Spring Training Update & Miscellaneous Musings

I would ask that my readers indulge me momentarily (but feel free to skip ahead if you so desire). I have spent a good chunk of time over the last week seeing the worst part of humanity. I have seen more thoroughly damaged and flawed individuals in the last week than I've seen in the last year, five years, maybe more. I have seen people whose decisions have resulted in ruined and shattered lives. It has been a very difficult week for me. But it makes me appreciate my life and everyone and everything in my life so much more. I'm so happy to put that behind me. And baseball helps me put it behind. Last night, I lost myself in the game, kidded around with my twitter family and momentarily forgot the ugliness that I've encountered over the last few days. Baseball helps us get through the bad times as I was reminded in this nice piece I saw yesterday from a fellow Astros fan. Sorry for the digression, but thank you for being my sounding board, my safety net and my extended family.

Speaking of the worst part of humanity, the Astros faced the Yankees last night (I kid, I kid). Brad Peacock got the start and allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out one in five innings of work in his final attempt to nail down the remaining open spot in the rotation. Wesley Wright and C.J. "don't call me Chuckie" Fick were a bit shaky in the sixth inning, but then the bullpen went into lockdown mode, culminating in an excellent outing in the tenth from minor-leaguer Andrew Robinson who spent 2012 toiling in the Cali League.

Six of the 10 Astros hits were for extra bases, including five doubles and a Brandon Barnes home run, his fifth of the spring. Barnes also contributed an outstanding outfield assist that managed to get the attention of the Yankees announcers, no mean feat. Barnes had a tough start with the Astros when he was called up last season, but this spring he has shown why he has been a fan favorite everywhere he's played. I sincerely hope that he can build on his spring success when the season starts.

Spring Training Record: 13-14-3

Spring Training Game 30 Results: Astros 4, Yankees 4 in 10 innings

Spring Training Game 31:
Astros at Mets at 5:10 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
Spring Training Game 23 Results: Blue Jays 10, Astros 6
Spring Training Game 24 Results: Mets 7, Astros 5
Spring Training Game 25 Results: Astros 7, Tigers 2
Spring Training Game 26 Results: Astros 3, Cardinals 2
Spring Training Game 27 Results: Braves 3, Astros 2
Spring Training Game 28 Results: Astros 4, Marlins 1
Spring Training Game 29 Results: Astros 6, Nationals 4