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Lincecum dazzles again (AP)

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:57:49 PDT

Tim Lincecum doesn't keep track of such things as scoreless innings streaks. He does know he's on a roll that might just earn him the starting nod for National League in the All-Star game. "It would mean a lot -- the hard work paid off," said Lincecum, who missed last year's Midsummer Classic because of an illness and was hospitalized.

Astros Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:25:28 PDT

Felipe Paulino had trouble with his location Friday night.

His pitches kept getting relocated closer to San Francisco Bay.

The reason for that, of course, was that his 97 mph fastball wasn't located in the right spot in the strike zone, and the San Francisco Giants—coming off two frustrating losses filled with offensive ineptitude—were more than happy to send those pitches to the farthest reaches of AT&T Park and beyond.

Paulino gave up nine runs, eight earned, in only two innings as the Astros trailed 13-0 after just three innings and lost by the same score. His record is 2-5. His ERA is a frightfully evil 6.66. And Astros fans were filling message boards Friday night demanding that he make his next start at Class AAA Round Rock.

Manager Cecil...

Giants get 15 hits in 13-0 rout of Astros (AP)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:53:15 PDT

Pablo Sandoval had a feeling back in spring training that the San Francisco Giants could have high-output offensive nights like this. It certainly helped ease any nerves rookie Ryan Sadowski may have had in his home debut. Sandoval hit a two-run homer and an RBI triple to boost his bid for an All-Star spot and stake Sadowski to a quick cushion, and the Giants routed the Houston Astros 13-0 on...

Un-bee-lievable: Bee swarm delays Astros' 7-2 win (AP)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:02:14 PDT

You had to see it to bee-lieve it. The Houston Astros -- who once had the "Killer Bs" -- had to wait out a 52-minute bee delay before finishing their 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday. The delay, which came with two outs in the top of the ninth, certainly gave a new meaning to getaway day.

Power Rankings: Angels are ascending (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:49:00 PDT

The Dodgers and Red Sox continue to occupy the top two spots, but the other L.A. team is making a push.

Astros-Padres game delayed by bees in outfield (AP)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:11:49 PDT

Talk about adding a late-inning buzz to a ballgame. Thursday's game between the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres was delayed for 52 minutes in the top of the ninth inning Thursday when a swarm of bees took over part of left field at Petco Park. A beekeeper was called the downtown ballpark and sprayed a chair and a ballgirl's jacket that had attracted the bees.

Lance Berkman beats fellow 'Stros in game of musical chairs (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:05:46 PDT

Did you know? That the Houston Astros are only four games out of first in the NL Central, despite having a...

Moehler pitches 6 strong innings, Astros win 7-1 (AP)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:43:58 PDT

Brian Moehler tried to remember the last time he was at the plate and three runs scored. "Not very often, I guess," the Houston Astros right-hander said. Moehler pitched six strong innings and hit a grounder that led to the Astros completing a six-run inning in a 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.

Astros claim INF Duran off waivers (AP)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:12:57 PDT

The Houston Astros have claimed infielder German Duran off waivers from the Texas Rangers. Duran, who had an appendectomy on June 11 and was placed on the disabled list, was claimed by the Astros on Wednesday. He is scheduled to be examined in Houston on Thursday by team physician Jim Muntz. Once he is cleared for baseball activities, the Astros said he will be sent to their minor-league facility at...

Eckstein gets big hit in Padres' win over Astros (AP)

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:32:52 PDT

The loss of Adrian Gonzalez dampened a comeback win by the Padres. Gonzalez left with a strained right knee during San Diego's 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night and it's uncertain whether the All-Star first baseman will miss any time. "We'll see how I wake up," said Gonzalez, the Padres' top hitter.

Astros activate Hampton from DL for start (PA SportsTicker)

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:15:56 PDT

The Houston Astros have activated left-hander Mike Hampton from the 15-day disabled list.

Oswalt throws 2-hitter, Astros beat Padres 3-1 (AP)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:06:04 PDT

Roy Oswalt is rounding into form. The Houston Astros' ace dominated the San Diego Padres again, pitching a two-hitter and retiring his final 18 batters in a 3-1 victory Monday night. It was Oswalt's 17th career complete game and second in three outings. "I feel better than I did at the beginning of the season," Oswalt said.

Astros place RHP Brandon Backe on waivers (AP)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:02:56 PDT

The Houston Astros placed pitcher Brandon Backe on waivers Monday. The 31-year-old right-hander, who is 0-0 with a 10.38 ERA in 13 innings for the Astros this season, rejected an assignment to Triple-A Round Rock. He will likely become a free agent and receive all of his $1.5 million salary after three days.

AccuScore: Playoff shifts after week 12 (Yahoo! Sports)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:04:00 PDT

AccuScore uses past player performance statistics to describe how players perform under different environmental,...

Inge's homer in ninth lifts Tigers over Astros (AP)

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:08:43 PDT

Brandon Inge knew what pitch was coming, and he salvaged the Detroit Tigers' final game in Houston with a single swing. Inge hit a two-run homer off Jose Valverde with two outs in the ninth inning and the Tigers averted a sweep with a 4-3 win over the Astros on Sunday. Kaz Matsui's RBI double off Edwin Jackson in the seventh gave Houston a 3-2 lead.

Paulino leads Astros over Tigers 8-1 (AP)

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:45:00 PDT

Houston manager Cecil Cooper thought Felipe Paulino could develop into a good pitcher for the Astros. But even he was a bit surprised at just how good the rookie right-hander was Saturday night. Paulino pitched seven solid innings and the Astros used a five-run third to pull away from the Detroit Tigers for an 8-1 victory.

Tejada leads Houston over Detroit 5-4 (AP)

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:45:50 PDT

Miguel Tejada hopes ending the major leagues' longest current winning streak will help the Houston Astros to start one of their own. Tejada had a double and drove in two runs to lead the Astros to a 5-4 victory over Detroit on Friday night, ending the Tigers' seven-game winning streak. "For our team it's really, really big," Tejada said of the Astros, who have won two straight...

Power Rankings: Tigers jump five spots (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:02:00 PDT

The Yankees, Brewers, Phillies, Rangers and Mets dip. The Cardinals get a boost along with Detroit.

Berkman's four RBIs lead Astros past Royals 5-4 (AP)

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:10:44 PDT

Houston's Lance Berkman needed to drive in one run to become the third player in franchise history to reach 1,000 RBIs. The Astros needed all of the season-high four RBIs he had on a pair of homers to overcome an error-filled day and beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Thursday. He reached the milestone on his first at-bat, a two-run shot to far left field that gave Houston a 2-1 lead and put...

Olivo's homer in 11th lifts Royals over Astros (AP)

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:46:57 PDT

Miguel Olivo had some inside information when he went to the plate against Jeff Fulchino in the 11th inning Wednesday night. And he used it to his advantage. Olivo homered on the first pitch from the former Royal, whom he caught last season, to give Kansas City a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros. "I know what he's got," Olivo said.

Greinke leads Royals over Astros 2-1 (AP)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:02:46 PDT

Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman didn't think Zack Greinke had his best stuff on Tuesday. The Houston Astros would have to disagree. Greinke pitched eight sharp innings for his first win in almost a month and Billy Butler homered as the Kansas City Royals beat the Astros 2-1. The victory breaks a five-game losing streak for the Royals, who have won just seven of their last 23.

Baracklyn Cyclones take the field (AP)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:07:02 PDT

Nearly an hour before the gates to KeySpan Park even opened Tuesday, the line stretched for two blocks down Surf Avenue, near the Coney Island boardwalk. Fans waited for the prized possession: a Barack Obama bobblehead. For one night, the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones renamed themselves the Baracklyn Cyclones, in tribute to the new president.

Baseball's most-ejected managers (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:52:00 PDT

"You're outta here!" is a phrase these combustible baseball skippers hear often.

AccuScore: Playoff shifts after week 11 (Yahoo! Sports)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:18:00 PDT

AccuScore uses past player performance statistics to describe how players perform under different environmental,...

Wandy Rodriguez stymies Twins in Astros' 4-1 win (AP)

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:18:41 PDT

A batting practice mishap wasn't enough to keep Wandy Rodriguez from his first win in more than a month. A day after getting hit on the left side of his back by a batted ball from a teammate, Rodriguez gave up only two hits in seven innings to lead the Houston Astros past the Minnesota Twins 4-1 on Sunday.