Berkman: Days numbered?
(c) Associated Press
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For the second time in three games, a three-run blast by Matt Holliday was the difference. On Sunday, his fourth-inning bomb against Wandy Rodriguez spelled a 4-2 decision for St. Louis to conclude the symbolic halfway point of the season.
Of course, in reality, the halfway point (81 games) was reached a week ago but the Astros can now rest for four nights with a 36-53 record (.404 winning percentage).
As they've done so often, the Astros broke on top with two runs in the first inning. Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence each came through with runners on board but there's something in the Astros' psyche that believes that once they've posted a run on the scoreboard, their day is done. Perhaps new hitting coach Jeff Bagwell (yes, that Jeff Bagwell) will bring about a new attitude, if not some new ideas.
Other than Michael Bourn, who will represent the Astros at Tuesday's All-Star Game in Anaheim, the others will next appear Friday in Pittsburgh to start a three-game set with the last-place Pirates. No starting pitchers have been announced yet although, if he's not traded, Roy Oswalt will likely get his chance to tie Joe Niekro's record for franchise wins in the 6:05 Central contest.
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