Oswalt 2-hits Padres, retires final 18
June 30, 2009
SAN DIEGO (AP)—Roy Oswalt(notes) is rounding into form.
The Houston Astros’ ace dominated the San Diego Padres again, pitching atwo-hitter and retiring his final 18 batters in a 3-1 victory Monday night.
It was Oswalt’s 17th career complete game and second in three outings.
“I feel better than I did at the beginning of the season,” Oswalt said.“It seems like I’m throwing the ball better, the balls have a little more carryand hopefully I can carry on the rest of the year.”
Ivan Rodriguez(notes) homered and Oswalt (4-4) helped himself with two hits at theplate. The right-hander improved to 10-2 with a 2.68 ERA against the Padres in15 career appearances, including 13 starts. His .833 winning percentage is thehighest among active pitchers with at least 10 decisions against San Diego.
“He was dealing,” said Rodriguez, Oswalt’s batterymate. “He was throwingin and out, breaking balls, sliders in great locations.”
Series at a Glance Houston 3 San Diego 1 Mon, Jun 29 – Final Houston at San Diego Tue, Jun 30 – 10:05 pm ET Houston at San Diego Wed, Jul 1 – 10:05 pm ET
Rodriguez hit his seventh home run, a solo shot to center field off starterJosh Geer(notes) (1-3) that tied it 1-all in the fifth inning.
The Astros went ahead with two runs in the sixth on consecutive singles byMiguel Tejada(notes), Lance Berkman(notes) and Carlos Lee(notes), and a sacrifice fly by Geoff Blum(notes).
“That was a great performance by Roy,” Houston manager Cecil Cooper said.“With the exception of the fourth inning he was in total command. Even in thefourth I thought he really pitched well to get out of there with just one andprobably should have got out of there with none. He did a great job and was incommand all night long.”
The Padres pushed across their lone run in the fourth on a bases-loaded wildpitch by Oswalt. David Eckstein(notes) was hit by a pitch to start the inning and movedto third on a double by Scott Hairston(notes). Adrian Gonzalez(notes) was intentionally walkedto load the bases.
After Kevin Kouzmanoff(notes) popped up for the first out of the inning, Oswaltthrew a curve to Chase Headley(notes) that bounced in the dirt and got away fromRodriguez. Eckstein raced home from third.
Houston Astros starter Roy Osw… AP – Jun 30, 12:39 am EDT
Oswalt struck out Headley and Eliezer Alfonzo(notes) to get out of the inning, thennever allowed another runner.
“For them to come out with just one, it was a lot better than giving up ahit there or two or three runs,” Oswalt said. “The guys came back the nextinning. And after that I tried to take control and not get behind hitters andnot put any guys on base. And I was able to do that.”
Oswalt finished with eight strikeouts and two walks. The only hits he gaveup were doubles by Hairston and Everth Cabrera(notes).
“He was making the pitches he had to,” said Gonzalez, who walked twice butstruck out on a 3-2 pitch to end the game. “He made great pitches on my lastat-bat. He threw some great fastballs on the outside corner.”
Geer allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings. He struck out twoand walked one.
It was the second time this season that the Padres were held to two hits.Seattle’s Felix Hernandez(notes) also did it on June 16 at Petco Park.
NOTES: Cooper said his team will go with a six-man rotation until theAll-Star break. Left-hander Mike Hampton(notes) is scheduled to come off the disabledlist Tuesday night and pitch against the Padres. To make room for him on theroster, Houston optioned LHP Wesley Wright(notes) to Triple-A Round Rock. … TheAstros also placed right-hander Brandon Backe(notes) on waivers. … Padres ace JakePeavy(notes) will have his right ankle re-examined Tuesday by team doctors. Peavy has astrained tendon and has been on the DL since June 15. … Gonzalez leads themajors with 63 walks, including 32 in June. Gene Tenace holds the club recordfor a month with 34 in July 1977. … Oswalt hit Eckstein with a pitch for thesecond time this season and the third time in his career, tying for the mosttimes Oswalt has hit a batter.
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