Michrochosm for the Season

In my commentary on the Astros' elimination from the wild card race, I didn't really comment on the game. It was pretty amazing.

Kazuo started off the night on a tear, and he led off with a double. Bourn laid down a bunt, reaching second on a throwing error while Kazuo scored.

Wigginton hit a homer to right field that was (for the second night in a row!) stolen by the right fielder. This time, however, Francouer was unable to get a hand on the ball, partially in thanks to a fan who grabbed the ball first. Interestingly, he had Wiggy sign his program before the game.

Bourn hit a double at one point. Tejada grounded out. Then Lance came to the plate. He slugged a deep shot into center field that would have been outta Wrigley or Cincinatti, but it was caught near the base of Tal's Hill. As soon as I saw it, I thought, "You know, Bourn might be able to score on this." Well, whaddya know? He sprinted rounded 3rd and slid home, but the throw wasn't really that close. It was a truly amazing display of speed from Bourn. As always with Michael Bourn, you just say, "If only he could get on base more often..."

But the Braves would bring the game within one when LaTroy Hawkins gave up his first earned run as an Astro. So the Astros went into the 9th with the score 4-3. Papa Grande came out, but game up the tying run. It was his first blown save in a while.

So Erstad came up with 1 out in the home 9th as a pinch hitter for Valverde. He swung at the first pitch, sending the ball into around the 6th or 7th row of seats in right field. Pretty sweet.

It really was a kind of michrochosm for the season. We gained ground early, lost it in the middle and at the very end, finally displaying a specatuaclar burst with time expiring. Unfortunately, it just wasn't enough to save the season.

It was a pretty fun ride, though.