Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 5

Houston Chronicle

"The Astros hired Jamie Quirk to join new manager Brad Mills' staff as bullpen coach. Quirk, 55, was the Rockies' bench coach from 2003-08, winning the National League pennant on Clint Hurdle's staff in 2007. He spent the 2009 season as a pro scout for the Reds. He joins pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, hitting coach Sean Berry, bench coach Al Pedrique, first base coach Bobby Meacham and third base coach Dave Clark on the 2010 staff."

Astros name three coaches, re-sign Blum

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October 31

Houston Chronicle

"Al Pedrique, one of 10 candidates interviewed for the Astros' managerial position that Manny Acta declined before Brad Mills beat out Dave Clark for the post, has become Mills' bench coach. Bobby Meacham will serve as the first-base coach and Brad Arnsberg as pitching coach. Combined with the previous announcement that hitting coach Sean Berry will return and that Clark has been invited back, Mills' coaching staff is essentially set. Arnsberg, Meacham hired "On Pedrique, any time that you can get a guy with that type of experience in the dugout and the skills that he has, he's going to fit right in to what we need," Mills said. Although Mills and Pedrique have never worked together, they ..."

Experience with Bosox is a winning attribute

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October 28

Houston Chronicle

"For six years, no manager in major league baseball had a more trustworthy, more dependable lieutenant than did Red Sox manager Terry Francona with bench coach Brad Mills, his former college roommate at Arizona. Mills planned spring training. He was the tactician with the color-coded charts that helped set up critical moves during two World Series. When Francona made a decision about playing time and days off, Mills frequently would be the one to pass it on to the player in question. When Francona was ill, as was the case early in the Red Sox's 2005 season, or was ejected or suspended, Mills ran the ballclub in the dugout. "There was no doubt in my mind if I ever got a job, he would be the ..."

Astros name Mills new manager

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October 27

Houston Chronicle

"Brad Mills was hired Tuesday by the Astros, taking over as manager of a team that has missed the postseason four straight seasons despite having one of baseball's highest payrolls. The hiring ends a month-long search to replace Cecil Cooper, who was fired Sept. 21. The Astros will introduce Mills at a 3 p.m. press conference at Minute Maid Park. “You may say I haven’t been a major league manager, but I managed for 11 years in the minor leagues,” Mills said after his first interview with the Astros. “Six times going to the playoffs with one championship. I’ve coached now for 11 years at the major league level. And I just ran through the last six years in Boston and (worked) with two ..."

Astros interview Mills, Clark on Tuesday

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October 27

MLB.com

"Boston Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills and Astros interim manger Dave Clark arrived at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday morning to interview with the Astros again about their vacant full-time manager position. Mills and Clark were two of 10 original candidates to replace Cecil Cooper, who was dismissed on Sept. 21, and join former manager Phil Garner as the lone remaining finalists. Garner was told by club officials Monday he was still in the running for the job, but he had yet to have another interview scheduled. The Astros offered the job Saturday to Manny Acta, but he turned down the Astros' two-year deal with an option in favor of a three-year deal plus an option to become the manager of the ..."

Astros comfortable with remaining manager candidates

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October 27

Houston Chronicle

"Although Manny Acta turned down the Astros to become manager of the Cleveland Indians, owner Drayton McLane is adamant he's just as comfortable with finalists Brad Mills, Dave Clark and Phil Garner. Each one, McLane says, is a man the Astros would be comfortable hiring as a manager. "We started with 10 of what I thought were really good candidates," McLane said Monday. "And then we narrowed them down to four. We got three candidates; one eliminated himself. These were the four that we narrowed it down to, and any of them would have been a great manager for the Houston Astros. We're just trying to check to see who would be the best." Although the Astros haven't made him an offer, Mills, the ..."

Astros close to making decision on manager

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October 24

Houston Chronicle

"As Drayton McLane heads into the weekend, Phil Garner, Manny Acta and Brad Mills are the finalists to replace Cecil Cooper as manager, and the Astros' owner expects to have a decision by early next week. McLane said he, president of baseball operations Tal Smith and general manager Ed Wade have begun the final check of references on Acta and Mills. No such check is needed for Garner, the former Astros manager who led the club to the World Series in 2005 and Game 7 of the NLCS in 2004. Asked if he was going to host more candidates other than Acta and Mills for a second round of interviews, McLane said he doesn't expect to do so with any others. "No, we're not going to meet," he said. "I met ..."

Wanted: Experience

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October 23

Houston Chronicle

"Long before Tony LaRussa was considered a genius of a baseball manager, he finished fifth in his first two seasons as manager of the Chicago White Sox, taking over late in the 1979 season and finishing 27-27 before going 70-90 in 1980. Bobby Cox, considered one of the best managers in baseball history, actually struggled in his first stint managing the Atlanta Braves. Joe Torre, the man who gained a reputation as one of the best at dealing with ballplayers while skippering the high-payroll New York Yankees, was actually ridiculed when he was first introduced as manager in the Bronx. Torre, who just finished his 29th season as a manager with his second NLCS appearance in as many years with ..."

Tug of war over Acta?

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October 22

Foxsports.com

(scroll down)

"Acta not only is a finalist for the Indians, but also a leading candidate for the Astros. The Indians are not likely to alter their process because of the Astros' interest. But Astros owner Drayton McLane might react to the Indians' pursuit. The competition for Acta is reminiscent of the battle between the Rangers and Orioles for Phil Regan after the 1994 season. The Orioles' interest in Regan only intensified after club officials learned that Regan also was a target of the Rangers and their new general manager, former O's exec Doug Melvin. Orioles owner Peter Angelos, fearing he might lose Regan, would not let him leave Baltimore without a contract. McLane is the same type of owner that ..."

Acta, Mills get second Astros interviews

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October 22

MLB.com

"Former Nationals manager Manny Acta and Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills both interviewed Wednesday for a second time with the Astros for the managerial position than became open when Cecil Cooper was dismissed last month. Acta, who was fired in July after 2 1/2 seasons as manager of the Nationals, and Mills were two of 10 men to interview with the Astros during a six-day span ending Monday. Houston general manager Ed Wade confirmed Acta interviewed with the front office, including owner Drayton McLane. "Manny came to town and had an opportunity to sit with us and sit with our group, including Drayton," Wade said. Acta arrived in Houston from Cleveland, where he interviewed Tuesday for the ..."

Astros meet with Acta, Mills for second interview

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October 22

Houston Chronicle

"The Astros began their second round of interviews with former Nationals manager Manny Acta and Boston Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, both called back Wednesday from the initial list of 10. Owner Drayton McLane would only concede that Acta was in town and that Bob Melvin was not. "We brought in some others," McLane said as his jet headed back to Temple on Wednesday evening. "I don't want to go into details. Some of them I had not met and we had several discussions. They were kind of brief on my part." McLane spent the previous week on a business trip through Portugal, Germany and Poland. He returned to Houston on Tuesday and participated in the second round of interviews. According to a ..."

Seeking Red Sox coaches

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October 20

Boston Herald

"Members of the same coaching staff since last winter, Brad Mills and Tim Bogar were competitors of a sort yesterday, as both were interviewed by the Houston Astros for their vacant managerial job. Mills interviewed in the morning and was followed in the afternoon by Bogar, who played for the Astros and later managed in their minor league system. The Astros already have interviewed a handful of other candidates, including former Houston manager Phil Garner. Mills and Bogar met with a handful of Houston officials: general manager Ed Wade, president Tal Smith, director of player development Ricky Bennett, scouting director Bobby Heck and special assistant Enos Cabell. "I thought it went ..."

Melvin, Acta bring confidence to Astros interviews

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October 17

Houston Chronicle

"Looking smooth and relaxed with the top button of his dress shirt unbuttoned, Bob Melvin stated his case to be the Astros' manager Friday. Manny Acta was at ease in his power blue suit, light blue shirt and striped blue tie. Melvin and Acta exuded confidence Friday as the fifth and sixth candidates interviewed from the Astros' list of 10. Melvin was confident enough to heap praise on his mentor, Phil Garner, who will interview for the same position Saturday. Acta in turn didn't shy away from his tenure as manager of the Washington, brimming instead with optimism and self confidence while highlighting the way he remained steady while managing a team with some of the worst talent in ..."

Yost believes experience is in his corner

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October 16

Houston Chronicle

"Former Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost, a protégé of Bobby Cox, highlighted his experience Thursday when he became the third person interviewed by the Astros for their managerial position. Randy Ready later focused on the fact Cox, the longtime Atlanta Braves manager, had to get his start somewhere. Yost, 54, was out of baseball this season after being fired by the Brewers late in the 2008 season when Milwaukee was in jeopardy of losing its grip on the National League wild-card berth. "Don't lose 10 out of 13 games," Yost said when asked what he learned from his final days in Milwaukee. "That's the best thing I could figure. Hope that your offense stays on track so that you don't ..."

Clark, Pedrique stress communication

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October 15

Houston Chronicle

"Dave Clark and Al Pedrique made their cases to become the Astros' next manager, stressing their communication skills and familiarity with the organization Wednesday while being interviewed by general manager Ed Wade and other top front-office officials. Communication in the Astros' clubhouse was seen as one of the club's biggest problems under Cecil Cooper, and Wade even cited a hope to improve the communication in the clubhouse when he discussed the coaching changes the club recently made. "I think that one of my stronger points is communication," said Clark, who served as the club's interim manager for the final 13 games after Cooper was fired. "I always felt that I was a pretty good ..."

First two candidates have 'inside' track

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October 14

Houston Chronicle

"Dave Clark and Al Pedrique will make their pitches today in hopes of becoming the Astros' next manager. Clark was promoted from third-base coach to interim manager when Cecil Cooper was fired Sept. 21, while Pedrique moved up from the organization's minor league coordinator to serve as Clark's third-base coach. Clark and Pedrique will be the first pair the Astros bring in for interviews among general manager Ed Wade's list of 10 candidates. Of all the candidates, none will arrive in Houston with more recent firsthand knowledge of the Astros' organization than these two men. Clark managed Class AAA Round Rock in 2008 and Class AA Corpus Christi the previous three seasons. In 2006, he won ..."

Astros not retaining Cruz on coaching staff

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October 14

Houston Chronicle

"Jose Cruz, one of the most popular players and coaches in Astros history, was shocked when team president Tal Smith and general manager Ed Wade told him Tuesday his services as one of the club's coaches will no longer be needed. Cruz has been offered a dual role helping the field staff at home and in spring training and then as part of community outreach while the team is on the road during the regular season. The fate of the Astros' 2009 coaching staff also has been set, with only hitting coach Sean Berry retaining his position. Dave Clark, who served as interim manager for the final 13 games after Cecil Cooper was fired, can be on the 2010 coaching staff if he isn't hired as manager. ..."

Ex-skipper Garner among Astros candidates

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October 13

Houston Chronicle

"Former Astros manager Phil Garner, who led the organization to its greatest feats, caps the list of 10 candidates who will interview to become the club's next manager. Dave Clark, who managed the team for the final 13 games of the season after Cecil Cooper was fired on Sept. 21, also will be interviewed along with Al Pedrique, the man who was promoted to third-base coach when Clark moved into the manager's post. "We're excited about the entire group of candidates," general manager Ed Wade said. "All 10 candidates have a great deal of experience and are held in high regard throughout Major League Baseball. Clarkie and Al are great internal candidates and are very well-respected both inside ..."

From Astros' 10 candidates, Garner stands out

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October 13

Houston Chronicle

"If we're bringing back Scrap Iron, can we get Gerry Hunsicker as well? Don't forget Andy Pettitte, too. If we're having a reunion tour, let's do it up right. Let's check in on the Rocket and see if he's up for one more season. If nothing else, the Astros will be interesting again, and in the end, isn't that important, too? They need more talent, but they need some buzz, too. They weren't just bad this season. They were boring. How many times can you watch Carlos Lee get thrown out on the bases? Maybe that's why there were so many empty seats at Minute Maid Park. Let's face it: Phil Garner looks a whole lot better now than he did when the Astros fired him two years ago. As it turns out … ..."

Astros eye Sox coaches

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October 13

Boston Herald

"For the second year in a row, two members of the Red Sox coaching staff could be competing against one another for a major league managerial opening. The Red Sox have given permission to the Houston Astros to interview bench coach Brad Mills and first base coach Tim Bogar. The Astros fired manager Cecil Cooper last month and are seeking a replacement. Both Mills and Bogar are scheduled to be interviewed Monday in Houston. "It's pretty cool," said Mills of the fact that he and Bogar have at the same opportunity. "It just goes to show how many good guys we have on this coaching staff and it says a lot about Tito (Francona) and Theo (Epstein) and ownership and the people they've put together ..."

Melvin joins list of managerial candidates

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October 12

MLB.com

"Bob Melvin, the 2007 National League Manager of the Year with the Arizona Diamondbacks, confirmed on Monday he will interview with the Astros this week for their vacant managerial position. Melvin is the latest in growing list of candidates who will be given interviews, including Boston Red Sox first-base coach Tim Bogar, bench coach Brad Mills, former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta and Astros interim manager Dave Clark. Astros general manager Ed Wade on Monday confirmed Bogar, Mills and Acta would interview later this week, along with Astros Minor League field coordinator Al Pedrique. Clark will be among one of two candidates to interview on Wednesday. "It's obviously a great ..."

Fregosi has what it takes to manage Astros

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October 10

Houston Chronicle

"Jim Fregosi's genius is subtle. It's not in knowing how to craft a lineup or when to remove a pitcher from a game. In fact, it's not in anything that has to do with strategy or things that can be measured. That stuff is overrated anyway. Baseball's best managers aren't the ones who have the X's and O's figured out. They know they can hire people to help with that stuff. The best managers are the ones who gain the trust of their players, create an environment in which the team comes first and get a good effort from their players every day. And good managers enforce rules, but they enforce them with the proper touch, with a touch that won't humiliate or embarrass the player. In other words, ..."

Moehler accepts deal to return to Astros in 2010

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October 9

Houston Chronicle

"Righthander Brian Moehler has exercised his mutual option for the 2010 season, accepting the $3 million contract to pitch with the Astros next year. "Moehler agreed to the option, so his deal is done with us," general manager Ed Wade said Thursday. "I'm happy. He's a true professional, and did exactly what we hoped he would do this year, which is to take a start every fifth day." Moehler, 37, who had surgery Monday to remove some loose particles from his right knee, was 8-12 with a 5.47 ERA this season. "I think he can help us next year with what he does on the mound and also the influence he can have on some of the younger guys on our team," Wade said. "And also from his work ethic; I ..."

Astros brass meet to finalize managerial candidates

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October 9

Houston Chronicle

"General manager Ed Wade and Astros owner Drayton McLane met Thursday to finalize the club's list of about 10 candidates who will get at least one interview to try to make a case for becoming the team's manager. Wade and McLane wouldn't disclose the names on the list, but part of the interview process will include making each candidate's identity known to the public 24 hours before he is interviewed. Then each candidate will be presented to the media after the interview. Because some of the candidates are working for clubs in the postseason, there is a chance Astros officials will travel to interviews. Asking permission "We're at a point where I'll probably begin shortly, probably as early ..."

Advises Garner: Know club's goals

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October 8

Houston Chronicle

"No manager has taken the Astros to greater feats than Phil Garner, who understands the importance of quality pitching and pushing the right buttons with veteran stars. Garner, the only manager who has been able to win a postseason series in franchise history, knows better than most what the next Astros manager can expect. He has lived the highest of highs in Astros baseball, guiding the club to its only World Series appearance in 2005. Garner took over after the 2004 All-Star break and steered the club out of mediocrity and to Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, beating the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series that year to claim the club's first postseason series victory. A ..."

Astros pick up Moehler's option

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October 7

Houston Chronicle

"The Astros informed Brian Moehler today that they plan to pick up their portion of the mutual option they hold on the righthander for 2010. Moehler, who had right knee partial lateral meniscectomy to remove loose particles from his knee Monday, has the right to decline the $3 million contract. The Astros had until the fifth day after the World Series to exercise the option or pay Moehler a $250,000 buyout. If he declines, then he doesn't get the buyout. Moehler was 8-12 with a 5.47 ERA this year. "We informed Moehler today that we want to pick up his option," Ed Wade said. "He has the right to decline. We're optimistic that Brian is going to be back with us next year.""

2010 Astros unsettled everywhere but outfield

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October 7

Houston Chronicle

"By the weekend, Ed Wade likely will start asking clubs for permission to interview managerial candidates or, at least, have the list of candidates finalized. What type of team will that manager inherit, though? That's the question Astros fans would love answered after watching the club finish fifth in the National League Central and a record (74-88) so low that only seven teams won fewer games. On the positive side, the Astros' outfield offensive production is the club's strength with team RBI and home run leader Carlos Lee manning left, NL stolen-base leader and Gold Glove candidate Michael Bourn in center and the impetuous Hunter Pence in right field. Pence and Lee aren't Gold Glove ..."

Surgery rids Moehler of particles in knee

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October 6

Houston Chronicle

"Astros righthander Brian Moehler had surgery Monday to remove loose particles from his right knee. Team trainer Nate Lucero told general manager Ed Wade that the procedure went well and that the veteran should be ready for the 2010 season. The Astros and Moehler hold a mutual option worth $3 million for 2010, but it's too early to tell if they'll exercise it. Moehler was 8-12 with a 5.47 ERA this year. " We're very pleased with what Brian's done for us," Wade said. "But I want to talk to our guys internally before we make any decisions.""

Astros players support Clark for manager

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October 5

MLB.com

"If it were up to Astros veteran first baseman Lance Berkman, interim manager Dave Clark would be back in a full-time role next year. And Berkman isn't alone in his beliefs. Ace pitcher Roy Oswalt also wants Clark to get the managerial job in 2010, and up-and-coming outfielders Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence are behind Clark, too. Whether support in the clubhouse has an impact on hiring a full-time manager remains to be seen, but the players are convinced Clark is the right man. "I think Dave would do a good job," Oswalt said. "He knows the game well. I think the biggest attribute is he demands a lot from the players. He sticks with what he does best, and I think he would be great for this ..."

Wade beginning hunt for new manager

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October 5

Houston Chronicle

"Although his list of candidates is somewhat set, general manager Ed Wade will check with the Astros' leadership this week before he starts asking other clubs for permission to interview managerial candidates. " We're pretty comfortable with the initial list that we've got," Wade said, "but I want to have the opportunity to sit down with several of us at the same time just to go over it and confirm that we're in the right place. "We're not moving at a snail's pace, but we're trying to do it as efficiently as we can. " Dave Clark, who served as the interim manager for the final 13 games of the season , plans to make the 10-hour drive to his home in Memphis today, then wait for the Astros to ..."

Astros go out with a goose egg

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October 5

Houston Chronicle

"Fittingly perhaps, the Astros ended their 2009 season by suffering a sweep against one of only seven teams in the majors that had a worse record. Journeyman righthander Nelson Figueroa threw a four-hitter Sunday to help the New York Mets complete the three-game sweep with a 4-0 victory before a crowd of 38,135 at Citi Field. Figueroa, a 35-year-old who spent most of the season in the minors and had never thrown more than 7 2/3 innings in a major league start, snapped a personal five-game skid to improve to 2-8. "This has definitely been one of the most disappointing seasons that I can remember having here," Lance Berkman said. "It's one of the few times where we've come into the last ..."

Figueroa throws first complete game as Mets cap miserable season

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October 5

New York Daily News

"For the first time in three years, the Mets received a dominating pitching performance on the regular season's final day. Of course, after crushing defeats to the Marlins in Game No. 162 in 2007 and '08, Nelson Figueroa's first career complete game and a 4-0 victory to complete a sweep of the Astros Sunday didn't exactly heal any wounds. The injury-laden Mets, who are expected to retain GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel but announce coaching staff dismissals today, finished the season at 70-92, in fourth place in the National League East. "We weren't expecting this coming out of spring training," Carlos Beltran said. The season attendance finished at 3,154,262 - down 22% from the ..."

After Quiet Finish, Mets Are Planning for Busy Off-Season

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October 5

New York Times

"The video room was empty. So was the indoor batting cage. Inside the Mets' clubhouse on Sunday, Ken Takahashi was asking Pat Misch and Elmer Dessens to autograph his glove. Nick Evans was showing off a photograph capturing perhaps his most memorable moment of the season - when he met his comedic idol, Jerry Seinfeld, at Citi Field. "It's up there," Evans said. The morning before the Mets' final game of the regular season, a 4-0 victory against the Houston Astros, did not feature the same energy and anticipation as, say, those of the last two years. Officially out of playoff contention for three weeks - unofficially, for three months - the Mets cleaned out their lockers and sealed boxes ..."

Vacation one day away for Astros

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October 4

Houston Chronicle

"As rain drenched Citi Field on Saturday afternoon, hardly anybody would have blamed the umpiring crew for ending a meaningless contest between two of the worst clubs in the National League on the penultimate day of the season. Yet the NL Central's fifth-place club and the NL East's fourth-place team sat through a rain delay of 2 hours, 20 minutes before continuing the sixth inning of the New York Mets' eventual 5-1 victory. Just as they couldn't before the delay, the Astros didn't put together nearly enough offense after it on an afternoon when Yorman Bazardo struggled in his final bid to impress."

Misch a hit once again

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October 4

New York Post

"The diehards who waited out yesterday's Citi Field rain delay were rewarded. As play resumed at 5:19 p.m. -- following a delay of 2 hours, 20 minutes before the top of the sixth inning - the few thousand remaining fans were allowed to sit in the box seats behind both dugouts. And then the Mets completed a 5-1 victory over the Astros. Here's a modest goal for the Mets: Win today's season finale and reach the 70-victory mark for the season and finish the home slate over .500 at 41-40. One Mets pitcher, at least, is peaking just as the season concludes. Pat Misch gave the Mets a second straight strong start, allowing a run over five innings. This came after the right-hander fired a ..."

Pat Misch solid as Mets top Astros at soggy Citi Field

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October 4

New York Daily News

"Looking to salvage some dignity in the final weekend of an awful season, the Mets beat the Astros, 5-1, Saturday behind a brief but solid start by Pat Misch at soggy Citi Field. Misch (3-4), coming off an eight-hit shutout in his previous start, allowed five hits and one run in five innings. He would have pitched longer, but the game was interrupted by a two-hour, 20-minute rain delay at the end of the fifth. Anderson Hernandez had an RBI double and the Mets scored an unearned run when Miguel Tejada booted Misch's grounder in the second inning. Fernando Tatis knocked in two runs in the fifth with a broken-bat single and Josh Thole added an RBI single in the seventh. Francisco Rodriguez ..."

McLane says club not for sale

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October 3

Houston Chronicle

"McLane says club not for sale Owner Drayton McLane admitted frustration while shooting down one of the annual reports claiming the Astros could be for sale. "Nothing could be furthest from the truth," McLane said. "I don't know where they get that from." Empire state of mind Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton, who has called games at 57 major league stadiums, thought back to Ebbets Field on Friday night before calling his first game at Citi Field. Citi Field became the fifth baseball stadium Hamilton has broadcast from in New York, joining the Polo Grounds, Ebbets Field, Shea Stadium and old Yankee Stadium. "I like that there are some nooks and crannies," he said. "It's not all ..."

Wandy's big year has unhappy ending

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October 3

Houston Chronicle

"The first few times Wandy Rodriguez tried to log on to the computer in the visitors' clubhouse to secure tickets for his family to watch him face the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday night, the Internet was down. With each failed attempt, his frustration built a bit more. Once it was back up, a teammate beat Rodriguez to the computer and set aside all but one of the club's remaining tickets behind the dugout for the Astros' first game at picturesque Citi Field. So, Rodriguez had to dig into his wallet for $760 to purchase four tickets so his family could sit in good clubhouse seats. His luck didn't get much better once he took the mound because he and the Astros lost 7-1 to John Maine ..."

Season ending in first series at Citi Field

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October 2

Houston Chronicle

"A rare day off Carlos Lee, who has been playing with a sore right hand for over a month, was out of the starting lineup Thursday for only the second time this season. "It's just a day off so I can rest my hand," said Lee, who leads the Astros in RBIs. "The wrist is a little sore and it hurts when I swing and miss. At times if I miss, it hurts a little. "But I've played with it like this and managed to go out there and keep at it for over a month. I think today was a good day to be off so I can finish the season strong in New York." Citi Field of dreams The Astros will be the last National League team to visit the new Citi Field tonight when they open their season-ending three-game series ..."

Paulino flashes potential in victory

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October 2

Houston Chronicle

"With the National League East title already secured, the Philadelphia Phillies rested some of their stars Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park. The Astros also sat their top run producer, Carlos Lee, but Miguel Tejada stepped into the No. 3 spot in the lineup and led the way with Lance Berkman producing as well from Lee's cleanup spot. Interim manager Dave Clark tweaked the Astros' lineup a bit, and Tejada continued his assault while helping Felipe Paulino beat the Phillies 5-3. "With Carlos out of the lineup tonight, that was our best option," Clark said after Lee sat out with a sore right wrist. "Miguel has hit third a few times this year, and it gave us a chance to get Jason Michaels in ..."

Paronto hopes to pitch again this season

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October 1

Houston Chronicle

"Paronto update A day after suffering a left hamstring strain, righthanded reliever Chad Paronto remained hopeful about pitching again this season, although manager Dave Clark wasn't as optimistic. "It doesn't look good," Clark said. "I know the hamstring pull was pretty severe. We're talking about a guy who's 270 pounds. He wasn't that easy trying to get off the field (Tuesday) night. You can only imagine how long it's going to take a body like that to heal from a hamstring injury. I'm sure we're going to probably shut him down for the rest of the year." Paronto found solace knowing he felt better than he expected. "It's pretty sore," he said. "I'd be lying to you if I said it wasn't, but ..."

Astros watch Phillies celebrate

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October 1

Houston Chronicle

"After briefly making it interesting, the Astros could only watch as the party got under way in the fourth inning Wednesday night for the rally towel-waving masses ready to celebrate the National League East title at Citizens Bank Park. It was just a matter of time until former Astros closer Brad Lidge got Lance Berkman to ground out to first base in the ninth to clinch the Philadelphia Phillies' third consecutive NL East crown. Feasting on a pitcher who hasn't won since Aug. 22, the defending World Series champs pounded Brian Moehler and the Astros 10-3. "I was a little jealous," J.R. Towles, who hit two home runs, said after staying in the dugout a few extra minutes to watch the Phillies ..."

Phillies Clinch Title, but Worries Abound

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October 1

New York Times

"The Phillies did not know they had clinched their third consecutive National League East title when Brad Lidge threw his first pitch Wednesday night. But that did not matter. There was no one else Manager Charlie Manuel wanted on the mound. Summoned with two outs in the ninth inning, Lidge needed only that one pitch to secure a 10-3 victory against the Houston Astros. If the Phillies are to successfully defend their World Series championship, they will need consistent contributions from Lidge, who has struggled all season and last week lost his job as closer. The capacity crowd at Citizens Bank Park showered him with a standing ovation when he ran in from the bullpen, and it erupted when ..."

Astros bats wake up against play-off bound Phillies

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September 30

Houston Chronicle

"Like white butterflies on a blue canvas, rally towels fluttered throughout Citizens Bank Park on a chilly Monday night in the city of Brotherly Love. From time to time, the atmosphere picked up, but Miguel Tejada and his teammates never let a party get underway. Phillies fans can practically smell another division title, and only a monumental collapse will deny the defending World Series champions their third consecutive trip to the postseason. Yet, Tejada and his Astros teammates would rather delay that celebration a few more days. Tejada led the Astros to an 8-2 victory, collecting his National League-leading sixth four-hit game of the season while Philadelphia dropped to 5-0 this year ..."

Astros notes: Manzella learning with Tejada's coaching

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September 30

Houston Chronicle

"Going for 200 hits Dave Clark is committed to letting Miguel Tejada attempt to collect 200 hits this season, which is why the interim manager was tempted to use the veteran shortstop in the leadoff spot Tuesday night against the Phillies. "We're going to give him every opportunity to get 200 hits," Clark said. "He's been here all year and he deserves the opportunity." After going 4-for-5 on Monday, Tejada took the National League lead with six four-hit games this season. "It's very important," said Tejada, who has 192 hits, the franchise record for a shortstop. "Not everybody can get 200 hits a year. Whoever does it should feel real satisfied because as you know it's something very ..."

Astros go down on Lopez's first big league start

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September 30

Houston Chronicle

"After loading the bases in the fourth inning Tuesday night, Wilton Lopez was willing to trade a run for two outs. He wanted to try for a double play with a sinker. Then, pitching coach Dewey Robinson visited the Citizens Bank Park mound and told him to throw a slider to Pedro Feliz. Lopez did what he was told, but he hung the slider. Feliz crushed the ball for a grand slam, delivering the decisive blow that helped the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Astros 7-4 and move within a game of the NL East title. "I had dominated him with sinkers," Lopez said of Feliz. "That's what I had to look for because I was thinking about getting a double play because it doesn't matter if they score a run, but ..."

Feliz's blast helps Phillies win

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September 30

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The pitch, thrown seconds after Wilton Lopez was lectured on the mound by his pitching coach, was an 84-m.p.h. slider through the heart of the plate. Pedro Feliz hit it so hard that Houston leftfielder Carlos Lee took only a few steps back before realizing the ball's fate.With that grand slam in the fourth inning, an entire stadium exhaled last night.All of a sudden, the scoreboard watching didn't feel as important anymore. All of a sudden, the Phillies had life. All of a sudden, the 45,082 fans at Citizens Bank Park erupted, waving white towels.And tonight, after a 7-4 victory over the Astros, the Phillies can clinch their third consecutive National League East title.After Atlanta's 5-4 ..."

Healthy Martinez to start tonight against Astros

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September 30

Philadelphia Daily News

"Sitting at his locker an hour and a half before game time, Pedro Martinez turned his head to the right, and then to the left. It is a movement that most people take for granted, but for much of the last 10 days he has been unable to do so without some pain. Yesterday, though, Martinez labeled himself healthy and ready to return to the mound, which he will do tonight against the Astros."I feel fine," Martinez said while speaking briefly to reporters.Martinez, who strained his neck during an at-bat against the Braves on Sept. 19, threw a bullpen session on Sunday and was satisfied with the results. The Phillies have played it safe with the 37-year-old veteran righthander, but are confident ..."

With win over Astros, Phillies are one win away from NL East title

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September 30

Philadelphia Daily News

"THE STORY GOES that Mohammed once ordered Mount Safa to come to him. When the mountain did not oblige, the prophet raised his arms and gave thanks to God. Because, after all, if the mountain had obeyed, it would have crushed him and his people. Then, according to lore, he announced, "I will therefore go to the mountain and thank God that he has had mercy on a stiff-necked generation." Mohammed's point? The Phillies need to play better. "The mountain didn't come to Mohammed, did it?" manager Charlie Manuel asked 3 hours before game time, just moments after he asked his players a similar question in a brief team meeting in the Phillies clubhouse. "What happened? He had to go to the mountain. ..."

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