Moehler, Lee: Key parts of win.
(c) Associated Press
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Monday night's Astros-Cubs game was moved up an hour for ESPN which proved critical since the teams were able to complete five innings before a major storm system moved through, complete with lightning and tornado warnings. Fans were warned to seek shelter.
By that time, the Astros had built a 2-0 lead thanks to a Carlos Lee RBI single in the first and a bases-loaded walk by Humberto Quintero in the fourth. Brian Moehler pitched shutout ball through the first five frames.
While more sensible brains would have called it a night at this point, the umpires brought the teams back on for an encore. Two more scoreless innings were added to the books.
So, it came to the top of the eighth and the Astros went with LaTroy Hawkins to pitch. Now, if you were Cecil Cooper, who would you rather see closing the game for you - God or LaTroy Hawkins? God picked up the save with a giant bolt from the blue that struck the scoreboard flagpole. Game Over.
The 2-0 win was Houston's eighth in the past 10 games and they now, incredibly, have run up a 23-inning shutout streak. The Astros will need to sleep well because they'll have to play the Cubs again Tuesday afternoon in a 1:20 Central start. Wandy Rodriguez (6-4) will toss for the Good Guys while Rich Harden (1-1 as a Cub) throws for the Bruins.
Lastly, there is a rumor that Ed Wade is close to signing 57-year-old Roy Hobbs for the pennant stretch run. Contract negotiations were reported to be taking place under the flagpole at Wrigley Field just before the lightning hit.
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