Clap for the Wolfman.
(c) Associated Press
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Don't seal thst coffin just yet on the 2008 Astros. They're still on life support and barely breathing but the pulse is starting to pick up a little as the end draws near.
Randy Wolf and a trio of relievers shut out Cincinnati, 5-0, despite allowing ten hits and two walks on Wednesday night. Wolf won for the sixth time in eight decisions as an Astro while evening his season mark at 12-12. Wolf, who struck out seven, lowered his ERA to 4.30 on the year.
Lance Berkman, who has been in a terrible slump for weeks, drilled a two-run shot off Ramon Ramirez to give the Astros a 2-0 edge. It stayed that way until the eighth when Houston loaded the bases, Hunter Pence walked and Humberto Quintero followed with a two-run single.
With the loss by the Mets, the Astros are now 3-1/2 games behind both New York and Milwaukee with four (maybe five) games to go in the season. If there's a silver lining here, both wild card contenders have used their ace pitchers in the past two days so neither is expected to pitch again until Sunday at the earliest.
Cincinnati's old nemesis, Roy Oswalt (16-10), goes in the Thursday series finale for Houston. Johnny Cueto (9-13) will pitch for the Redlegs in the 7:05 Central start.
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