http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250323118 Houston 14, Philadelphia 8 KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- Billy Wagner faltered against his former team. Wagner gave up five runs and six hits in the seventh inning of the Philadelphia Phillies' 14-8 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Wagner, who played for the Astros from 1995-03, started the seventh with the score tied at 7. The closer gave up four straight hits to open the inning and faced 11 batters. Luke Scott homered and drove in four runs to keep his batting average over .400, and Houston had 17 hits, including Jeff Bagwell's first homer. The Astros struggled to score runs earlier this spring but have 29 hits and 22 runs in the last two games. "We've been begging for some offense like this, so ask and ye shall receive," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "It's really good to see us get the bats going like this." Scott's three-run homer, his club-leading fourth, gave Houston a 4-0 lead after three innings. Scott, who played in Double-A last year, also doubled and drove in a run. He's hitting .428 this spring. The Phillies rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth to take a brief lead, but Houston scored three in the bottom half, highlighted by Jose Vizcaino's two-run double. Thomas Perez's two-run homer off Dave Burba in the top of the seventh tied it 7-all. Dave Burba continued his up-and-down spring, allowing seven hits and six earned runs in three innings. Cleveland roughed him up on March 8, but he came back five days later to shut out the New York Yankees over four innings, allowing two hits. Houston starter Ezequiel Astacio pitched four scoreless innings, allowing three hits while walking one and striking out five. With Roger Clemens pitching a simulated game Wednesday, Astacio made his first start of the spring and hasn't given up a run in 7 1-3 innings. Jeff Bagwell gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with his first home run of the spring. Philadelphia starter Cory Lidle gave up seven hits and seven runs in 5 2-3 innings. Game notes Houston left fielder Lance Berkman took swings against Roger Clemens into a simulated game Wednesday and said, although his timing was a bit off, he felt good at the plate. Berkman is not expected to return until late April after having surgery on his right knee to repair a torn ligament. ... Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu and manager Charlie Manuel were ejected in the top of the seventh inning after Abreu was called out on strikes. ... Philadelphia first baseman Jim Thome was a last-minute scratch from the lineup Wednesday with a sore back.
Oh wow, it is going to be hard to keep him out of that 5th spot -even if Duckworthless and Redding are out of options.
I think it's down to him and Duckworth, who has also looked good this spring. Since Duckworth is out of options, I'd say he has the advantage, with Astacio pitching at AAA, and coming up at the first sign of trouble. I think Purpura is still trying to package Burke and Redding for an OF.
Duckworth can stay in the bull pen and play the Ron Villone role. Anyway I see Ezekiel landing the fifth spot - it is almost set. The only thing Garner added was that he and Carlos (the other possibility) will all but surely start in the minors to keep them active and in rhythm since they (whoever the 5th starter from the two is) will not be needed until the second week of the regular season. Methinks Ezekiel has arrived and will secure the spot with his next start next week against Detriot or thereabout. Yeah, move Redding and Burke for something descent albeit prospects (see if Oakland or Cleveland is interested).
