Coop: Skipper of the Titanic.
(c) Associated Press
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Nate McLouth's two-run single in the eighth inning off Doug Brocail Tuesday night led to another loss for the Astros, their seventh in their last eight games, by a 4-3 verdict.
It was another exhausting night for the bullpen as Brandon Backe's start was finished after three innings due to a long rain delay. Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee powered the Astros to a 3-1 lead before the trap door fell in the eighth. Adam LaRoche hit a solo homer off Brocail before McLouth's game-winner. Earlier, McLouth had homered off Dave Borkowski.
Looking for any warm body to fill the pitching void, the Astros sent down Runelvys Hernandez after three losing starts and called up Chad Reineke from Round Rock.
The series finale takes place on Wednesday evening in another 6:05 Central start. Brian Moehler (4-4) takes the hill against John Van Benschoten (1-2) who has a Runelvys-like ERA of 10.64. But the Astros' bullpen may already have the Thursday off-day circled on their calendars.
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