Hernandez: Cellar dweller
(c) Houston Astros
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On Monday night, the Astros desperately needed innings from their starting pitcher. He gave them four and allowed 10 runs.
Our next contestant on "Who Wants To Be DFA'd?" is Runelvys Hernandez, rescued from the scrap heap this spring and proving he should have stayed there. Nate McLouth and Ryan Doumit hit home runs off Hernandez in the 10-7 shellacking but they weren't alone in the hit parade. Everyone, including two Pirate pitchers, got into the act.
Hernandez squandered a 3-0 lead in the first, built primarily by Carlos Lee's 20th homer of the season. The Pirates scored four runs in their half-inning and built a 6-3 lead after two. Houston roared back with four runs in the fourth to reclaim a 7-6 advantage only to have Hernandez give the Bucs four runs right back to make it 10-7.
Surprisingly, call-up Chad Paronto stepped up with four innings of one-hit relief. Unfortunately, the Astros couldn't dent the trio of relievers from Pittsburgh's bullpen, assuring themselves sole possession of the Central Division cellar.
The two teams go at it again Tuesday night at 6:05 Central with Brandon Backe (5-9) taking the rubber against Ian Snell (3-7).
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