Happ For Oswalt--Same Pattern?

Last night's game between the Astros and the Washington Nationals reminded me of games earlier this season and last season. The Astros new left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ cruised through six innings and left with three to nothing lead. In the seventh inning the Nationals scored one run, but in the eighth they scored seven and got the win.

So Mr. Happ got a no decision last night, despite pitching well. I thought of all those times early this season and in 2009 when Roy Oswalt, for whom Houston acquired Happ, left the game with a lead only to receive a no decision. I hope this does not become a pattern for Happ the way it did for Oswalt.

J. A. Happ!!!!!

What a performance by J.A. Happ last night at Minute Maid Park. The young left-hander, recently acquired in the trade for Roy Oswalt, pitched a two hit shutout against the dreaded divisional rival from St. Louis. In the complete game effort he walked only one batter. There were two double plays executed by the Astros, so Happ only faced 28 batters on the evening, one over the minimum.

I really loved to watch Roy Oswalt pitch when he was here, but I was an Astro fan long before he came and will be one long after he has gone.

A Forgetable Memorial Day!

I really don't like complainers, especially when it is me complaining. But there was lots to complain about or visit to Minute Maid Park this afternoon. First, the advertised holiday version of the Astros caps that were to be given away as promos were not provided. Not even the little American flags that we have received at games on Memorial Day were handed out this year. Can you say, "cost-cutting?"

Then when we got to the kids play area, that the Astros promote in an effort to attract families to the games, most of the activities were not open. We were told that they did not have enough staff to man all them. We had heard that the last three times we had taken to boys to a game, but those were on week nights/school nights. Today was a holiday and there should have been max staff on the job. More budget trimming?

Then the home plate umpire, Bill Hohn, decided he was the center of attention. He had, from our seats right behind the plate, squeezed the strike zone on Astros' pitcher Roy Oswalt. In the third inning Oswalt threw what both he and I thought was strike three to Adam Dunn. Hohn called it a ball, and on the next pitch, Dunn hit a bases loaded double, driving in three runs.

The next batter, Josh Willingham, had a 1-2 count. The next pitch was a fantastic pitch--I saw the replay when I got home and was right about my original opinion--but Hohn called it ball 2. Oswalt turned toward right field and raised his head and shouted. I don't know what word he said, but he was not shouting at the umpire, just expressing frustration.

But Hohn came out from behind the plate and walked toward the mound. He called Roy to attention, and Roy responded by pointing to the umpire. Hohn promptly ejected Oswalt. From there the pitching unraveled and the game got really ugly. The final score was 14-4. Most of the fans had left the building before the last out.

To add to the insanity, twice during the game, idiotic fans jumped the rails and ran across the diamond. Each time security captured the fan and led them away, one in hand cuffs. They will each pay a thousand dollar fine and spend the night in jail. Some fans find the trespassers amusing, but I am not one of those. I enjoy a baseball game, not jerks, whether they are behind the plate or trespassing on the field.

A thoroughly forgettable Memorial Day!

Trading Roy???

Roy Oswalt has requested a trade. I hate the idea of him not being here. He is the best pitcher the Astros have developed in their history, with the possible exception of Larry Dierker. It has been a real joy to watch him perform.

But the Astros are at least a couple of seasons away from real contention for the playoffs, so perhaps trading Oswalt could expedite the return to respectability. That being true, I do not want to see Roy in another National League uniform. I do not want the 'Stros to have to face him on a regular basis.

So when I heard that Nolan Ryan had called to express interest to Drayton McLane about trading for Oswalt, I began to daydream about what Houston might get from the Rangers in the trade. How would it be if one of the components of the trade were Elvis Andrus or Nelson Cruz? I do not know if the Rangers would part with such players, but it would be the starting place of any conversation, if I were GM.

Jake & Roy O

Good friends Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt opposed one another on the mound in the opening game of the season for the San Diego Padres and the Houston Astros. Peavy got the win, 4-0 over Houston. The 'Stros only got four hits. But the worst part of the night for Oswalt surely had to be that his buddy had a hit and a sacrifice fly to drive in two runs, and he walked in the other plate appearance!

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Roy O. and The Rest

Spring Training has not answered many of my most pressing concerns about the 2007 Astros. I think they will hit enough to score many more runs than they did last year. I know that if Roy Oswalt is healthy, he will win 18-22 games. But after that it is not looking too solid in the starting rotation. And it is no longer early in Spring Training!

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Troy Patton on the Hill

I have had Troy Patton in the back of my mind since reading that he has been at the Elite Training camp at Minute Maid Park this week. Since Andy Pettitte left for the New York Yankees, the Astros are without a quality left handed pitcher at the Major League level. Wandy Rodriguez is not the answer. Troy throws hard and has more strike outs that innings pitched since signing with the Astros farm system.

I really hope to see him in Houston this summer, maybe he will be our next Roy Oswalt!

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