2009 Houston Astros: 1-4

Happy Easter to all.

Sunday, April 12, 2009
Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Wandy Rodriguez vs. Kyle Lohse
Busch Stadium
1:15 CT

2009 Houston Astros: 1-3

Next game...

Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Roy Oswalt vs. Adam Wainwright
Minute Maid Park
3:10 CT
TV: Fox

A Tribute To Nick Adenhart

>

Nick Adenhart was born on August 24, 1986 in Hagerstown, Maryland. Before the age of 20, he was considered an accomplished pitcher, and was expected to be in the majors in the next couple of years. In 2003, he was awarded the Youth Player of the Year by the prestigious "Baseball America", and became the "top-ranked high school prospect" in 2004. Adenhart began his senior season at Williamsport High School projected to be a top 5 draft pick. Unfortunately, Adenhart suffered an elbow injury two weeks before the 2004 draft and ended up having to undergo Tommy John surgery on June 17. However, the Angels still drafted him in the 14^th round, and Nick signed on July 26, 2004. Nick spent the 2004 season rehabbing his elbow at the Angel’s spring training facility in Mesa, AZ.

Starting in 2005, Adenhart played four seasons in the minor leagues. He went 37-28 in the minors, with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. In 2006, Adenhart had his best year going 15-4 with Rancho Cucamonga and the Cedar Rapids.

After a dominating 2006 season, he was invited to his first Spring Training. Ever since 2006, he has been invited to Spring Training every year.

In 2008, he started his first game in the Bigs. May 1^st, 2008, he faced the Oakland A’s. He only went 2 IP, and gave up 5 runs, gaining the no-decision. 5 days later, May 6^th, Adenhart faced Kansas City in his second game in the Bigs. Nick went 4.1 innings, only giving up 3 runs, where the Angels won this game 5-3. In his final major league baseball game of the 2008 season, May 12^th, Adenhart faced the Chicago White Sox, where he earned his first big league win. He went 5.2 innings, giving up 4 runs, and became 1-0.

April 8^th would be his next game that he would start in the Bigs. Scott Boras, Adenhart’s agent, contacted Nick’s father before the game telling him, “You’re going to see something special from Nick tonight. I can feel it.”

Unfortunately, Adenhart only had one game left to start in the Bigs before his life was taken away from him. On April 8^th, 2009, Adenhart faced the Oakland A’s where he pitched 6 scoreless innings and having 5 strikeouts.

His father attended the game, and had a chance to speak with Nick that night. Little did he know that that would be the last time he’d speak to his son…Hours after the game, Nick Adenhart was struck by a drunk driver who ran a red light. Adenhart suffered many injuries, and was brought to the UC Irvine hospital, where he received surgery. But Nick did not survive. A drunk driver had taken away the 22 year old Nick Adenhart’s life, along with 2 of his friends.

Adenhart’s first game was against the Oakland A’s, and his last game was against the Oakland A’s.

Nick Adenhart’s life was cut short, along with his promising future. I hope Andrew Gallo, the drunk driver that struck Adenhart and his 2 friends, receives the maximum penalty. You will be missed, Nick Adenhart.

R.I.P.

Career Statistics (Major League):

W/L: 1-0

IP: 18

SO: 9

ERA: 6.00

W %: 1.000

2009 Houston Astros: 1-2

Well, the Astros had 5 homers in the game (Rodriguez (1), Berkman (1), Matsui (1), Keppinger (1), Pence (2)), but it wasn't good enough to put the Cubs away. Fun fact: The last time the Astros hit 5 home runs in a game was on May 8, 2008 against the Brewers.

Next game...

Friday, April 10, 2009
Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Mike Hampton vs. Joel Pineiro
7:15 CT

2009 Houston Astros: 1-1

AWESOME walk-off hit by Keppinger!

Next game...

Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs
Brian Moehler vs. Ted Lilly
Minute Maid Park
7:00 CT

2009 Houston Astros: 0-1

Next game...

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs
Wandy Rodriguez vs. Ryan Dempster
Minute Maid Park
7:05 CT

Opening Day Is Here!

April 6, 2009 has finally arrived! The Astros will be taking on the Chicago Cubs in Houston for their season opener, where Oswalt looks to shut down the Cubs' offense to lead the 'Stros to 1-0.

Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs
Roy Oswalt vs. Carlos Zambrano
Minute Maid Park
6:00 CT, ESPN 2

LET'S GO ASTROS!!!