Post by bstros on Apr 19, 2007 22:18:57 GMT -5
Notes: Berkman realizes he'll rebound
Veteran has been in this situation before, knows it's temporary
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- Lance Berkman wasn't thrilled with his .184 average entering Wednesday's game in Cincinnati, but he's not terribly worried about it, either. After all, he has a perfectly suitable solution just in case his slump happens to last a full six months.
"If I hit under .200 for the entire season, I'll just retire," he joked.
It's hard to say which is less likely -- Berkman walking away from $58 million left on his contract, or Berkman hitting a full 104 points lower than his career average all year. Fortunately for the Astros and their fans, both are long shots.
History dictates that Berkman will produce this year. But bad Aprils aren't new to the first baseman. He started slowly in 2003, also, hitting .208 with two homers and four RBIs in April.
Mentally, that spell took a much worse toll on Berkman, who is now older, wiser, and more patient. He understands that he snapped out of it back then and will again this time.
"It was different in '03, because I had never been through it before," he said. "I had never had a bad April. In '01 and '02 I got off to great starts and didn't have to deal with it. In '03 it was the first time I had experienced it, and you wonder if you'll ever be the same. Then I started '04 and did well."
Although Berkman understands that he'll rebound from his slump, that doesn't mean he isn't frustrated. Through 12 games, he had seven hits in 38 at-bats with one homer and three RBIs. He made up a little lost time that night, however, singling home Orlando Palmeiro to get the Astros rolling in a five-run eighth inning.
Still, he doesn't feel that he's quite out of the woods, yet.
"I would hardly call it a breakout, it was one single," he said. "I don't feel any better or worse than I did before the game started. I'm glad we won and that I was able to contribute. I feel like I basically did my job in that at-bat and we'll go on to tomorrow."
Lamb at third, Lane in center: In an effort to give his bench players a few extra at-bats, manager Phil Garner started Mike Lamb at third base and Jason Lane in center field for the series opener with the Reds.
"I need to get Lamb in the lineup, and Jason's had a little success against [Aaron] Harang, and on occasion I'm going to pick and choose to get as many bench guys a chance to play as I can," Garner said. "Try to play everybody."
Heading into the club's nine-game road trip, Lamb had only 10 plate appearances over seven games, including six at-bats and four walks.
Needless to say, he was happy when he saw his name on the lineup card when he arrived to the clubhouse.
"With all the rainouts, there's been a lot of rest for everybody and the opportunity to pinch-hit really hasn't been there for me," Lamb said. "I don't want to be like I'm complaining about having six at-bats, but there hasn't been much opportunity for me so far.
"I don't want to say I have low expectations today, but with only six at-bats I don't have a lot of rhythm and timing. I'll just do my best and hope for the best."
Lamb and Lane both came through for the Astros. Lamb was 2-for-4 and Lane clubbed a three-run homer in the eighth.
Biggio's schedule: Craig Biggio has played in every game this season, but the current extended road trip will include a few days of rest for the 41-year-old second baseman.
Biggio will likely not play on Thursday in the series finale with the Reds, and he'll probably also sit out the remaining two afternoon games the Astros will play on their road trek, including Sunday in Milwaukee and next Thursday in Pittsburgh.
"It's in pencil and it's kind of the way we're looking at it," Garner said. "I could change it tomorrow. It's very loosely done."
The Astros arrived to Cincinnati sometime after 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, following their night game with the Marlins in Houston. Most players said they weren't terribly tired when they arrived to Great American Ball Park on Wednesday afternoon, but they also realize the fatigue probably will hit them more the second day of the trip.
"Tomorrow will be a good day to have off," Biggio said. "It makes sense. The second day, it really hits you."
Mark Loretta is tentatively scheduled to start at second base on Biggio's days off.
Coming up: The Astros and Reds will wrap up their short two-game set on Thursday, beginning at 6:10 p.m. CT. right-hander Woody Williams (0-2, 5.63) will face Reds righty Bronson Arroyo (0-2, 3.48).
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Veteran has been in this situation before, knows it's temporary
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- Lance Berkman wasn't thrilled with his .184 average entering Wednesday's game in Cincinnati, but he's not terribly worried about it, either. After all, he has a perfectly suitable solution just in case his slump happens to last a full six months.
"If I hit under .200 for the entire season, I'll just retire," he joked.
It's hard to say which is less likely -- Berkman walking away from $58 million left on his contract, or Berkman hitting a full 104 points lower than his career average all year. Fortunately for the Astros and their fans, both are long shots.
History dictates that Berkman will produce this year. But bad Aprils aren't new to the first baseman. He started slowly in 2003, also, hitting .208 with two homers and four RBIs in April.
Mentally, that spell took a much worse toll on Berkman, who is now older, wiser, and more patient. He understands that he snapped out of it back then and will again this time.
"It was different in '03, because I had never been through it before," he said. "I had never had a bad April. In '01 and '02 I got off to great starts and didn't have to deal with it. In '03 it was the first time I had experienced it, and you wonder if you'll ever be the same. Then I started '04 and did well."
Although Berkman understands that he'll rebound from his slump, that doesn't mean he isn't frustrated. Through 12 games, he had seven hits in 38 at-bats with one homer and three RBIs. He made up a little lost time that night, however, singling home Orlando Palmeiro to get the Astros rolling in a five-run eighth inning.
Still, he doesn't feel that he's quite out of the woods, yet.
"I would hardly call it a breakout, it was one single," he said. "I don't feel any better or worse than I did before the game started. I'm glad we won and that I was able to contribute. I feel like I basically did my job in that at-bat and we'll go on to tomorrow."
Lamb at third, Lane in center: In an effort to give his bench players a few extra at-bats, manager Phil Garner started Mike Lamb at third base and Jason Lane in center field for the series opener with the Reds.
"I need to get Lamb in the lineup, and Jason's had a little success against [Aaron] Harang, and on occasion I'm going to pick and choose to get as many bench guys a chance to play as I can," Garner said. "Try to play everybody."
Heading into the club's nine-game road trip, Lamb had only 10 plate appearances over seven games, including six at-bats and four walks.
Needless to say, he was happy when he saw his name on the lineup card when he arrived to the clubhouse.
"With all the rainouts, there's been a lot of rest for everybody and the opportunity to pinch-hit really hasn't been there for me," Lamb said. "I don't want to be like I'm complaining about having six at-bats, but there hasn't been much opportunity for me so far.
"I don't want to say I have low expectations today, but with only six at-bats I don't have a lot of rhythm and timing. I'll just do my best and hope for the best."
Lamb and Lane both came through for the Astros. Lamb was 2-for-4 and Lane clubbed a three-run homer in the eighth.
Biggio's schedule: Craig Biggio has played in every game this season, but the current extended road trip will include a few days of rest for the 41-year-old second baseman.
Biggio will likely not play on Thursday in the series finale with the Reds, and he'll probably also sit out the remaining two afternoon games the Astros will play on their road trek, including Sunday in Milwaukee and next Thursday in Pittsburgh.
"It's in pencil and it's kind of the way we're looking at it," Garner said. "I could change it tomorrow. It's very loosely done."
The Astros arrived to Cincinnati sometime after 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, following their night game with the Marlins in Houston. Most players said they weren't terribly tired when they arrived to Great American Ball Park on Wednesday afternoon, but they also realize the fatigue probably will hit them more the second day of the trip.
"Tomorrow will be a good day to have off," Biggio said. "It makes sense. The second day, it really hits you."
Mark Loretta is tentatively scheduled to start at second base on Biggio's days off.
Coming up: The Astros and Reds will wrap up their short two-game set on Thursday, beginning at 6:10 p.m. CT. right-hander Woody Williams (0-2, 5.63) will face Reds righty Bronson Arroyo (0-2, 3.48).
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.