May 21- MIL 4 HOU 3
Rec.: 26-15 2.0 games ahead STL
McClung Shuts 'Stros Down and Lot's of Moves
It wasn't what we've come to expect of Suppan of late but thankfully, it wasn't what we used to get from Suppan either. He couldn't retire anyone in the 6th after already surreduring 3 runs and letting the first two hitters reach. McClung finished the inning with no more damage, Villanueva had his 9th straight scoreless appearance in the 7th, Coffey took care of the 8th and Hoffman shut it out... although he did allow 2 Astros to reach.

Craig Counsell (leading off and now hitting .342) and J.J. Hardy finally chased Roy Oswalt in the 7th with the team down 2. With the bases loaded, Prince had a 2 run single to tie it up and scuffling Corey Hart scored Braun with a go ahead double off Chris Sampson, the 3rd pitcher of the inning.

Lot's of personell moves made. First off, Tony Gwynn, Jr., traded to San Diego for Jody Gerut, a left handed veteran outfielder who Melvin hopes will be more effective off the bench. With Brad Nelson gone and Chris Duffy probably the victim of this recent transaction, the Crew is obviously trying to strengthen the bench. I hope this works out for Tony, who was hitting well in Nashville and should make the big league roster in San Diego. With that team's problems, he could be starting. Speaking of Padre's problems, Peavey apparently nixed a deal to the White Sox. That means the Crew could still get him (although I don't know what we could give him) and it also means the Cubs could get him... NOOOOOOOOO! The other move was that R.J. Swindle, a lefty was called up from Nashville and Hernan Iribarren was sent down. He was 0-2 with 2 Ks in 1 game, which I can't recall when.

May 20- HOU 6 MIL 4
Rec.: 25-15 2.0 games up on STL
Streak Ends and Coop Can't Fill Out a Lineup Card
Left Wandy Rodriquez put the halt on a win streak tonight as Yovanni Gallardo failed to match that complete game he threw in Houston back in April. The big story in this game was probably that Michael Bourne got to bat twice in the 1st because Cooper didn't right in Kaz Matsui on the Crew's lineup card.

Bill Hall, who was given a chance to hit a righty in this game, continued to scuffle. In the 9th, as the tying run, Hall came to the plate against righty Chris Sampson and K'd on 3 pitches, his 4th strikeout of the night. Macha probably won't tolerate that kind of performance too much longer before he goes back to a platoon. Poor Bill Hall but that 35 HR season seems longer than 3 years ago.