News
By Brian McTaggart and Steve Gartner / MLB.com
07/28/10 12:01 AM ET
- Keppinger dealing with back tightness
- Oswalt likely to get chance to tie Niekro
- Berkman batting sixth due to left-hander
- Fulchino has successful rehab outing
Manager Brad Mills believes Johnson was able to take some pressure off himself after hitting his first career homer on July 19 at Chicago. He began his Major League career with 113 consecutive at-bats without hitting a home run.
"I keep referring back to that first home run he hit in Chicago," Mills said. "It got a little bit of a monkey off his back. I know he had a few hits before that, but at the same time, he's swinging the bat with much more authority and confidence."
When asked if the homer made a difference, Johnson didn't hesitate.
"It was kind of like your first hit," he said. "Every time I would come in [the clubhouse after a game], it was, 'When are you going to hit a homer?' But I kind of knew it was coming, or I hoped, so I tried to stay within my approach and hit balls hard. You can't hit home runs without hitting the ball hard, and if it goes out, it goes out. That definitely helped me relax a little bit."
Johnson was hitting .405 (15-for-37) with three homers and nine RBIs in the 10 games prior to Tuesday.
Keppinger dealing with back tightness
HOUSTON -- Astros second baseman Jeff Keppinger left Tuesday's game against the Cubs after the seventh inning because of lower back tightness.
Keppinger was hit by a pitch in the seventh but said that didn't factor in the injury.
"I'm all right," Keppinger said. "My back was tightening up before then."
Manager Brad Mills said Keppinger would be evaluated again on Wednesday.
"We're going to see how he is tonight and in the morning and go from there," Mills said.
Oswalt likely to get chance to tie Niekro
HOUSTON -- With the Trade Deadline now only a few days away, it appears more likely Oswalt will get a chance tie the club's all-time wins record. Oswalt is scheduled to start Friday's series opener against the Brewers, which comes less than 24 hours before the Trade Deadline.
Oswalt, whose 143 wins are one shy of Joe Niekro's club record, is the biggest name remaining on the trade market, and several teams, including the Cardinals and the Phillies, have been talking to the Astros about acquiring the three-time All-Star.
Oswalt has told the Astros he wants to be traded to a contender, and he said last week his 2012 option wouldn't be an issue. He is owed the remainder of his $15 million contract this year, is due $16 million next year and has a $16 million option for 2012.
Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, who also has a no-trade clause, is less likely to be traded. He will be a free agent at the end of the year, if the club doesn't pick up his $15 million option, but he wants to remain in Houston.
"This is my home and I like it here," Berkman said. "We've struggled, but we've had a lot of good years, and this organization has done a lot of good things for me, and I don't want to jump ship when things turn south.
"I'd like to help us win here, but obviously I'm open to any suggestions. If a team calls and wants to rent my services for a couple of months, I'd certainly listen."
Berkman batting sixth due to left-hander
HOUSTON -- Astros manager Brad Mills slotted first baseman Lance Berkman sixth in the Houston batting order for the first time this season on Tuesday. Mills said the decision mostly came down to Berkman's performance against Cubs starter Ted Lilly, who is a left-hander.
"It's always nice to have a guy with the ability Lance has to drive in runs and put together good at-bats," Mill said. "You want him in the lineup. Having him in there is a big plus."
Berkman has hit .103 against Lilly in his career and just .194 against left-handers this season. Berkman snapped an 0-for-10 slump Monday with two hits. Berkman hasn't started in the sixth spot since 2004, but he said he is OK with hitting anywhere in the order.
"Once you get in the box it doesn't matter if you're hitting first or ninth," Berkman said. "There's really nothing that changes, you're not going to do anything one way or the other."
This isn't the only time this season Berkman has hit out of his No. 3 position in the Astros' order. Mills had Berkman hit second twice this season, and he's also hit fourth and fifth in the order. Right fielder Hunter Pence hit third on Tuesday.
Fulchino has successful rehab outing
HOUSTON -- Reliever Jeff Fulchino had a successful rehab outing at Triple-A Round Rock on Monday, throwing a scoreless inning. He threw 12 pitches and Astros manager Brad Mills said he felt fine.
"All indications were that he threw the ball well," Mills said. "He didn't throw many sliders, so he went to the bullpen after his outing and threw some sliders. All indications were that everything was OK."
Fulchino, who has been on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow since June 29, returned to Minute Maid Park early Tuesday for a workout and traveled to Oklahoma City to return to the Express.
"It was good to see him pitch without much pain," Mills said.
Astros pitcher Brian Moehler also moved closer to a return Tuesday. Moehler threw off flat ground as he tries to recover from a strained groin. Mills said Moehler will throw a bullpen session on Friday.
"What happens there will determine a lot of what we will do," Mills said.
Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com. Steve Gartner is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
