Roy Oswalt makes his 12th start of the season Thursday in St. Louis. Only once has he allowed 2 runs or less. He hasn't pitched since May 22nd, a night he gave up 11 hits for his 2nd consecutive outing. This isn't exactly make or break time, but Oswalt needs to get things straightened out. He's been able to give the Astros a decent number of innings, but really only once has he pitched the Astros to a win.
His walks are up, his punchouts are down. He's allowing a .302 batting average against. Tonight begins the 2nd third of the season, hopefully it's a new Oswalt. He and the team claim there is no lingering injury concern. We'll see.
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At least once during our my show on SportsRadio 610 each night I'll give an update on some key minor leaguers, whether in the Astros system or guys that just have local interest. Here's a couple for you.
- Vince Sinisi, from The Woodlands and a member of the Rice Owls' title team in '03, made his season debut for the Portland Beavers(SD-AAA) yesterday, finally recovered from a right wrist fracture.
- Juan Gutierrez was one of the 3 players the Astros sent to Arizona as part of the Jose Valverde deal this past offseason. He has arguably been the worst pitcher in baseball this season, while toiling for Tucson (Arizona-AAA). His last start on Tuesday was dreadful, he lasted just 2.2 IP and allowed 10 runs. In May Gutierrez started 5 times, lost all 5 times and posted an ERA of 12.15, allowing hitters a .396 batting average. He's now 1-9, with a 7.74 ERA for the season in 11 starts.
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Rasheed Wallace went off after the game (video)- that's nothing new. But as Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com says, this time Wallace is right. To be honest, this year's playoffs have produced so few games that have been decided late - it has magnified the officiating issues the league faces. They admitted already that Brent Barry was fouled by Derek Fisher and should have been sent to the line for two potential game-tying free throws.
But a much more egregious no-call came in the Cavs-Wizards opening round series. Last play of the game with the Cavs down 1, LeBron James was manhandled by Darius Songaila, both players went crashing to the floor and no call was made. A blatant example of the referees swallowing their whistles, even when there is an obvious foul.
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Surfin' the Net
-- Great countdown of the top ten best announcers...in sports movies.
My favorites would be from Bull Durham, Cotton & Pepper from Dodgeball (video below) and Buck Laughlin from Best in Show.
-- Add this feeble attempt to the list of most pathetic ceremonial first pitches. It's Mariah Carey....in Japan.
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