Darin Erstad News

The Astros claimed catcher Chris Coste off waivers from the Phillies on Friday. He had been designated for assignment to make room on the Philadelphia roster for outfielder Raul Ibanez.

The Houston Astros now have TWO North Dakota connections... as joining Darin Erstad in Texas is Chris Coste.

The Astros have something working, with 19 wins in their past 30 games. Even bees can't stop them.

Here's to attitude and joy, to hustle and working hard and loving what you do. Those are the things that have helped make Miguel Tejada and Hunter Pence special.

Versatile Astros infielder Jeff Keppinger played in 11 consecutive games in late June, with most of his starts coming at third base while Geoff Blum was on the disabled list.

Something amazing has happened to the Astros over the last few weeks, and we may never figure out what it was.

Veteran Brian Moehler, largely ineffective so far this season, pitched six solid innings of one-run ball and a three-run throwing error by Chase Headley opened the floodgates, as Houston buried San Diego, 7-1, at Petco Park.

Houston Astros' Miguel Tejada, left, is congratulated by teammates after hitting the game-winning RBI-sacrafice fly to score teammate Darin Erstad during the eighth inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Friday, June 26, 2009 in Houston.

Houston Bottom 8th - Jeff Keppinger walk scored Kazuo Matsui on the play. Bases loaded with one out and Miguel Tejada due up.

Even after putting together three consecutive singles after two outs in the first inning and scoring a rare run against Kansas City's Zack Greinke, the Astros knew offense was still going to be at a premium against the Royals ace.

The Astros starter cringed and smiled. A day after Rodriguez was nailed on the left side during batting practice, he was sore when he arrived early at the Metrodome to see if he could pitch against the Minnesota Twins .

To say that the Astros are looking forward to facing Royals ace Zack Greinke wouldn't be entirely accurate.

One day after Wandy Rodriguez was nailed on his left side during batting practice, the Astros lefthander arrived early at the Metrodome to see if he could start Father's Day.

As Bobby Heck promised on his live chat on Chron.com on Wednesday, he has released the list of the latest players the Astros have signed from the 2009 draft.

The right-hander was charged with three runs on six hits in seven innings in the D-backs' 6-4 loss to the Astros on Saturday.

Scott Schoeneweis returned to the mound Saturday against the Astros at Chase Field.

Astros third basemen Geoff Blum and Jeff Keppinger were out of the lineup Saturday because of injuries.

Houston Astros at Arizona Diamondbacks Jun. 13, 2009 12:38 PM azcentral.com Where: Chase Field .

Darin Erstad was the No. 1 overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft in 1995 by the California Angels, and slugger Lance Berkman was taken with the 16th pick in the first round by the Astros two years later.

Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman and manager Cecil Cooper were ejected in the fifth inning of Thursday night's game against Milwaukee for arguing a close call at home plate.