12:41 PM Sun, Apr 13, 2008 | Permalink
Butch Alsandor
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It took 12 games into the 2008 season, but the Astros starters finally notched a victory.
Brandon Backe got the win vs the Marlins on Saturday night. But it wasn't just a win, it was
a shutout. Backe combined with Geoff Geary, Doug Brocail, and Jose Valverde on a 9 hitter to blank the fish.
The thing is, Backe wasn't really that good. It wasn't his best outing by far, but that's
how it goes in baseball. The righthander had runners in scoring position every inning as
he surrendered 5 hits and walked 5. Opportunity was knocking for the Marlins but
the Astros defense just wouldn't open the door.
Right now everyone is down on the team's pitching , so if they have to win ugly ,so be it.
Actually last night it was good offense and solid defense that saved the day, but so what.
A win is a win, anyway you can get one. We know the Astros really needed a "w" coming into that game with a 3 and 8 record. But this team is still looking for an idenity and last night might have gone a long way to finding one. There is nothing wrong with banging your way to victory. If the big bats and timely double plays can carry you, great.
What the Astros really need is what happened to the Rockets . It doesn't have to be 22 straight wins, but enough to give the confidence and the idenitiy of a winner.
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