'Stros Final Stretch - Gm 2

*This night started with a real head scratcher of a roster move from the Astros prior to the game with the Padres. OF Orlando Palmeiro returned to the team from breavement leave and IF/OF Eric Bruntlett was optioned to Round Rock (AAA). Kind of tough to figure out how Jason Lane was not the player demoted since he was the one called up in the first place to replace Palmeiro. But here's why. With both Bruntlett and Lane having 3 or more years of ML service, they had to clear waivers before they could be optioned. Bruntlett was not claimed, thus was sent down.
*Now to the game. Aubrey Huff got his first night off since being acquired after the All-Star break and for good reason. Since he debut when he went 2-4 with a HR and 3 RBI, he's hitting .190 with 0 HR and 1 RBI.
*Good thing they stuck with Lane for three months while Luke Scott was belting 20 HR and hitting .299 at AAA. (I hope you are catching the sarcasm). Scott rapped out another 2 hits to pump the average up to .396 and he leads the team in total bases since the break.
*Brandon Backe retired 11 straight batters b/w the 4th and the 8th innings, but after his 2nd walk of the night and his pitch count at 101, Garner came to get him in favor of Chad Qualls who promptly whiffed Adrian Gonzalez.
The outing by Backe was almost as important as the win itself. While I don't expect him to pitch into the 8th inning in all of his starts, just knowing that he can is huge for the final two months. He also broke up Woody Williams' no-hitter with 2 outs in the 5th inning which led to the first run of the game for Houston.
*Missing persons report...Dave Borkowski was actually used in this game and as usual he threw a typically efficient 8 pitch scoreless 9th inning.
*BTW...on Tuesday night I referenced Padres backup catcher as Ryan Bowen. It's Rob, not Ryan. That moniker of course belongs only to the Rockets high-flying, rim-rattler.
*With the Dodgers' win over the Reds, the Astros are just 4 games back of the Wild Card leading Reds and are one of 8 teams that close to Cincy.
*Record: 51-56, 4 games back of Cincy.

Two days ago the Astros were supposed idiots for not making a move, either as a buyer or a seller. Now after their first two-game winning streak in nearly a month, they don't look so dumb.
---- WEX