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		<title>Astros, Rangers kick off Lone Star Series in&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/astros-rangers-kick-off-lone-star-series-in/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 20:08:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lyaslyntyis</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/astros-rangers-kick-off-lone-star-series-in/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Written by The Sports Network (Sports Network) - The Lone Star Series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros will commence this weekend, starting with tonight's opener of a three- game set at Minute Maid Park. The Silver Boot will be up for grabs between the two Texas combatants with the Rangers aiming for bragging rights in a fourth consecutive year. The Rangers went 4-2 against the Astros last season and are 14-4 in the past 18 matchups in the series]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div readability="106.78124194795">
<div readability="5.280701754386">
<p><h6>Written by</h6>
<p>			<span>The  Sports Network</span>
		</p>
</p></div>
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<p>&#8211;></p>
<p>							(Sports Network) &#8211; The Lone Star Series between the Texas Rangers and Houston<br />
 Astros will commence this weekend, starting with tonight&#8217;s opener of a three-<br />
 game set at Minute Maid Park.
</p>
<p>
 The Silver Boot will be up for grabs between the two Texas combatants with the<br />
 Rangers aiming for bragging rights in a fourth consecutive year. The Rangers<br />
 went 4-2 against the Astros last season and are 14-4 in the past 18 matchups<br />
 in the series. Texas also has won eight of nine in Space City and is 37-29<br />
 overall in the Lone Star Series.
</p>
<p>
 Texas currently leads the AL West by four games over Oakland, but went 3-4 on<br />
 a recent homestand. It split a two-game series with the Athletics and suffered<br />
 a 5-4 loss in 10 innings on Thursday, as Kila Ka&#8217;aihue singled home Jonny<br />
 Gomes in the top of the 10th inning for the game-winning run. Rangers reliever<br />
 Mike Adams was dealt the loss and starter Matt Harrison allowed three runs and<br />
 eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.
</p>
<p>
 &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t call it frustrating,&#8221; said Rangers manager Ron Washington. &#8220;It&#8217;s a<br />
 tough loss. It&#8217;s not frustrating because we still have a lot of games on the<br />
 schedule. You can&#8217;t get frustrated about one game, because that frustration<br />
 ends up snowballing.&#8221;
</p>
<p>
 Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton got the day off until a pinch-hitting role in<br />
 the eighth inning and had his 16-game hitting streak come to an end. Hamilton<br />
 went 0-for-2 and was riding the longest hit streak of his career since a 23-<br />
 game run back in June 2010.
</p>
<p>
 &#8220;It allows you to be stress-free for a few innings,&#8221; Hamilton said. &#8220;Not<br />
 really having to think about the game, but just out there supporting your<br />
 teammates and encouraging them. If we have a day off, about the sixth inning,<br />
 I&#8217;m still getting ready. In about the sixth inning, I went to the cage, and I<br />
 was ready to go.&#8221;
</p>
<p>
 Washington&#8217;s club, which will visit Seattle as well on this road trip, is<br />
 scheduled to send Neftali Feliz to the mound Friday. Feliz has won two<br />
 straight starts and is 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA in seven games (6 starts) this<br />
 season. He last toed the rubber in a 13-6 win over the LA Angels on Sunday, as<br />
 he held the Halos to a pair of runs and four hits in six innings.
</p>
<p>
 Feliz is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in six relief appearances against the Astros.
</p>
<p>
 Houston will resume an eight-game homestand tonight and swept Milwaukee in two<br />
 games to kick off the residency. In Thursday&#8217;s 4-0 victory, starting pitcher<br />
 J.A. Happ evened his 2012 mark at 3-3 with six shutout innings, four<br />
 strikeouts and one walk.
</p>
<p>
 &#8220;I&#8217;m just trying to be aggressive and throw strikes,&#8221; said Happ. &#8220;With the<br />
 pitches that I miss and that they get on, the guys behind me do a great job.&#8221;
</p>
<p>
 Jed Lowrie hit a two-run homer and both Chris Snyder and Jordan Schafer added<br />
 RBI singles for the Astros, whose two-game winning streak comes on the heels<br />
 of a four-game slide.
</p>
<p>
 The Astros are slated to host the NL Central-rival Cubs on the homestand and<br />
 hope Wandy Rodriguez can pitch the ballclub past Texas tonight. Rodriguez<br />
 hopes to follow up Happ&#8217;s performance with a stellar showing of his own. Since<br />
 a personal three-game win streak from April 22-May 2, Rodriguez is 0-1 in two<br />
 trips to the mound and did not record a decision in a 3-2 loss at Pittsburgh<br />
 on Sunday. He threw eight innings of one-run ball, struck out seven batters<br />
 and issued one walk.
</p>
<p>
 Rodriguez is 3-3 in eight starts to go along with a 1.99 earned run average<br />
 this season, and is 4-2 with a 5.13 ERA in six career starts against Texas.
</p>
<p>
 Houston will don its 1965 uniforms for tonight&#8217;s series opener with the<br />
 Rangers. Former Astros legend and current Rangers president Nolan Ryan will<br />
 throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
</p>
<p>
 Texas owns a 135-131 mark in interleague play and Houston is 107-123 against<br />
 the American League.
</p>
<p>
							The Sports Network
							</p>
</div>
<p>Feel free to leave your comments below. </p>
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		<title>Rangers-Astros Preview</title>
		<link>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/rangers-astros-preview/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 19:56:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tzantzmyle</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[ While Josh Hamilton was given most of Thursday off, the Houston Astros surely would not object if Ron Washington rested his slugger for the whole weekend. Hamilton and the Rangers begin their bid to retain the Silver Boot for the sixth straight year Friday night when they open their three-game interleague series versus the Houston Astros]]></description>
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<p>While <span>Josh Hamilton</span> was given most of Thursday off, the <span>Houston Astros</span> surely would not object if <span>Ron Washington</span> rested his slugger for the whole weekend.</p>
<p>Hamilton and the <span>Rangers</span> begin their bid to retain the Silver Boot for the sixth straight year Friday night when they open their three-game interleague series versus the Houston Astros.</p>
<p>With <span>Texas</span> (24-15) in the midst of a 20-game, 20-day stretch, Washington spent most of this week giving his key players a day off to keep them fresh. Hamilton&#8217;s turn came Thursday, though he appeared as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and eventually went 0 for 2 in the Rangers&#8217; 5-4, 10-inning loss to Oakland.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not used to days off,&#8221; said Michael Young, who sat Wednesday and served as designated hitter in Hamilton&#8217;s traditional third spot Thursday. &#8220;I like to get out there every day. But rest is always a good thing.&#8221;</p>
<p>Hamilton&#8217;s 16-game hitting streak &#8211; longest in the AL this season &#8211; came to an end and also slightly slowed what had been a staggering tear for the star center fielder. Even including Thursday, he is 17 for 37 (.459) with eight homers and 17 RBIs in his last 10 games and leads the AL in all three Triple Crown categories with a .399 average, 18 homers and 45 RBIs.</p>
<p>&#8220;When we go to play in <span>Houston</span>, I want every single one of them feeling good,&#8221; Washington told MLB.com. &#8220;We had a road trip from hell, and the fatigue factor hit us here.&#8221;</p>
<p>Hamilton has been a fatigue factor on both the Astros and the entire NL in interleague play the last two years. He is hitting .406 (52 for 128) with 11 homers, eight doubles, two triples and 31 RBIs in his last 31 games against the senior circuit, and .404 (21 for 52) with three homers, two triples and one double and 12 RBIs versus the Astros in that span while helping the Rangers win nine of 12 games to keep the Silver Boot.</p>
<p>As Texas has risen to prominence as two-time reigning American League champions, the Astros (17-21) appear to be holding their own while rebuilding ahead of joining the Rangers in the AL West for 2013. They swept a two-game series from Milwaukee at home following a four-game skid, capped with Thursday&#8217;s 4-0 victory as J.A. Happ and three relievers combined on an eight-hitter.</p>
<p>&#8220;Any time you get in the same division, that has a tendency to build on that (rivalry) a little bit more,&#8221; Houston manager Brad Mills said. &#8220;You play each other so many times and it&#8217;s in your division, those games have a little bit more on the line.&#8221;</p>
<p><span>Wandy Rodriguez</span> (3-3, 1.99 ERA) will try to follow up Happ&#8217;s strong performance and shut down the Rangers for a second straight year. The left-hander, who conceded one run in eight innings of a 3-2, 12-inning defeat Sunday at Pittsburgh, scattered four hits and three walks in seven innings of a 7-0 win June 30, improving to 4-2 in six lifetime starts against Texas.</p>
<p>Rodriguez, though, is 3-5 with a 6.30 ERA in nine outings against the AL since the start of 2009, and 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA in 22 career interleague starts overall. Hamilton is 1 for 4 against him.</p>
<p>Neftali Feliz (3-1, 3.32) gets the ball opposite Rodriguez bidding to win his third straight start. The right-hander was efficient Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing two runs in six innings of a 13-6 victory. As a closer, Feliz was 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA and three saves in four opportunities spanning six appearances against the Astros.</p>
<p>Astros first baseman Carlos Lee, who briefly played for Texas before being dealt to Houston in 2006, is batting .245 in 30 games against the Rangers since that deal.</p>
</div>
<p>Thanks for reading! . </p>
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		<title>Phillies Looking Better but Need to Do More: A&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/phillies-looking-better-but-need-to-do-more-a/</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 20:50:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>keunkersnadi</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[ Are the Philadelphia Phillies gaining momentum? They just might be after their thrilling 4-3 win over the Houston Astros]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<div readability="49.680034129693">
<div readability="44.712030716724">
<p>
  Are the Philadelphia Phillies gaining momentum? They just might be after their thrilling 4-3 win over the Houston Astros. By winning the game, the Phillies accomplished a couple of firsts on the young season. The win gave them their first three-game winning streak of the season. It also gave them their first victory in extra innings.
</p>
<p>
  As a fan, I am happy that those two things have finally happened. However, I still need to see a little more from this team before the season officially turns the corner.
</p>
<p>
  The win over Houston was big considering what happened in the game. Once again, an impressive performance from a starting pitcher was wasted. Cliff Lee gave up one run through eight solid innings only to have Chad Qualls blow the two-run lead in the ninth inning. Lee is still without a win on the season, and you can&#8217;t really blame that on him. Fortunately, the offense finally made up for a blown game when Hunter Pence hit the clinching home run in the 10th inning. Just like that, the Phillies started a winning streak.
</p>
<p>
  This is a big week for the Phillies. The Astros and the next series against the Chicago Cubs gave the Phillies a chance to beat some bad teams. After that, there is a big home series against the Boston Red Sox. So far, the Phillies are 2-0 on the week, and you can&#8217;t complain about that. On the other hand, the comfort that fans have had with this team over the last few years isn&#8217;t quite there yet. The bullpen and the offense are still shaky, and until they find some stability there will always be tension late in games. It isn&#8217;t that fans are giving up on the season, it is that they want to see the usual consistency from this team before they say that everything is better.
</p>
<p>
  If the Phillies manage to play well against the Cubs, they will be a little closer to getting on track. Winning those two games would not only give them a five-game winning streak but also move them above .500 for the first time since they were 1-0. At that point, it might be time to start getting excited again. But if they can&#8217;t do that, you shouldn&#8217;t give up. There are more reasons to think that this team is a division contender than there are to think they are out of it. We can&#8217;t lose sight of that, but it would sure be nice if they kept this streak going.
</p>
<p><i>* &#8211; Mark Paul is a Philadelphia resident and lifelong Phillies fan.</i>
</div>
</div>
<p>If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top. </p>
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		<title>Brewers-Astros Preview</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 10:14:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>slmenslouboutin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/brewers-astros-preview/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ On the verge of their longest losing streak of the season, the Houston Astros might be thankful that it's Bud Norris' turn in the rotation. He might not feel the same way, however, about facing the Milwaukee Brewers or having to pitch opposite left-hander Randy Wolf]]></description>
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<p>On the verge of their longest losing streak of the season, the Houston Astros might be thankful that it&#8217;s Bud Norris&#8217; turn in the rotation. He might not feel the same way, however, about facing the Milwaukee Brewers or having to pitch opposite left-hander Randy Wolf.</p>
<p>While Wolf will seek a sixth straight win over Houston, Norris will try to help the Astros snap a four-game skid Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park.</p>
<p>Houston (15-21) is 2-7 in its last nine with the two victories by one run apiece. Norris (3-1, 3.95 ERA) earned one of those Friday by giving up three hits over six innings and matching a season high with eight strikeouts in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>He also worked out of a bases-loaded jam in his final frame of that 1-0 victory and did the same during an 8-2 home win over St. Louis on May 5 in which he allowed only one unearned run over six innings.</p>
<p>&#8220;He knows he&#8217;s got enough good stuff to work through that, and he did for the second time in a row,&#8221; manager Brad Mills told the team&#8217;s website. &#8220;We wish he wouldn&#8217;t have to go through it like that, but at the same time, it&#8217;s good to see him battle and tighten the screws a little bit.&#8221;</p>
<p>Norris, though, hasn&#8217;t worked himself out of too many jams against the Brewers (16-20) as he&#8217;s 0-3 with a 10.13 ERA in his last three matchups. He matched a career high by giving up seven runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 9-6 loss at Miller Park on April 24.</p>
<p>Wolf (2-3, 5.63) was also the opposing starter in that game, and allowed two runs and four hits over six innings. The veteran left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.32 ERA in his last seven starts against Houston and has surrendered one run in each of his last two outings at Minute Maid Park, although he didn&#8217;t receive a decision in either game.</p>
<p>He&#8217;s also coming off one of his best performances of the season.</p>
<p>Wolf tossed six scoreless innings Friday against the Chicago Cubs but did not get a decision in an 8-7 home victory.</p>
<p>He&#8217;ll next face a team that snapped an 11-game skid to the Brewers last month. The Astros have dropped six straight at home to their NL Central rivals and might not be at their freshest as they&#8217;ve played 31 innings over the last three games.</p>
<p>They rallied for two runs in the ninth inning Tuesday in Philadelphia but Brett Myers gave up a homer to former teammate Hunter Pence in the 10th for a 4-3 defeat.</p>
<p>The Brewers, meanwhile, are 4-11 in their last 15 road games, but produced an 8-0 rout at the New York Mets on Tuesday behind Travis Ishikawa&#8217;s two homers and career-high five RBIs.</p>
<p>Rickie Weeks also snapped an 0-for-21 skid with a solo homer, and Aramis Ramirez extended his hit streak to 12 games.</p>
<p>Ramirez is 5 for 11 (.455) with two home runs in his career against Norris and is batting .400 in his last 17 games against the Astros. He&#8217;s also 11 for 21 (.521) during a five-game hit streak in Houston.</p>
</div>
<p>Not much else going on in the NBA world today. </p>
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		<title>Astros-Phillies Preview</title>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 09:20:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>hntachniwlari</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[ Some recent scuffling at the plate has the Houston Astros questioning their confidence offensively. Facing Cliff Lee - even as he works his way back to form - may not help them much Tuesday night when they conclude their two-game series versus the Philadelphia Phillies . ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
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<p>Some recent scuffling at the plate has the <span>Houston Astros</span> questioning their confidence offensively.</p>
<p>Facing <span>Cliff Lee</span> &#8211; even as he works his way back to form &#8211; may not help them much Tuesday night when they conclude their two-game series versus the <span>Philadelphia Phillies</span>.</p>
<p>The Astros (15-20) have scored only 13 runs in dropping six of eight, getting held to three or fewer runs in every game. <span>Marwin Gonzalez</span>&#8216;s pinch-hit homer in the eighth accounted for Houston&#8217;s scoring in Monday&#8217;s 5-1 loss to the <span>Phillies</span>, with the other six hits &#8211; three by <span>Carlos Lee</span> &#8211; all singles.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re getting back to earlier in the year where we talked about runners in scoring position,&#8221; manager Brad Mills told the team&#8217;s official website. &#8220;Now, we want to get a few more runners on to get that going. To get momentum, that&#8217;s the situation we&#8217;re in. Getting runners on, walking more and getting some hits.&#8221;</p>
<p>Houston is batting .191 with only 10 extra-base hits during this current funk, going 5 for 42 (.119) with runners in scoring position, and its team batting average has dropped 16 points to .248.</p>
<p>Lee has been one of the few players finding some success, going 9 for 30 with a double and a triple, but he has no RBIs. The veteran first baseman has fared well against Cliff Lee (0-1, 2.17 ERA), going 8 for 21 with three homers and a triple.</p>
<p>Cliff Lee is making his second start since coming off the disabled list for a strained left oblique and was efficient Wednesday against New York, yielding two runs in six innings while throwing 84 pitches. The left-hander, though, did not get a decision as his bullpen squandered a two-run lead in a 10-6 defeat.</p>
<p>&#8220;Last time he pitched, I wanted to send him out,&#8221; manager Charlie Manuel, who may let Lee hit 100 pitches this time around, told the team&#8217;s official website. &#8220;It crossed my mind, yes. But I didn&#8217;t want him to get hurt.&#8221;</p>
<p>Lee won his only start versus the Astros last year, striking out 11 in seven innings of a 9-4 victory, but he is 1-2 with a 6.89 ERA in three lifetime starts against them.</p>
<p>Philadelphia (17-19) is seeking its first three-game winning streak this season, and its offense is showing signs of coming around as it continues to play without stars Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. The Phillies have had at least eight hits in eight consecutive games and scored four or more runs five times in that span.</p>
<p>Freddy Galvis has spearheaded that charge, going 10 for 27 with four doubles, one triple and nine RBIs in his last nine games, raising his average 46 points to .231. The second baseman is hitting .319 at home, where 12 of his 13 RBIs have come.</p>
<p>Galvis and most of his Phillies teammates will get their first look at Jordan Lyles (0-1, 4.50), who is expected to be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City since he is scheduled to pitch Tuesday in its rotation. The 22-year-old right-hander, who is 5-0 with a 3.49 ERA with the RedHawks, made his season debut April 29 and allowed three runs and four hits in six innings before leaving without a decision in a 5-4 loss to Cincinnati.</p>
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		<title>Phillies Open Favorable Week Against Houston&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/phillies-open-favorable-week-against-houston/</link>
		<comments>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/phillies-open-favorable-week-against-houston/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 23:13:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>hntachniwlari</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[ This is a big week for the Philadelphia Phillies. After winning a series against the San Diego Padres, the Phillies face a stretch against teams that they should be able to beat. They have two games against both the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs before they host the Boston Red Sox in the first interleague series of the year]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<div readability="49.163755458515">
<div readability="43.701115963125">
<p>
  This is a big week for the Philadelphia Phillies. After winning a series against the San Diego Padres, the Phillies face a stretch against teams that they should be able to beat. They have two games against both the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs before they host the Boston Red Sox in the first interleague series of the year. If the Phillies are going to get back to .500, this is the kind of stretch that gives them a chance to be successful.
  </p>
<p>
  Here are a few reasons why the team needs to send a message by winning the majority of games this coming week:
</p>
<p>
  <b>They can sustain some confidence</b>
</p>
<p>
  Winning two out of three games against the Padres is nothing special, but it is something for this baseball team. The Phillies need to find any reason they can to be confident. Winning this series was at least the start of something good. If the Phillies can keep things going against these three teams, it might be enough to turn the season around for good.
</p>
<p>
  <b>They have to beat bad teams</b>
</p>
<p>
  The Astros and Cubs are among the worst teams in baseball. There is no excuse for the Phillies to not handle them. Of course, that is easier said than done. Houston has given the Phillies fits in the past, and the Cubs played a tough series in Philadelphia earlier in the season. As for the Red Sox, it is anyone&#8217;s guess. They have looked awful so far this year, but the team is still loaded with talent. I&#8217;m not ready to say that they are a bad team right now. Even with that in mind, the Phillies need to take care of business against teams that rank below them.
</p>
<p>
  <b>It will set a tone</b>
</p>
<p>
  By succeeding in this stretch, the Phillies will set a positive tone that they need. After the Boston series, the Phillies face a critical stretch. They host the Washington Nationals before starting a road trip with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets. There won&#8217;t be anything easy about those games. If the Phillies can&#8217;t find success in the next three series, that is the kind of stretch that could derail their season.
</p>
<p><i>* &#8211; Mark Paul is a Philadelphia resident and lifelong Phillies fan.</i>
</div>
</div>
<p>That&#8217;s all the news for today.</p>
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		<title>Astros Vs. Marlins: Houston Loses A Heartbreaker&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/astros-vs-marlins-houston-loses-a-heartbreaker/</link>
		<comments>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/astros-vs-marlins-houston-loses-a-heartbreaker/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 09:43:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>fatiffanyonsale</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/astros-vs-marlins-houston-loses-a-heartbreaker/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Read More: Greg Dobbs (3B - FLA), Ryan Webb (P - FLA), Logan Morrison (LF - FLA), Houston Astros, Miami Marlins It took 12 innings to do it, but the Miami Marlins emerged victorious over the Houston Astros on the road and took the season series with a 5-3 victory. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div readability="24.281115879828">
<p>
    <span>Read More:</span> Greg Dobbs (3B &#8211; FLA), Ryan Webb (P &#8211; FLA), Logan Morrison (LF &#8211; FLA), Houston Astros, Miami Marlins
  </p>
<p>It took 12 innings to do it, but the Miami Marlins emerged victorious over the Houston Astros on the road and took the season series with a 5-3 victory.</p>
<p>After an impressive ninth inning rally by the Astros to tie the game up, they just weren&#8217;t able to generate anymore offense to come away with the victory at Minute Maid Park</p>
<p>The Marlins Omar Infante singled to center field and drove in Logan Morrison and Greg Dobbs. Those two runs would prove to be enough for Miami and Houston drops a heartbreaker at home.</p>
<p>13 pitchers were used in the ball game but Ryan Webb picked up the win for Miami and David Carpenter took the loss for Houston.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Houston Astros, be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Miami Marlins news and info can be found at </i><i>Fish Stripes</i><i>, and all your MLB news is at Baseball Nation.</i></p>
</p></div>
</p>
<p>What are your opinions. </p>
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		<title>Marlins beat Astros 5-3 in 12 innings</title>
		<link>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/marlins-beat-astros-5-3-in-12-innings/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 09:43:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lyerlylila</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[ By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) - Omar Infante's bases-loaded two RBI single in the 12th inning lifted the Miami Marlins to a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night. Logan Morrison singled in the 12th before a walk by Giancarlo Stanton. Greg Dobbs grounded into a force out at second and left runners on the corners. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<div readability="117">
		By KRISTIE RIEKEN<br/>AP Sports Writer</p>
<p>HOUSTON (AP) &#8211; Omar Infante&#8217;s bases-loaded two RBI single in the 12th inning lifted the Miami Marlins to a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>Logan Morrison singled in the 12th before a walk by Giancarlo Stanton. Greg Dobbs grounded into a force out at second and left runners on the corners. Reliever David Carpenter (0-2) walked John Buck with two outs to load the bases and set up Infante&#8217;s game-winner.</p>
<p>The victory improves the Marlins to 8-1 on their nine-game road trip.</p>
<p>Ryan Webb (2-1) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the win.</p>
<p>The Marlins had runners at first and second with no outs in the 10th after a single by Hanley Ramirez and Jed Lowrie&#8217;s second error of the game, which allowed Morrison to reach. But closer Brett Myers retired the next three Marlins to escape the jam.</p>
<p>Heath Bell, who was demoted from the closer spot last week, allowed a hit in a scoreless 10th.</p>
<p>Brian Bogusevic tied it at 3-all with an RBI single off Steve Cishek with two outs in the ninth inning.</p>
<p>Carlos Lee got things going in that inning when he hit his first triple of the year on a ball hit just out of reach of a diving Stanton in right field with one out in the ninth inning. Cishek walked Chris Johnson on four pitches with two outs before Bogusevic&#8217;s hit. Matt Downs grounded out to send it to the 10th.</p>
<p>The Marlins trailed 2-1 after a solo homer by Johnson in the second inning.</p>
<p>John Buck and Jose Reyes both had run-scoring singles in the fourth to put Miami up 3-2.</p>
<p>Reyes drew a leadoff walk before scoring on an error by Lowrie with one out. Lowrie missed a ball hit by Ramirez and the ball rolled into the outfield to allow Reyes to stroll home and give Miami a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>It was the first time in the series that they&#8217;d scored on anything but a home run, after hitting five combined in the previous two games, but failing to get much else going on offense.</p>
<p>Jordan Schafer broke a 0 for 15 skid with a double in the first for the Astros. He scored after Buck, the catcher, had an error following a wild pitch. Schafer also doubled in the fifth and finished 4 for 5.</p>
<p>Miami starter Josh Johnson rebounded from two straight tough outings by allowing four hits and two runs with six strikeouts in seven innings. But he remains winless after Cishek&#8217;s blown save.</p>
<p>Houston starter Lucas Harrell allowed six hits and three runs &#8211; two earned &#8211; in 5 1-3 innings.</p>
<p>Things got testy in the seventh inning when reliever Wilton Lopez plunked Ramirez on the left arm. Lopez and Ramirez and catcher Chris Snyder were jawing as an umpire escorted Ramirez to first base. Lopez was then replaced by Wesley Wright, but didn&#8217;t leave the field until using a hand signal apparently meant to mock the Marlins.</p>
<p>Last season, Bonifacio and Infante began using the same hand signal, making a sideways &#8216;V&#8217; with their fingers across their eyes, to mean &#8216;lo viste?&#8217; in Spanish or &#8216;see that?,&#8217; after good plays.</p>
<p>Lopez didn&#8217;t stop once he was off the field, making the gesture several more times from the dugout while eyeing Ramirez.</p>
<p>Both managers came out separately to talk to the umpire before Morrison grounded out to end the inning.</p>
<p>Reyes made the gesture with a smile after a single in the 11th inning.</p>
<p>NOTES: Houston starter Kyle Weiland, who had arthroscopic surgery for an infection in his right shoulder May 1, doesn&#8217;t expect to return to the rotation until at least late July. He hasn&#8217;t been given an official timetable for his return, but expects it to take that long for him to get his shoulder strong enough to pitch again. &#8230; Bonifacio batted seventh on Wednesday after hitting first or second in Miami&#8217;s first 30 games this season. &#8230; Both teams are off on Thursday before Miami hosts the Mets and Houston travels to face the Pirates.</p>
<p>Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</p>
</div>
<p>Not much else going on in the NBA world today.</p>
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		<title>Astros Vs. Marlins Score Update: Miami Leads&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/astros-vs-marlins-score-update-miami-leads/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 07:28:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>umsrumpsnick</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[ Read More: John Buck (C - FLA), Jose Reyes (SS - FLA), Emilio Bonifacio (CF - FLA), Jordan Schafer (CF - HOU), Chris Johnson (3B - HOU), Giancarlo Stanton (RF - FLA), Houston Astros, Miami Marlins The Houstron Astros and Miami Marlins have played five innings and right now Miami leads Houston by a score of 3-2. For the Marlins, Jose Reyes scored on a fielding error in the top of the first but Houston came right back to even things up at one run apiece on a wild pitch that scored Jordan Schafer. The Astros then took the lead in the bottom of the second inning on a Chris Johnson home run. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div readability="40.1591796875">
<p>
    <span>Read More:</span> John Buck (C &#8211; FLA), Jose Reyes (SS &#8211; FLA), Emilio Bonifacio (CF &#8211; FLA), Jordan Schafer (CF &#8211; HOU), Chris Johnson (3B &#8211; HOU), Giancarlo Stanton (RF &#8211; FLA), Houston Astros, Miami Marlins
  </p>
<p>The Houstron Astros and Miami Marlins have played five innings and right now Miami leads Houston by a score of 3-2.</p>
<p>For the Marlins, Jose Reyes scored on a fielding error in the top of the first but Houston came right back to even things up at one run apiece on a wild pitch that scored Jordan Schafer. The Astros then took the lead in the bottom of the second inning on a Chris Johnson home run.</p>
<p>Miami would then tie things up in the top of the fourth inning on a John Buck single that brought in Giancarlo Stanton and the Marlins would retake the lead on a Reyes ground ball single that brought in Emilio Bonifacio.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for more updates.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Houston Astros, be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Miami Marlins news and info can be found at </i><i>Fish Stripes</i><i>, and all your MLB news is at Baseball Nation.</i></p>
</p></div>
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<p>Thanks for visiting my blog =). </p>
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		<title>Marlins, Astros play rubber match at Minute Maid&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.astroswire.com/Houston-Astros/marlins-astros-play-rubber-match-at-minute-maid/</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 19:53:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>seneisenhojoyc</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[ Written by The Sports Network (Sports Network) - The Houston Astros will close out a successful nine-game homestand tonight against the Miami Marlins in the finale of a three-game set from Minute Maid Park. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div readability="105.777546236">
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<p><h6>Written by</h6>
<p>			<span>The  Sports Network</span>
		</p>
</p></div>
<p><!--</p>
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<p>&#8211;></p>
<p>							(Sports Network) &#8211; The Houston Astros will close out a successful nine-game<br />
 homestand tonight against the Miami Marlins in the finale of a three-game set<br />
 from Minute Maid Park.
</p>
<p>
 The Astros are 6-2 so far on the residency and ended a brief two-game slide<br />
 with Tuesday&#8217;s 3-2 win over the Marlins thanks to pinch-hitter Brian<br />
 Bogusevic&#8217;s RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning. Marlins infielder<br />
 Omar Infante had a miscue in the field during the sixth inning, allowing two<br />
 runs to score for a 2-2 ballgame.
</p>
<p>
 &#8220;I think pinch-hitting is one of those things where the more you do it, the<br />
 more comfortable you get,&#8221; Bogusevic said. &#8220;You kind of get a feel for things<br />
 you want to and things you might want to stay away from in that situation.&#8221;
</p>
<p>
 Aneury Rodriguez made his first start of the season for the Astros and did not<br />
 record a decision, as he held Miami to a pair of runs and two hits in six<br />
 innings with six strikeouts and two walks. Rodriguez did allow home runs to<br />
 Infante and John Buck. Brandon Lyon tossed a scoreless seventh, Wilton Lopez<br />
 got the win with an unblemished eighth inning and Brett Myers closed the door<br />
 in the ninth for his eighth save.
</p>
<p>
 Houston will begin a five-game trek to Pennsylvania against the Pirates and<br />
 Phillies after Wednesday&#8217;s game.
</p>
<p>
 Lucas Harrell will make his seventh start of the season for the Astros tonight<br />
 and is looking to build on his latest performance. Harrell was 0-2 with a 6.23<br />
 earned run average in four starts before squeezing out a victory over St.<br />
 Louis last Friday. In the 5-4 win versus the Cardinals, Harrell was reached<br />
 for four runs &#8212; three earned &#8212; and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.
</p>
<p>
 The right-hander evened his 2012 mark at 2-2, but raised his ERA slightly from<br />
 4.71 to 4.76. Harrell is 2-0 in two home starts this season, and faced the<br />
 Marlins for the first time in his career during a 5-4 loss in south Florida on<br />
 April 13 this season. He did not record a decision after permitting four runs<br />
 and seven hits in four innings.
</p>
<p>
 Miami was perfect (7-0) on its nine-game road trip until last night.
</p>
<p>
 Ryan Webb was saddled with the loss for giving up Bogusevic&#8217;s game-changing<br />
 hit and starter Anibal Sanchez gave up only two unearned runs in seven innings<br />
 for the no-decision. Sanchez struck out eight batters and walked two.
</p>
<p>
 Infante&#8217;s error in the sixth inning could have changed the outcome, but<br />
 Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was understanding.
</p>
<p>
 &#8220;Omar&#8217;s one of the best second basemen in the league,&#8221; Guillen said. &#8220;Guys<br />
 make errors, that&#8217;s part of the game and I have no problem with it.&#8221;
</p>
<p>
 Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts to<br />
 have his 10-game hitting streak come to an end. The Marlins will head home for<br />
 a five-game residency versus the Mets and Pirates after tonight.
</p>
<p>
 Miami ace Josh Johnson had his season cut significantly short last year and<br />
 could be suffering from an injury hangover since he&#8217;s still winless in 2012.<br />
 Johnson will take another shot at win No. 1 tonight against the Astros and is<br />
 0-3 with a 6.61 earned run average in six starts.
</p>
<p>
 Johnson, who was shelved early on in 2011 because of a shoulder injury, lasted<br />
 only 2 2/3 innings in last Friday&#8217;s 9-8 win at San Diego and luckily avoided<br />
 the loss column after yielding six runs and six hits. He has given up 11 runs<br />
 through his last two starts, and is also aiming for his first road win as<br />
 evidenced by his 0-1 mark in three tries as the guest.
</p>
<p>
 In four career games (3 starts) against the Astros, the righty is winless<br />
 (0-3) to go along with a 5.82 ERA.
</p>
<p>
 Houston dropped two of three games in Miami from April 13-15, including two<br />
 contests in 11 innings. The Marlins are 9-3 in the last 12 matchups between<br />
 the teams.
</p>
<p>
							The Sports Network
							</p>
</div>
<p>Thanks for visiting my blog =). </p>
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