The Long Ball: Public Enemy Number One

8 HR in two games. Ok that's unfair because 6 came last night and 3 came of Oscar Villareal alone, but still you catch my drift. On a night when Roy was apparently struggling with a his groin, the defense continued to falter some more (or at least it did to me). Two games are nothing to get excited over, but perhaps these two might be. Earlier this week, I highlighted the fact that the Astros were leading the league in surrendering home runs and were playing outstanding defense.

With the Astros in the thick of things, I cautioned that if our pitchers aren't just being the victim of statistical noise (luck) and if the defense slows down as we get into the grind of the season that'd we'd be in big trouble. Tonight our bats were silent after the 1st and the exception, of course, of Lance Berkman. This team won't get anything done without the bats -- no matter what the pitchers or gloves are doing. Now that Bourn is down in the line-up, the line-up feels a lot more like the line-up has in years past: 3 easy outs come 7-8-9. I can't throw any numbers at the this really, but it just the feeling I've got.

While typing this and watching the post game interviews, it was interesting to note the disparity between Coop and Roy's account of the 6th/7th innings. Coop was interviewed first and presented the story as Roy came back into the dugout and wanted to go back out and throw in the 7th. Roy, not five minutes later, said that the groin flared up in the 6th, but he got through it. Then, came into the dugout and told him his night was over, but that they (Coop and the Coaches I assume) asked for him to go back out. I'm not going to point fingers, it was just something caught my attention. Talking with Evan on the phone after the game, we came to the conclusion that even if Roy misses some time, it might not be as bad as it sounds. With no disrespect to Roy, he hasn't exactly been dominant this year (certainly flashes of brilliance, but no real consistently great performances). With Wandy due to return soon, we should manage just fine -- I hope.

Wiggy finally looked good at the plate in his last two AB's. Bourn got a hit, but followed with a CS. Kaz got CS too. I guess tonight, and maybe this series, wasn't our night, or series. Even if we bomb tomorrow's game, we'll finish the road trip with a 6-4 record, which is more than you can ask for from the Astros on the road, on the West Coast, and in Arlington. We open the home stand against the Cubs, which is when the real challenge begins. HR rates and Defensive Zone Ratings aside, this team has got to stick it to their Central rivals if this season will go anywhere.

Homework assignment: Watch and listen for how little attention Lance will get for being on this tear he's on from ESPN. Compare that to home many times A-Rod going yard in his minor league rehab assignment gets talked about.

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