=== Houston Astros Team Report - May 30 === (My Sportsbook) - The Houston Astros defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-4, in the finale of a four-game set at Busch Stadium last night. The Astros will now travel to Wrigley Field to take on the National League Central leading Chicago Cubs in a three-game set, which begins today. Last night, Geoff Blum homered and Jeff Kent and Orlando Merced each drove in a pair of runs for the Astros. Jeff Bagwell added a double and scored three runs for the Astros, who used six pitchers in the win. Kirk Saarloos (1-0) ended up with the victory, although he pitched just one-third of an inning. Houston starter Tim Redding surrendered a run on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked two for the Astros, who won for just the second time in their last six games. The Astros will send 26-year-old Wade Miller to the mound today. Miller, who won 16 games in 2001 and 15 in 2002 is having a disappointing year for the Astros, posting a 2-6 record and an ERA of 5.37. Miller was defeated by the Cubs in his last outing which came on May 25th at Minute Maid Park. In that contest, the righthanded hurler allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings. Miller has a 3-2 record in six career outings against the Cubs while posting a 5.55 ERA in those games. The Astros' two star pitchers from last year are struggling this season. Miller and Roy Oswalt who had a combined record 34-13 last season have a combined mark of 5-10 this season. |
