Miggy on Fire!

Miguel Tejada came into the game tonight with a .353 batting average, leading the National League in hitting. Then he was on 4 times tonight, including a game winning home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning. The Astros won the game 3-2 for a four game winning streak. That is a modest streak, but it is a step in the right direction.

Miggy Gets Probation!

Miguel Tejada's immediate playing future was cleared up today when he received probation for having lied to Congress. He was liable for up to a year in jail and a $100,000 fine for his crime, but was given leniency because he plead guilty. He will also have to pay $5000 as his fine, but now he can get on with his preparations for the season without an ax hanging over his head. Let's hope that translates into a good season for him and the Astros!

Miggy In Court!

Miguel Tejada is to appear before Congress today to plead guilty to the charge that he lied to them about some of his associates' steroid activity. He has apparently worked out a plea bargain that allows him to avoid prison time.

I wonder how he will be received by the fans in Houston in his first at bat in April!

Moving Miggy

There was apparently a lot of trade talk before the deadline about the Miguel Tejada, the shortstop for the Houston Astros. I have mixed feelings about the possibility. First, I like what Miggy adds to the team, especially the intangibles. If the team were mine, I would ask him to play third, because I believe his defense is slipping at short and he would improve the defense at third.

On the on the other hand, the team is not going to win with the current pitching staff, so if I could get some significant young arms for Tejada I believe I would have made the move.

On The Road Again

Starting another road trip with a nice win is a good way to keep the pressure on the Cubs, who are leading the Central Division. Of course, beating the Cardinals is always good, whenever it comes. The 'Stros got four runs in the first inning and breezed to an 8-2 victory. Tejada had a two run homer, Pence went five for five, lifitng his batting average to .311. Shawn Chacon had an effective game on the mound. All around, it was a good game for Houston.

Home Opener!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Houston Astros finally got to play a game at home tonight, after opening the season on the road for the first week. The opponent was the Central Division rival St. Louis Cardinals. The game was scoreless going into the bottom of the seventh inning, with both pitchers giving up only two hits on the evening.

But in the home half of the inning, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee hit back to back homers. In the bottom of the eighth, J. R. Towles added a home run, making the score 3-0. The Astros' closer, Jose Valverde, came in to save the game, but gave up three runs. So when Miguel Tejada hit a two run homer, Valverde got the win instead of the save. Wandy Rodriquez deserved the win, but did not get it!

Stumbling Out of the Gate!!!!!!

The off season moves made by the Houston Astros were intended to bolster the offense. The additions of Michael Bourn, Kaz Matsui, and Miguel Tejada should bode well for scoring some runs. But that was not in evidence on Opening Night in San Diego against the Padres and their ace, Jake Peavy. The 'Stros only had four hits, two by Tejada, and never advanced a base runner to third. The final score was 4-0.