2010 – Lance Berkman is inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, joining former teammates Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Roger Clemens among others. Former Astros pitching coach Burt Hooton is also honored.
Brett Myers, a former first-round pick of the Phillies, signs a one-year deal with an option for 2011. The 29-year-old righthander spent time as ace and closer with the Phils but is coming off hip surgery. He winds up leading the Astros with 14 wins and is rewarded with an extension through 2013.
The Boston Red Sox sign free agent 3B Adrian Beltre to a one-year deal worth $9 million, with an option for a second year. The deal is motivated by the uncertain state of Mike Lowell’s health.
2009 – Michael Bourn wins the Gold Glove Award for National League outfielders. The Houston-born speedster is the first Houston outfielder to win the award since Cesar Cedeno in 1976.
The Rockies’ 9-2 win over Milwaukee assures the team of a wild card berth in the postseason and puts the team in position to still win the NL West by sweeping the Dodgers this weekend in L.A. Although the team was 12 games under .500 on June 3, today’s victory, their 91st – a club record – puts Colorado 23 games over .500, another first in the 17-year history of the franchise.
2009 – Kazuo Matsui beats out an infield single in Milwaukee for his 2,000th career hit combined from his career as a star shortstop in the Japanese majors as well as his six years in the National League. Play is stopped as Japanese officials recognize Matsui’s automatic induction into Japan’s Meikyukai, similar to our Hall of Fame. The event gets live television coverage back in his homeland. The Astros, however, fall in a 6-2 defeat.
2009 – Hunter Pence launches a pair of three-run homers to pace a 14-6 thrashing of the Marlins. Lance Berkman comes off the disabled list to drill a pair of RBI doubles. Carlos Lee adds three hits and three RBIs. Rookie Bud Norris lasts five inning to up his record to 3-0 since a midseason call-up.
2009 – Houston stuns closer Ryan Franklin with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to clip the Cardinals, 4-3, and sweep the three-game series from the division leaders. The Astros move within a game of first. Miguel Tejada strokes the game- after Chris Coste failed twice to lay down a bunt then spanked an RBI double to center. Jose Valverde wins in relief.
2009 – A 7-2 Astros victory in San Diego is delayed 52 minutes in the top of the ninth when a swarm of bees moves into left field and begins nesting in the jacket of the ballgirl. A local bee expert is brought in to kill and capture the queen and her nest, dispersing the others. “Killer B’s” Geoff Blum, Lance Berkman and Michael Bourn delivered six hits, six runs and six RBIs between them.
One day after blowing the lead in a ten-run Oriole comeback, Jonathan Papelbon saves Boston’s come-from-behind 6 – 5 win over the Birds. The BoSox score 4 in the 9th to tie the game, giving Papelbon the chance to close it in the 11th, thereby passing Bob Stanley for the franchise lead for saves with 133.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!