Felipe Paulino News

The biggest story locally this week has probably been the Astros hiring of Brad Mills.

On this date 24 years ago, I married Karen Thompson. We had met 11 weeks earlier -- yes, 11 weeks -- at a concert and proceeded through a whirlwind romance that seems like only yesterday.

Not much good news came out of the Phillies' game against the Astros on Thursday.

TV: Comcast SportsNet. Radio: WPHT ; WUBA Spanish. Ticket info: The Phillies had about 1,500 tickets available.

The last thing Astros right-hander Felipe Paulino wanted to do was enter the offseason with the disappointment of a long losing streak weighing on his mind, especially considering he's likely going to be fighting for a spot in the rotation next spring.

Michael Bourn is going to lead the National League in stolen bases by a wide margin, and the streak-of-lightning center fielder wants to set an Astros record for steals in a season while he's at it.

Friday: Reds 10, Astros 4. Record: 71-82. Today: Reds at Minute Maid Park, 6:05 p.m. Pitchers: Justin Lehr vs.

Journeyman right-hander Justin Lehr faces the Houston Astros for the second straight start tonight when the Cincinnati Reds head to Minute Maid Park for the second game of a three-game weekend series.

When the regular season ends next week, LaTroy Hawkins will pack up his car and make the four-hour drive to Prosper, Texas, and wait for his next opportunity.

Yovani Gallardo is determined to treat his final start of the season just like the first 29.

THT Daily: Fielder's 40th by Dave Studeman September 21, 2009 Player News Yesterdaya s Results Todaya s Games Standings You can always find the most recent THT Daily at http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/content/thtdaily/ Player News Player Headlines are courtesy of Rotoworld Yovani Gallardo tossed five scoreless innings and picked up a win over the ...

Yovani Gallardo notched his 200th strikeout in his final 2009 start, and Prince Fielder continued to reach milestones of his own on Sunday.

Cecil Cooper understands that his job status is included in Astros owner Drayton McLane's plan to evaluate the organization this offseason.

The Astros, like a famous explorer, will head to Florida this spring seeking to turn back the calendar, beginning with the rotation Sept.

Astros righthander Roy Oswalt, who has been pitching with a degenerative disc in his back, has been shut down for the season one day after he aggravated the injury he's dealt with for his last four starts.

Saturday: Astros 4, Pirates 2. Record: 70-72. Today: Pittsburgh at Minute Maid Park, 1:05 p.m. Pitchers: Felipe Paulino vs.

Felipe Paulino said what a lot of us were thinking. I, along with many others on this forum, criticized the handling of Felipe Paulino, keeping him on a string not only between Round Rock and Houston, but between the dugout and the bullpen as he went back-and-forth between relieving and starting with a very quick hook.

Paul Maholm threw eight shutout innings and Ryan Doumit hit a key solo homer, as the Pirates snapped their 13-game road losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Astros.

The dark days appear to be gone for Lance Berkman. Indeed, Berkman, who smacked a homer on both Thursday and Friday nights, is finally able to sit back, take a breath and relax now that his 32-game homerless streak is a thing of the past.

Astros closer Jose Valverde, who has pitched well since coming off the disabled list, said he plans on testing the free-agent waters at the end of the season, though his first preference would be returning to Houston.