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Astros Snap Losing Skid With 6-1 Victory Over Atlanta
Oswalt Will Miss Tuesday's Start
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Mark Loretta had three doubles and drove in four runs, and with Ty Wigginton batting leadoff, the Astros scored four times in the first two innings on their way to a 6-1 win over the Braves.
Wigginton (.456 on-base percentage against lefties) walked and scored in a two-run second inning against Braves left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes, helping Houston snap a four-game losing streak.
Loretta reached base in each of his three plate appearances against Reyes. He walked in the first and scored on a single to right by Carlos Lee, who then scored from second on Miguel Tejada's single to left.
Loretta's two-run double to right in the second drove in Wiggington and Brad Ausmus.
Loretta added another double in the fifth but was thrown out at the plate by first baseman Mark Teixeira, after McCann threw to first attempting to catch Carlos Lee.
Loretta's third double, off Jeff Bennett in the ninth, drove in David Newhan and Darin Erstad.
Even with Lance Berkman going 0-for-4 with a walk, the Astros had more than enough offense to beat the punchless Braves, who managed only four hits and have lost six of seven.
Chris Sampson (4-3) gave up two hits and one run in five innings in his first start since May 25. He filled in for Roy Oswalt, who returned to Houston to be examined on Saturday after experiencing more pain in his left hip.
Reyes (3-7), who has not won in four starts since June 13, gave up six hits and four runs in 4 1-3 innings.
Sampson gave up his only run in the fifth on Brian McCann's 15th homer. Tim Brydak pitched two scoreless innings behind Sampson, Doug Brocail added a perfect eighth and Jose Valverde pitched the ninth.
Astros righthander Roy Oswalt flew to Houston Saturday morning to have his ailing left hip examined and will miss his next scheduled start Tuesday. Brandon Backe will start in his place.
Oswalt, who left Monday’s game with a strained left hip abductor, saw back specialist Dr. Mike McCann in Houston and will rejoin the team Sunday in Atlanta. He will throw off flat ground Monday and throw a bullpen session Tuesday before being re-evaluated.
Originally scheduled to pitch Saturday, the Astros pushed Oswalt back to Tuesday in Pittsburgh. But Oswalt felt some pain in his side after playing catch prior to Friday’s game.
Oswalt would only be able to make one start before the All-Star break, but the Astros would put him on the disabled list if they have any doubts about his health.
Notes: The Astros will wrap up this three-game series with the Braves Sunday afternoon at Turner Field in Atlanta. Lefty wandy Rodriguez is scheduled to make the start for the Astros. Live coverage will begin on NewsRadio 740 KTRH at 11 AM with Astros On Deck, and first pitch slated to come at 12:35 PM. The Astros 10th Inning call-in show will be heard immediately following the game.
Wigginton (.456 on-base percentage against lefties) walked and scored in a two-run second inning against Braves left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes, helping Houston snap a four-game losing streak.
Loretta reached base in each of his three plate appearances against Reyes. He walked in the first and scored on a single to right by Carlos Lee, who then scored from second on Miguel Tejada's single to left.
Loretta's two-run double to right in the second drove in Wiggington and Brad Ausmus.
Loretta added another double in the fifth but was thrown out at the plate by first baseman Mark Teixeira, after McCann threw to first attempting to catch Carlos Lee.
Loretta's third double, off Jeff Bennett in the ninth, drove in David Newhan and Darin Erstad.
Even with Lance Berkman going 0-for-4 with a walk, the Astros had more than enough offense to beat the punchless Braves, who managed only four hits and have lost six of seven.
Chris Sampson (4-3) gave up two hits and one run in five innings in his first start since May 25. He filled in for Roy Oswalt, who returned to Houston to be examined on Saturday after experiencing more pain in his left hip.
Reyes (3-7), who has not won in four starts since June 13, gave up six hits and four runs in 4 1-3 innings.
Sampson gave up his only run in the fifth on Brian McCann's 15th homer. Tim Brydak pitched two scoreless innings behind Sampson, Doug Brocail added a perfect eighth and Jose Valverde pitched the ninth.
Astros righthander Roy Oswalt flew to Houston Saturday morning to have his ailing left hip examined and will miss his next scheduled start Tuesday. Brandon Backe will start in his place.
Oswalt, who left Monday’s game with a strained left hip abductor, saw back specialist Dr. Mike McCann in Houston and will rejoin the team Sunday in Atlanta. He will throw off flat ground Monday and throw a bullpen session Tuesday before being re-evaluated.
Originally scheduled to pitch Saturday, the Astros pushed Oswalt back to Tuesday in Pittsburgh. But Oswalt felt some pain in his side after playing catch prior to Friday’s game.
Oswalt would only be able to make one start before the All-Star break, but the Astros would put him on the disabled list if they have any doubts about his health.
Notes: The Astros will wrap up this three-game series with the Braves Sunday afternoon at Turner Field in Atlanta. Lefty wandy Rodriguez is scheduled to make the start for the Astros. Live coverage will begin on NewsRadio 740 KTRH at 11 AM with Astros On Deck, and first pitch slated to come at 12:35 PM. The Astros 10th Inning call-in show will be heard immediately following the game.
© 2008