Post by bstros on Apr 17, 2007 13:44:16 GMT -5
Oswalt, Astros look to sweep Marlins
Florida (6-6) at Houston (5-6), Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. CT
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
Manager Phil Garner's decision to send Roy Oswalt to the mound on short rest Tuesday raised some eyebrows, considering Oswalt threw 120 pitches last Friday over a five-inning outing that wasn't particularly pretty.
But Garner stands by his decision, especially since it was mostly Oswalt's call anyway.
"Roy feels good about coming back," Garner said. "Even though he threw over 100 pitches, he felt like only five innings didn't get him any kind of rhythm. I think he would really like to do this, so I think it fits quite well."
Oswalt has no trepidation about taking the mound on short rest.
"I should be fine," Oswalt said. "I feel good. Hopefully, I'll get some quick outs early and we can go from there."
The idea to start Oswalt on short rest emerged because of Chris Sampson's calf issues. He strained his left calf in his start last Tuesday in Chicago and apparently needs an extra day of rest. So instead of starting Tuesday, Sampson will take the mound for the opener in Cincinnati on Wednesday.
Plus, when Oswalt comes to Garner with a request, the skipper is usually inclined to honor it.
"There's no question, when you are the ace, you get to call the shots," Garner said. "Three, four and five [pitchers in the rotation] usually get pushed around a little bit. They pitch on different days when you accommodate your ace. [Oswalt] didn't demand to do this. This was an agreed upon situation."
Pitching matchup
HOU: RHP Roy Oswalt (2-0, 3.32)
Oswalt struggled in his last outing against Philadelphia on Friday, surrendering six runs over five innings of work, which included a career-high six walks. Oswalt threw 120 pitches, 46 in a three-run first inning. Oswalt said the chilly conditions made it difficult for him to grip the ball. Oswalt was helped by three Carlos Lee home runs to notch his 100th career victory.
FLA: RHP Sergio Mitre (0-2, 4.09)
In the second game of the 2006 season, Mitre turned in a splendid six-shutout-inning performance at Houston. The right-hander collected the Marlins' first win that year, and as it turned out, it was Mitre's last victory. Mitre is coming off a loss to the Brewers in a game in which he gave up four runs on 10 hits with three walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Mitre logged 108 pitches, a good sign that his shoulder is healthy.
Player to watch
Aaron Boone has a .409 average against Oswalt, logging nine hits in 22 at-bats.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes
On television
• FSN Houston
On radio
• HOU: KTRH 740, KLAT (Español)
Up next
• Wednesday: Astros (RHP Chris Sampson, 1-0, 0.00) at Cincinnati (RHP Aaron Harang, 2-0, 5.40), 6:10 CT
• Thursday: Astros (RHP Woody Williams, 0-2, 5.63) at Cincinnati (RHP Bronson Arroyo, 0-2, 3.48), 6:10 p.m. CT
• Friday: Astros (RHP Matt Albers, 0-2, 6.00 in 2006) at Milwaukee (RHP Ben Sheets, 1-2, 5.85), 7:05 p.m. CT
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Florida (6-6) at Houston (5-6), Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. CT
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
Manager Phil Garner's decision to send Roy Oswalt to the mound on short rest Tuesday raised some eyebrows, considering Oswalt threw 120 pitches last Friday over a five-inning outing that wasn't particularly pretty.
But Garner stands by his decision, especially since it was mostly Oswalt's call anyway.
"Roy feels good about coming back," Garner said. "Even though he threw over 100 pitches, he felt like only five innings didn't get him any kind of rhythm. I think he would really like to do this, so I think it fits quite well."
Oswalt has no trepidation about taking the mound on short rest.
"I should be fine," Oswalt said. "I feel good. Hopefully, I'll get some quick outs early and we can go from there."
The idea to start Oswalt on short rest emerged because of Chris Sampson's calf issues. He strained his left calf in his start last Tuesday in Chicago and apparently needs an extra day of rest. So instead of starting Tuesday, Sampson will take the mound for the opener in Cincinnati on Wednesday.
Plus, when Oswalt comes to Garner with a request, the skipper is usually inclined to honor it.
"There's no question, when you are the ace, you get to call the shots," Garner said. "Three, four and five [pitchers in the rotation] usually get pushed around a little bit. They pitch on different days when you accommodate your ace. [Oswalt] didn't demand to do this. This was an agreed upon situation."
Pitching matchup
HOU: RHP Roy Oswalt (2-0, 3.32)
Oswalt struggled in his last outing against Philadelphia on Friday, surrendering six runs over five innings of work, which included a career-high six walks. Oswalt threw 120 pitches, 46 in a three-run first inning. Oswalt said the chilly conditions made it difficult for him to grip the ball. Oswalt was helped by three Carlos Lee home runs to notch his 100th career victory.
FLA: RHP Sergio Mitre (0-2, 4.09)
In the second game of the 2006 season, Mitre turned in a splendid six-shutout-inning performance at Houston. The right-hander collected the Marlins' first win that year, and as it turned out, it was Mitre's last victory. Mitre is coming off a loss to the Brewers in a game in which he gave up four runs on 10 hits with three walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Mitre logged 108 pitches, a good sign that his shoulder is healthy.
Player to watch
Aaron Boone has a .409 average against Oswalt, logging nine hits in 22 at-bats.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes
On television
• FSN Houston
On radio
• HOU: KTRH 740, KLAT (Español)
Up next
• Wednesday: Astros (RHP Chris Sampson, 1-0, 0.00) at Cincinnati (RHP Aaron Harang, 2-0, 5.40), 6:10 CT
• Thursday: Astros (RHP Woody Williams, 0-2, 5.63) at Cincinnati (RHP Bronson Arroyo, 0-2, 3.48), 6:10 p.m. CT
• Friday: Astros (RHP Matt Albers, 0-2, 6.00 in 2006) at Milwaukee (RHP Ben Sheets, 1-2, 5.85), 7:05 p.m. CT
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
