A Dismal Month of May for the Astros

The Houston Astros had a team batting average of .289 in the month of May. The only major league team with a higher average in May was the Dodgers. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the pitching staff had an ERA of 4.96 in the month and the defense kicked in 17 more unearned runs resulting in opponents scoring 5.52 runs per game versus 4.70 for the Astros. The record of 11-15-1 for the month is about what would be expected with these numbers.

The key stretch came in a six-game homestand May 19-24 against Milwaukee and Texas, both then leading their Divisions. Coming off a successful road trip (3-2), the Astros needed to take 4 of 6 to at least remain on the fringes of contention. However, they won only one of the six games. They were then swept in Cincinnati, dropping the club into last place where they remain even after taking 2 of 3 in Pittsburgh to end the month.

Four regulars batted over .300 for the month, Hunter Pence (.388), Miguel Tejada (.380), Carlos Lee (.349) and Michael Bourn (.303). Tejada had the best month since he has been with the team. He and Lance Berkman each had 5 home runs, accounting for one half of the team total of 20 in May.

Wandy Rodriguez led the pitchers with a 3-2 record and an ERA of 2.78. However, he faltered in his last two starts of the month. LaTroy Hawkins and Chris Sampson were effective in the bullpen, converting 6 of 7 save opportunities. However, the rest of the staff, both starters (4.98 ERA) and relievers (4.93 ERA), were inconsistent or ineffective. Roy Oswalt won only one game in May and had an ERA of 5.34. Compounding the pitching problem was the absence of three key relievers, Jose Valverde, Doug Brocail and Geoff Geary for extended periods due to injuries. Valverde and Brocail missed the entire month.

The Astros historically play better in the second half of the season. Over their 47-year history, they are under .500 in the months of April, May and June and over .500 in July, August and September. This has been especially true in the last 5 years. The season isn’t lost yet but a turnaround is needed soon and a good place to start would be in June with 16 of the 27 games at home including the first ten.

One improvement from last year is the minor league system. The 2008 draft appears to be a good one. Top draft choice, catcher Jason Castro, is having a solid season at High Class-A Lancaster in the California League, and a group of young pitchers, drafted out of high school, is making their mark at Low Class-A Lexington Also, some players, picked up from other organizations, are playing well at the higher levels.