Conrad: Decisive blow
(c) Associated Press
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For six innings on Tuesday, it appeared nobody would score. J.A. Happ and Jair Jurrjens tossed goose eggs but neither was around to be part of the decision. The lead changed hands three times late in the game with Atlanta coming out on top, 4-2, with a three-run rally in the ninth.
After Troy Glaus broke the tie in the seventh with an RBI single, just the second hit allowed by Happ all night, the Braves gave it back in the eighth when Michael Bourn's triple and two Atlanta errors put Houston ahead. Fielding miscues appeared to doom the Braves for the second straight night, but the Astros have a recurring problem of their own to deal with.
Closer Matt Lindstrom came into the ninth with a 2-1 lead but former Astro farmhand Brooks Conrad, subbing for an injured Chipper Jones, belted a two-run homer to right to retake the lead. Glaus followed with a homer of his own to add an insurance run. Lindstrom, who had been mostly dependable this season, has suddenly lost his sharpness and lost the game for the second time in a week, after a four-run collapse cost Houston a win in Milwaukee last Friday.
Another former Astro, Billy Wagner, worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 28th save, the 413th of his career. That's the fifth best all-time and nine shy of John Franco's record for lefthanded relievers. At 40 years old, Wagner plans to retire at the end of the season but it is hard to see why with the gun he still possesses.
Chris Johnson had a three-hit night to raise his average to .366 for the season. That would lead the league by almost 40 points if he had enough at bats to qualify. With 50 games to go, it's conceivable he could qualify if he starts practically every game through October. No Astro has ever won the National League batting title.
The rubber game of the series will take place Wednesday afternoon at 1:05 Central. Wandy Rodriguez (9-11) will look to become a double-digit winner for the third time in his career when he faces young Tommy Hanson (8-8). The Astros hope to stay ahead of Chicago in the division standings.
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