News
Pudge set to make history of his own
Houston (28-32) at Arizona (27-36), 3:10 p.m. CT
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
06/14/09 2:31 AM ET
PHOENIX -- Apparently, the Astros have decided to leave no milestone unturned. And a road trip quickly evolving into a Milestone March will have another watershed moment in the series finale against the D-backs. On Saturday, Miguel Tejada (2,000th hit) and Lance Berkman (300th home run) got their numbers. Next, Ivan Rodriguez will claim a bigger number. Rodriguez will catch his 2,225th career game, which will tie Bob Boone for No. 2 on the all-time list and leave Pudge one behind the all-time leader, Carlton Fisk. That will put Pudge in position to match and pass Fisk's record during the upcoming Interleague series in Arlington against the Rangers -- where and with whom Rodriguez had spent the first 12 years of his career. And don't think the timing is coincidental. "I looked at the schedule two, three weeks ago. Yes, I thought it'd be nice to set it up like this," admitted Houston manager Cecil Cooper. "That's where he started out. It'll mean a lot to him." First on the checklist, however, comes Boone. Coincidentally, Aaron Boone, one of the third-generation Boones in the Majors, will be on the Astros bench to see his teammate match his father. A Scottsdale resident, Boone hooked up with the Astros this weekend as he continues his lengthy recovery from late March heart surgery. "As time has passed, and I've had to deal with my own share of injuries, I've developed a deeper appreciation for that record," Boone said. "A lot of work goes into something like that. As you get older, you certainly respect the accomplishment more." Pitching matchupHOU: RHP Brian Moehler (2-4, 6.95 ERA)
For the second time this season, Moehler didn't make it past the third inning against Chicago. Moehler gave up five runs on eight hits and was taken out after the third against the Cubs in his last start. In his first start of the season, the 37-year old gave up seven runs on eight hits and was taken out after just 1 1/3 innings on April 8 versus Chicago. In his career, Moelher is 1-1 with a 5.82 ERA over four starts versus the D-backs. ARI: RHP Billy Buckner (2-2, 6.75 ERA)
Buckner will be the first to admit that he didn't have his best stuff and that he struggled with his execution his last time on the mound. Against the Giants, he was charged with eight runs and 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings for the loss. After an efficient start, he struggled in the middle innings and was doomed when the Giants had consecutive three-run innings in the fifth and sixth. His mettle was tested after giving up a 433-foot home run to Pedro Sandoval. Buckner has never faced the Astros. Tidbits
Outfielder Hunter Pence had his team-long, 92-game playing streak end as he was rested in the midst of a 1-for-20 scuffle; he had last missed a game on Aug. 21, 2008. ... Kaz Matsui played in his final rehab game with Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday. The second baseman, on the disabled list since May 26 with a left hamstring strain, is expected to be activated for Tuesday's Interleague series opener in Arlington. ... To create a roster spot for closer Jose Valverde's activation from the DL, lefty Wesley Wright was optioned back to Triple-A Round Rock prior to Saturday's game. Wright had been recalled just the day before, as Cooper anticipated a possible need for bullpen reinforcements following Thursday's 13-inning victory over the Cubs. ... Darin Erstad, a one-time hitting machine who in 2000 had 240 hits, went 0-for-5 in a rare start and is hitless in 23 at-bats and 22 games since getting his last hit on May 10. ... Infielders Jeff Keppinger (sore back) and Geoff Blum (strained left hamstring) were both unavailable Saturday night, resulting in a thin bench that moved Cooper to use pitcher Russ Ortiz as a pinch-hitter for pitcher Roy Oswalt in the eighth inning. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• FS-H On radio
• KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Español) Up next
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Astros (Wandy Rodriguez, 5-5, 2.82) at Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 6-4, 2.72), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Astros (Mike Hampton, 4-5, 4.70) at Rangers (Matt Harrison, 4-4, 5.43), 7:05 p.m. CT
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
