Astros rally, win sixth straight
Seven runs in final two innings subdue Cardinals
The Astros are 29-25 since June 1 after a 17-34 star...Have won 6 in a row at Busch Stadium... The Astros look to extend their season-high winning streak to seven games with a sixth straight road victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday night...
The Astros have outscored their opponents 39-8 during the six-game winning streak, which has continued despite trading stars Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.
Bud Norris (3-7, 5.63 ERA), who looks to remain perfect at Busch Stadium....The right-hander, 4-1 with a 1.60 ERA in five overall outings versus the Cardinals, has allowed one earned run and struck out 22 in 20 innings while winning all three of his starts at St. Louis - two this season.
Go 'Stros<><>
Seven runs in final two innings subdue Cardinals
The Astros are 29-25 since June 1 after a 17-34 star...Have won 6 in a row at Busch Stadium... The Astros look to extend their season-high winning streak to seven games with a sixth straight road victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday night...
The Astros have outscored their opponents 39-8 during the six-game winning streak, which has continued despite trading stars Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.
Bud Norris (3-7, 5.63 ERA), who looks to remain perfect at Busch Stadium....The right-hander, 4-1 with a 1.60 ERA in five overall outings versus the Cardinals, has allowed one earned run and struck out 22 in 20 innings while winning all three of his starts at St. Louis - two this season.
Go 'Stros<><>
Astros rip Cardinals 18-4 to extend winning streak to 7
A near-sellout crowd of 41,958 at Busch Stadium was reduced to less than 10,000 by the time the eighth inning rolled around with the Astros holding a 10-run lead.
During the seven-game winning streak, the Astros’ longest of the season, they have outscored the competition by a whopping 57-12.
The offensive output by the Astros (47-59) has been matched or exceeded only six times in franchise history (the last time Sept. 20, 2007, in an 18-1 win over the Cardinals at the previous Busch Stadium).
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/7138134.html
A near-sellout crowd of 41,958 at Busch Stadium was reduced to less than 10,000 by the time the eighth inning rolled around with the Astros holding a 10-run lead.
During the seven-game winning streak, the Astros’ longest of the season, they have outscored the competition by a whopping 57-12.
The offensive output by the Astros (47-59) has been matched or exceeded only six times in franchise history (the last time Sept. 20, 2007, in an 18-1 win over the Cardinals at the previous Busch Stadium).
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/7138134.html
I was 12 at the time.....I remember we got Nolan Ryan & Joe Morgan in the offseason...Ryan struck out his 3000th in July...JR Richards was a monster before he had his stroke. To win the division on the last day of the season....then to lose to Philly....I remember well. That was a great team we had....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_Houston_Astros_season
Houston Astros: World Series Contenders Within 5 Years?
By James Schmidt
(Member) on August 26, 2010
Bob Levey/Getty Images
The Houston Astros are one of the not so good teams in the MLB this year. Fans had high hopes coming into this year with a team that knows how to put up runs. That hasn’t happened, to put it lightly, the Astros rank 27th in the league in offense. Not what people expected. With guys like Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence how could you not put up a bunch of runs a game? When all three of these guys bat under .260 the first half of the season, that might be a problem, but the Astros have moved on from the past and are looking forward to the future. Here’s why the Astros might compete for a title within the next 5 years.
Reason #1 Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson has got to be the second half MVP for the National League; he is hitting 342 with 6 homeruns and 36 RBI’s. In other words he has been on an absolute tear. Looks like after 2 short stints with the club Johnson decided the third time’s a charm and has made the most of it. He is one of the rising young stars in the league and will only get better. I wouldn’t expect him to repeat these numbers but I would expect for him to be very, very productive in his career with the Astros.
Reason #2 Hunter Pence
Pre all star game Pence was hitting .263 with 12 homers and 40 RBI’s in 323 at bats. Post all star game he is hitting .333 with 8 homers and 30 RBI’s in only 150 at bats, raising his batting average up to .285 on the season. Just showing why he is still one of the best young players in the MLB. Not to mention he is one of the better fielding outfielders in the league. You can only expect more great things in the future from this young man.
Reason #3 The Pitching Staff
With Brett Myers (9-7 3.08 era) having an outstanding season he signed an extension with the ‘Stros and is ready to continue his excellent pitching into the next couple seasons. Bud Norris is getting better every year and has had an up and down season, but has shown sign that he can become a very solid pitcher in this rotation. Wandy Rodriguez had a rough start to his season but has come into his own lately, post all star break he is 3-1 with a 1. 90 era. J.A. Happ was runner up for rookie of the year and beat Roy Halladay and his former team the Phillies today, he is 27 and has been up and down this season for the Astros but overall been very solid and is only getting better. Jordan Lyles is a top pitching prospect in the Astros minor league system and is expected to be a staff ace in a couple years, he is only 19 and is going to get a whole lot better. The bullpen has also been great, Lindstrom as run into a few roadblocks lately but apparently this was caused by back problems as he went to the DL for it. Brandon Lyon and Wilton Lopez have to be the culprit for this solid bullpen and should continue to get better over the next couple seasons, Sammy Gervacio is also a guy who had a rough year but is very good when he is on his game.
Reason #4 The Other Guys
Michael Bourn: possibly the fastest guy in the MLB. Jason Castro: the #41 prospect according to Baseball America. Brett Wallace: the #27 prospect according to Baseball America. These three guys are going to be key if to the Astros success. Michael Bourn does have trouble with his batting average, he is batting .250 this season. But when he is getting on base he is the best base stealer in the league. Jason Castro and Brett Wallace are in their first year in The Show. Both have showed flashes of their skill but it will take time for them to develop fully into the hitting machines they are supposed to be. Angel Sanchez has also proved to be a very solid offensive and defensive shortstop. Then you have Carlos Lee, he is having an awful season for his standards. I expect him to be back to his old self next season so I wouldn’t worry too much.
The Astros have the tools to compete for a championship in 5 years, it’s just if the guys live up to the expectations and if Drayton McClane will fork over the money to keep these guys on the team. Of course they will sign more free agents to make the team better, but the farm system is turning out better than expected. This is a team with some really good young players and should not be underestimated. They might even be able to go .500 next season and maybe even get a playoff berth. The future is exciting for the Houston Astros.
By James Schmidt
(Member) on August 26, 2010
The Houston Astros are one of the not so good teams in the MLB this year. Fans had high hopes coming into this year with a team that knows how to put up runs. That hasn’t happened, to put it lightly, the Astros rank 27th in the league in offense. Not what people expected. With guys like Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence how could you not put up a bunch of runs a game? When all three of these guys bat under .260 the first half of the season, that might be a problem, but the Astros have moved on from the past and are looking forward to the future. Here’s why the Astros might compete for a title within the next 5 years.
Reason #1 Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson has got to be the second half MVP for the National League; he is hitting 342 with 6 homeruns and 36 RBI’s. In other words he has been on an absolute tear. Looks like after 2 short stints with the club Johnson decided the third time’s a charm and has made the most of it. He is one of the rising young stars in the league and will only get better. I wouldn’t expect him to repeat these numbers but I would expect for him to be very, very productive in his career with the Astros.
Reason #2 Hunter Pence
Pre all star game Pence was hitting .263 with 12 homers and 40 RBI’s in 323 at bats. Post all star game he is hitting .333 with 8 homers and 30 RBI’s in only 150 at bats, raising his batting average up to .285 on the season. Just showing why he is still one of the best young players in the MLB. Not to mention he is one of the better fielding outfielders in the league. You can only expect more great things in the future from this young man.
Reason #3 The Pitching Staff
With Brett Myers (9-7 3.08 era) having an outstanding season he signed an extension with the ‘Stros and is ready to continue his excellent pitching into the next couple seasons. Bud Norris is getting better every year and has had an up and down season, but has shown sign that he can become a very solid pitcher in this rotation. Wandy Rodriguez had a rough start to his season but has come into his own lately, post all star break he is 3-1 with a 1. 90 era. J.A. Happ was runner up for rookie of the year and beat Roy Halladay and his former team the Phillies today, he is 27 and has been up and down this season for the Astros but overall been very solid and is only getting better. Jordan Lyles is a top pitching prospect in the Astros minor league system and is expected to be a staff ace in a couple years, he is only 19 and is going to get a whole lot better. The bullpen has also been great, Lindstrom as run into a few roadblocks lately but apparently this was caused by back problems as he went to the DL for it. Brandon Lyon and Wilton Lopez have to be the culprit for this solid bullpen and should continue to get better over the next couple seasons, Sammy Gervacio is also a guy who had a rough year but is very good when he is on his game.
Reason #4 The Other Guys
Michael Bourn: possibly the fastest guy in the MLB. Jason Castro: the #41 prospect according to Baseball America. Brett Wallace: the #27 prospect according to Baseball America. These three guys are going to be key if to the Astros success. Michael Bourn does have trouble with his batting average, he is batting .250 this season. But when he is getting on base he is the best base stealer in the league. Jason Castro and Brett Wallace are in their first year in The Show. Both have showed flashes of their skill but it will take time for them to develop fully into the hitting machines they are supposed to be. Angel Sanchez has also proved to be a very solid offensive and defensive shortstop. Then you have Carlos Lee, he is having an awful season for his standards. I expect him to be back to his old self next season so I wouldn’t worry too much.
The Astros have the tools to compete for a championship in 5 years, it’s just if the guys live up to the expectations and if Drayton McClane will fork over the money to keep these guys on the team. Of course they will sign more free agents to make the team better, but the farm system is turning out better than expected. This is a team with some really good young players and should not be underestimated. They might even be able to go .500 next season and maybe even get a playoff berth. The future is exciting for the Houston Astros.
Looks like they could sure be a fun team to watch and be fun for an Astro fan. I really like Myers, the 8 games he has started since the all star break he has a nice low ERA of 2.38.... I also like Happ and even though the stats are not so good, I think Felipe Paulino can be a very good starter. I seen his May 30th game at the Reds where he went 8 innings only allowing 4 hits and no runs and even had 2 hits himself. He looked a heck of a lot better than the 0-7 record he had.
For the second straight week, the Astros have swept a playoff contending team.
Just a week after they completed a road sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Astros completed a three-game home sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals by picking up a 5-2 win on Wednesday....With the win, the Astros (62-71) have won nine of their last 11 and 14 of their last 20
Just a week after they completed a road sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Astros completed a three-game home sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals by picking up a 5-2 win on Wednesday....With the win, the Astros (62-71) have won nine of their last 11 and 14 of their last 20
Astros to attempt to set world record tonight
Club teams with "Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary" in attempt to create largest harmonica ensemble on record
• Harmonica Night
HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Astros have teamed up with the producers of the independent film, "Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary," in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records benchmark for the "Largest Harmonica Ensemble" following tonight's 7:05 p.m. Astros game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park.
Harmonicas will be distributed to 10,000 fans in attendance. After the game, several celebrated harmonica players will teach the crowd to play a song on the harmonica in a series of video tutorials. The event is sponsored by Wise Men Consultants with special thanks to Hohner Harmonicas.
The current record is held by a group from Hong Kong, who set the record of 6,131 in 2009. An official adjudicator representing the Guinness Book of World Records will be in attendance to certify the feat.
"Pocket Full of Soul" is an independent film that features performers, including Clint Black, Huey Lewis, John Popper (Blues Traveler), Taylor Hicks (American Idol), James Cotton, Magic Dick (J. Geils Band), comedian Robert Klein, Lee Oskar (War), and Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds). The film takes viewers on a journey through the unique and entertaining world of the harmonica.
Club teams with "Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary" in attempt to create largest harmonica ensemble on record
HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Astros have teamed up with the producers of the independent film, "Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary," in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records benchmark for the "Largest Harmonica Ensemble" following tonight's 7:05 p.m. Astros game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park.
Harmonicas will be distributed to 10,000 fans in attendance. After the game, several celebrated harmonica players will teach the crowd to play a song on the harmonica in a series of video tutorials. The event is sponsored by Wise Men Consultants with special thanks to Hohner Harmonicas.
The current record is held by a group from Hong Kong, who set the record of 6,131 in 2009. An official adjudicator representing the Guinness Book of World Records will be in attendance to certify the feat.
"Pocket Full of Soul" is an independent film that features performers, including Clint Black, Huey Lewis, John Popper (Blues Traveler), Taylor Hicks (American Idol), James Cotton, Magic Dick (J. Geils Band), comedian Robert Klein, Lee Oskar (War), and Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds). The film takes viewers on a journey through the unique and entertaining world of the harmonica.
