NewsTejada doesn't like it, but day off looming
Houston (14-18) at Colorado (13-18), 7:40 p.m. CT
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
05/13/09 12:05 AM ET
DENVER -- Miguel Tejada doesn't like days off, but he's going to get one at some point during the Astros' two-city road trip. The Astros have four day games coming up -- the series finale in Denver on Thursday, and three day games at Wrigley Field in Chicago over the weekend. It's likely manager Cecil Cooper will find time off for Tejada one of those days, while giving Jeff Keppinger, primarily a third baseman, some playing time at short. "I'm going to do it sometime this trip," Cooper said. "I want to give the other guy [Keppinger] some at-bats. He's played primarily against lefties, but this will be a chance to give him some at-bats." Tejada has played in all 32 Astros games this year, as have Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence. After Tuesday's game, Tejada is hitting .308 with 10 doubles and 16 RBIs, making it that much harder for Cooper to sit him, even for just one game. If Tejada, who was lifted for a pinch-hitter once Tuesday's game turned into a blowout, had a choice, he wouldn't take any time off. It's too early in the season for that anyway, he argues, and he feels perfectly well-rested after the off-day Monday. "I don't like days off," Tejada said. "My body doesn't hurt. I'm fine. There are some days I'll feel tired and I'll play the game and get three or four hits. This game is not about me taking a day off. It's all about the whole team. Right now, we're playing good baseball, and we want to keep it like that." But as Tejada pointed out, he just works here. "If [Cooper] decides I need a day, I'll take it," he said. "But I'm fine, and I'm not tired. It's too early to take a day off." Pitching matchupHOU: LHP Mike Hampton (1-3, 4.91 ERA)
Hampton's defense didn't help him much in his previous outing, vs. the Cubs, which resulted in two unearned runs of the five he gave up. Hampton did not face the Rockies last year. In his career, he's 9-3 with a 4.56 ERA over 21 games vs. Colorado. At Coors Field, which he called home from 2001-02, he is 17-10 with a 5.79 ERA in 33 games. COL: RHP Jason Marquis (4-2, 3.92 ERA)
Marquis had his second uneven outing of the season against the Giants on Thursday, giving up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits over six-plus innings. His command was good enough that he issued no walks, but his sinker wasn't at its best, and the Giants, seeing him for the second time in a week, were able to take advantage. Marquis uncharacteristically hurt himself in the field, making errors on two bunt plays that each led to extended innings and an unearned run in each case. Tidbits
Jason Smith and Humberto Quintero joined Lance Berkman in an early hitting session on Tuesday. ... Quintero will likely catch Hampton on Wednesday. ... The Astros-Nationals game that was suspended on May 5 due to rain will continue July 9 at Minute Maid Park at 6:05 p.m. CT. The regularly scheduled game will begin at 7:05 p.m. Tickets
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• KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Español) Up next
• Thursday: Astros (Wandy Rodriguez, 3-2, 1.80) at Rockies (Jason Hammel, 0-1, 5.40), 2:10 p.m. CT
• Friday: Astros (Brian Moehler, 0-2, 8.44) at Cubs (Randy Wells, 0-0, 0.00), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Astros (Roy Oswalt, 1-2, 4.50) at Cubs (Sean Marshall, 1-2, 4.06), 12:05 p.m. CT
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
