Wandy: Back in the groove
(c) Associated Press
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Wandy Rodriguez is like that girlfriend who frustrates you to the point you're ready to quit then makes up with you and you think she's great again until the next time she frustrates you to the point of quitting. After beginning the season 3-10 with a 6.09 ERA, he's now 8-11 with a 4.80 ERA after tossing seven shutout innings Sunday in a 4-0 whitewash of the Reds.
Rodriguez allowed a first-inning single to Joey Votto then shut down Cincy without a hit the rest of the afternoon. Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom both allowed a hit in finishing up but kept the shutout intact.
Rookie Mike Leake had the Astros baffled his last trip to Houston but gave up a Crawford Box homer to Hunter Pence in the second and then allowed three more tallies in the seventh for the final margin. Chris Johnson drilled his third homer as an Astro then Jason Castro singled and Jason Michaels belted a pinch-hit double before Arthur Rhodes replaced Leake and surrendered a two-run double to Michael Bourn. Bourn had three hits on the day and swiped his 30th base of the year.
The homestand continues Monday when the Chicago Cubs visit Houston for a three-game series. Wesley Wright (0-0), who had his first major league start last week in Chicago, will pitch in a 7:05 Central start against Carlos Silva (9-4) whom the Astros knocked around pretty well last week. Memo to Wesley: Don't pitch to Aramis Ramirez and you'll do okay.
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