Jeff Fulchino News

The Winter Meetings are the most exciting time of year for most baseball fans. After all, a majority of fans know their team likely won't contend for the playoffs next year.

Much of what the Astros expected or wanted to accomplish for the remainder of the Winter Meetings and into the offseason hinged on the contract status of closer Jose Valverde, who had until late Monday night to accept the club's offer of salary arbitration.

The streak-of-lightning speed of center fielder Michael Bourn, the slick fielding of second baseman Kaz Matsui and the spacious jersey of reliever Jeff Fulchino have the Astros trio in contention for two of MLB.com's This Year in Baseball Awards.

Astros center fielder Michael Bourn has followed up a terrific season on the field with a banner season off the field, winning two major awards in his second season roaming the spacious outfield at Minute Maid Park.

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.

Wandy Rodriguez pitched six solid innings, Humberto Quintero homered and the Houston Astros beat Cincinnati 3-2 on Sunday to snap the Reds' six-game winning streak.

Houston Top 8th - Michael Bourn grounded out to first. None on with two outs and Kazuo Matsui due up.

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Joey Votto scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the seventh Wednesday and Cincinnati overcame a Houston home run barrage to down the Astros 6-5. All Houston's runs came on solo homers, which gave the Astros a 5-4 lead through five innings.

The Astros put on a power display Wednesday night, ripping five home runs at Great American Ball Park.

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Miguel Tejada's two-run homer in the seventh inning helped the Houston Astros take a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second of three at Minute Maid Park.

Philadelphia 2, Houston 3 Houston Bottom 7th - - Kazuo Matsui lined out to center to end the inning.

The Florida Marlins might have a hard time sleeping the next few nights without visions of Astros center fielder Michael Bourn running through their heads.

The Marlins continue to hit their way into history. On Wednesday night, pinch-hitter Emilio Bonifacio bunted the Marlins into more elite company.

Fulchino loses in long relief : Astros RP Jeff Fulchino relieved the injured Wandy Rodgriguez and took the loss in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals.

After watching reliever Chris Sampson give up five hits and six earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's 9-2 loss to Florida, the Astros optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Round Rock and recalled reliever Sammy Gervacio for the second time this year.

Despite spending 17 days on the disabled list, Sampson is leading the Astros' relievers in appearances and innings.

When a team has been shaken as badly by injuries as the Astros have been in recent weeks, winning games often means contributions are going to have to come from the most unlikely corners of the clubhouse.

Then he waited as Jeff Fulchino and Jose Valverde fought off the Milwaukee Brewers' late threats.