Post by bstros on Apr 19, 2007 8:45:46 GMT -5
ASTROS SUMMARY
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Houston Chronicle
Wee discrepancy
In light of Craig Biggio's moving into 30th place on the all-time hits list Tuesday, it's worth clearing up some confusion.
With Biggio at 2,944 career hits, some fans have him 29th on the all-time list based on statistics kept by a prominent Web site and other sources. However, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the official statistician of Major League Baseball, Biggio is 30th.
At the heart of the discrepancy is Hall of Famer "Wee" Willie Keeler, who played in the majors from 1892-1910. Elias credits Keeler with 2,955 career hits, which makes him 29th and Biggio 30th. Other sources put Keeler's total at 2,932.
He'll keep plugging away
Lance Berkman walked into the manager's office Wednesday afternoon and politely said, "Beat it, media." With that, the room cleared so Berkman could meet with manager Phil Garner before the Astros opened their two-game set against the Reds.
What appeared a potentially important meeting actually lasted no more than two minutes. And Berkman was actually there at Garner's request, Berkman said.
"He just asked me how I'm doing," Berkman said. "I told him I'm good. He just wanted to know if I thought I needed a day off. I said no and that I was ready to go."
Berkman started at first base and hit third, going 1-for-4 to lift his batting average to .190 to go with one home run and four RBIs. But he's not concerned.
"What am I concerned about? The poverty level of some nations in the world, growing national debt and dependence on foreign oil," he said. "Those are things to be concerned about."
Nonetheless, Berkman realizes some fans may be concerned with the three-time All-Star's slow start a year after he hit .315 with 45 home runs and 136 RBIs.
"I'm up there battling," he said. "I expect eventually it will come around. I'm sure people are concerned."
Lane, Lamb get starts
Manager Phil Garner got two reserves into the starting lineup Wednesday, using Jason Lane in center field and Mike Lamb at third base against Reds righthander Aaron Harang. Lamb started in place of Morgan Ensberg and Lane for Chris Burke.
"I need to get Lamb in the lineup," Garner said. "Jason's had a little success against Harang, and on occasion I'm going to pick and choose to try to get as many of the bench guys a chance to play as I can in an effort to play everybody."
Lane and Lamb combined to go 4-for-9 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs.
A first for Biggio
For the first time he can remember since reaching the majors in 1988, Craig Biggio struck out attempting to drop a bunt in the eighth inning Wednesday night.
With a man on base, nobody out and the Astros' trailing 2-1, Biggio tried to sacrifice. Afterward, he acknowledged that manager Phil Garner and third base coach Doug Mansolino had called off the bunt sign.
Biggio was not pleased after bunting foul with two strikes. But he could at least poke fun at himself.
"You've got to do everything once," said Biggio, who is passing up Hall of Famers on career lists on an almost daily basis. "Manzo took it off, and Gar took it off. I was just mad at myself."
Coming up
RHP Woody Williams (0-2, 5.63 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season today in hopes of collecting his 125th career victory. RHP Bronson Arroyo (0-2, 3.48 ERA) will start for the Reds.
JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Houston Chronicle
Wee discrepancy
In light of Craig Biggio's moving into 30th place on the all-time hits list Tuesday, it's worth clearing up some confusion.
With Biggio at 2,944 career hits, some fans have him 29th on the all-time list based on statistics kept by a prominent Web site and other sources. However, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the official statistician of Major League Baseball, Biggio is 30th.
At the heart of the discrepancy is Hall of Famer "Wee" Willie Keeler, who played in the majors from 1892-1910. Elias credits Keeler with 2,955 career hits, which makes him 29th and Biggio 30th. Other sources put Keeler's total at 2,932.
He'll keep plugging away
Lance Berkman walked into the manager's office Wednesday afternoon and politely said, "Beat it, media." With that, the room cleared so Berkman could meet with manager Phil Garner before the Astros opened their two-game set against the Reds.
What appeared a potentially important meeting actually lasted no more than two minutes. And Berkman was actually there at Garner's request, Berkman said.
"He just asked me how I'm doing," Berkman said. "I told him I'm good. He just wanted to know if I thought I needed a day off. I said no and that I was ready to go."
Berkman started at first base and hit third, going 1-for-4 to lift his batting average to .190 to go with one home run and four RBIs. But he's not concerned.
"What am I concerned about? The poverty level of some nations in the world, growing national debt and dependence on foreign oil," he said. "Those are things to be concerned about."
Nonetheless, Berkman realizes some fans may be concerned with the three-time All-Star's slow start a year after he hit .315 with 45 home runs and 136 RBIs.
"I'm up there battling," he said. "I expect eventually it will come around. I'm sure people are concerned."
Lane, Lamb get starts
Manager Phil Garner got two reserves into the starting lineup Wednesday, using Jason Lane in center field and Mike Lamb at third base against Reds righthander Aaron Harang. Lamb started in place of Morgan Ensberg and Lane for Chris Burke.
"I need to get Lamb in the lineup," Garner said. "Jason's had a little success against Harang, and on occasion I'm going to pick and choose to try to get as many of the bench guys a chance to play as I can in an effort to play everybody."
Lane and Lamb combined to go 4-for-9 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs.
A first for Biggio
For the first time he can remember since reaching the majors in 1988, Craig Biggio struck out attempting to drop a bunt in the eighth inning Wednesday night.
With a man on base, nobody out and the Astros' trailing 2-1, Biggio tried to sacrifice. Afterward, he acknowledged that manager Phil Garner and third base coach Doug Mansolino had called off the bunt sign.
Biggio was not pleased after bunting foul with two strikes. But he could at least poke fun at himself.
"You've got to do everything once," said Biggio, who is passing up Hall of Famers on career lists on an almost daily basis. "Manzo took it off, and Gar took it off. I was just mad at myself."
Coming up
RHP Woody Williams (0-2, 5.63 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season today in hopes of collecting his 125th career victory. RHP Bronson Arroyo (0-2, 3.48 ERA) will start for the Reds.
JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
