ASTROS RALLY TO CLIP EXPOS 3-2 ON OPENING DAY
Eternal Baseball Press
HOUSTON – The day didn’t start well for the Astros, but it ended how they usually like it – with Billy Wagner pumping his fist on the mound.
Expos first baseman Andres Galarraga crushed a two-tun homer over the train tracks in left field to give Montreal a first inning 2-0 lead. Starting pitcher J.R. Richard settled down from there, cruising though the rest of his day, but Montreal starter Steve Rogers blanked Houston until the seventh inning. Carlos Correa’s pinch single ended J.R. Richard’s day, bringing up George Springer with two outs. The Houston centerfielder uncoiled on a hanging breaking ball and smashed a two-run homer to left to knot the score at 2-2.
Dave Smith (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Houston, but Montreal reliever Woodie Fryman (0-1) ran into trouble. Jeff Bagwell legged out an infield single to third base, beating Bob Bailey’s throw. Jim Wynn’s single to center field brought Bagwell to third, but Wynn tested Gary Carter’s arm and lost – easily thrown out trying to steal second base. With one down, Bob Watson poked a fly ball to left field and Bagwell tagged up. His headfirst slide barely eluded Carter’s tag, and Houston had their first lead at 3-2.
Billy Wagner came on for the Astros, and immediately surrendered a ringing double to left from Galarraga. After that, it was business as usual for Houston’s closer, retiring Vlad Guerrero, pinch-hitter Larry Parrish, and striking out Bob Bailey to secure the victory.
Both starters pitched well, though neither factored in the decision. Houston’s J.R. Richard (7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) settled down after Galarraga’s homer, and Montreal’s Steve Rogers (7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) threw well and only blinked on Springer’s seventh inning homer. Dave Smith earned the win in relief, while Woodie Fryman took the loss.
Montreal tries to even the series tomorrow night, sending right-hander Ken Hill to the mound to face Houston right-hander Don Wilson. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is at 7:05 PM CST.
Photo Credit: Minute Maid Park by Eric Kilby
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