Backe: A too-familiar sight.
(c) Associated Press
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In what may be his last appearance in an Astros game, Brandon Backe showed what frustrates many of his fans. The righthander got just four outs and was on the hook for eight runs in an 11-5 blowout Saturday night which was not as close as the score might imply.
Former Astro Josh Anderson swatted a pair of homers off Backe and Jeff Francour and Brandon Jones also drove in three runs each. After the game, both Backe and Manager Cecil Cooper spoke as if the the former postseason hero might not be in pinstripes next year.
Hunter Pence hit his 25th homer to start the Houston comeback but they could come no closer than 9-5 before running out of steam.
Sunday's season finale will begin at 1:05 Central with lefty Mike Hampton (3-3) tossing for Atlanta while lefthander Wandy Rodriguez (8-7) will pitch for Houston. It may also be the last appearance for fan favorite Brad Ausmus who indicates he'll be retiring at the end of the season unless he gets an offer from a West Coast team.
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