Spring Training Update

There is something very surreal about having lunch in a jury room a couple blocks from Minute Maid Park and listening to Robert Ford and Steve Sparks call a two-run home run from Jason Castro, his fifth of the spring season. With an evening game scheduled today, I won't have the chance to sneak a listen again, but if I did, I would expect nothing less than another home run for my trouble! And I might not be disappointed  since the Astros have been among the top teams in producing the long ball during Spring Training. But I digress.

Jason Castro wasn't the only player to hit a two-run blast. Brandon Barnes joined him in that distinction, hitting his fourth home run of the spring. Castro, Chris Carter and Justin Maxwell also doubled in the game, and Jose Altuve went 3-for-4 and scored a run. Now about that pitching. Did I mention that Castro and Barnes both hit home runs? Yeah? OK, about that pitching. Lyles continues to struggle this spring. I know, I know ... spring stats are meaningless and all that horse hockey, but personally I would really like to see him quit "working on things" and actually put up a solid pitching performance between now and opening day. He didn't walk anyone, but he didn't need to as he allowed six earned runs on ten hits over only three and two-thirds innings. I know he'll turn it around, but I would like to see him do so sooner rather than later.

Spring Training Record: 9-12-2

Spring Training Game 23 Results: Blue Jays 10, Astros 6

Spring Training Game 24:
Mets at Astros at 5:05 CST (Radio only)

SPRING TRAINING RESULTS
Spring Training Game 1 Results: Astros 8, Phillies 3
Spring Training Game 2 Results: Astros 7, Mets 7
Spring Training Game 3 Results: Cardinals 10, Astros 2
Spring Training Game 4 Results: Rays 7, Astros (SS) 2 in six innings
Spring Training Game 5 Results: Astros (SS) 9, Detroit 4
Spring Training Game 6 Results: Astros 10, Blue Jays 1
Spring Training Game 7 Results: Astros 7, Yankees 6
Spring Training Game 8 Results: Astros 8, Cardinals 8
Spring Training Game 9 Results: Astros 6, Braves 5
Spring Training Game 10 Results: Pirates 8, Astros 6
Spring Training Game 11 Results: Tigers 8, Astros 5
Spring Training Game 12 Results: Nationals 7, Astros 1
Spring Training Game 13 Results: Astros 4, Nationals 2
Spring Training Game 14 Results: Braves 14, Astros 9
Spring Training Game 15 Results: Mets 9, Astros 6
Spring Training Game 16 Results: Phillies 7, Astros 1
Spring Training Game 17 Results: Astros 9, Marlins 4
Spring Training Game 18 Results: Nationals 9, Astros 7
Spring Training Game 19 Results: Nationals 6, Astros 3
Spring Training Game 20 Results: Pirates 3, Astros 2
Spring Training Game 21 Results: Astros 4, Nationals 2
Spring Training Game 22 Results: Astros 11, Blue Jays 2