Results tagged “hunterpence”

With one year under his belt, Astros manager Cecil Cooper is ready for the 2009 season to begin. After a rough first half which saw the Astros at 6-12 to start the season, Cooper and his team got hot after the All-Star break to go an best 42-24 while just missing a Wild Card birth by 3.5 games. We can all thank Hurricane Ike and Bud Seling for that. Houstonist caught up with the Astros skipper at Thursday's Baseball Writers Association of America Awards Dinner to talk baseball. Coach, with spring training just right around the corner, how exciting is it for you this time of the year? Well, it's extremely exciting. We want to make a stronger showing than we did a year ago and we think we have a chance to do that. It's pretty exciting to get there (spring training) knowing that I'll pretty much have the same team that I had a year ago and we'll be familiar with each other knowing we can just go out and play baseball. What was the difference between the first half and second half of last year? It was a rough start, but the team rebounded for a strong second half finish. Well, I think number one, they got used to our style of doing things. Then I think everybody's role was really determined a little bit better and then I thought the biggest key was that Carlos Lee got hot and Roy Oswalt became the Roy Oswalt that we all know and love. The interview continues after the jump.

If you're like Houstonist, then you can't wait until Monday for the Houston Astros, MLB's hottest team, to return to Minute Maid Park. So what are you going to do until then? You're going to pack your bags and truck it on up I-45 to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to see your beloved Astros this weekend, that's what!

Since last week, Miguel Tejada's age jumped to 33 from 31 when he admitted he lied about his age when he was 19 so he could improve his chances of playing big league baseball. But the age change doesn't seem to be affecting him; he's playing like he's a rookie with fire and something to prove. The newest Astro shortstop is punishing the National League with a .360 AVG and 19 RBI and his defense as been quite a pleasant surprise.

A week after the pitchers and catchers arrived, the Astros' position players are due in Kissimmee today. Some, including Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn, and Kaz Matsui, have already arrived to get a jump on the rest of the team. Others, like focal point Miguel Tejada, arrived on time today. Like we did with the pitchers and catchers, we'll take a look at the guys out in the field and see where things lie.

Houston Astros starting right fielder Hunter Pence suffered a freak accident last night when he somehow tumbled through a sliding glass door. Pence suffered lacerations on both hands and a knee.

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...

Baseball's most self-pitying franchise is at it again. The Chicago Cubs are pissed at the Astros for the players that the Astros sent out to play against the Brewers this week. The Cubs and Brewers are locked in a struggle for the NL Central title, with the Brewers currently on top; baseball courtesy dictates that the Astros field their best team against the Brewers, so as not to hand them "cheap" wins. It's a supposed...

The Astros may have 99 problems, but the pitch ain't one. After stumbling out of the gate to start this week's series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Astros saddled up thoroughbred Roy Oswalt and rode to victory last night, securing Cecil Cooper's first major league win as the 'stros new manager. Oswalt worked with trademark efficiency, blazing through seven innings while throwing only ninety-nine pitches. Offensively, the team rode homers by Luke Scott and...

The Chicago Cubs (and their inexplicable legion of local fans) arrived Monday at Minute Maid Park on top of the NL Central division, ready to put some distance between themselves and the Brewers in the standings. The Astros had other plans. Led by strong pitching performances by Wandy Rodriguez, Woody Williams, and Roy Oswalt, the Astros swept the series and bumped the Cubs below Milwaukee in the NL Central race. The offense was on for...

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...

The second half is underway and the Astros find themselves flat on their face. After a promising 7-4 home stand before the All-Star break, the Astros were hoping for some form of hope coming out of the gate. Instead, the lowly Washington Nationals sent the Astros to their fourth consecutive loss and 15 games under .500. Astros starter Woody Williams (4-11) was hanging onto a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning...

After a historic Thursday night in which Craig Biggio collected his 3,000th hit, the newest member of the elite club garnered the Bank of America Presents the National League Player of the Week for June 25-July 1, 2007. Biggio batted .444 (8-18) for the week, which included two runs and RBI. His five hits on Thursday, which gave him a total of 3,002, were the most hits in a game for a player who...

The amazing journey of Hunter Pence hit another high on Monday when he was named the National League's top rookie. For the month of May, the Texan hit .343 (37-for-108) with 4 home runs, 19 RBI and 9 doubles. Pence made his Houston debut on April 28 to help jolt a struggling offense and he has yet to disappoint. On Sunday afternoon, Pence help lead an Astros comeback after being down 4-1 by going...

The 2007 season for Hunter Pence couldn't be going any better. The Arlington, Texas native was named National League Co-Player of the week on Monday along with Arizona Diamondbacks closer Jose Valverde.

Native Texans Chris Sampson and Hunter Pence guided the Houston Astros to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. With the game tied at one a piece in the fourth inning, rookie of the year candidate Hunter Pence demolished a Noah Lowry change up for a 400-foot home run onto the railroad tracks above left field to give the Houston team the lead for good. Chris Sampson, who 24 hours ago...

Carlos Lee belted a walk-off home run in the 10th inning off Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez to give the Astros an amazing 6-5 come from behind victory Tuesday night. The comeback trail began in the eight inning as the Houston team was down 5-3 with two outs. With Carlos Lee on first, rookie sensation Hunter Pence stroked a high fly ball toward the left field Crawford Boxes just punching the foul pole to give...

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...

After Friday night's 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Houston Astros have decided to purchase the contract of Triple A Round Rock star, Hunter Pence. Pence, who exploded onto the scene in Spring Training with a .571 batting average in 19 games, has continued his dominance at Round Rock and is currently batting .341 with three home runs with 19 RBI through 22 games. Pence will make his MLB debut Saturday night as...