GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: SAN DIEGO (54-46) at HOUSTON (44-57)

NL: SAN DIEGO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
SAN DIEGO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0
HOUSTON 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 x 7 8 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: SDG - DAVID WELLS, CLAY HENSLEY (4TH), JOE THATCHER (7TH), DOUG
BROCAIL (8TH) AND JOSH BARD

HOU - WANDY RODRIGUEZ, CHAD QUALLS (8TH), BRIAN MOEHLER
(9TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS


WP - WANDY RODRIGUEZ (7-9)
LP - DAVID WELLS (5-7)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: SDG - NONE

HOU - CARLOS LEE (21) OFF DAVID WELLS IN THE 1ST, 1 ON
MORGAN ENSBERG (8) OFF DAVID WELLS IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
CRAIG BIGGIO (7) OFF DAVID WELLS IN THE 3RD, 0 ON


TIME: 2:19 ATT: 33,718

PROBABLES: SDG - JAKE PEAVY (9-5, 2.47)
HOU - WOODY WILLIAMS (5-11, 5.03)</div>

 

NL: SAN DIEGO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">SAN DIEGO (1) VS HOUSTON (7) - FINAL

SAN DIEGO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Giles rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .295
M Cameron cf 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .253
M Bradley lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .340
A Gonzalez 1b 4 0 1 0 0 2 0 .266
J Bard c 2 0 0 0 2 1 1 .264
K Greene ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .232
b-G Blum ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .240
K Kouzmanoff 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .230
M Giles 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .234
D Wells p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .114
C Hensley p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .182
a-J Cruz Jr ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .236
J Thatcher p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Brocail p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500

Totals 31 1 5 1 2 7 9

a-flied out to right for C Hensley in the 7th; b-grounded to second for K
Greene in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - M Cameron (23, W Rodriguez). RBI - M Cameron (49). Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - M Giles 1, K Greene 1. GIDP - M Cameron. Team LOB
- 5.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (K Greene-M Giles-A Gonzalez).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 5 2 2 1 0 1 0 .252
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
M Loretta 1b 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 .297
L Berkman rf 4 2 2 1 0 0 1 .260
C Lee lf 3 1 1 2 1 0 1 .293
O Palmeiro lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
M Ensberg 3b 2 1 1 2 2 1 0 .229
J Lane cf 2 0 1 1 1 0 2 .174
E Bruntlett ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 .281
B Ausmus c 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .244
W Rodriguez p 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .156
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Burke ph-2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .225

Totals 30 7 8 7 6 5 10

a-grounded to shortstop for C Qualls in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - L Berkman 2 (13, D Wells 2). HR - C Lee (21, 1st inning off D
Wells 1 on, 2 Out), M Ensberg (8, 1st inning off D Wells 0 on, 2 Out), C Biggio
(7, 3rd inning off D Wells 0 on, 2 Out). SF - J Lane. RBI - C Lee 2 (83), M
Ensberg 2 (30), L Berkman (62), J Lane (11), C Biggio (36). 2-out RBI - C Lee
2, M Ensberg, C Biggio. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Bruntlett
2, B Ausmus 1. GIDP - C Lee. Team LOB - 6.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Biggio (4, 3rd base off D Wells/J Bard).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Ensberg-C Biggio-M Loretta).


----------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO - 100 000 000 -- 1
HOUSTON - 331 000 00x -- 7
----------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO ip h r er bb so hr era
D Wells (L, 5-7) 3 7 7 7 4 2 3 5.02
C Hensley 3 1 0 0 2 1 0 6.89
J Thatcher 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00
D Brocail 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.53

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez (W, 7-9) 7 5 1 1 2 5 0 4.27
C Qualls 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.75
B Moehler 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 6.03

IBB - C Lee (by D Wells). Pitches-strikes: D Wells 66-39; C Hensley 38-19; J
Thatcher 14-9; D Brocail 9-6; W Rodriguez 110-67; C Qualls 13-9; B Moehler
11-8. Ground balls-fly balls: D Wells 5-2; C Hensley 5-3; J Thatcher 2-0; D
Brocail 2-0; W Rodriguez 9-7; C Qualls 1-2; B Moehler 1-0. Batters faced: D
Wells 20; C Hensley 11; J Thatcher 3; D Brocail 3; W Rodriguez 27; C Qualls 3;
B Moehler 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Lance Barksdale. 1B--Gary Cederstrom. 2B--Jim Reynolds. 3B--Tim
Welke.

T--2:19. Att--33,718.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: SAN DIEGO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
SAN DIEGO 1
HOUSTON 7 FINAL</div>

 

NL: SAN DIEGO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAN DIEGO (1) AT HOUSTON (7) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SAN DIEGO 1ST: B Giles singled to center. M Cameron doubled to deep left,
B Giles scored. M Bradley struck out looking. A Gonzalez grounded out to
first, M Cameron to third. J Bard walked. K Greene struck out looking.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio grounded out to third. M Loretta struck out looking.
L Berkman doubled to deep right center. C Lee homered to left, L Berkman
scored. M Ensberg homered to left. J Lane walked. E Bruntlett walked, J Lane
to second. B Ausmus flied out to center. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1,
HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 2ND: W Rodriguez struck out looking. C Biggio singled to left
center. M Loretta singled to left, C Biggio to second. C Biggio stole third.
L Berkman hit a ground rule double to left, C Biggio scored, M Loretta to
third. C Lee intentionally walked. M Ensberg walked, M Loretta scored,
L Berkman to third, C Lee to second. J Lane hit sacrifice fly to left, L Berkman
scored. E Bruntlett grounded out to shortstop. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: B Ausmus grounded out to second. W Rodriguez grounded out to
second. C Biggio homered to left. M Loretta grounded out to shortstop.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.</div>

 

NL: SAN DIEGO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAN DIEGO (1) AT HOUSTON (7) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

San Diego Starting Lineups -- B Giles RF, M Cameron CF, M Bradley LF,
A Gonzalez 1B, J Bard C, K Greene SS, K Kouzmanoff 3B, M Giles 2B, D Wells LHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, M Loretta 1B, L Berkman RF, C Lee LF,
M Ensberg 3B, J Lane CF, E Bruntlett SS, B Ausmus C, W Rodriguez LHP.

Umpires -- Lance Barksdale (HP), Gary Cederstrom (1B), Jim Reynolds (2B),
Tim Welke (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


SAN DIEGO 1ST: B Giles singled to center. M Cameron doubled to deep left,
B Giles scored. M Bradley struck out looking. A Gonzalez grounded out to
first, M Cameron to third. J Bard walked. K Greene struck out looking.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio grounded out to third. M Loretta struck out looking.
L Berkman doubled to deep right center. C Lee homered to left, L Berkman
scored. M Ensberg homered to left. J Lane walked. E Bruntlett walked, J Lane
to second. B Ausmus flied out to center. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1,
HOUSTON 3.

SAN DIEGO 2ND: K Kouzmanoff grounded out to shortstop. M Giles flied out
to center. D Wells struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1,
HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 2ND: W Rodriguez struck out looking. C Biggio singled to left
center. M Loretta singled to left, C Biggio to second. C Biggio stole third.
L Berkman hit a ground rule double to left, C Biggio scored, M Loretta to
third. C Lee intentionally walked. M Ensberg walked, M Loretta scored,
L Berkman to third, C Lee to second. J Lane hit sacrifice fly to left, L Berkman
scored. E Bruntlett grounded out to shortstop. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 6.

SAN DIEGO 3RD: B Giles singled to right center. M Cameron grounded into
double play, third to second to first, B Giles out at second. M Bradley
grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: B Ausmus grounded out to second. W Rodriguez grounded out to
second. C Biggio homered to left. M Loretta grounded out to shortstop.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

SAN DIEGO 4TH: A Gonzalez struck out swinging. J Bard walked. K Greene
flied out to center. K Kouzmanoff singled to left, J Bard to second. M Giles
grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 4TH: C Hensley relieved D Wells. L Berkman grounded out to first.
C Lee grounded out to second. M Ensberg walked. J Lane singled to left,
M Ensberg to second. E Bruntlett grounded into fielder's choice to third,
M Ensberg out at third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

SAN DIEGO 5TH: C Hensley flied out to center. B Giles grounded out to
second. M Cameron struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1,
HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 5TH: B Ausmus flied out to right. W Rodriguez fouled out to first.
C Biggio struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

SAN DIEGO 6TH: M Bradley flied out to left. A Gonzalez singled to right.
J Bard flied out to right. K Greene flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 6TH: M Loretta walked. L Berkman flied out to center. C Lee
grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, M Loretta out at
second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

SAN DIEGO 7TH: K Kouzmanoff grounded out to shortstop. M Giles grounded
out to third. J Cruz Jr hit for C Hensley. J Cruz Jr flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 7TH: J Thatcher relieved C Hensley. M Ensberg struck out looking.
J Lane grounded out to shortstop. E Bruntlett grounded out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

SAN DIEGO 8TH: C Qualls relieved W Rodriguez. B Giles flied out to center.
M Cameron flied out to right. M Bradley grounded out to first. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 8TH: D Brocail relieved J Thatcher. B Ausmus struck out looking.
C Burke hit for C Qualls. C Burke grounded out to shortstop. C Biggio grounded
out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.

SAN DIEGO 9TH: B Moehler relieved C Qualls. O Palmeiro in left field.
C Burke at second base. A Gonzalez struck out looking. J Bard struck out
looking. G Blum hit for K Greene. G Blum grounded out to second. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) SAN DIEGO 1, HOUSTON 7.</div>

 

Rodriguez outstanding as Astros cruise by Padres

<h3>HOUSTON 7, SAN DIEGO 1</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- When Wandy Rodriguez pitches at home,victories usually follow for the Houston Astros.


Rodriguez pitched seven outstanding innings and the Astroshomered three times in a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padreson Thursday.


Carlos Lee and Morgan Ensberg hit back-to-back homers in thefirst inning and Craig Biggio later added a solo blast forHouston, which has won three straight.


After allowing a run in the first inning following a leadoffsingle to Brian Giles and an RBI double by Mike Cameron,Rodriguez (7-9) settled down, allowing just three more hits andtwo walks for his fourth straight victory here.


The lefthander is 6-2 with a 1.77 ERA in 10 starts at MinuteMaid Park. He has won six of seven here, yielding a run or lessin those victories.


Trailing, 1-0, after the top half of the first, the Astros goton the board quickly.


In the bottom of the frame, Lance Berkman hit a two-out doublebefore Lee drilled an 0-1 pitch from David Wells just over theleft field wall to give Houston a 2-1 lead. It was Lee's fifthhomer since the All-Star break and the sixth of his careeragainst San Diego


On the very next pitch, Ensberg blasted a drive over the homerun marker in left center to increase the lead to 3-1. It wasjust the second time the Astros have hit back-to-back homersthis year.


With one out in the second, Biggio and Mark Loretta hitconsecutive singles before Berkman's second double scored Biggiofrom third for a 4-1 lead. After Lee was intentionally walkedto load the bases, Ensberg drew a walk from Wells to scoreLoretta. A sacrifice fly by Jason Lane made it 6-1.

One inning later, Biggio hit a two-out smash into the left fieldseats to finish the scoring. It was Biggio's seventh homer in2007 and 288th of his career.


Wells (5-7) was tagged for seven runs, seven hits and four walksin just three innings. It was the second straight game theveteran lefthander had surrendered a season-high seven runs. Italso matched his second shortest outing this year.

Giles had two hits for the Padres, who have lost two straightand six of seven.

 

Rodriguez outstanding as Astros cruise by Padres

<h3>HOUSTON 7, SAN DIEGO 1</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- When Wandy Rodriguez pitches at home,victories usually follow for the Houston Astros.


Rodriguez pitched seven outstanding innings and the Astroshomered three times in a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padreson Thursday.


Carlos Lee and Morgan Ensberg hit back-to-back homers in thefirst inning and Craig Biggio later added a solo blast forHouston, which has won three straight.


After allowing a run in the first inning following a leadoffsingle to Brian Giles and an RBI double by Mike Cameron,Rodriguez (7-9) settled down, allowing just three more hits andtwo walks for his fourth straight victory here.


The lefthander is 6-2 with a 1.77 ERA in 10 starts at MinuteMaid Park.


"I also feel really good when I am pitching on the road,"Rodriguez said. "I just don't know what it is about pitchinghere because when I am on the road, I don't feel any different.I feel good at home."


Like Rodriguez, Astros manager Phil Garner cannot explain thehome success by his winning pitcher.


"I just don't have an explanation for it," Garner said. "I wasa little concerned about his first inning tonight, but he reallysettled in and pitched a nice game. I just don't know what itis about him being at home."


Rodriguez has won six of seven here, yielding a run or less inthose victories. It is a different scenario on the road wherethe 28-year-old is 1-7 with a 7.43 ERA away from home.

Trailing, 1-0, after the top half of the first, the Astros goton the board quickly.


In the bottom of the frame, Lance Berkman hit a two-out doublebefore Lee drilled an 0-1 pitch from David Wells just over theleft field wall to give Houston a 2-1 lead. It was Lee's fifthhomer since the All-Star break and the sixth of his careeragainst San Diego


On the very next pitch, Ensberg blasted a drive over the homerun marker in left center to increase the lead to 3-1.

"Tonight, we just did a really good job of not letting (Wells)get off the hook," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "It wasnice that we got those two big blows in the first. I reallylike it when Morgan swings the bat. Good things happen to himwhen he swings the bat most of the time."


It was just the second time the Astros have hit back-to-backhomers this year.


"I think the first inning really set the tone tonight," Padresmanager Bud Black said. "(Wells) just left some pitches overthe plate and the Astros didn't miss. Lee got a pitch that wasup in the zone and then ball that Ensberg hit out was high aswell."


With one out in the second, Biggio and Mark Loretta hitconsecutive singles before Berkman's second double scored Biggiofrom third for a 4-1 lead.


"Right now, I am just seeing the ball really well and makingconsistently better contact," Berkman said. "It's hard toexplain. If I know what it was I would have been able to getout of this season-long funk sooner. I still feel that I am farbehind where I should be, but I feel like I have somemomentum."


After Lee was intentionally walked to load the bases, Ensbergdrew a walk from Wells to score Loretta. A sacrifice fly byJason Lane made it 6-1.


One inning later, Biggio hit a two-out smash into the left fieldseats to finish the scoring. It was Biggio's seventh homer in2007 and 288th of his career.


Wells (5-7) was tagged for seven runs, seven hits and four walksin just three innings.


"I left everything over the middle of the plate," Wells said."Leaving it up and down the middle. You are not going to winmany games like that when you are in that zone.


"I just couldn't throw anything. I couldn't hit the corners.Everything was up and you saw the result."


It was the second straight game the veteran lefthander hadsurrendered a season-high seven runs. It also matched hissecond shortest outing this year.


Giles had two hits for the Padres, who have lost two straightand six of seven.