Berkman 0-1 with 2 BB against Humber.

Humber 5.2 innings, 1 ER

The run given up: Berkman

BOOM!

And Lance comes through in the 8th with a double, scoring Andrus from 1B. That's right, Fat Elvis driving in Venezuelan Elvis. And the stats continue to climb (OBP now .692). Way to go, Puma.

Tough for Phil. Only allows 1 run in over 5 innings, but he's on the hook for the loss if the Astros can't score a measly run in the next 2 innings.

Berkman has started the season 6-10, with 2 walks (and no bunts). I think he is going to like hitting as a DH.

(04-03-2013 03:33 PM)owlsfan Wrote:  Berkman has started the season 6-10, with 2 walks (and no bunts). I think he is going to like hitting as a DH.

3 walks, actually. 3 RBI and 2 runs. In 3 games. That, um, projects out pretty nicely over 162 games.

By the way, the Dallas Morning News has some great pics online of Lance training this past offseason (in full Rice gear). Like Thor proudly donning Rice hats and tees after Texans games, ya gotta love it. That's the kind of subliminal PR that reminds casual sports fans that Rice does, in fact, export legitimate athletes.

Here's one of those training photos, apparently incorporating a little freestyle wrestling into the regimen.

If two games make a season -- Berkman for MVP!

Berkman at bat against Humber

(04-03-2013 03:33 PM)owlsfan Wrote:  Berkman has started the season 6-10, with 2 walks (and no bunts). I think he is going to like hitting as a DH.

Good thing the Astros passed on him. Would hate to have a great hitter who is also a popular hometown hero.

And here's that sweet opposite-field double in the 8th. Effortless swing (with 2 strikes, no less). And I love how he's already easing into 2nd by the time Andrus is speeding around 3rd. Not bad for an old man. :)

BERKMAN'S DOUBLE

(04-03-2013 04:00 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(04-03-2013 03:33 PM)owlsfan Wrote:  Berkman has started the season 6-10, with 2 walks (and no bunts). I think he is going to like hitting as a DH.

Good thing the Astros passed on him. Would hate to have a great hitter who is also a popular hometown hero.

But the Astros play in that league that doesn't use a DH. Oh wait.....

Ball game. Rangers win 4-0, and Humber gets the tough-luck loss.

Both Humber and Harrell pitched well enough to win. Bullpen pretty much sucked both games, and it's hard to win when you don't score any runs.

From the AP write-up after the game. Funny that they mention Rice in connection to Humber but not Berkman. Still, not bad to get a mention; we need as much PR as we can get.

Quote:Humber, who threw a perfect game for the White Sox last season, helped nearby Rice University win a national championship in 2003.

Berkman's RBI double to left-center in the eighth inning made it 2-0. Cruz singled in a run before Beltre scored on a sacrifice fly by Pierzynski to push the lead to 4-0. Carter got an error on the play when he missed the catch despite being right under it.

Berkman finished his first series with the Rangers 6 for 10 with three RBIs.

"He's what I expected," Washington said. "He's a pro. He certainly knows what he's doing up there in that box. He's a tremendous addition to us."