End of an era?
(c) AP/David J. Phillip
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The Houston Astros closed out their eminently forgettable 2011 campaign in fitting fashion with an 8-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday night. The Redbirds' Chris Carpenter (11-9) foiled Houston's hopes of playing spoiler, tossing a complete-game two-hit shutout.
Houston starter Brett Myers (7-14) reverted to his mid-season form, coughing up five runs on seven hits in the first inning alone as the Redbirds batted around. St. Louis opened the game with four singles and a double; three runs had scored before Houston recorded a single out. In all, Myers gave up seven runs (six earned) on ten hits in his five innings.
The Astros finished their first half-century of National League baseball with a franchise-worst 56-106 record, 40 games behind division-winner Milwaukee. It was ironic that they got to play in a meaningful game on the last day of the season.
The victory assures the Cards of at least a one-game playoff against Atlanta for the NL Wildcard berth, if Atlanta beats Philly (as of this writing they are tied 3-3 in the 12th).
The once-proud Houston Astros franchise, laid low by imbecilic personnel decisions accumulated since 2004, now heads into the off-season with many more questions than answers for their immediate future. Have we witnessed the last game of the Drayton McLane era? How long will the MLB owners (read, Bud Selig) hold up the sale of the club to Jim Crane? Will it be approved at all? What will be the fate of Brad Mills and Ed Wade? What of the clamor (all from outside of Houston) to move the Astros to the Softball American League? What personnel moves will be made? Could 2012 be even worse than 2011?
These questions and many others will only be answered in the fullness of time. Meanwhile, The Astros Daily will continue to bring you the latest news and commentary on your and our favorite ball club, so please keep your eye on these pages.
The AD staff would like to thank you for your continued readership, feedback, and support. It is truly an honor to serve baseball's best fans, the Astros Nation.
Update: The Cardinals have won the NL Wildcard. It somehow fits that Hunter Pence hit the game-winning RBI in the 13th inning to put the Phils on top 4-3 over Atlanta.
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