Astros losing ground instead of gaining it

ESPN.com

Updated: June 11, 2008

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Lance Berkman, who hit his 20th homer Wednesday, has been the lone bright spot for the Astros.

GOING SOUTH

By Mark Simon, ESPN Research

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The Astros were going pretty good for about two months, and it figured that they'd have a chance to gain some ground when the Cardinals' Albert Pujols and the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano went down with injuries. But Houston has struggled the past three weeks. On Wednesday, the Astros fell to the Orioles for their seventh straight loss.

The primary culprit during this skid has been the pitching. Trailing by 12 games in the National League Central, the only real story the rest of the way for the Astros may be how good a season it ends up being for Lance Berkman. He hit his 20th homer on Wednesday, marking the ninth consecutive season has reached that total. But, it was the lone run in another loss.

Astros' nine-game road trip …
W-L 2-7
BA .227
Runs per game 2.3
ERA 4.01

… followed by nine-game homestand
W-L 2-7
BA .286
Runs per game 4.1
ERA 4.78

And now they've lost the first two at Baltimore, with both Orioles wins coming in their final at-bat.

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: June 17 | June 16 | June 15 | June 12 | June 11 | June 10

FORWARD THINKING: THURSDAY

Joba Chamberlain • Padres at Yankees, 1:05 p.m. ET: Joba Chamberlain (1-2, 2.48 ERA) has improved in each of his first three starts. He is, however, still struggling with command, having walked four batters in two of his three starts. Josh Banks (2-0, 1.29 ERA) has pitched well since being called up from the minors May 22. He's already faced one New York team in his brief time since being recalled, walking away with a no decision against the Mets.

Doug Davis • A's at Diamondbacks, 3:40 p.m. ET: After a series of rough outings, Doug Davis (2-3, 3.99 ERA) looked solid in his most recent start, tossing seven innings of shutout ball against Kansas City. Left-handers, however, are having much success against him, hitting .357 in his seven starts. Greg Smith (4-5, 3.62 ERA), meanwhile, has had little trouble against lefties, who are hitting .179 against him.

James Shields • Cubs at Rays, 7:10 p.m. ET: James Shields (4-5, 3.91 ERA) returns from the suspension he was handed for hitting Coco Crisp on June 5 setting off a benches-clearing brawl. Shields has given up 10 runs over his past two starts, a span of just nine innings. Sean Gallagher (3-3, 4.54 ERA) has made the bullpen work his past two starts, lasting just five innings each time. He has gone at least six innings only once in his past five starts.

• Complete list of pitching probables for Thursday's games


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BBTN ON THE AIR: THURSDAY

TIME WHO'S ON?
10 p.m. ET
ESPN2		 Host: Steve Berthiaume
Analysts: Buster Olney, Eduardo Perez
12 a.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Steve Berthiaume
Analysts: Buster Olney, Eduardo Perez

BBTN MINUTE: CHAMBERLAIN VS. BANKS

WEDNESDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES

GOOD
J.D. Drew• J.D. Drew continued his hot hitting, going 4-for-5 with a homer, four RBIs and two runs scored as the Red Sox beat the Phillies.
BAD
Jesus Colome• The Nationals were already behind, but Jesus Colome only made things worse, giving up three hits and five runs in one inning of relief.
UGLY
Joe Blanton• Joe Blanton became the first pitcher in the AL to 10 losses by giving up seven hits and eight runs in just three innings of work against Arizona.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

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FANTASY: PREVIEW OF THURSDAY'S GAMES

Will Harris examines the pitching matchups in store for the 11 games on Thursday's schedule in the American League and National League.

Fantasy Harris also looks at injuries and details player reports that could help shape your roster for Thursday's games. Daily Notes

NEWS AND NOTES

Kosuke Fukudome• Kosuke Fukudome moved up to the leadoff spot Wednesday, marking the first time he has hit in that spot all season. Cubs manager Lou Piniella would like to keep him there until the team gets Alfonso Soriano back from his broken hand. Fukudome went 1-for-4 with a walk.

Fausto Carmona• Fausto Carmona, out with a left hip strain, experienced soreness during a simulated game. He was supposed to make two rehab starts in the next week, but those plans have been temporarily shelved.