Here's a predictable story for you: the Houston Astros took a two run lead into the ninth inning this afternoon and with Dan Wheeler taking over for Brad Lidge as closer they actually held on to it. Wheeler retired the Cubs in order in the ninth tonight to pick up his first save of the season and preserve the Astros' 5-3 win over the Cubs. Of course, as much of a relief as it was for Astros' fans to see Wheeler nail down the ninth, Cubs' fans again had to suffer through a bullpen meltdown. After falling behind 3-0 through five innings the Cubs fought back to tie the game at 3 going into the eighth, only to watch Bob Howry surrender a two run homer to noted home run hitter Adam Everett (six in 566 PAs last year) and give the Astros their margin of victory. That's the second time in the past seven days that Howry has been part of a Cubby bullpen failing, if you're counting at home.
Let's see, what else happened here... Ted Lily pitched pretty OK in his second start as a Cub (six innings, six hits, three runs, five Ks, one walk), but wasn't nearly as dominant as he was in his first start. Woody Williams was much improved over his first start for the 'Stros, but he was pretty awful in his first start so pretty much that just means he was OK. Craig Biggio had two doubles and scored twice for Houston. That gives him eight hits on the year and puts him 62 shy of 3,000. I would ask if you could feel the excitement, but this whole thing kind of feels like the steamroller scene in Austin Powers to me.
Previously at the Fanhouse
Phil Garner Pulls the Plug on Brad Lidge
Maybe the Cubs Should've Spent Some Cash on Their Bullpen
