You think pitching is the problem with the Astros? Yes it it and no it isn't.
They just completed their week on the road winning just once and closing with an embarrassing non-competitive 5 game losing streak.
Their season ERA is 4.55. And their road trip ERA???? Try 4.59.
They scored 14 runs in the 6 games, 8 of 'em on the first night. What's worse is how they scored those runs.
Wednesday: 1 run, Wigginton HR
Thursday: 2 runs, Lee, Berkman HR
Friday: 1 run, JR Towles RBI single (Towles only hit of the trip)
Saturday: 1 run, Darin Erstad RBI single (Erstad's only start of the trip)
Sunday: 1 run, Loretta HR (only hit on the trip)
Two runs in 5 days that did not come thanks to a round-tripper. That is always too pathetic to believe. Of course their pitching is not good enough to win consistently, but their offense was just terrible the last 5 days against these 2 aces (Wainwright, Sheets) and 3 run-of-the-mill guys (Lohse, Parra, Bush)
- The Astros posted a .207 average and were caught stealing (3) more times than they were successful (2).
- Lance Berkman had 8 hits and hit .381; Lee, Tejada & Towles combined for 8 hits (8-59, .136)
- The good news is their good start at least allowed for a slump like this - provided that's all it is - a slump?!?!?
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The vast majority of MMA folowers agree that the CBS Elite XC Primetime Saturday night event this past weekend was very entertaining and well-produced. The problem is the main event was one of the least interesting and intriguing and officiating matches of the night. It seemed painfully obvious that there was no way Kimbo Slice was going to be allowed to lose. He's obviously a fabulous striker and a well-above average stand-up competitor. But he fought a mediocre MMA technician, yet whenever James Thompson brought the match to the mat - he had an extreme advantage and showed definitively that Slice is very beatable and far from elite.
Elite XC has plenty of strong fighter as does every non-UFC outfit. But the great majority of true top fighters are in UFC, and this should now be obvious. Slice is not a top notch all-around mixed marital artist - yet. His current training might change that, but if he gets into the ring with anyone who is, then he could be in big trouble and any trouble for him, means big trouble for Gary Shaw and Elite XC.
- No surprise that UFC head man Dana White feels the same way (The Fanhouse)
- Former Chron.com blogger and friend of the NightShift, Steve Sievert now writes for MMAJunkie.com and he echos many of the same thoughts as I shared here (mmajunkie)
- Official ratings will be out Tuesday, but early returns look good (Wrestling Observer)
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- Does this sound like Jimy Williams that we knew in Houston?? (Sports By Brooks)
- Tonight's Regional final in College Station b/w UH and Texas A&M will be televised LIVE tonight at 6:30pm on FSN Houston.
- According to Madden 2009, the Texans are tied for the 8th worst team in the NFL. Sports Gamer and Shutdown Corner take a look, THX Awful Announcing)
- more coming....
---------- WEX
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