Goodbye President Smith, GM Wade, and the NL Central (???)

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros fired general manager Ed Wade and team president Tal Smith on Sunday night in the first of the changes promised by new owner Jim Crane.

The moves come less than a week after the sale of the team from Drayton McLane to Crane was officially completed last Tuesday, a transaction that requires the franchise to move from the NL Central to the AL West in 2013.

In a news conference on the day owners approved the sale on Nov. 17, Crane vowed to meet with all the executives and "make some very, very quick adjustments."



Wade was hired in September 2007 after spending the previous two years as a professional scout for the San Diego Padres. He was the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1998 until he was fired after the 2005 season.

The Astros made a 13-game improvement in Wade's first season as general manager and finished 86-75. But that would be their only winning season under Wade as they won 74 games in 2009 and 76 in 2010 before posting this year's franchise-worst mark of 56-106.

In the last two years Wade traded away stars such Lance Berkman, Michael Bourn, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence for mostly young prospects, saying he had "inherited a pretty barren farm system" that he had to replenish.

Smith, who has been team president since 1994, has spent more than 50 years as a baseball executive and more than 30 of those years have been with the Astros. He worked for the franchise in its first season in 1962 when the team was known as the Houston Colt .45s and remained in Houston until 1972.

He spent some time working for the Yankees before returning as general manager of the Astros from 1975-80.

Smith's input was key in the development of both the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park. A small hill in center field at Minute Maid Park is known as Tal's Hill as a nod to his work on the project.

This is directly from ESPN. I've known that the Astros were moving to the AL West for about a week or two now, and I still can't believe it. I've been a BoSox fan for a while now. I've got a BoSox tie, shirt and hats. My World Series dream match up would the 'Stros vs BoSox. I am now looking for a new NL team to root for. I'm not going anywhere with the 'Stros. I, too, have a tie, shirt and hats of the Astros. I have to admit that the Astros and the perfect World Series winless team to root for. The BoSox have won 2 in my life time. Go Astros!!!!!! Now if they will just do something.

Season Over, but.....

The St Louis Cardinals are the world champions for the 11th time in team history. I have to admit, the way that they got hot all of a sudden is simply inspiring. They were 10 games out of the wild card in August and ended up winning the World Series in 7 games against the Rangers. Who would have thought. I called it, though. I told people that if the Cardinals were to win game 6 (which they did), that the Cardinals would end up winning the series. And it was game 6 that did it.
It was a fantastic series and a fun season of baseball. Now that it's the off season, it'll be interesting to see if the Astros will actually do something this off season to bring in some pitching and some bats. Rumor has it that the Astros might be heading to the AL West, which means Scott Bardin and I will be rivals. Scott is a Seattle fan through and through. Face it though, we'll be getting bragging rights on who will not be on the bottom of the division if these rumors become a reality.

Work has been tough for me mentally lately. It's been real hard on me when I go to work and all I feel like I'm going to picking up everyone else's poop. I've tried to keep a prayer in my heart, but the Lord knows who to send my lately to test me. I feel like I'm not doing to well with those tests. For example, I really wanted to start yelling at my first caller of the day when he started insulting my intelligence. Well, I'm sorry that I look at my monthly mortgage statements every month and I know how much interest is being applied to my mortgage every month. Why on Earth would I want to figure that out on my own? So we got the mortgage company on the line with us. I couldn't just hang up after connecting with the mortgage company. I wanted to, but couldn't. He started insulting that representative because she had a hint of an accent. He declared that it was hard to understand her because he is an American! I wanted to slap him. I wanted to tell him that if he was an American, he should start acting like one! ID10T!!!!!!!! That started my day on the dark side. And it only got worse from there.

My day would have been a little better if my 2 eldest had slept better in there own beds last night. Last night was Halloween, and some college kids had some innocent fun with the kids last night, but it sure scared them spitless. Trent wouldn't even trick or treat at the Vincent's because he got scared so bad. Funny, though. Trent was the only one to stay in his bed last night. Marissa came in at about 1 and Audrey followed suit at about 2. Bree woke up at 1:30, so Shelly had a real long night last night. Me? I had a back massage that made me real irritable all day. Here's to a better day tomorrow.

It's about 9:30 and I'm ready to turn in for the night. Good night and keep the faith! Don't forget to pray!

No Brewin' Tonight (Gallardo vs Happ)

Well, I can't say much about the game tonight. Happ losing again and is now a dismull 4-14 for the season. Allowing 3 runs to score in the first inning and then only scoring one run the entire game does not bode well for the veteran pitcher who needs to figure things out in a hurry. Astros lose 8-1 tonight. They are now 3-7 for the series.
My brother stated something on Facebook the other day which rings so true with the state of the Astros right now. He said that the Astros have turned into the farm team for the Phillies. It's so true. We've traded 3 people to the Phillies and all we've been helping the Phillies win. Since Pence got there, the Phillies haven't lost. Last year when we traded Oswalt, the Phillies got the NLCS.
Poor Trent didn't get to go with the girls tonight and he's really bummed. Who wouldn't? The girls got to go with Lelend to see The Smurfs.
I won't be able get more info about Seminary teaching until Monday at the earliest. That's the bummer news. The real bummer news is that I start full time work again on Monday. So note to self, call the Institute again at lunch time on Monday.

Dontrelle Did What? (Willis vs Lyles)

What a crazy day in baseball today. Dontrelle Willis is known as a pitcher who can hit. But really? A homerun? Incredible! Yet it was not enough for the Reds to finish off the Astros tonight. Did I just write that? True story. And they won the game by bunting the ball. The Reds just could not field the bunt. The Astros won todays game 5-4. They won the 3 game series 2-1. They trail the Reds in the season series 5-7. Not bad considering the Reds are still seeking a Central win and get into the playoffs.
I got invited to Scott's house tonight to watch some baseball. Unfortunately, the Astros and Red Sox games were finals already. So we decided to go with the Twins and Angels. I had never seen a grand slam on live TV or in person before until tonight. It was exciting. First baseman Cuddyear for the Twins nailed it in the 4th inning.
Still trying to get the info situated for Seminary teaching. It hasn't been because of lack of trying. I'm still trying.

Fifth Inning Blues (Bailey vs W. Rodriguez)

All I can say about todays game is when the opposing team scores 5 runs in the 5th inning and 4 of those runs are due to a grand salami, your team is not likely going to win. And today was no exception. With Durango RBIing to score the only run for the Astros, the Reds and there grand slam in the 5th on Wandy just was an eye sore for the ailing Astros. Reds tie this series 1-1.

Hope Is Not All Lost....Yet (Arroyo vs. Norris)

Wow! Some how these young younglings pulled out an impressive win today. Paredes hit a 2 run triple in the 2 inning to get the Astros up 2-0. Then Quintero hit an RBI double to bring in Paredes to take a 3-0 lead.
In the 6th inning Norris pitched in the Reds into a tie score at that point and left the game with a blister issue. We'll see if he heads to the DL or not because of it. In comes F. Rodriguez, Escalona, and Carpenter. Together they helped make sure the Reds couldn't do anything. Then came Melancon, closer with the game still tied at 3. Melancon held his ground, luckily, and made the game go into extra innings. The man of the night, Altuve, sacrifices himself in the 10th with a RBI and wins the game for Melancon and the Astros.
The Astros take a 1-0 lead in this series against the Reds, but still trails the season series 4-6.
I asked my supervisor TJ today about the possibities of moving my schedule around today. He said that it would be VERY likely that it could be arranged. I also went up to WSU to see about what I would need to do to start taking those classes that I need, and I ended up with the institute instructor's phone number. I called it and left a message. So we'll see what fruits come out of it.
I think that I'm really excited for the possibilities of becoming a teacher again. But I'm more excited about having the possibilities of getting out of Teleperformance. I am growing more and more frustrated about that job. One can only take the abuse from the customers for so long before one breaks. I'm thinking that I'm getting to the breaking zone. Lord help me, please.

OH MY GOSH! (Myers vs Narveson)

If this season could've gotten worse, the Astros found a way to do it.  On our way to a 100 game losing season, the Astros seemed to have guaranteed them the worse season in franchise history 4 hours before this game even started.  Michael Bourn, who became the Astros best player when Hunter Pence left for Philly yesterday, got traded before the deadline to the Braves.  Now it's certain, the Astros are doomed.
Today's matinee against the Brewers was closer than anticipated.  Bourgeois hit a 3 run homer in the 4th to take a 3-2 lead.  Bourgeois scored again on a wild pitch to tie the game at 4 in the 8th.  It was relief pitcher Fernando Rodriguez that lost the game when a RBI single by Prince Fielder in the bottom of the 8th.
Myers was not at his best at all today.  Allowing 4 runs in 8 innings was not what the Astros needed today.  Meaning, the Brewers sweep the Astros 3-0 with a 5-4 victory.  Rodriguez getting the loss.  The Astros are now a gloomy 35-73 for the season, 3-6 against the Brewers this season.  Houston, we now have a major problem. 
I remember when I was younger Robbie Owen, Gene Bolinder, and myself would dress up in Indiana Jones attire and run in the rain.  Audrey, Roo, and Dude are not dressing up; however, they are having fun playing in the rain today.  I love it when they dash into the kitchen all freaked out because of the lightning and thunder.  It'll be pretty funny if they decide that they want Sprite when they come in for good after the storm.  That's what we used to do.  Good times. 
Last Friday we went to see the Handy's, our friends in Clinton.  They are by far one family that I can trust with my life.  They mentioned to me about becoming a Seminary teacher.  That thought has yet to leave my mind.  The biggest thing for me is if I can tweek my work schedule to so I can get to classes on Tuesday and Thursday morning.  I'll be asking about it tomorrow.
Little Bree is being a punk today.  She hasn't really napped all afternoon!  What is the deal with that?  She's had plenty of moments were sleeping would not be an issue.  Shelly's been really good at not eating and drinking anything that would decrease the sleeping possibilities.  I just don't get it.  Silly girl.
Audrey was the punk of punks, though.  I learned today that when Shelly was younger, whenever she wanted attention she would stomp down to her room, slam the door while stating that she hated the world.  Well, thank goodness she doesn't do that anymore.  Audrey, though, does.  Having no sisters of my own, I had to ride the boat on this one.  How in the world do I respond to such things without going overboard myself?  It turned out that she got to spend a lot of the afternoon in the backyard "cooling off" and then she need to apologize for her actions to the whole family.  It was one of those times in my life where I wish I could have predicted this moment was going to happen.  It was a good thing I was busy helping Trent get his clothes put away.

Getting back into it (Happ vs Gallardo)

I've areally kind off missed blogging.  I can't believe that I'm admitting it, yet it's true.  A lot has happened since the last time I wrote, but with my Astros, it's been basically the same old story.
Let's start with today.  We're visiting the top ranked, Central leading Brewers and our timing could not have been any worse.  We scored a total of 2 runs.  One run was an RBI in the 6th by SS Sanchez.  Sanchez is currently batting .253, which is not bad, but could and should be better.  Our second and last run came in the 8th when PH Martinez RBI doubled to score Quintero.  Martinez is literally batting 1.00 this year.
As for the pitching, there really is no excuse.  I now know why the Phillies wanted to get rid of Happ.  Happ is now 4-13 on the season.  Today he allowed 5 runs in 5 innings.  2 of those were his fault.  Basically, the Astros lose another one 2-6 and are now a lovely 35-70. 
Yesterday the Astros traded Hunter Pence to the Phillies as our last straw.  Baby Bree is doing fantastic and I'm pooped.

Myers, Myers, Myers (Hanson vs Myers)

Once again, it started out all wrong.  Schafer reaches on an infield single, steals to second, and then Uggla homers to left field.  At that point, I wished I turned it off.  Hoping the the baseball Gods will have a little pitty on the Astros was in vane.  The Astros offense didn't show up until the sixth inning when Carlos Lee RBI doubled which scored Downs.  However, that was it.  With McCann's 2 run homer earlier in the sixth the Astros offense could find anything. 
Myers, however, was definitely not on any type of ball whatsoever.  Now 2-6 for the season, today he allowed 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 homeruns, and only struckout 6 in 7 innings.  The opposing pitcher, Hanson, struck out a career record 14 batters he faced.  This is not helping me build confidence.  This is one of many reasons why I believe that we have a problem in Houston.

Personal note:  Still no baby.  My friend Glenn is thinking that he will have a series sweep. I'm thinking that he may be right.

At Least This One Was A Game (Minor vs Lyles)

Yesterday's game looked fun for the Astros.  Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee had RBI doubles in the 1st inning to go up 2-0.  Well, that really was it.  The bats then fell silent.  But it had potential. Lyles helped keep the Braves at bay allowing 8 hits and 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings.  This one came down to the 10th inning, trying my best to stay positive.  McCann's 3 run homer and Hinske's RBI single in the 10th ruined any hope for an Astros win.  Braves won 6-3.  We have a problem in Houston.

My Friend Glenn Is One Happy Man (Hudson vs A. Rodriguez)

My friend Glen is a Braves fan.  Luckily I don't gamble on games, especially when the Braves play the Astros.  I would be out a lot if I did.  Why?  A score of 11-4 in favor of the Braves would be the likely story. 
Our version of A Rod doesn't even compare to the New York's.  Our A Rod only lasted 4 innings, allowed like 6 hits and 5 runs, leaving the game when the score was 5-1 for the Braves.  Sanchez grounded out RBI'd for the Astros in the 3rd to get the first score in for Houston.  As we know, it never improved.  Del Rosario allowed the Braves to run up the score 9-1 in the fifth inning when A Rod sat down.  Bourn scored in the 5th on Hudson's wild pitch to make the score 9-2 after 5. 
Fulchino, Lyon, and Melacon all pitched the rest of the game for Houston, and still allowed 2 more runs to score.  Downs homered in the bottom of the ninth to also score Corporan, but the damage was already done.  On Friday, June 10, the Braves had their way, and that is why I believe that we may have a problem in Houston. 

Still no baby.

Astros Find Their Usual Ways (Lynn vs Happ)

Yesterday's finale was depressing from the start.  It's almost like the Astros started the game 1-0.  Oh, wait!  They were.  But Wallace evened things out with an RBI single to tie it after one.  The next 4 innings were basically a pitching duel.  However, the 6th inning got depressing.  Before I knew it, the Cardinals were up 6-1.  It took a total of 3 Astro pitchers to get out of the inning.  Keppinger hit a sacrifice RBI in the 7th, but the Astros lose 2-9. Happ is now at a depresssing 3-8 for the season. 

No new baby news yet.

No No-No for Norris (Garcia vs Norris)

Due to a mild fever and feeling like.....I'm finally feeling better enough to write about the better game the Astros played yesterday.  The offensive showed up!  Pence hit an RBI triple in the 3rd to make the score 1-0.  Carlos Lee sacrificed himself to RBI Pence in to get the score 2-0.  Michaels RBI single in the 5th made it 3-0.  And in the 8th, Bourn RBI singled. 
Norris was fantastic!  Norris (4-4) is 6-2 against the Cardinals and allowed only 1 hit and 1 run in 8 innings.  Coincidentally it was a home run by Lance Berkman in the 7th that ruined the perfect game.  Astros end up winning 4-1 and the Astros improve to 2-5 against the Cardinals this season.  Houston, we may still have a problem if you can't figure out how to win at home against the Cardinals.

Personal Note:  This morning we have a baby appointment.  The final appointment before Baby Breanne shows up.  I'm really hoping that we can still have this baby before Monday.  That would be awesome. 

Oh, My(ers)! (Westbrook vs Myers)

Yesterday's game was so depressing that it took me until now to finally write about it.  The most depressing part about last night's game against the Cards was that Myers (2-5) lasted 6 innings and had 6 hits and 5 runs against him.  Berkman and Pujols went long which was also depressing.  That was one note about the Cards, which is one note too many.  Sorry.  The best part of the game was in the first inning when Carlos Lee hit a 2 run homer.  Astros end up losing 4-7 and going to 1-5 this year against the Cardinals.  Houston, we really have a problem here.

I Cannot Tell a Ly(les) (Lyles vs Latos)

Our top fenom, Jordan Lyles, only lasted four innings.  But today, that was 4 innings too many.  Literally, the only bright spot about the whole game was that Hunter Pence extended his hitting streak to 17 straight games with a RBI single in the fifth.  Other than that, Lyles allowed five hits, four runs, and a walk and only struck out 3.  While he was at it, he beaned 2 other batters, one of them scored.  The offence did not help him any at all either. 

A Wrong Turn of Events (A. Rodriguez vs. Harang)

The Houston Astros' version of A Rod is almost unbearable to watch.  But the offensive the past two games has been slow, too.  JR Towles is finally finding himself.  He RBI'd with an error by 2nd baseman Forsythe that scores Johnson in the second.  Barmes hit a beauty (home run) in the 3rd to tie it at 2-2.  Then A Rod got it all wrong.  He lasts 6 innings and with an ERA for today's game 6.  Another run scores in the ninth for the Astros but it wasn't nearly enough to make it a "close" game.  Astros lose 3-6 to the Padres and are now 3-4 in the series.  Last game of the regular season with the Padres comes up later today.  Luckily it's a day game.  I'll be posting again tonight.

That Was Not HAPPiness (Happ vs. Mosely)

Catcher JR Towles had to have been the player of the game last night for the Astros because he was the only offensive player that did anything.  With his RBI sacrifice to first in the 4th inning that scored Johnson to take a 1-0 lead, that was basically the only happy offensive in the whole game.  Happ then came into the 4th and, well, ruined everything.  The Padres' found there bats and by the end of the 4th the Padres were up 2-1.  They weren't done.  A home run by Denorfia in the 5th capped and sealed it for the Padres.

The Game of RBI's (Norris vs Stauffer)

While writing this, the game is currently in the ninth inning.  So in case something terrible happens when I go to bed before the game is over, this game was won by the Astros with RBI's.  Johnson started with a RBI in the 2nd inning.  And then the Astros opened it wide in the 3rd when Lee, Wallance, Towles, and Norris all hit RBI's to take a commanding 6-0 lead.  Norris did allow 4 runs, which is a problem, but Johnson did hit a home run in the 5th inning.  So in the bottom of the ninth now, the Astros have a 7-4 lead on the Padres.  I hope that Houston does not have a problem tonight to win this thing.  Update tomorrow.

First Sweep in Wrigley in 3 Years (Myers vs Davis)

What a sweet day in Wrigley.  Despite the first batter that Myers sees hits a homerun, the Astros fire back with Michaels' homerun in right-center in the second to tie it up.  Then came the pitching duel until the top of the seventh.  Batter:  Michael Bourn.  Homerun?  No.  Two run RBI single and the Astros win 3 straight and take the series lead 4-2.  Myers was a stud today pitching six innings and going 12-3 lifetime with a 2.12 ERA against the Cubs.  Another interesting stat is that Hunter Pence extended his game hit streak to 13 games.
Personal note:  We went to the baby doctor today to see how Bre is doing.  Shelly is dilated to a 2 and is feeling very nausous today.  HOPEFULLY this will turn into something.  If not, she will be induced on the 13th.  Come on Bre!  Give me an excuse to really celebrate today.

At This Time, I Love Wrigley (Lyles vs Zambrano)

Let me set the scene for you.  It was a pitching duel between Carlos Zambrano vs Jordan Lyles for 3 innings.  Who would break first?  I'm happy to report that it was Zambrano for the Cubs.  Wallace was be first one up to bat in the top of the 4th inning and he clubbed one out of the park and the Astros did not look back.  Or did they?  In the bottom of the eighth inning Lyles' luck ran out.  The Cubs took a 1-3 lead into the ninth and here comes the bullpen to help Lyles get out of the jam.  Now here comes Marmol, the Cubs closer.  He ended up being the Astros savior today.  With Marmol on the mound, the Astros ended up scoring 6 runs in the top of the ninth including a 3 run homer for Hunter Pence, which ended all scoring.  The Astros took a 7-3 win against the Cubs to take a 3-2 series lead.  But it still made me wonder especially in the bottom of the ninth inning because Houston, I still think that we may have a problem, just not today. 

It's Raining in Chicago! (A.Rodriguez vs. Lopez)

Allow me to properly take in the sights and sounds in Wrigley Field for a moment.  At least during the game it was partly cloudy with highs in the upper 40's.  The air is fresh and the scene is ripe for home run after home run after home run after home run.  That's right, four homers.  In the top of the fifth, Clint Barmes and Hunter Pence hit back to back homers to tie up the game at 6 a piece.  Then J.R Towles and Jeff Keppinger joined the slug fest with home runs of there own.  Now Rodriguez allow 6 runs in 4 innings, so  how did the bullpen hold up?  One run in 5 innings.  Was it enough?  Yes!  With Keppinger's 3 run homer in the top of the ninth it sealed the game up for the Astros.  Final score 12-7.  It still scared me with the Astros lead, which still has me thinking that Houston, we may have a problem.

Thank Goodness That Series is Over (Collmenter vs Happ)

Good news is that the Diamondbacks are in first place in the NL West, overtaking the Giants.  Bad news is that the Diamondbacks swept the Astros to get there.  J.A. Happ pitched a great game.  In fact, I dare say that he was the player of the game for the Astros.  He didn't just pitch a great game, but he homered for the first time in his MLB life in the fifth inning to give the Astros a 2-0 lead.  But, once Happ sat down to let the bullpin finish it up, they couldn't hold onto the lead.  Really and honestly, why put Fulchino in again to face a team that loves him?
Personal note:  I cut myself while cutting up an onion for tonight's dinner and I put on one of Audrey's princess bandaids for lack of finding any others.  Trent finds me right before bedtime and looks at me weird.  Then he asks me, "Why you wear Audrey bandaid, Daddy?"  Yep, I laughed.  It made my day.

Oh My Hall! Not Again! (Duke vs Norris)

Bill Hall seems be have nothing more than a blunder of errors.  Really?  Tuesday he had an error that cost the Astros 4 unearned runs, and today we can tack on more.  Something needs to be done about this. 
However, I can't blame everything on Hall.  Tonight the bats were silent until the bottom of the ninth inning when the Astros FINALLY scored some runs.  But it wasn't enough.  Damage was already done when Duke was able to hit his very first MLB homerun. That was the nail that sealed it for the D-Backs.  So Norris, who has now lost 3 in a row, is having issues, too.  The Diamondbacks win again 11-3 in game 2.
Personal note:  Tonight I have fallen in love with my dutch ovens.  I've got them seasoned up for the first time while at the Haymore's and I have fallen in love.  Here's to a summer of grilling and dutch ovening.

Diamondbacks are poisonous (Hudson vs. Myers)

The first half of the game was wonderful.  Pence's RBI double scores Pence and Lee RBI singles scores Pence at the bottom of the first to get everything started.  Then Bourn's RBI double scores Chris Johnson & Clint Barmes and Keppinger's RBI scores in Bourn in the bottom of the second gives the Astros a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the second.  Then Bourn's RBI single scores Barmes again in the bottom of the 4th for a 6-0 lead. 
Well, that was that.  All that scoring upset the snakes.  Myers gem was lost the next 5 innings.  The Astros couldn't hold the lead.  Escalona, Lopez, Fulchino, and Del Rosario from the bullpen seemed to find there old ways again AND the bats went completely silent the second half of the game.  Astros lose 6-7. 
Personal note:  It was good to go up to Logan today to say goodbye to Sister Wolfgram.  It was so touching to hear the girls say goodbye.  It'll be interesting how the girls do (especially Roo) on Sunday. 

A much better day (Lilly vs A. Rodriguez)

Oh, what a good day all together.  Michael Bourn hitting his first home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning.  Hunter Pence sliding into the wall to catch the fly ball and NOT getting hurt.  Then there was JR Towles who finally found his swing, hitting the walk off single to center field that scored Brian Bogusevic from second.  Let's not forget the the bullpen is doing a fabulous job right now.  It may not have been a stellar win, but 2-1 does it for the Astros to win the 3 game series against the Dodgers 2 games to 1. 
Personal note:  Family is doing OK today with yesterday's news.  Everyone seemed to be on edge, especially Shelly and myself.  However, we made it through the day without losing ourselves.  Pack meeting round robins went great, and Shelly is out with Cicily helping her out.  Could not ask for anything better considering the circumstances. 

Depressing Day (Billingsley vs Happ)

So the Astros lost today to tie up the series against the Dodgers.  Hall's error did them in today.  But more importantly we lost an Earthly angel today in Sister Wolfgram.  She had some issues with her intestines and never could make it completely heal from the surgery.  With complications from the surgery she went home to her Heavenly Father as her husband Glenn was reciting there favorite hymn this morning.  Shelly found out and told me.  While I was out checking out the Wolfgram's home to see if mowing or weed eating needed to be done this week, Shelly told Roo and they both cried.  There are many primary children who cried with there mom's and dad's today.  Sister Wolfgram is a wonderful woman who somehow got Roo to go to primary.  She will be greatly missed.  This Friday I'm making plans to go to the Wolfgram home and mow the lawn and weed whip the edges while the Wolfgram Family is on their way to Logan for the viewing and funeral.  What better way to remember an angel than to do service for those in need.  Brother Wolfgram should not have to worry about the home while having to start life without his best friend.  May this be a testimony that families are forever if they are sealed for time and all eternity in the Holy Temple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Yet it is still sad that we have to part for a time.  But what joy will it be to meet again!

Bourn Again! (Kershaw vs. Norris)

This was not pretty, but it worked.  Norris pitched a pretty good 7 innings today, but thank goodness for the bullpen again and to the very late offense.  Besides Quintero's RBI that brought in Hall from second in the third inning, it was Bourn and Pence that literally won the game for the 'Stros.  However, the player of the game had to be Quintero.  With his RBI in the third and throwing out a Dodger runner in the top of the 4th, he was playing like a real stud today.  I was very impressed.  Bourn quickly forgot about his blunder in center field in the 7th inning when he forgot to pick up the ball that let the Dodgers to score 2 runs.  His 2-run RBI in the 9th tied the game and Pence won it an RBI single.  That's what made it nail biter to the end.  Gotta love it!

Thank you, Canada (W. Rodriguez vs. Drabek)

Thank you also to the Astros bullpen and to Hunter Pence for the series win again the Blue Jays.  After the 2 run homer in the fifth inning by Pence, the Astros bullpen came up with a close call in the sixth but held in there to win the series.  Now it's home sweet home. 
Personal note: Sad news on the home front.  The primary counselor that finally got Roo to go to primary is on her last legs.  Only a miracle will save Sis. Wolfgram.  She is a wonderful lady and will be sorely missed.  She has definitely lived a great life, though. 

Oh, Canada!!!! (Myers vs Morrow)

It was the best of times for Brett Myers on the mound today with a 4-0 lead.  Then the Jays figured him out.  Bautista's 3 run homer and Escobar's 2 run homer must have taken the wind right out of his sails because the Jays never looked back.  On the bright side, Johnson scored in 2 runs to help the Astros get that 4-0 lead.  But the Jays  prevailed 5-7 over the Astros this morning/afternoon. 
Personal note:  trampolines are not easy to move and really difficult to mow under. 

Beautiful Toronto, Canada (A.Rodriguez vs. J. Reyes)

Last night it seemed like the Astros were going to be there usual selves.  It seemed like they were going to lose it again after trailing 0-2 into the eighth inning.  Then a miracle happened.  Pence found his bat!  With 2 guys on, Pence hit an off-the-wall 2 run RBI double to tie the game.  Come into the ninth inning now.  Downs takes 9 pitches to walk and then here comes Johnson.  He works reliever Frank Francisco to a 3-2 count and then sky-rockets a 2-run homer into the left field bleachers.  What a sight to behold!  The Astros take the lead!  To solidify the win, Bourn hits in Sanchez in a RBI single and the Astros beat the Blue Jays 5-2 in there first game ever North of the border. We should play there more often.
With that win, Mets beating the Yankees, and the Sox (Boston) beating up and maiming the Cubs, last night was a good day in baseball. 

Here I go

So I have friends who have started their own blogs.  Some of whom have started blogging about their favorite teams and how they think they've done.  So, I figured what the heck.  I've been an Astros fan for more than a decade, so why not blog about them?  But I can't just stop there.  I'm likely to blog about life in general and about the kids, too.