Houston – Momentum changed with a nick of an elbow pad.
The Rockies were leading Roger Clemens and the Houston Astros 2-0 on Wednesday and had two out with nobody on in the bottom of third. Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings threw a fastball that grazed Craig Biggio’s elbow pad.
Lance Berkman followed with a single, and Morgan Ensberg belted a three-run homer. Ballgame. The Astros went on to a 6-2 win that could be partially credited to a piece of armor.
“I hate to say something about Biggio because I respect the way he plays,” Jennings said. “But the ball’s about two inches off the black. And he isn’t getting out of the way. It’s tough to swallow.”
It was the second time Biggio had been hit in the game, third in two days and the 266th plunking of his career. The next time he’s hit by a pitch, Biggio will tie former Rockies manager Don Baylor for the modern career record.
This is your hometown
Houston closer and former Cherry Creek High School star Brad Lidge has nothing extraordinary planned for his team’s upcoming series at Coors Field – other than being home.
Lidge, his wife, Lindsay, and 7-month-old daughter Avery Grace make their home in Highlands Ranch.
The Astros will play Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Coors.
“Just the usual stuff of getting a lot of tickets for family and friends,” Lidge said. “It’s just nice having your hometown on a 162-game schedule. There’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed.”
Coors next for Clemens
It’s not written in ink, but Astros manager Phil Garner said he was leaning toward starting ace Clemens on Monday at Coors Field rather than Tuesday.
With a day off today, Garner said he was leaning toward keeping Clemens on his regular four days’ rest and moving Wandy Rodriguez back a day or two in the rotation.
Not that Clemens creates a significant attendance spike from a Generation X-Y fan base that is lured more by a fireworks show than a billboard pitcher. The average crowd in Clemens’ five road starts is 29,844. In their other 31 road games, the Astros are averaging 29,572, or 272 fewer fans.
Footnotes
The Florida Marlins reportedly have strong interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, offering two prospects in return. But Fuentes is affordable, effective and able to withstand the pressures of the ninth inning, and the Rockies want to keep him. … Aaron Cook will begin his 30-day rehab assignment Sunday for Single-A Tri-Cities. … Because catcher Todd Greene felt a twinge in his troublesome hamstring while playing on a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday for Triple-A Colorado Springs, manager Clint Hurdle said no roster moves would be made for the start of the homestand Friday. … Second baseman Aaron Miles is scheduled to be activated Monday, at which time Hurdle said Ryan Shealy would be sent back to Colorado Springs for more at-bats.
