Hampton: Not a slump-buster.
(c) Associated Press
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If someone could give Cecil Cooper that Silver Boot, awarded annually to the winner of the Lone Star Series, he'd use it to kick a few butts right now. But he won't be seeing it because the Astros were swept this weekend by the Texas Rangers. The finale was a listless 5-0 shutout Sunday at the hands of Brandon McCarthy who scattered nine hits in a complete game effort. The loss dropped the Astros to 18-24 on the year, 9-15 at home. They are now six games under .500 for the second time this season.
As is their modus operandi, the Rangers used the long ball to score runs. Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Jarrod Saltalamacchia took Mike Hampton deep in the first five innings. Hamilton was 3-for-4 to pace their offense.
The Astros' phobia of hitting with men in scoring position continued, failing to convert in six attempts. Although Miguel Tejada was 4-for-4 and Humberto Quintero chipped in a pair of hits, their teammates again proved incapable of getting them home.
Perhaps the team would actually prefer to be back on the road right now (9-9) and that will happen starting Memorial Day with a 12:10 Central start at Cincinnati. Wandy Rodriguez (5-2) will try to break the four-game losing hex when he faces Aaron Harang (4-4).
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