The only deadline trade so far, Maddux was sent to the Dodgers for Cesar Izturis. 

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Doesn't upset me one bit.. I wasn't too bothered by it until I heard that Oswalt was in the mix..  Tejada isn't worth Oswalt straight up 1 for 1 much less giving up Everett and Ensberg as well for him.  This deal teaches me two things...  Purpura is an idiot if he actually offered all three for Tejada, and that the Orioles are idiots for not accepting that offer. 

I let out a big sigh of relief when I read that the trade didn't go through...  now I'm hearing rumors that the Rangers and Mets are both trying to get Oswalt... all of these Oswalt trade rumors are making look more and more forward to the trade deadline being over...  I'd rather keep our team how it is than to lose Oswalt for any deal(almost).

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Of course this is all just rumors and who knows exactly what is true...  it could be 100% true, but then again it could be 100% false as well...  It's an interesting read in the least. 

I do agree with some points in the article though... especially about trying to sign Roy-O to a contract extension soon!  Give him 3 years 50 million if you have to..  he's worth it.  Give him the money that Pettitte is earning this year...  Anything to get him to stay. 

Today is a very stressful day for me.  I don't want to lose some any of my favorite Astros, but I'm getting fed up with the way we're playing lately and think some new faces might be good for the team.  I don't really want to see Lidge go, because we've all seen how dominant he can be...  but lately, he's just a home run waiting to happen.  If the Astros can get something decent for him in trade I wouldn't be too upset about it.  I really like Lidge, but I really like all of the Astros players...  I eventually got over the Astros losing Steve Finley and Luis Gonzalez way back win... I'd get over them losing Lidge as well. 

Speaking of Gonzalez.  The other day while watching the game someone said that they doubted the Diamondbacks would pick up his option for next year and that he would probably want to come back to Houston.  He'd be a great replacement for Wilson next season!  I'm pretty sure Wilson won't be back next season and it would be great to have Gonzo back. 

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You gotta be freaking kidding me?  I know Roy-O's contract expires next season and I know I've heard rumors that he would possibly shop the free agent market..  But why would the Astros consider getting rid of him even if it was for Tejada.  Ensberg, Everett and Oswalt for Tejada.  Last season Ensberg was every bit as good as Tejada in my opinion.  Look at the stats below.  Ensberg was better in many important categories.  Yea Ensberg hasn't been that great this year, but he has the potential... we've seen it.  Roy was the only pitcher to have 20 win seasons the last two seasons in a row and would be on his way to have another if the Astros could score any runs.  Why would we give him up as well.  Losing Everett is kind of a push...  Not a real big loss and not worth a whole lot.  Sorry Everett, I love ya, but it's true.  It would be nice to get Tejada, but losing two studs in Ensberg and Oswalt is too high of a price to pay in my opinion.   There's always the chance that Roy re-signs with the Astros...  you never know.

Heard not seen, was in the car listening to it on the radio for the last 2 innings...

What the heck was Garner thinking in taking out Clemens. Two hits, no earned runs with nine strike outs and you take him out of the game to hand the game over to a bull pen who has been shaky at best this year.  You do not take a pitcher out of a game who is totally dominating the other team unless his pitch count is really high(it wasn't, 90 pitches) or if he's hurting(which I don't think he was since he retired the last 10 batters straight and 19 of the last 20).  Garner, you really screwed this one up.  Take out Clemens who is dominating and hand the ball to 3 pitchers who all have an ERA above 4.  A 4 ERA means you give up just under a (earned)run every other inning.  A 4 + ERA means you are a mediocre pitcher, average at best. 

I pretty much gripe about Garner on a weekly basis for not handling his pitchers right.  I can't count how many times I've said "why the heck did you take him out, he was doing well" and had the bullpen give up the lead in the next inning or two.  You don't take a pitcher out who's dominating.  I like Garner a lot, I like his personality and his overall attitude and "scrap iron" outlook...  but I can't stand the way he handles his pitching staff.

Bradly "homerun" Lidge...  you need to go to Triple-A and work on your stuff...  A closer has to be reliable and you haven't been anywhere near reliable this season.  I really like Lidge, but every time he comes in I'm basically praying for him not to blow it.  That's now how it should be.

Article found here.

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The Houston Astros optioned pitcher Taylor Buchholz to their Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock on Saturday and recalled pitcher Chris Sampson from the Express.

The 24-year old Buchholz is 6-9 with a 5.96 earned run average in 20 games for the Astros this season, including 18 starts.

Sampson, 28, is 11-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 17 starts for Round Rock. This will be his second stint with the Astros this year. In four games earlier this season, Sampson amassed a 1-0 record with a 3.52 ERA.

The Astros also announced that Morgan Ensberg will begin a rehab stint at Round Rock on Saturday. The third baseman was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 10 with a right shoulder contusion.

Ensberg is hitting .241 with 19 home runs and 44 runs batted in this season.

I was pretty much waiting for this.  I hoped they would bring up Hirsch instead of Sampson, but Sampson did well in his first stint earlier this year, so it doesn't bother me at all. 

Hopefully Ensberg is actually better this time and will be able to come back up after a game or two and be the Ensberg of last season.  It's going to create some clutter in the Astros lineup..

Once Ensberg comes back, I'd put him on 3rd, Berkman in left(once his groin is healed), Huff in right, Lamb at first, and move Wilson to center.  I think this would be the most productive lineup.

The Astros took a loss to the Diamondbacks tonight in 11 innings with Andy Pettitte taking the loss after coming in for the 11th inning in relief(his first relief appearance since 96).  The last time an Astros starter came in, in relief was Roy-O who also took the loss. 

But there was a bright spot in the night...  Luke Scott hits for the cycle in reverse order hitting a home run, then the triple, double, and in the 11th inning he gets his single to complete the cycle.  My brother and sister-n-law (which I've talked about before) went to the game tonight, so I'm sure they are upset that the Astros lost, but it's not everyday that you get to see a cycle live and in person, so I'm sure that made them at least a little happy.  You can really tell that Luke enjoyed it... after every hit the smile on his face was ear to ear.  I'm sure he's thinking... if I keep this up, they'll be no more long bus rides for me!

I was impressed with Trever Miller tonight.  When he's on like he was tonight, he's really tough to hit, especially against left handers.  I haven't been the biggest Trever Miller fan since we picked him up before the season started, but he's starting to grow on me and he's shown on multiple occasions lately that he can be a really effective pitcher. 

The Astros are now sitting at 7 games below .500 with a 48-55 record.  Things aren't looking good, but the offense was decent tonight putting up 7 runs, but unfortunately our pitching wasn't that great giving up 8 runs in 11 innings. 

On a different note.  Seems like anytime anyone does anything good they point at the sky... Some say it's thanking god, some say it's a salute to their kids, wives, or some other family member.  Luke Scott did this after every hit tonight...  It's kind of annoying to me.  Maybe it's just me though. 

Huff proved something to me tonight also.  Earlier in Huff's career as an Astro, I mentioned that his arm appeared to be suspect.  Not that I'd noticed he had the inability to make the throws to first from 3rd, but just that he hasn't shown that great of an arm.  Well tonight he showed that he has plenty of arm to play 3rd base.  In the top of the 11th with 2 outs, a tricky grounder is hit his way which eats him up, the ball hits him and then lands behind him to his right.  He steps back, grabs the ball and fires it across to first to get the runner.  Not saying he has a cannon for a 3rd basemen... but I'm saying his arm is no longer suspect in my book.

I would have had this post in much earlier, like 10 minutes after the game ended, but my stupid ISP has been down off and on since about 5:30 PM.  Darn you Time Warner!   

I just mentioned today how well Luke Scott has been doing since he was called up from Triple A.  I also mentioned that he's done everything but show his power stroke.. well he showed it today hitting an opposite field job into the Crawford Boxes evening the score between the Astros and Diamondbacks at 3 all. 

But unfortunately not as an Astro.  The Texas Rangers traded Keven Mench, Francisco Cordero, Laynce Nix and a minor leaguer for Carlos Lee and the Brewers top out-fielding prospect in Nelson Cruz.  If the Rangers can get Lee to sign past this year, I think it's a good move for the Rangers, but from what I've read, Lee's asking price is 5 years at 75 million which I'm not real sure the Rangers are going to be willing to pay.  Lee supposedly just turned down a 4 year 48 million offer from the Brewers... 

Looks like the pool for a impact hitter is almost down to nothing...  The Astros aren't going to get Soriano...  they don't have the means(prospects) to get him from the Nationals who I've heard are asking for 3 top prospects.  I doubt the Tejada deal will go through either... 

Lance Berkman got hurt again last night... he said it hurt more last night then it did the night he originally hurt it.  If the Astros are smart they'll give him the Arizona series off; with the open day on Monday, it will give Lance at least 4 days rest.  See how he feels Tuesday, and if he's not 100%, sit him another series...  I know the Astros can't afford to be without Lance for the next series or two, but they really can't afford for him to get injured and miss the rest of the season.  They're already paying 10+ million to a player to sit on the injured reserve(Bagwell). 

Luke Scott has been a welcome addition so far this season.  He's showing that he can be productive in the majors(even though it's a very limited stint so far).  Currently he's batting .346(9 for 26) with 3 doubles.  He does need to learn to take a walk though with none on the season and an on base percentage of .346.  No home runs yet, but give him some time.

With the sore groin and all, Berkman did everything he possibly could to make sure he didn't have to sprint around the bases going yard twice in the Astros 8-5 win over the Reds.  Craig Biggio lead the Astros side of the first inning by knocking his National League record 50th lead off homerun of his career and his 10th homerun of the year. 

Pettitte wasn't that great giving up 4 earned runs in 5 innings, but lucky for him after being in position for the loss when leaving at the end of the 5th inning, he got to sit on the bench and watch the Astros put up a 6 spot in the bottom of the 5th giving Pettitte his 9th win of the year.   

Astros play the Reds again tomorrow at 7:05.  Taylor Buchholz takes on Elizardo Ramirez. 

2nd half of the Astros season be better than the 1st half?  It can't get much worse I guess..  Well I guess it could be worse.. we could be the Pirates or Royals.  I haven't done the whole Magic 8-ball thing in a while so I figured I'd bring it back. 

Astros play the Reds tonight...  We play two of the teams that are ahead of us in the Wild Card this week in the Reds and the Diamondbacks.  Winning both of these series would be a great boost for us in the Wild Card...  Losing both of these series would all but make appear to take the Astros out of contention for the Wild Card...  not statistically...  but you can't make the playoffs by losing 10-13 games, 14 out of 17 games.. It just doesn't happen.. we're already way too far under .500, especially for a 100+ million a year payroll. 

Clemens VS Harang tonight...  with any type of run support you would have to like the Astros odds.. after putting up 8 against the Mets and possibly having Berkman back in the lineup(not to mention that we're finally back home), I like the odds for tonight...  I don't normally predict the outcome of a game, but I'm thinking the Astros will win, 5-2. 

Astros take a 4-3 lead in the top of the 5th against the Mets on a line drive gapper into left center field by Lance Berkman, a few steps before getting to 2nd base, Lance comes up lame appearing to have pulled a hammy or groin muscle and has now left the game...  Not a good sign for the Astros, the one major spark plug in the Astros "anemic offense" is heading to the locker room and calling it a game. 

Oh please oh please oh please let this be nothing serious...  This is basically the worst thing that could possibly go wrong for the Astros...  I don't think anyone means more for the team than Lance. 

A hit through the hole into right field, Valentin of the Mets rounds second and goes to 3rd and Berkman throws to third and is cut off by Everett...  When they showed the replay, whoever the announcer was on Fox says "Berkman in right field does not have a good throwing arm" with emphasis on does not like he has a terrible arm...  Fox announcers watch 2-3 games a year of a team and act like they know everything... I'm assuming they didn't see Berkman throw out a runner at 3rd earlier this year with that terrible arm.. 

Berkman and Wilson both go yard in the first inning putting the Astros up 3-1.

Could give a pitcher who's pitched for 3 seasons in the bigs, with about 60 innings total his 3rd win of his career, his first win this year, his first complete game ever, his first shut out ever, and lower his ERA from 4.7 to 3.1!  Pathetic I tell you!  They did it in fashion to with only 4 hits.. great job guys! 

Maybe back will light a fire in their collective *****! 

The Astros are in a pretty sad state right now...  Above average starting pitching and an offense that... well lets just say it's not strong...  a bull pen that...  well lets just say it's not strong.  The only offense you can really count on is Lance Berkman, Chris Burke and Mike Lamb...  mainly Berkman. 

The Astros haven't won a series in the last 3 tries, dropping this last series against the 20 games under .500 Chicago Cubs, earning a draw in the series before against the 10 games under .500 Triple A Florida Marlins and then winning 1 of 4 games against the Cardinals before that.  It's amazing we're only 4 games out of the wild card.  Even more amazing that a team with the 3rd highest payroll in baseball has the 7th lowest amount of runs scored and the 3rd lowest batting average in baseball!  Sorry Drayton that all of your money is going to waste...

Today the Astros option Wandy Rodriguez back to Triple A and brought up 23 yr old Matt Albers who is tearing it up in double A with a 10-2 record and a 2.17 ERA.  Odd..  In an interview, Tim Purpura said that bringing up 24 yr old Triple A prospect Jason Hirsh(10-2 with a 2.18 ERA in Triple A) would basically be a last resort move...  Yet he brings up a pitcher who is a year younger, pitching in a Double A with the same stats as Jason Hirsh is putting up in Triple A...  Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me...  Hirsh is killing Triple A so why not give him a shot. 

If I was Purpura right now, I'd bring up Jason Hirsh(if his arm is ok.. after his last start he had a sore arm) and bring up Hunter Pence.  I'd much rather have Hunter Pence get a chance to show his stuff then to keep putting Willy Taveras in the outfield.  Send Taveras back down so he can learn to shorten his swing and get on base...  he needs to watch some video of Ichiro! 

Tomorrow the Mets head to New York to face the Mets...  We've totally stunk against the bad teams, lets see how we do against a first place club. 

You know the rest..  One night after smoking the Marlins 12-0 with Any Pettitte at the helm, Taylor Buchholz goes 5 innings giving up 3 hits and 4 runs and takes his 7th loss of the year to go with his 6 wins.  Taylor looked great through the first 4 innings making me think that the 3 run lead the Astros gave him was going to be plenty...  no such luck... The Marlins came back in the 4th with a solo shot and a 3 run dinger to put the game away.  The Astros failed to score after the 5th and all the Marlins did was pile on more runs.

One night after having a perfect game, Adam Everett is back to his old ways putting up an 0-fer in 3 at bats with a walk.  Not much else to say.. Burke had a good night going 3-5 and Lance went 2-5 with 2 doubles..  Lidge pitched an inning and gave up a run(go figure). 

SHAMELESS PLUG
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Astros are leading 12-0 in the 8th inning and my wife is saying the Astros should get out on purpose... I tried explaining to her that that's bad sportsmanship, but she doesn't care.  I guess she feels bad for the Marlins.  After putting up 4 spots in the 7th and 8th inning, the Astros are finally done. 

Been a really good night for the Astros.  Andy went 7 innings, giving up 5 hits, no runs and 10 Marlins going down on strikes.  Luke Scott made his first appearance of the year (pinch hitting for Preston Wilson) by hitting a double down the first base line and earning an RBI.  He later scored in the inning. 

That's all good and dandy, but the real story of the night is Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus.  Everett is 4 for 4 with 4 RBI's, a run scored and a walk.  Ausmus is 3 for 5 with 2 RBI's.  It's Sean Berry I tell you!  Kidding of course... Burke is 2 for 4(one of them being a no doubter home run to left field in the 7th) with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI's. 

I guess this is all payback for the Marlins for having terrible attendance on a Saturday Night game.. these are the games the Astros get 38,000-40,000 fans.... I think I heard the Marlins had 14,000 something...  that's pathetic...  Last night while listening to the game on the radio, someone hit a long foul ball into the upper decks and either Brett Dolan or Dave Raymond(the Astros radio announcers) said that they'd find that ball during the first Dolphins game...  It was funny at the time, but probably true also. 

Well, welcome back Luke...  hope you earn a longer stay than last time.  Go 'Stros!

Believe it or not.. Brad Ausmus and Adam Everett.  Astros lead 2-0 in the bottom of the 2nd. 

2 run jack by Lance Berkman to straight center field in the 3rd.  Astros lead 4-0.

and he knocks his first career home run as an Astro.  Recently acquired from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Aubrey Huff knocks a 3-run shot in the top of the 8th giving the Astros a 5-1 lead.  Unfortunately for Roy O, he was taken out in the bottom of the 7th for reliever Chad Qualls, so even though he went 7+ innings and giving up 1 earned, he'll get another no decision.  Tough luck Roy.  But the Astros are ahead 5-1 and still going in the 8th with only 1 out.  A 4 spot so far, hopefully will increase. 

So far in the game, Huff really hasn't had a good swing of the bat(in my opinion) even though he's 2-4.  But results are results, so I can't knock him.  He hasn't really shown that great of an arm at 3rd, but hasn't need to so I can't knock him there either.. Only time will tell and this is the first time I can say I've seen Huff play.. so it's all new to me. 

I can't promise not to be as lame as the title of this post again.. but I'll try =)

During the top of the 2nd inning of the Astros - Marlins game, home plate umpire Rick Reed walks off the field into the Marlins dugout after a ground out to first.  He doesn't appear to be sick or hurt or anything like that and the other umpires talk to Garner and Garner tells his players to come off the field to the bench.  Evidently there's going to be a pretty good delay for some reason.  Nobody knows why that I know of. 

It's been at least 5 minutes and there's no sign of him returning...  Will update when I find out more. 

Astros - Marlins tied at 0.  Aubrey Huff made his first defensive play snagging a hard grounder to his backhand side and throwing out the runner at first.  Huff grounded out in his first at bat as an Astro. 

Update
Rick Reed evidently has a broken blood vessel in his nose and doesn't appear to be coming back.  One of the field umpires is taking over.  A broken blood vessel doesn't sound like anything serious, but if it is, hope everything goes well for Rick. 

You got it first here, the Astros have in the last day or so fired Gary Gaetti their hitting coach, traded away their best shortstop prospect in the minors(Zobrist) and received a slugging thirdbasemen/firstbasemen/outfielder in Huff.  Looks like Purpura is finally doing something besides sitting on his hands.  The real question is.. now what?  Is this all?  Is Hickey safe?  My bud Raffy(http://spacerace.mlblogs.com) says that hitting is our biggest problem.  I agree for the most part, but I believe the bull pen is a very close second... maybe a tie for our biggest problem.  Take the last series against the Cardinals which we lost 3 of 4.  If our pen could hold a lead we would have won that series with 3 wins instead of losing it with 3 losses.  Of course you could say if we could get a hitting with runners in scoring position then we'd have won 3 of the 4 as well...  If If If...

I have to tip my hat to Purpura for making these latest moves...  in the very least it shakes up the team a little bit.  Morgan, you think you're safe batting around 200?  We just picked up a .280 hitter that can play your position.  Think Lane was the only one that should have gone down?  You could be next man.  You need to get your head straight and start producing or you'll be riding the pine in Round Rock. 

Not sure how I feel about the Zobrist trade..  I think he could have been an offensive + compared to Everett at short.  I really like Everett, but it comes to a point where you have to have some production from that spot.  You can't have the entire left side of your infield batting around 200... 

Anyways... the moves have been made and they might not be finished...  only time will tell.  Hopefully this lights a fire under the Astros collective backsides and gets them to playing some good baseball.. 

I thought only the Astros could lead most of a game and have the closer blow it in the 9th.. 

The Derby starts in less than 25 minutes...  Predicting the winner to the derby is basically like picking from a hat.. anyone can win.  Of course I'm pulling for Lance. 

Just wanted to say that the National League jerseys in particular are ugly as sin.  Whoever designed them needs to get their eyes checked.  Glad they wear their team jerseys during the game.  GO LANCE!

My brother(Tim) and Sister-N-Law(Mandy) were lucky enough to go to the Astros 4-2 win over the Cardinal last night, and during the game they were chatting about general Astros stuff and wrote to me for some thoughts to put on my weblog...  So here goes. 

Why do Astros fans boo Pujols?  I think it's more of a respect thing...  He's hurt us so many times in the past, that the fans just boo him.  It's not a Barry Boo where people boo him out of hatred for the player he is..  Like Mandy said in the e-mail, he's really a good guy...  there's no real reason to boo him... 

The Astros vs Braves game 4 in the NLDS last year is up for an Espy.  Be sure to support the Astros!  That was by far the best game of the year...  You can vote for the Espy's by going here. 

What should be Preston Wilson's nick name?  Mandy calls him P-dub(like Daryl Ward used to be D-Dub).  What do you think?  P-Wil?  K-Wil(k = strike out).  Thoughts?