The Houston Astros, based in Houston, Texas, participate in Major League Baseball (MLB) and are a member of the National League Central Division. The Astros were founded as the Houston Colt .45's in 1962.
CINCINNATI — Glancing at Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez's stat line from Wednesday's game, it's tough not to be impressed. Eight innings pitched, one hit, one walk, six strikeouts. Not too shabby, right? Count the Astros as unconvinced. "I didn't think he was on the top of his game," Houston center fielder Michael Bourn said following [...]
CINCINNATI — Chris Sampson entered Spring Training following offseason elbow surgery, and he found himself a few weeks behind the rest of the Astros' pitching staff. Then, on his first pitch of the regular season against the Cubs on April 7, he suffered a small tear in his labrum and had to receive a cortisone [...]
CINCINNATI — Astros manager Cecil Cooper originally planned to give Lance Berkman a day off in this weekend's series against the Atlanta Braves. But after talking with Houston's first baseman following Tuesday's game against the Reds, Cooper changed his mind and kept him out of Wednesday's lineup. That move, along with the decision to give [...]
CINCINNATI — Wandy Rodriguez's arm felt strong in the bottom of the first inning Tuesday, but he also felt a little jumpy. So after allowing the first two Reds batters on base, Houston catcher Ivan Rodriguez tried his best to settle down the Astros left-hander. "I was telling him to calm down," Rodriguez said. "He [...]
CINCINNATI — The Astros placed closer Jose Valverde on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with a strained right calf muscle. The move was made retroactive to Monday, and he will be eligible to return on May 12. Although Houston manager Cecil Cooper originally said before Tuesday's game that the team would reevaluate Valverde on [...]
CINCINNATI — Most every time he enters Great American Ball Park, Astros first baseman Lance Berkman is asked some form of the same question: What is it about the air in Cincinnati that makes you so dominant while playing the Reds? Maybe, like Berkman says, it's nothing. Maybe it's more coincidental than anything else. Maybe [...]
CINCINNATI — Whenever Roy Oswalt pitches against the Reds, he dominates. Whenever Lance Berkman takes the field at Great American Ball Park, he does the same. So, it should be no surprise how Monday's series opener against Cincinnati transpired. Another home run for Berkman? Check. Another outstanding pitching performance from Oswalt? Yes. Another Astros victory? [...]
CINCINNATI — If Astros manager Cecil Cooper had his wishes, he would rather see Michael Bourn bat near the bottom of the order. But with Bourn batting .290 and with Cooper badly needing that offensive production, he has a bit of a dilemma. When Bourn bats at the top of the lineup, Houston is 4-2 [...]
CINCINNATI — In the middle of the visitors' clubhouse at Great American Ball Park on Monday afternoon, Astros closer Jose Valverde put on a little show. He rolled up his pant leg to showcase his swollen shin. He looked up at the assembled gatherers to make sure they were watching. Then he pressed a finger [...]
HOUSTON — This wasn't the quickest game in team history, nor was it the prettiest. In fact, in practically every way imaginable, the Astros were little more than average during their homestand finale against the Brewers on Sunday. But it was enough to win, and these days, they'll take wins any way they can. The [...]