonet to see how the knee would respond? Don't get me wrong, I love seeing Chris Johnson in the lineup, but Maysonet makes more sense for Johnson's development.

The Screw-gee

So the dreaded cuts came today for nine, and I'll agree with The Crawfish Boxes, some of them don't make sense.

Here are your nine:
RHP Wilton Lopez
RHP Casey Daigle
RHP Gary Majewski
RHP Gustavo Chacin

IF Drew Meyer
1B Chris Shelton
IF/OF Edwin Maysonet

C Jason Castro
C Kevin Cash

McTaggart notes that Majewski, Chacin, Meyer, Shelton, and Cash were reassigned to minor-league camp, but will stay with the Big Club through the end of Spring Training.

Lopez, Maysonet, Castro, and Daigle are reassigned to Minor League camp immediately.

So this likely means the following:
Towles will be your Opening Day catcher (though Footer notes that the Astros are saying it's between Towles and Quintero.)
Gervacio has his spot in the bullpen.
Cory Sullivan is your OF5.

I'm most surprised by Lopez, Maysonet, and Daigle's reassignment. Lopez didn't allow an earned run all Spring. Maysonet got playing time in LF yesterday, and was given a nice review by Mills, so I'm not sure what that guy has to do to stick with the Big League team. Daigle has been lights out this Spring, while Moehler and Byrdak have taken their sweet time to get ready for the season to start (though I understand Byrdak's predisposition to throwing with his left arm is a reason why he's a roster lock). Hopefully with the performances shown this spring by these three, that means there's a short leash on the big league guys.

Update on Injured Astros

Quick version: Everyone is doing better.

Long version:

Brad Mills:
"Lance came into the office and said he felt better today and that's always good to hear from him. We're trying to keep his range of motion where it needs to be and keep the swelling down. Bourgeois felt better when he came in today, and Manzella is feeling and looking better. Those things are good. Arias is getting an MRI this morning and we'll looking forward to hearing back from him. Bazardo is getting stronger every day and playing catch and doing all his things."

Manzella is apparently at least a week from returning.

Mills, on what Manzella's injury means for SS:
"We have to look at all of our options. With Tommy being down for a few days we want to make sure we see Maysonet over there and Keppinger and Blummer. We'll keep all options open. This is the first time we put him out there this year. I've got to see him play out there. I do know he's got good hands, a good arm and his experience and being able to position himself where he needs to be should help his range."

Zach Levine's Deep Thoughts

So, big captip to the Chronicle for having a ton of new content this morning. Zach Levine has some observations from Spring Training:

On Wandy's two home runs yesterday:
He thought Willy Taveras would be taking on a first pitch and grooved him a fastball. It was the same kind of pitch he threw to Josh Willingham when it was a full count and the Astros had a six-run lead.

On Alberto Arias:
Alberto Arias is up to eight days on the shelf and counting. Thursday will be nine and will feature a bullpen session of roughly 25-30 pitches, and Arias hopes to pitch in a minor league game next.

On Maysonet:
I actually think he'd be a very nice fit if he can play some corner outfield. It would leave center field without much in the way of backup as Jason Michaels isn't ideal for the big center field, but Michael Bourn has shown that he doesn't have to sit against lefties anymore and doesn't seem particularly injury-prone.

I have to agree with Levine on Maysonet. Bourgeois and Sullivan aren't killing the ball, and if Maysonet can fill more than one role, he'll be a good fit.

Maysonet working on shagging

Edwin Maysonet, in an effort to become a more attractive bench option, has begun taking fly balls in the outfield.

Maysonet:
“All I have to do is work at it. I think my defense is pretty good, and I should be able to do a pretty good job out there, too.”

Maysonet travels heavy

McTaggart's article focuses on Edwin Maysonet's versatility:

He makes sure to show up with a catcher's mitt, an infielder's glove, an outfield glove and even a first-baseman's mitt, just in case the Astros want him to stretch his versatility even more.

Mills:
"He fits in because he's very versatile, and if he can't play the outfield, he's capable of playing all infield positions and he makes good, solid contact and is a good guy to have in the clubhouse. He fits into the picture pretty well."

Maysonet:
"I don't know where I fit in their plans. I never played a game in the outfield in the big leagues. That goes against me. [Outfielder Cory Sullivan] has four or five years in the big leagues and has experience. If they're looking for a guy that can play outfield and infield, I can do that. But if they're looking for an outfielder, I'm going to have to get a lot of work out there so I can do my best."

What's the hardest part about playing the outfield?
"Fly balls, especially over your head, are kind of tough, and especially with a lefty hitting. You have to play the ball differently. If there's wind, it's going to tail away some. Fly balls are tough."

God knows that's true. I played in a wood-bat league a couple of summers ago, and they stuck me in right field and batted me 9th, mainly so they wouldn't have to forfeit. One time, the ball came off the bat, and I was sure I was going to make a Gary Matthews, Jr. catch at the fence. So I go sprinting back to the wall, eyes on the sky. The ball never arrives. So I look back towards the infield, and the umpire has his hands up. Everyone is looking at me like I just threw up down my shirt. It was a foul ball behind the plate. Lake Monsters 4-Eva.

Edwin Maysonet agrees to contract

McTaggart's reporting that Edwin Maysonet has signed a split contract worth $400,000.

Play the infield, Cinderelli, Play the outfield, Cinderelli

Fallas' Notes column highlights the emphasis on versatility in those players looking to land on the bench - and not in Round Rock - in 2010.

So when you have six outfielders fighting over two spots, you want to maximize where they can play. That's why Edwin Maysonet was shagging balls in the outfield, and Cory Sullivan was taking grounders in the infield.

Ed Wade:
“There are important decisions to make. When you carry 12 pitchers and two catchers, you're a five-man bench. So keep in mind, those extra four men have to be versatile.”
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And one more note, from Mills on a now-healthy Alberto Arias:
"He's got such good stuff. If we're able to get him in situations, we can use him probably in a middle-type role.”

INBOX!

McTaggart has a new inbox. What do we learn?

On Edwin Maysonet:
The Astros value his versatility and will even try to get him some reps in the outfield this spring. Defensively, management has no doubt he could play in the Majors right now, but at 28 years old he needs to seize the opportunity to prove he can hit well enough to stay on a Major League roster.

On the Round Rock/Ryan mess:
The Astros' player development contract with Triple-A Round Rock expires at the end of this year, general manager Ed Wade said. Houston management has expressed a desire to the Nolan Ryan family to keep the affiliate in Round Rock, but with Ryan having an ownership stake in the Texas Rangers, don't be surprised to see the Express become a Rangers affiliate eventually.

On where Jordan Lyles will start 2010:
Lyles, a first-round pick in 2008, had a strong first full season in the organization in 2009, striking out 167 batters in 145 innings at Class A Lexington. He could start this season as high as Double-A Corpus Christi along with one or two other pitchers that did so well at Lexington last year. The Astros have said they will push players as long as they can handle it physically and mentally.

We'll see you in 2011, Jose Vallejo

Alyson Footer is reporting that Jose Vallejo, who came over from Texas in the Pudge trade, will be out for most of 2010.

He'll have surgery on Wednesday to repair tendons in his 4th/5th fingers, that he injured when his hand ran over a knife blade he was using to cut meat DURING CHRISTMAS.

A couple of things: my wife is the one who does the cooking in the house (I do the cleaning. It works for us. It's called "playing to our strengths.") I've never seen her slide her hand over the sharp end of a knife. So either he's clumsy - a bad trait for a 2B - or he was drunk, or he's an idiot. Or it was an honest mistake. One that should have been taken care of at the end of December, not two weeks before the start of Spring Training.

And now, an update on how Vallejo hurt himself:
Wade said the injury occurred during a cooking accident around Christmas in the Dominican Republic when Vallejo was roasting a pig. Wade said the 23-year-old stabbed the pig with a knife, but he hit bone and cut himself when his hand slid down the knife.

The Astros weren't made aware of the injury until more than a week later.

And that makes Ed Wade...maaaaad!
We should have been made aware at the time it occurred. He and his agent [Steve Schneider] opted not to let us know at that time. He opted to have it taken care of in the Dominican Republic and didn't let us know. We weren't as front-loaded into the process as we'd like to be. It's unfortunate and we feel badly for the kid."

But not so badly that they won't immediately replace him. So who does this benefit? Drew Meyer, who spent 99 games as Corpus' 2B, and hit .291/.362/.395. Or maybe Edwin Maysonet, who should get regular playing time if'n he doesn't make the team out of Spring Training.

Astros planning for fissures

In McTaggart's new blog post today, we see that Geoff Blum will get the majority of his starts at 2B, with Feliz at 3B and Keppinger backing up Manzella.

Wade:
"Millsie and I have talked, and my opinion to him is we need to put the best lineup on the field we can put out there. Our hope is Kaz is playing the majority of the time, but we've got alternatives. If there's a point in time it looks like giving either Geoff Blum or Keppinger more at-bats over there [will help the offense] or if Edwin Maysonet makes the club and is playing well, we have to be opened-minded about putting our most productive lineup on the field."

Huzzah!

Maysonet raked it yesterday

Edwin Maysonet was 3x5 with two doubles and 2 RBI as Arecibo defeated Carolina 9-7 yesterday.

In 18 games with Arecibo, Maysonet is hitting .353/.389/.456 with 6K:4BB in 68ABs. In his last two games, Maysonet is 5x8 with 3XBH.

JJO hasn't really got the hang of this Twitter thing

So JJO has a Twitter account, but didn't tweet anything, instead filing an actual article on how Valverde is really making everybody sweat about screwing up the off-season.

What has Wade been doing?
“What we’ve been doing in the office for the last week and 10 days is to strategize (projecting) the closer is going to count an x number of dollars, potentially an x number of dollars. What does that leave? What areas would we like to address? How much volume is out there? How much talent is out there? What’s the proper approach? Are we more aggressive on the offensive front? Are we more aggressive on the eighth inning? Are we more aggressive on the composition of the bench? That’s the type of thing that we’ve been doing.”

Which means talks with LaHawk are on hold:
“David Gottfried has done all the communication with Larry Reynolds (LaHawk's agent). They talked again over the weekend, and Larry is aware that we have to wait until Valverde’s situation is resolved before we know if we can move forward with him or not. Realistically, we have to look at this and say, ‘can we commit that much of our resources to the eighth and ninth inning if Jose is back?’”

Which means talks with Tejada are on hold:
Wade estimated it had been about two weeks since he spoke with Tejada’s agent, Diego Bentz. “It was a candid conversation in which I said that we love Miggy and everything he’s done for us. In order for it to work back here it is probably at a third base setting at a reduced price. I haven’t heard back from Diego.”

Because right now, Blum is 3B1:
“We would be more than happy to have Geoff Blum back at third base in the same role that he was in last year. If we could do something where we could mix and match with Geoff in sort of the plan that we had last year when we signed Aaron Boone, if there’s somebody out there that we think fits that mold better than (Jeff) Keppinger, better than (Edwin) Maysonet or some combination of those two players, then we could do a mix and match there. If we got somebody who we felt was more of a front-line everyday third baseman that frees Blum up to be a super utility guy, we think there’d be a lot of playing time for Geoff in that role as well. You could mix and match at second base with (Kaz) Matsui. You could mix and match at third base with him. He can play first. He can play some shortstop. We’ll take advantage of Geoff’s versatility in that regard. I think that Geoff Blum’s going to get his at-bats regardless. Whether it’s all or mostly at third base remains to be seen depending on what we may be able to do. We also don’t want to walk past the fact that we got Keppinger, we got Maysonet and we got Chris Johnson.”

And right now, that means there are no trade talks ongoing, because they have to wait to see what Valverde does:
“From a trade standpoint candidly at this point it’s quiet on our front. We’re going to talk to some clubs today. We expressed certain ideas, but I don’t know. I just think there may be a lot of trade activity (but) at the same time I still think when you have this volume of players on the free agent market that it’s going to slow the trade environment down because teams are going to have the opportunity to fill their needs without having to give up players in return. There are very few teams with regard to Type-A players. That’s not going to be a huge impediment in this whole process. Realistically, if you look at us if Valverde doesn’t accept arbitration we got two draft picks coming. We’d like to horde draft picks, but if we have two draft picks by virtue of Jose not accepting then we may consider signing a Type-A player and giving up our second-round pick. We’ll be getting two in return to give up one if we figure there’s a quality player the compensation aspect doesn’t necessarily preclude us from doing something.”

So basically, the Astros would be open to a trade if Valverde declines arbitration. But if he doesn't they won't. I think it's pretty safe to say that the next three and a half hours are they key to the Astros off-season.

I still think offering Valverde arbitration was the right move, because who would have thought he might accept? On November 14, Valverde's agent indicated his interest in free agency. So who knew?

Well, maybe a few people. Buster Olney's blog post on October 2 indicated that four of six executives and player reps thought the Astros wouldn't offer him arbitration. But with Valverde's interest in free agency, it was a shot they had to take. Of course, he could still decline...

Chat Wrap with Ed Wade

Earlier this afternoon, Ed Wade and Richard Justice participated in a live chat. Some highlights:

On the plans for adding personnel in the off-season:
Our preference is to fold as many young players into our mix as we possibly can. We'll be as resourceful as possible to improve the club. I don't want to have the oldest opening day roster again.

On Miggs' return in 2010:
I love Miggy and what he brings to a club. We still have to sit down at season's end and determine what we will be able to accomplish with our payroll for 2010. But he's been great.

On whether Matsui is 2B1 come 2010:
I believe he will be. It's been an up-and-down season for Kaz. But he's been healthy for the past couple of months and he has played at the level that we anticipated when we signed him; his numbers aren't that different from what he put up in Colorado in 2007. That said, we will pay close attention to Keppinger, Maysonet and others.

Paulino still hasn't locked up an SP spot:
Felipe has all the weapons to be a Zambrano type pitcher in the major leagues and I told him that in a meeting last week. He needs to dedicate himself to a conditioning program this off-season and come to Kissimmee prepared to force us to hand him the baseball every fifth day for the rest of his career. He can be very good.

Whether Carlos Lee mails it in on his way to first base:
I expect him to be in better shape next year. But the reality is that Carlos is a big man and is never going to be a burner. What some perceive as lack of effort is really just a case of a really big man going as hard as he can.

Maysonet's role in the future:
I really like Edwin Maysonet's versatility and we're trying to get him some work in the outfield during BP to enhance his value.

On the Lexington Four skipping Lancaster:
Even with that happening, we still have to exhibit the patience that allows them to develop, so we're still looking years vs. months.

On a Bagwell/Biggio managerial position:
Both Craig and Jeff were huge contributors as players and they can be great contributors down the road if they choose to do so. But I don't envision either of them factoring into our managerial decision.

Wesley Wright's rotation chances:
Wesley is going to winter ball in the Domincan Republic and he'll be a starter down there...Wes wants to start and we would love to have him battling for a spot in spring training.

On Chia-Jen Lo's Astros uniform in 2010:
Glen Barker did a great job signing CJ and we expect him at the big leagues at some point, maybe even out of the gate in April '10.

On Yordany Ramirez:
This kid's defense is otherworldly. He is off our grading charts with regard to his outfield play and throwing arm. He also runs well. If the bat comes, he's a star.

On 2010 payroll:
It probably will be lower than this year's app. $107 million as a result of the economy and other factors that have impacted on the entire sports industry.

On Koby Clemens:
Koby had an absolutely incredible season at Lancaster and everyone in the organization is proud of the way he's handled himself. No, he won't make the club out of spring training. We need to find the right position for him to play. Bobby Heck has stressed letting him play first base exclusively and I think his rationale makes a lot of sense.

Matsui back at 2B. Maysonet in the outfield. Koby at 1st. What's the biggest surprise for you?

Matsui out sick, Arias rehabbing, Hampton stops by

So it seems as though Kaz Matsui with Tebow-like Symptoms, a side effect of which is the random breaking down of Erin Andrews.

Dave Clark:
“I took Kaz out of the lineup today. He's feeling a little lightheaded. He hasn't been eating regular as of late.”

Matsui:
“I should be OK tomorrow. It's tough to explain, but I'm just a little dizzy, lightheaded. But it's not serious.”

Who else is sick, Dave Clark?
"I tell you what, we can go around the whole clubhouse and probably say that about a lot of guys. We just hope we can get over it real quick.”

Though JJO gives us a quick list: Humberto Quintero, Michael Bourn, Edwin Maysonet, Tommy Manzella and first-base coach Jose Cruz.

So to recap: Maysonet and Manzella are sick. Maysonet got the start yesterday. Clark just hates Manzella and Chris Johnson.
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Alberto Arias will rehab his knee in Houston:
“I feel the recovery will be fast. Dr. (David) Lintner did a great job on my surgery, and I think I'll do my rehab here for a few weeks and then be able to pitch a few weeks of winter ball in the Dominican Republic and be ready for the start for the season.”
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Mike Hampton stopped by the clubhouse, because...well...I'm not sure. Anyway, he'll be around until October 7, if you want to hang out:
“Everybody's leaving, so I wanted to stop by. I just wanted to say goodbye. I'll start my rehab here and stay here until the 7th of October.”

Recap for G155 - Reds at Astros

There. That wasn't so hard, was it? Keeping a team under 10 runs? With that 3-2 win, the Astros break a 143-game losing streak to the Reds (approximately) and head into the final seven days of the season, ending the "Home" portion of 2009 44-37.

Wandy: 6IP, 9H/2ER, 9K:1BB, 17/27 first-pitch strikes, 42/68 non-contact strikes (19 called:23 swinging)
Fulchino: 1IP, 2K, 2/3 FPS, 7/8 non-contact strikes (3c:4s)
LaHawk: 1IP, 1H, 3/4 FPS, 3/7 NCS (3c)
Valverde: 1IP, 1BB, 0/3 FPS, 5/11 NCS (1c:4s)

Wandy improved his record to 14-11 for the season, and will get one more chance, Friday against the Mets, for his 15th win. He's really been the only bright spot in the rotation all season long. Any fears we may have had regarding his yearly slide back in late May/early June were disspelled.

The bullpen today was excellent, allowing just two baserunners in three innings - LaHawk's ERA sits at 2.08, while Valverde's is 2.20. A strong second half from him all but assures him of a big ol' contract in 2010 - and probably not from the Astros.

The Astros were held to six hits on the day, with Pence getting two of them. Poor Maysonet, about 18 hours after I championed him for a start over Matsui, goes 0x3 with a GIDP. Quintero hit his 4th homer of the season, proving to be the game-winner, while Carlos Lee got his 99th RBI of the season. In the third inning, Wandy singled to center for the leadoff, Bourn singled, and Tejada walked to load the bases with nobody out, Berkman grounded into an FC - scoring Wandy. Lee grounded out to third, scoring Bourn, and Pence struck out swinging. So the Astros accidentally scored two runs, and Quintero added the third. And the Astros were 0x7 with RISP (making that 13x88 - .147).

Man of the Match: Wandy Rodriguez. 9K:1BB, one win.

Goat of the Game: Even though he got an RBI, Berkman was 0x3, 0x2 with RISP, and drops his career batting average to .299 (which actually happened yesterday).