Astros Continue To Rebuild With 2nd Trade in 3 Days




Hunter Pence

           The Astros have not been a good team all year as they have the worst record in the majors and are headed for the number one pick in next summer's MLB draft.  As Friday began, many fans expected more major news of NFL transactions than anything else.  It was different in Houston as the Astros traded OF Hunter Pence, a 2-time All Star, and some cash to Philadelphia for four minor leaguers (RHP Jarred Cosart, OF Jonathan Singleton, RHP Josh Zeid, and a player to be named).  The Astros continued their rebuilding ways this morning as they traded away 2010 All Star Michael Bourn to the Braves for OF Jordan Schafer and three minor leaguers (LHP Brett Overholtzer, RHP Paul Clemens, and RHP Juan Abreu).
       Along with the Phillies' top two prospects, Cosart and Singleton, the Astros should also look to Schafer in the future, who has two good years of major league experience in the books.  After trading three All Stars to the Phillies and another to both the Braves and Yankees since 2007, the Astros are in need of a new leader in the clubhouse.  Their new acquisitions should be used immediately as the team looks for its new face of the franchise.

42-Year Old Darren Clarke hangs on for First Major; Americans Struggle Down the Stretch

As the third Major of year began on Thursday, no one expected 42-year old Darren Clarke to be in contention as the final day began.  Rory McIlroy was the main topic among the media as he was trying to win back-to-back Major Championships in the same calendar year.  After two straight days with the lead, Clarke was a true contender with 18 holes remaining and McIlroy was nowhere to be seen.  Americans Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson began the day in contention and were playing well.  Mickelson started the day at 6-under through the first 10 and Johnson was -1 through 13.  The two began to falter as Clarke continued to cruise.  Mickelson would finish his last 8 holes at 4-over and Johnson would finish his final 5 holes at 3-over for a tie for second between the two American stars.  Clark finished the day at even par and 5-under for the tournament for his first Major Championship win.  He becomes the third Northern Irishmen to win a Major in the last two years.  Before Rory McIlroy and his childhood hero, Darren Clarke, won back-to-back Majors this season, Scotland was the last European country to have back-to-back Major Champions in 1910.

MVP Prince leads NL to Back-to-Back Victories for 1st Time in 15 Years

After winning its first All Star Game in 14 years last season, the National League was determined to build on its momentum as host of the World Series.  The game began as a pitcher's duel as one hit was allowed through the first three innings.  After 11 straight AL batters were shutdown, Adrian Gonzalez hit a solo home run to right center in the top of the 4th for an early 1-0 lead.  After three straight hits were given up to the AL, Adrian Beltre looked to extend his team's lead with a single, but Hunter Pence had other ideas as he threw out Jose Bautista at home for the final out of the inning.  The National League responded with two straight innings of scoring.  The NL would take their first lead of the game off Prince Fielder's 3-run homer in the bottom of the 4th and would later extend their lead off Andre Ethier's RBI single in the 5th.  Although the NL had a 4-1 lead late in the game, Hunter Pence knew in his mind that this wasn't enough.  His 7th inning single to shallow left and his double steal on a wild pitch put him in scoring position as Pablo Sandoval headed to the plate.  Sandoval's ground-rule double to left scored Pence and put the National League up 5-1 for good.  Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals earned the victory for the National League with his 1/3 innings pitched in the top of the 4th and Brian Wilson, aka "The Beard", came in for the final two outs of the game and earned the save.  Prince Fielder also became the first Milwaukee Brewer to win the MVP of the Midsummer Classic.  The National League champion is yet to be determined, but whoever it turns out to be will enjoy the home-field advantage in the World Series like the World Champion Giants did last year.

Robinson Cano Comes Up Big in 2011 Home Run Derby

Heading into the annual MLB Home Run Derby, not many people would have picked Robinson Cano, the New York Yankee second baseman, to win it all in his first Derby appearance.  After the first round, Boston's Adrian Gonzalez held the lead with 9 home runs and looked like a dominant force, but Cano was still in contention with his 8 first round homers.  Cano's grand second round performance of 12 homers gave people hope that the 28-year old could pull it out as he had 20 homers through the first two rounds.  Gonzalez made the night interesting with 11 homers in each of the final two rounds.  Although Gonzalez looked to have the event wrapped up after entering his name into the MLB Home Run Derby record books, Cano was ready to respond yet again.  He had relied all night on his father and former Major Leaguer, Jose Cano, as his pitcher in the event and wouldn't change a thing.  Cano continued to crush the ball and hit the most home runs in the final round of a Home Run Derby with 12 homers on six outs.  With Robinson Cano's 32 homers leading all players on the night, American League players were able to outscore National League players 76-19.  After an outstanding first appearance by Cano in the Derby, it's going to be hard for another player to outdue this type of performance.

Astros Shutout on Rainy Night; Fall to 1-6 in Month

On a rainy night at Sun Life Stadium, the Astros were coming off their first victory of the month, a 8-2 victory in Pittsburgh the night before.  Things quickly turned as Mike Stanton hit a 2-run home run to left off Astros' Starter, J.A. Happ, in the bottom of the second.  Houston's struggles continued as Logan Morrison hit a two-run RBI double, scoring Bonifacio and Ramirez in the bottom of the fifth.  The Marlins would add on their final run of the night in the next inning when Omar Infante's single drove in Bonifacio for the second time on the night.  Happ was quickly relieved by Del Rosario, who came in to finish the next two innings.

Although no more runs would be scored, all nine innings felt like a Florida domination because the Astros were held to only three hits in the game.  The Astros continue their series with the Marlins tonight at 6pm in hope of winning at least one more game in Sun Life Stadium's final year as the Marlins' ballpark.

Red Sox Steal Game From Astros With 6-run 7th

It's been a tough season for the Houston Astros and tonight summed up how the team has struggled to finish off their opponenets.  Houston held a 5-1 lead heading to the seventh and Bud Norris' 1-hitter seemed imminent.  Quickly, Norris found himself in some trouble in the top of the seventh.  After allowing three straight hits and a run to begin the inning, Brad Mills sent him to the dugout.  By the half-inning's end, nine different Red Sox would have an at-bat, five would score, J.D. Drew would have two at-bats and three Houston pitchers would be used.  Although it was a rough night for the Astros, Hunter Pence had a productive game, going 2 for 4 at the plate with 2 RBIs.  The Astros hope to even the series tomorrow night at Minute Maid.