Ensberg’s second chance gives Astros the win

In a game that saw a season high 10 walks by the Astros, it was easy to assume that number 11 would come via Morgan Ensberg with a 3-2 count in the ninth inning. Instead he accomplished something much more unlikely than accumulating a fourth walk in a game, he singled through a drawn in Florida infield to score Mark Loretta and give the Astros a 4-3 victory Monday night. Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez gave up six of their 10 walks, with relievers Matt Lindstrom andKevin Gregg chipping in with two apiece. So, despite the fact that the Astros accumulated 8 hits in addition to their 10 walks, they managed to leave 13 men on base. This is troubling, but in a game that Lance “Big Puma” Berkman stole himself a base, the Dome Doggers choose to accentuate the positive. The Astros got on the board first, via a Brad Ausmus sacrifice fly to center, scoring Ensberg. It was Ausmus’s first RBI of the season, so his fantasy owners can rejoice…if they were to exist. The Marlins tied it up in the following half inning on a Miguel Olivo RBI double to center. Mark Loretta got a rare start at short stop and contributed a great deal, going 2 for 4 at the plate, including knocking in a pair of runners in the sixth with two outs. Almost like clockwork, the Astros lead did not last long enough to enjoy, with Dan Uggla and Joe Borchard collecting run scoring singles in the seventh. Chad Qualls was filthy in his 1.2 innings of relief. He didn’t give up a hit, and struck out three. From what Milo (Hamilton, as if we had to mention his last name) described, his slider had spectacular movement, which makes us wonder if Brad Lidge was watching and taking notes on some sort of stationary. In the ninth, Loretta and Lance Berkman walked to lead off the inning, and Carlos Lee followed with a sharp single to rightfield. However, as Joe Borchard approached the ball to make a throw to the plate, he bobbled it, almost guaranteeing an easy walk home for Loretta. Almost being the key word here, as Mark did not catch the signal from third base coach Doug Mansolino to head home. Instead the impetus lay on Morgan Ensberg to play hero for the day. As Mo hit a high pop into shallow foul territory it seemed like he would fail to do so, but instead Uggla and Borchard knocked into each other as they converged on the ball, giving Ensberg the second chance he needed to deliver the win for the Astros.

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