'Stros Final Stretch - Gm 1

This first game of August on the six game roadie that began in San Diego has been full of interesting developments.
- The Astros actually manufactured a run in the 4th inning. A leadoff double by Morgan Ensberg (activated from DL before tonight's game), followed by Luke Scott hitting behind the runner and advancing Ensberg to 3rd with a groundout, followed by Adam Everett's sacrifice fly to left.
- Andy Pettitte gave up a leadoff double before retiring the next 11 in a row. Then with two outs in the 4th, he allowed consecutive singles and a walk to load the bases. Then gets nasty on Ben Johnson and strikes him out.
- The top of the 7th was truly remarkable for Houston. A leadoff double by Luke Scott makes for a good start. Next pitch Everett pops up the sacrifice bunt attempt - 1 down. Bunting in front of your worst hitter who you don't plan to pinch hit for makes very,very,very little sense. Ausmus flies out - two down. Now the weird stuff, Garner pinch hits Lance Berkman for Pettitte. Surely he knows the Padres will walk Berkman with first base open. That's what they do and Bruntlett comes in to run for Berkman who obviously is not healthy enough to play. Now you have to assume that Garner knew what would happen and merely wanted the additional base runner. But why? With two outs and Willy Tavares coming up,what do you want to waste Berkman for in this bleak scoring situation??
-Another runner in scoring position in the top of the 9th after Everett somehow steals a base on Mike Piazza with two outs, but true to form Brad Ausmus weakly tapped out to the pitcher.
- Phil naturally turns to Brad Lidge in the 9th to protect the 1-0 lead. Due up Khalil Greene, Adrian Gonzalez & Ben Johnson. This should be fun. By the way, Dan Wheeler threw a mere 7 pitches (6 strikes) to get 3 outs in the 8th. Man his arm must be tired!!!
*Alright, one down after Greene swings through the 2-2 slider.
*Make that two down, four sliders to Gonzalez and he swings through the 1-2 pitch.
*Lidge walks PH Josh Bard on 5 pitches, but he got squeezed by home plate ump Dan Iassogna. The 2-1 slider and 3-1 heater were both strikes and both calls were missed.
*Christmas cards should be on the way from Lidge to Padres 3B Mark Bellhorn after he offers at another Lidge 3-2 slider in the dirt. A second walk in the inning could have proved disastrous, but instead Lidge K's the side and picks up his 24th save in 28 chances.
Just another night at the ballyard.
---- WEX