This is the start of a very important trip especially with the last three in Milawaukee. I definately like the lineup tonite. It has the most power up and down the lineup. Lets go Astros.
It helps when you have a lot of guys who are seeing the ball well (or aren't in flat-out slumps): Biggio had a hot homestand Pence is still on fire Berkman is closer to being Berkman again Lee is the most consistent guy on this team Loretta is the second-most consistent guy on this team Lamb is the hottest batter in baseball Scott is steady... not spectacular, but not awful (hits a HR tonight) Munson has shown the occasional pop since being called up Ensberg has been seeing the ball well lately... drawing walks, and hitting the ball with power (not bad for a 9 hitter). But... Lackey may still have something to say about this. Also, Sampson has his first start without the groundball specialist at short... if you start seeing multiple balls hit up the middle, "you know who's" absence will be telling.
Ugh... slow ground ball up the middle (a single)... DP ball hit to short (that Loretta can't get to)... 1st and 3rd, nobody out. EDIT: Hot shot to third... should have been fielded as well.
The best alternative is Loretta... but then you have Bruntlett at SS, and you lose Ensberg's bat in the lineup. Even a slumping Ensberg, who doesn't drive the ball and only gets on base, is still more valuable to this lineup (with multiple sluggers) than Bruntlett... who may yet be inserted into the game late for defensive purposes. With Everett hurt, and the DH available... might as well put all your best hitters out there, and pray that Sampson isn't overmatched, and the defense behind him holds up.
On the bench thanks to Biggio's first prolonged hot streak... albeit only home games. Burke likely gets a ton more playing time this road-trip... either to prevent Biggio from getting 3000 on the road, or to protect the team from Biggio's inability to hit right-handed pitching (or most pitching) on the road. Burke will not play SS... not with Lamb on a hot streak, Loretta being serviceable, and Ensberg being able to play thanks to the DH.
Someone needs to post a Youtube of Berkman running the bases. Funny chit. The pansy trot absolutely pwns. Love the guy, but omg. Could one run like a fat girl named Claire any better?
So Loretta's 2 out double brings in 2 runs...and that allows Lamb to hit a 3 run shot. Thank you injury gods!!!!
I go to take my shower and we score 5 runs. If we lose this lead I might need to dirty myself up so I'll have to take another one.
