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What: Regular Season Game # 13

Where: Minute Maid Park

When: April 17th, 8:05 PM

Broadcast: TV -- FSN Florida, Radio -- 560 WQAM, 1140 AM WQBA (Spanish)

 

Game Preview

The Houston Astros are hoping their luck at home has finally turned around.

 

The Astros wrap up a brief homestand on Tuesday with ace Roy Oswalt on the mound when they look to sweep a two-game series with the Florida Marlins at Minute Maid Park.

 

Houston (5-6) opened the season with a 1-5 homestand before bouncing back with three wins on a four-game road trip. The Astros returned home on Monday and beat the Marlins 4-3 on Morgan Ensberg's walk-off single with the bases loaded.

 

Houston scored more than two runs for just the third time in seven home games this season. After this contest, the Astros embark on a nine-day, four-city trip before returning to Minute Maid to face Milwaukee on April 27.

 

Oswalt (2-0, 3.32 ERA) is taking the mound on three days' rest to give fifth starter Chris Sampson an extra day to recover from a tight calf muscle. Oswalt is 3-2 with a 4.12 ERA in six career starts on less than full rest.

 

In his start on Friday, the right-hander recorded his 100th career win -- 9-6 over Philadelphia -- despite enduring a rocky outing. He gave up six runs in six five innings, walked a career-high six batters and was nearly ejected arguing a balk call that allowed a run to score.

 

"It was probably the worst game I've thrown in the big leagues," said Oswalt, whose 100 wins since entering the majors in 2001 lead all NL pitchers over that span.

 

Oswalt has pitched well against the Marlins in his career, going 3-2 with a 1.98 ERA in seven starts against them.

 

On Monday, Ensberg picked up his game-winning hit one pitch after Marlins right fielder Joe Borchard crashed into second baseman Dan Uggla, allowing a foul pop to drop.

 

"After fouling off three of them, I was very excited," Ensberg said. "You absolutely want to be in that situation -- the ninth inning with a chance to win the game. It's what you play for."

 

Mark Loretta went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs and Craig Biggio also had two hits for the Astros.

 

While Houston has recovered from a shaky start to the season, the Marlins (6-6) have dropped four of five after a three-game winning streak. Borchard had two hits and drove in a run for Florida, which is wrapping up a scheduled five-game road trip that was shortened to four after their game in Atlanta was rained out Saturday.

 

Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera went 0-for-4, failing to hit safely in a game for the first time this season and lowering his average from .410 to .372.

 

Cabrera is 2-for-9 (.222) with one double and two strikeouts lifetime against Oswalt.

 

Sergio Mitre (0-2, 4.09 ERA) takes the ball looking to help Florida salvage a series split. He gave up four runs and 10 hits in six innings of Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Milwaukee.

 

"I didn't do good, but I didn't do bad either," said Mitre, who is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two career starts versus the Astros. "I struggled and gave up 10 hits. I was battling out there just trying to keep us in the ball game."

Pitching matchup

 

FLA: Sergio Mitre

0-2 4.09 ERA

Last outing: 6.0 IP, 4 ER (L)

 

HOU: Roy Oswalt

2-0, 3.32 ERA

Last Outing: 5.0 IP, 6 ER (W)

Credit:ESPN.com

lets pray..... :pray

Hopefully Hanley learned his lesson from last night, and we can score early against oswalt because Hanley is 5 for 8 batting in the first inning with a triple, a double and two stolen bases.

Mitre looks like such a badass in that picture, if only he could pitch like one.

 

GO FISH!!!

GO FISH!!!! GIT-R-DONE!!!!

This game will be very tough and with Cabrera struggling at the plate lately I dont like our chances. Go Marlins!

Interesting stat...

Boone is hitting .409 (9 for 22, 2 HR) off of Oswalt in his career. Cabs is .222 (2 for 9). I'm not saying Boone should play over Cabs, but we gotta find a way to get him there somewhere. By the way Jacobs is hitting .333 (2 for 6 with a homer)

This game will be very tough and with Cabrera struggling at the plate lately I dont like our chances. Go Marlins!

Cabrera is not struggling lately. He's hitting .372. So he went hitless one game. It's gonna happen.

Miguel never hits the astros his career BA against them is sub .200 i think and its the lowest ba against any team for him; going 0 for 4 is kinda expected when you see those numbers.

Let's go boys, cheer me up

GameDay finally updated the new images of the players!

De Aza out again

What the hell is Craig talking about?

wow...this astros announcer is butchering the names in our lineup

OK it's game time, let's go gents.

lets win this one! GO MARLINS!!

 

YEAH!!!!

HANLEY :bases_homerun:

Listenin to this one on XM Radio (Houston announcers)

 

 

 

 

JACKED!

 

 

1-0 good guys

Woohoo!! 1-0 Fish

Hanley :bases_homerun: #2 on the year....

Nice start

Listenin to this one on XM Radio (Houston announcers)

 

 

 

 

JACKED!

 

 

1-0 good guys

i cant tell if i like these guys or not...

That's how Hanley should try to get his homers.

 

Good start by Mitre.

did marlins score i taping america idio for wife

Uh oh, what's going on?