The revamping of the Astros roster is starting to look more and more like an episode of Extreme Makeover. Today, the Astros announced that they've reached an agreement with the Baltimore Orioles for former MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada in exchange for (deep breath): Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, and Lou Costanzo. Patton, Sarfate, and Albers are all young pitchers with some major league experience; Patton was the Astros' most experienced and highest-rated...
Results tagged “bradlidge”
In October of 2005, there were many voices to be heard in Houston calling Brad Lidge to be shipped out of town or worse; two years later, those voices were heard. Tonight, the Astros finalized a trade to send Lidge and utility infielder Eric Bruntlett to the Phillies for center fielder and University of Houston grad Michael Bourn, relief pitcher Geoff Geary, and third base prospect Mike Costanzo. This marks the Astros' first serious move...
With the Astros 2007 campaign safely (thankfully) mothballed, it's time to sort through the wreckage and find the bright spots that give us hope for next year. The 'stros' apparently horrendous minor league system delivered a handful of September surprises in the form of several players who have a decent chance of making the Opening Day roster for 2008. So before their names become famous (or infamous), let's meet them and discuss where you'll...
"Biggio" is the word on many bloggers minds this week, so this'll be a pretty Astros-heavy week here at the blog roundup. - Orange Whoopass is putting together some of the most poignant tributes to number 7. Here are a couple of them. - Biggio didn't break the all-time hit-by-pitch record (he came two short, but still holds the modern-era record). Plunk Biggio breaks it down with a great tribute, and some finger pointing. -...
Astros pitcher Brandon Backe, in his second start of the season after Tommy John surgery, threw 97 pitches in his strongest outing since being injured last year. Showing a lot of the fire and self-criticism he's known for, Backe was not pleased with his showing, telling Astros.com: I was lucky, fortunate enough to make good pitches in big situations when the game could have gotten out of hand," he said. "But for the most...
The Astros defeated the Dodgers in LA last night, but the big story was in how the game ended. The Dodgers were rallying in the 9th against the Astros bullpen (imagine that), and Dodger pinch hitter Mark Sweeney had just driven in a run to bring the score to 7-4, Astros. Brad Lidge is summoned from the bullpen and strikes out Rafael Furcal, and that's when things got weird. MLB.com doesn't allow us to imbed...
Tomorrow is the trade deadline for Major League Baseball, which is pretty much like shopping on Christmas Eve, but with Eric Gagne playing the part of Tickle Me Elmo. The much-maligned Astros have already made one head-scratching trade leading up to the deadline, picking up exactly what they needed in 3B/2B/1B/OF Ty Wigginton: another clean-cut white guy who plays no position in particular. But what is next for GM Tim Purpura? Mark Loretta (who has...
Houston native Woody Williams (5-11) dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates today pitching eight shutout innings while only allowing five hits for the 1-0 Astros win. Williams showed great control with all his pitches and didn't allow a walk in today's outing. With Hunter Pence injured on a head first slide, Luke Scott stepped in the sixth inning and delivered what would be the game winning RBI single. Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning for his...
Arriving into Los Angeles with their first three-game sweep, the Astros came into Angel Stadium to make a statement and to turn a mediocre season around. With the game on the line, Angels manager Mike Scioscia went to his closer in the ninth inning to preserve a 9-9 game. He knew the importance of this game and managed like it and it paid off. Francisco Rodriguez got out of a bases loaded jam to...
The Astros 2007 free-fall continued at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday as they dropped their 10th consecutive loss by losing to the Reds 4-3. The Reds attacked Wandy Rodriguez (2-5) for three first inning earned runs that would put the Astros anemic offense against the wall. Reds center fielder Norris Hopper got the game started on a lead off double and then scored on Alex Gonzalez's single for the 1-0 lead. Ken Griffey Jr....
Today’s Photos of the Day comes from flickr users, baseball enthusiasts and Houstonist photo contributors sulla55, mrp1001, Jeff Balke, slight clutter and eschipul who have all, at one time or another, contributed these baseball photos to the group. Submit your sports images to our Flickr group as our theme this week is sports. If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining over 270 of Houston's best photographers in the Houstonist Flickr...
Wandy Rodriguez and the Houston Astros left Minute Maid Park victorious after a 5-2 win in front of 37,230 Sunday afternoon against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rodriguez (1-3) pitched five solid innings allowing only four hits with three strikeouts to record his first victory since July 2, 2006. Carlos Lee put the 'Stros on the board in the the first inning on a RBI single scoring Craig Biggio. The D-Backs would answer back in the...
The Houston Astros won for the ninth time in 11 games as Craig Biggio crushed the hearts of Milwaukee Brewers fans with a grand slam in the ninth inning, which gave the Astros their third consecutive come from behind win. The stage was set as Chris Burke led off the ninth with a bunt that was seemingly caught for the first out, but pitcher Matt Wise couldn't hold on. Adam Everett then walked and...
You wont read game analysis here at Houstonist, but being Opening Day and all, we thought you needed to know what happened yesterday. If you missed the game, you can be thankful — it was probably the worst way to begin the year. It wasn't all bad, though, which is probably why the game felt like a punch in the stomach. Oswalt was brilliant, pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing a run. Luke Scott...
Well hello, Houston! It's the greatest day in America: Opening Day 2007! Spring Training is over, the roster is set and now it's time to play ball. The Astros' main concern last year was hitting. Heck, it was pathetic, but Uncle Drayton broke out the checkbook, signed power hitter Carlos Lee for a cool $100 million and added utility player and 2006 All-Star Mark Loretta. Also new to the team are a pair of native...
With 4 days until Roy Oswalt and the Houston Astros start the 2007 season, we are holding back the “giddy.” While this spring had some highlights (Jason Lane, .260, 5HR’s & newbie Carlos Lee .370), concerns abound in the pitching department. With the loss of Andy Pettitte and presumably Roger Clemens, the Astros are looking for newly acquired veterans Jason Jennings and Woody Williams to shoulder the load. While its never the perfect indicator...
The consistently inconsistent Brad Lidge signed with the Astros for the 2007 season for $5.35 million plus incentives yesterday. We imagine he looked much like he does in this picture at landing such a sweet deal with everyone's favorite team. By the numbers, the recently unpopular Lidge isn't all that bad. With 104 strikeouts, he was second in the Major Leagues last year and had 32 saves in 38 opportunities. His 5.28 ERA is less...
A 15-year-old Cy-Creek student was killed last night when a friend shot him with a gun he thought wasn't loaded Van Gundy to Rockets: Stop making excuses, start playing better Local horse riders are bristling over a new law prohibiting riding on Houston's esplanades The Astros signed closer Brad Lidge and reliever Dan Wheeler to one-year deals NASA's Stardust capsule arrived at the Johnson Space Center today, where scientists will take a first look at...
A northeast Houston Kroger and nearby businesses were evacuated after a man robbed a bank inside the store using a fake bomb — and, in Arlington, a man dressed as Santa robbed a bank In southwest Houston, a robber stole a family's Christmas presents from their apartment while the family was away An ex-Texas City resident was arrested in South Carolina after someone moved into his former apartment and found a videotape of him molesting...
You lose one World Series and things start going to pot. Just look at the Astros' negotiations with Roger Clemens, who said he won't decide until January whether he'll return to the team next year. So that leaves the 'Stros in a tough position: If they wait until January, they won't be able to re-sign Clemens until May 1 — after the season starts — but if they make a move and sign him or...
