Boxscore

The Astros kept pace with the Cubs and proved that they, along with all the other NL Central teams, are better than the San Francisco Giants. (With the possible exception of the Reds. I think they lost the series to San Fran, but I’m too lazy to look it up and will simply assume that the lost. With the Reds, it’s the safe assumption to make.)

Houston got on the board early, thanks to Lance Berkman hitting another homer. There was a runner on, but it wasn’t Michael Bourn. Like many other teams, the Astros don’t seem to realize that leadoff hitters with speed have to get on the bases to have that speed be an asset. Instead, Bourn, like Corey Patterson and Alfonso Soriano, loves to make outs. He makes an out 73% of the time. Ouch.

But the Astros won anyway, thanks to the rest of the offense and decent pitching. They sit in third place, 1.5 games behind Chicago.

This afternoon Chris Sampson battles with Tim Lincecum at 3:45pm EDT.

Boxscore

As Pat pointed out, Cesar Izturis went 3 for 5 against the Pirates last night, and that never portends good things.

It didn’t for the Pirates, who lost to the Cardinals. Paul Maholm was not sharp, allowing 11 of St. Louis’ 15 hits and getting the loss. Todd Wellemeyer continued to do what he’s done all year, which is pitch surprisingly competent baseball to pick up the win. It’s like Todd is the 2008 St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals needed the win after struggling of late. We get to see the two teams fight again today at 1:15pm EDT when Ian Snell starts against Joel Pineiro.

Boxscore

Bronson Arroyo had his best start of the season last night, pitching seven shutout innings. The bullpen, upon witnessing this, furrowed its brow with dark malevolent thoughts. This could not stand.

So it didn’t. Shiny new closer Francisco Cordero, with very few miles on him after only a handful of drives out to the mound, allowed a home run in the ninth to tie the game and send it into extras. It was oh so reminiscent of last year, only with a “proper” closer this time.

When Cordero started warming up, I had a bad feeling. He’d been used two straight nights, one of those for two innings. Yeah, this would not end well. If only there were someone, anyone, on the team who had closing experience. Alas, that was not the case, and now Cordero will be completely unavailable should he be needed today. If I didn’t know better, I could have sworn it was Narron managing again.

Dusty Baker was the puppet-master looking at the strings he was supposed to pull, though, and miraculously had his team get the win thanks to a game-winning hit by Paul Janish. What a way to get your first hit.

The Reds go for the sweep of the four-game set with the Marlins tonight when Andrew Miller faces Matt Belisle at 7:10pm EDT.

Thom Brennaman was just talking about all the nice things Griffey does for people without the general public knowing about it. Which is great. Except that the example he pulled out is how he just heard from someone in the Cincinnati-land area about how Jr. took in that little boy when his grandfather died of a heart attack at the ballpark.

Dude!

In case you were wondering, yes, Red Hot Mama did cover that super-secret story from three years ago. It ranked a mention here, right after the Reds unis for American Girl dolls.

Boxscore

The Cubs lost to the Padres, and seem to think the reason was the lack of Jim Edmonds hobbling around the outfield. Hopefully for the NLC–and all of baseball–that will be rectified as soon as possible. Chicago needs to further screw up Felix Pie’s development and they need to do it quick!

Jason Marquis started for the Cubs and did well until the 4th, when his standard suckiness reared its familiar head. Hmm, the 4th inning, huh? Sounds like Marquis has a problem making it through the lineup a second time. If only there were a pitching spot on the team that could take advantage of that.

Alfonso Soriano lead off the game for the Cubs with a solo shot. I take back whatever I wrote before. That hit totally makes it worth having him lead off. Chicago scored again in the second, but shut it down after that, apparently thinking 3 runs would be more than enough for Marquis.

Jake Peavy is the pitcher tonight for the Padres when he fights against Ted Lilly at 8:05pm EDT.

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Remember the Brewers? You know, the team that I thought would take the division. Well, they’re not doing so hot lately. Or at least they weren’t after dropping below .500 in a terrible losing stretch. But great news for all of you who place your self-worth on preseason predictions (and picked the Brewers): They’re good again!

Carlos Villanueva gave Milwaukee a good start and lead them to their third win in a row, which also gives them a winning record again. And wonder of all wonders, after being removed from the closer’s position less than a week ago, Eric Gagne was back at it, picking up his 10th save, this time in a humdrum fashion. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Manny Parra tries to keep the winning ways rolling tonight when he faces Derek Lowe at 8:05pm EDT.

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I meant to write about the Cardinals and their returning to earth yesterday, but couldn’t find the time. It’s a good thing there are games every day.

The Cardinals continued their descent back to expectations, losing to the Pirates in 10. Former Red Kyle Lohse was closer to finding his April doppelganger, but he was still bettered by former Red Phil Dumatrait. Neither starter got a decision, thanks to a game-tying Albert Pujols home run in the 8th.

All that did was send it to extra innings where former Red and Pirate Ron Villone came in for the Cardinals. Villone had been amazing in relief up to this point, but today was not his day. Plus, the Pirates are playing great right now, and there was no stopping the Buccos. Villone gave up four to get the loss.

The two play again tonight, with Paul Maholm for the Pirates and Todd Wellemeyer for the Cardinals, at 8:15pm EDT.

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The Reds won their second game in a row, but lost the services of shortstop Jeff Keppinger.

Keppinger went down with a broken kneecap after fouling off a pitch, and his hitting services will be sorely missed. He was already serving as the backup shortstop, and for once, the Reds are kind of weak on middle infielders. Hey, remember last year when Krivsky signed Alex Gonzalez to a big, three-year contract? Isn’t that the gift that keeps on giving.

Edinson Volquez continued to dominate the league, allowing one run in 6 innings. His ERA now stands at 1.12, which I believe is an increase from before the game. You know things are going well when you allow one run in a start and your ERA goes up.

The Reds go for the series sweep tonight when Bronson Arroyo faces Ricky Nolasco at 7:10pm EDT.

Jeff Keppinger, the guy keeping the spot between second and third warm for Gonzalez and the hottest-hitting guy on the Reds’ roster, was hit in the knee with a ball tonight after he broke his bat fouling it off. The impact resulted in a fractured patella, taking him out for who knows how long.

In news that seems unrelated to the untrained eye, former Cubs shortstop Neifi Perez was suspended for 80 games on August 3 last year.

Get well soon, Kepp.

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Apparently, the Cubs really did miss Aramis Ramirez in the lineup when he missed a few games. After stinking up the joint against crappy teams like the Reds, the Cubs have jumped back into first place thanks to a four-game winning streak that coincides with Ramirez’ return to the lineup. Not that he contributed all 12 runs by himself, but his presence seems to offer better pitches to those around him.

The Cubs scored 6 in the 5th and 5 in the 6th to rout the Padres and give Carlos Zambrano his 6th win. All of that scoring, and just one home run, from Alfonso Soriano.

Thanks to a Cardinals loss, Chicago sits alone in first. Jason Marquis will try to keep them there tonight when he starts against Shawn Estes at 8:05pm EDT.