i [/QUOTE] Yes, I am surprised, because he is only a few years removed from being a ROOKIE pitcher, and we all know that the astros have no business losing to rookie pitchers.
You clearly don't know much about Tony Pena, who was mercilessly criticized for not having the slightest idea what he was doing in the dugout and making boneheaded tactical mistakes on an almost game-by-game basis. It's exactly, directly, no question about it, the reason he got fired in KC and has not had another MLB gig. He was the punchline to jokes around MLB. No kidding. It was pretty surprising to me at the time. He had a great rep as a player's manager in the minors w/ Houston.
Gar had Biggio on deck for Springer, hoping that Willy could get on. You PH Biggio for Willy, and he sees nothing but Dempster's slider 6 inches off the plate. Either a walk or a K, and then you're forced to PH Bruntlett in the 9-hole. Gar's hands were pretty much tied there, and nothing he'd done to that point had worked (Munson/PW/Palmeiro), and Willy's been pretty good on the road trip up to that point (6 fer 15). Damned if he do, damned if he don't. Stros had their chances earlier in the game, and poor execution and luck (Scott's almost-HR in particular) took care of that.
He was only in for a couple of innings, and I don't think anything was hit to him, but he looked sharp in his uniform!
Luke's the man. He should be starting in center or left with Wilson. Burke should be the shortstop and bench Everett.
