Happy Birthday - 8/9

RHP Erick Abreu (29)
Houston signed Abreu as a minor league free agent in 2008. In 31 games (three starts) for Corpus Christi this season, Abreu is 8-4 with a 4.77 ERA and a 1.333 WHIP. In July he had a 2.31 ERA and a 1.028 WHIP in five games (one start), but has struggled to stay off the DL as of late.

Hitting Coach Luis Mateo (31)
Mateo is in his fourth season as hitting coach for the Dominican Summer League Astros. Prior to coaching for the Astros, Mateo spent several years in the Tampa Bay minor league system.

There are several former Astros with birthdays today ~

OF Roman Mejias (82)
Mejias was drafted from Pittsburgh in the 1961 expansion draft and spent the 1962 season with the Colt .45's. In 146 games, he hit .286/.326/.445 with 12 doubles, three triplies and 24 home runs.

CF Tommy Agee (died January 22, 2001 at age 58)
Agee came to Houston in a November 1972 trade with the Mets and played in 83 games for the Astros before being traded to the Cardinals the following August. A two-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove winner in 1966 while with the White Sox, Agee was a shadow of his former self six years later when he hit .235/.294/.397 for Houston.

LHP Claude Osteen (73)
Osteen came to Houston as a part of the December 1973 trade that sent Jimmy Wynn to the Dodgers. In 23 games for Houston (21 starts), Osteen was 9-9 with a 3.71 ERA and a 1.482 WHIP. He was a three-time All-Star with Los Angeles and was a part of the 1965 Dodgers World Series championship team.

RHP Bob Scanlan (46)
Originally drafted by the Phillies in the 25th round in 1984, Scanlan signed with Houston as a free agent prior to the 1998 season. In 27 games out of the bullpen, he had a 3.08 ERA and a 1.405 WHIP.

3B Mike Lamb (37)
A seventh round draft pick by the Rangers in 1997, Lamb came to Houston in a March 2004 trade with the Yankees. In 487 games over four seasons (from 2004 through 2007) for the Astros, Lamb hit .281/.342/.464.