Astros haven't been able to stop the bleeding

Baseball Betting Lines

06/03/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros are finding out the hard way just how quickly fortunes can change.

A week ago, they sat at seven games above .500, and were just 1 1/2 games back of the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs. Since then, however, those two have drifted in different directions.

The Cubs have ripped off eight straight wins and they now own the best record in the majors. Meanwhile, the Astros have gone on to lose five straight, and just like that, Houston has fallen seven games off the pace in the division standings.

Manager Cecil Cooper knows these sorts of stretches are bound to happen over a 162-game schedule. And though he said it's taking quite a bit of effort on his part, he is trying to keep an even keel.

"I can't just wallow in it," he said. "If I did, then they would start to do that, too. So I can't do that. I have to bite my lip, bite my tongue, do what I have to do and do it and not let it bother me, at least to a point where they know it's bothering me."

Offensively, things have gotten, well, downright offensive. During their five- game skid, the Houston lineup has produced a grand total of six runs. The Cubs, to put that in perspective, are averaging about six runs per game on the season.

The misery began on Wednesday in St. Louis, against the club that has since taken over second place in the division. After beating the Cardinals in Tuesday's series opener, St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright stymied the Astros bats to just one run on three hits in eight innings of work.

Home runs by Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman accounted for Houston's only two runs on Thursday, as St. Louis put the stamp on the series with a 3-2 win.

Things went from bad to worse this weekend in Milwaukee, where in the three games, the Astros were outscored, 19-3.

In Friday's opener, Houston starter Brandon Backe allowed five runs in five innings, while the Astros offense managed just one run on seven hits for the game. On Saturday it was Ben Sheets' turn to quiet the Astros' bats. Sheets pitched 8 2/3 innings of one-run ball, as the Brewers went on to notch a 4-1 victory. Sunday's 10-1 loss was just downright ugly. Starter Shawn Chacon was chased after just one inning of work, having allowed four runs to cross the plate. Meanwhile, Brewers starter Dave Bush scattered just four hits and one run over seven innings.

"Nothing worked (Sunday)," Cooper said. "Nope. It was a bad day at the office. We didn't hit, didn't pitch very well, for the most part, and even threw it around a little bit. Nothing worked."

With their nine-game road trip now making its stop in Pittsburgh, the best the Astros can hope for is a 4-5 ledger on the trip. But first, they might just want to start with a multi-run game.

BERKMAN REWARDED WITH NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Despite the team's recent struggles, the one constant has been Berkman. During the month of May, Berkman hit .471 with nine home runs. Not surprisingly, he was named the NL Player of the Month for May. During his tear, Berkman also racked up 11 doubles, 22 RBI and scored 31 runs. He had 16 multi-hit games, and hit safely in 17 straight games.

"I didn't know he was the greatest hitter in the history of baseball until this guy showed up for the last month or so," Astros general manager Ed Wade said on the team's Web site. "It's like watching a guy play big league baseball, only he's playing tee ball. That's how easy he's making it. You know how difficult this game is, and he's simplified it to the 'nth degree."

For the season, Berkman ranks second in the majors in batting average (.385), second in home runs (17), and fifth in RBI (47).

GEARY READY FOR ACTION

Reliever Geoff Geary was activated from the 15-day disabled list following Sunday's loss. He had spent the last two weeks on the DL with a strained groin.

Geary, acquired in the offseason from Philadelphia as part of the Brad Lidge trade, reported no pain while throwing a simulated game on Saturday. He has been one of the steadies arms out of the bullpen this season, posting a 1.47 ERA in 19 games.

To make room for Geary, the club optioned Jack Cassel to Triple-A Round Rock. Cassel surrendered six runs on Sunday, though he was likely headed back down to the minors regardless of that outing.

WHO'S HOT

Berkman. Is any elaboration really needed anymore when you're hitting .475 over the past month?

WHO'S NOT

Neither of the catchers, J.R. Towles and Brad Ausmus. Over the past month, Ausmus is hitting .150, while Towles is batting .096.

A LOOK AHEAD

Opening up the Pirates series will be left-hander Wandy Rodriguez (1-1, 2.89), who struggled in his first outing since coming off the DL. He will face Phil Dumatrait (2-2, 3.52). On Wednesday, Roy Oswalt (4-5, 5.45) will square off with Zach Duke (2-4, 4.41). And on Thursday, Backe (4-6, 4.54) looks to get back on track against Paul Maholm (3-5, 4.74).

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