Jason Lane may ask Drayton McClane if the Astros can remove the roof to Minute Maid Park. Continuing an already stellar spring, Lane uncorked two home runs in helping the Astros defeat the Florida Marlins 4-2 in Jupiter, Fla. Starting pitcher Fernando Nieve pitched fairly well, giving up a run in four innings of work.
As the Astros play the final third of their Spring Training schedule, it is a time for those straddling the major league/AAA roster line to step their play up. While it is mostly young prospects like Hunter Pence and Troy Patton who must go through this annual rite of spring, this year Lane, a 30 year old veteran outfielder, will feel the pressure as well. While he cannot earn a spot in the starting line-up, he may be able to earn a spot as the right handed half of a platoon with Luke Scott in right field. Scott struggled in his late stint as a starter in 2006, hitting just .244 against left handed pitching.
While Lane sparkled on Monday, Nieve was sort of like cold pizza at 2 am- it does the job, but leaves you unsatisfied. Despite giving up just one run in his four innings, he was forced to work from behind in the count on most occasions.
In brighter news concerning the pitching staff, Chris Sampson will be starting in place of Brian Moehler against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Despite battling for the Astros fourth or fifth spot in the rotation, Sampson has been given only 8 and 2/3 innings of work this spring. Sampson, though, has retained a positive perspective throughout March, and is prepared for any outcome to the spring. "I'm pretty versatile. Whatever they need me to do, start or if they think it's best for the team that I'm in the bullpen, then I can do either ... I've had success doing both. Whatever [Garner] thinks is what we're going to go with," Sampson said. The writers of "I remember Dome Dogs" wish him as much success as it takes to keep the Astros summer a Wandy-less one.
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