Thursday, August 30, 2001
Astros' hitters coming around
The Associated Press
HOUSTON — Jeff Bagwell is heating up and that's a good sign for the Houston Astros.
Bagwell and Moises Alou each drove in two runs as the Houston Astros beat the Reds 6-2 Wednesday night to maintain their four-game lead in the NL Central.
The Astros won for the 10th time in 12 games and kept pace over the second place Chicago Cubs, who beat Florida 5-1.
Bagwell's two-run double in the fifth inning off Elmer Dessens (9-11) broke a 2-all tie and helped the Astros pound out 12 hits against the Reds.
“We're scoring a lot of runs so I'm getting the opportunity to drive in a lot of runs,” Bagwell said. “The more you get opportunities, the more confident you get and the more runs you drive in.”
Bagwell singled in the fourth and scored a run and added his tiebreaker with a blast to deep center field.
“It looks like our hitters are starting to come around,” Astros manager Larry Dierker said. “Some of our guys are starting to show signs of coming out of it. It was great to get those two-out rallies.”
Bagwell's double came with two outs and the Astros got two more runs in the sixth with two out.
Carlos Hernandez, called up from Double-A Round Rock on Aug. 15, made his third major league start and gave up his first runs after a string of 17 2-3 scoreless innings.
Reds left fielder Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer off Hernandez that tied the score at 2 in the fifth inning and ended Hernandez's streak.
“I feel bad I gave up some runs but nobody is going to be a perfect pitcher,” Hernandez said. “I just expect to help the team get to the playoffs and go to the World Series. This is my first time in the majors. That would be great.”
“They've got a good ball club, it will be interesting to see how well they do,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “They had a pretty good start with Biggio and Bagwell and they've done a nice job with the additions they've made.”
Dessens allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings.
“I was feeling pretty good but they have very good players,” Dessens said. “You just have to be careful. After I gave up the single to (Julio) Lugo, I had a tough time with Bagwell.
“It's hard to pitch here. When you come here, you have to forget the fences.”
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Astros' hitters coming around
