I missed posting on Wednesday night's game with the Reds, a losing-streak-extending, series-sweeping, fan-depressing, cellar-entrenching, soul-sucking downer lost by the Astros 6-1 to the Reds and Bronson Arroyo, who pitched a complete game five-hitter. Astro starter Felipe Paulino didn't do nearly well, giving up three homers in four innings.
Prospects to break the now seven-game losing streak didn't look good as the Astros sent Brian Moehler and his 8+ ERA to the mound on Friday night to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
But this time, surpisingly it was Moehler who pitched the complete game gem, giving up just one earned run (coming on an out in the ninth with the Astros up 6-0) and seven hits.
Moehler got more offensive support than he needed from of all people, rookie 2B Eric Maysonet. Batting eighth, Maysonet slammed a homer and two doubles, driving in four runs and scoring two.  Almost as improbably, every Astro position player got at least one hit, fifteen in all.
The win improves the Astros record to 19-27, still in the NL Central, one game behind the fifth-place Pirates. I'll stop reporting the "games out of first" until the Astros move a little closer to the top.
Wandy Rodriguez and Jeff Karstens will be the pitchers for the second game of the series on Saturday night. A win for the Astros would move them back into a tie for fifth.
Original Story:
http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/astro...
