Wandy Rodriguez, New-Look Astros Beat Pirates, 7-4

I have to give the Astros some credit - the lineup they're using right now isn't 'boring old Astros' at all, and while most of their new faces are flawed (the players, not necessarily their faces), many of them have a reasonable shot at being productive for the next few years. The Astros took too long to admit that they had serious problems, but they've finally done it.

Tonight, though, it was Carlos Lee, a product of the old Astros' worst traits (he's aging, declining, un-athletic, no longer any fun to watch, and signed to a gigantic contract) who did the Pirates in. Ross Ohlendorf actually struck out six batters and left after five innings with a lead. But Wandy Rodriguez held out for seven innings (striking out an obscene 13 Pirates in the process), long enough for Lee to blow the game open with a three-run homer off Jose Veras. 

The Pirates had only five hits. All of them went for extra bases, but that won't get it done. That tends to happen when you strike out 16 times, though.