Brian Moehler Pitches Lousy, Jason Michaels Fields Lousy And Astros Lose To Giants Again

Michael Bourn was out today with a sore groin and when I saw Michaels trotting out to center, I felt my heart sink and I hope HOPED that no balls would be hit to center, but I wasn't exactly holding my breath. And yes, I would LOVE to have someone in the Astros Organization explain to me why he is more valued than Reggie Abercrombie, who actually CAN field well. And I seriously HATE the IBB, unless it is Uncle or the #8 guy with the pitcher up - I am positive that if I went back through the season and counted the number of IBBs issued (to non-Pujols) that I would find that it backfired more often than it worked. sigh Moehler started off just fine with 2 Ks, but then Freddy Sanchez singled and Sandoval hit what should have been an easy inning ending fly ball to shallow center, but the ball clanks off Michael's glove for an error which, for some inexplicable reason, is called a hit and that was just the start. He did redeem himself for once, by hitting an RBI double in the bottom of the second and Matsui drove him home and Moehler had a 3-0 lead. It lasted until the third - Miggy bobbled an easy 6-3. I never know quiiite how to describe Miggy's fielding when I'm asked. So I say that sometimes he makes Adam Everett quality plays and sometimes he looks like my 5 year old. But there was one missed out, then Freddy Sanchez singled, then Keppinger missed a dead easy popup just behind third - it clanks off his glove for a "single" - what IS IT WITH THESE SCORERS?????? And thre are 2 outs which should have been which weren't and Moehler can't get them before he gives up a 2 run single to Sandoval, who kindly obliges the Astros by getting caught stealing by a mile. Moehler has 2 good innings, then things fell apart in the 6th - Sandoval singled on a sinker almost at his ankles, then went to second on a WP (Pudge is NOT good at blocking balls in dirt) then Garko hit a single off the scoreboard on a pitch up and Rowand hit a double on a knee high inside FB to the LF corner on yet another pitch up. Then came the fatal decision to IBB Renteria and then the backup catcher, who was 13 fer 58 with 2 doubles, hit the first pitch, a FB right down the middle into the Crawford Boxes for a granny. And the ballgame was ovah. 7-3 Giants. Really, it was. The Gaints ran all sorts of crappy relievers out there, but the hitters didn't do much. So tell me, with a man on first and 2 out, what exactly was the point of pulling Tim Byrdak, who gets rightys out VERY well, thank you, for the tired and still not quite on his game Chris Sampson? Why pull Fulchino after 1 good inning for the obviously tired and not on his game Alberto Arias? If you overuse relievers, they break down. sigh double sigh Do I have to describe how incredibly bad Michaels was out there? Dude made Biggio and Burkie-poo look like HotDog Edmonds. And, I hate to say it, but Pence is still not hitting very well. It's either an infield hit to short or a high midplate FB/hanging slider out. He's only driven in 31 runs this entire year (besides driving himself in with a homer) and that is like a #8 guy. Richard Justice wrote a column today suggesting the Astros give Towles another chance, seeing as how Pudge looks VERY tired - and he does. It makes sense - Coop obviously detests the guy and if we are gonna be stuck with Coop next year, Towles isn't gonna play, but then why not trade him? You can't get anything for a player that his own team disrespects, though. And it doesn't look very probable that Roy, Wandy or Berkman are going to be playing this weekend either. We aren't going to overtake the Cards or C*bs, let alone the Phils/Dodgers, so why not dump all these crappy Old Guys and play some of the younger guys? You aren't going to draw more people to the park to watch Keppinger miss easy popups and they aren't going to flock in to watch Aaron Mediocre Boone, either. I'm glad we have a day off. This horrid playing is getting painful.