September 07, 2006
Massive Tie Recap
It wasn't a great night for the massive tie scenario. Four pitching duels provided mixed results. The Sanchez no hitter was a positive. The Astros defeated the Phillies 5-3, which also was a positive. Andy Pettitte and Randy Wolf battled each other even for six innings. But the Phillies bullpen was roughed up again as Madson loaded the bases in the the ninth and Lance Berkman hits his second double of the game. It cleared the bases and Lidge allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth to put Houston on top 5-3.
The teams at the top didn't help much, however. Lowe and Capuano battled for eight innings each with Lowe coming out on top 2-1. The two pitchers combined to allow just eight hits. Balls were put in play as they only combined to strike out four.
The Padres kept pace as Jennings and Hensely each pitched seven shutout innings. They combined to allow just six hits while striking out 14. The bullpens then pitched three more scoreless inning, with Colorado not allowing a hit. But in the bottom of the eleventh, pinch hitter Paul McAnulty picked an opportune time for his first major league home run, a two run shot off Nate Field to give the Padres five wins in a row.
The Padres win extends their wild card lead to three. While we now have five teams between 3 and 5 games behind San Diego, there is some breathing room for the Padres. The way the west has gone this season, however, I guess it's the Padres turn for a winning streak.