Chris Sampson News

Geoff Geary, right, has the best luck among Astros relievers, Zachary Levine writes.

If the Brewers finish 11-11, the Astros will have to go 17-5 to force a one-game playoff for the National League's wild card berth.

Cecil Cooper faced a sort of pleasant dilemma heading into Sunday's matchup against the Mets.

OK, maybe Ed Wade knew what he was doing all along. Maybe I'm the knucklehead. There. That wasn't painful.

Houston Bottom 8th - Darin Erstad flied out to right. Runner on first with one out and Miguel Tejada due up.

Called upon with two out, two on and the score tied in the bottom of the seventh Tuesday afternoon, Brocail tried to bounce a slider to Alfonso Soriano.

With two outs against Francisco Cordero , Miguel Tejada doubled and Lance Berkman walked.

At a recent White House dinner, Bud Selig teased Drayton McLane about giving Carlos Lee a $100-million contract.

To answer wags' question, I'd say Chris Sampson would be the long man today, having not pitched yesterday, but it's a good thing for the Astros Rodriguez settled down.

In baseball, superstition rules, and it is considered bad luck to mention something like a no-hitter or a perfect game while it is happening.

Drayton McLane went on and on the other day about how the Astros still had a chance to make something of this season.

Randy Wolf and four relievers combined on a nine-hit shutout, and the Houston Astros completed a three-game sweep of the suddenly sputtering New York Mets with a 4-0 win at Minute Maid Park.

Just one inning after Astros relievers Tim Byrdak, Chris Sampson and Wesley Wright combined to strand the bases loaded, their teammates loaded the bases for Mark Loretta in the bottom of the eighth Friday ...

Wandy Rodriguez gave up only one run to the Milwaukee Brewers over six innings. Houston's bullpen was even better the rest of the way.

According to a person familiar with the talks, the Red Sox would like Tejada if they ultimately trade Manny Ramirez .

Geoff Blum led a 16-hit attack Sunday with two homers and four RBI in Houston's 11-6 win over Milwaukee.

Reliever Chris Sampson pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Wandy Rodriguez in Friday night's 3-1 win over the Brewers at Miller Park, underscoring his versatility and value to manager Cecil Cooper.

Doug Brocail is the Astros' oldest player, and he's also their most used from the bullpen.

Chicago Cubs Top 9th - Geovany Soto reached first on Geoff Blum`s fielding error.

The Astros' bullpen entered Sunday having not allowed a run in 12 consecutive games, dating to the seventh inning at Washington on July 11.