Astros 15, Rockies 11
Turning point
RHP Jason Marquis couldn’t handle the middle of the Astros lineup. The 3-4-5-6 hitters — Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada and Hunter Pence — were a combined 9-for-10 with two walks, and scored all nine runs that Marquis allowed in 3 2/3 innings.
At the plate
Chris Iannetta hit the third grand slam of his career, in the ninth inning, creating enough discomfort for Astros manager Cecil Cooper that closer LaTroy Hawkins was called on to get the game’s final out. Iannetta also walked and scored on an Ian Stewart home run that tied the game 3-3 in the second, and he also doubled home a run in the sixth.
On the mound
RHP Jason Marquis retired only 11 batters, but threw 86 pitches and gave up nine runs. That came on the heels of allowing seven runs in his previous start, against the Giants, in six innings. The three runs he gave up in the first were the first runs he allowed in a first inning this season.
Numbers game
24 hits for Houston were one shy of the club record, of 25, which the Astros reached twice in 1976.
Is there a problem with Marquis?
Are you asking if Marquis has an injury? There could be, but there’s a reason his career ERA entering the season was 4.55.
I’m also wondering if Marquis is injured. He is such a competitor that it seems only a physical problem would cause him to give up so many runs and hits his last two outings.
Jason Marquis is who he is…he is a competitor, and he will win 10+ games, but he is a .500 pitcher. That is not a knock on him, he is great in the clubhouse and good for this team, but he is going to have rough outings. He doesn’t have a dominating pitch.
Yeah Marquis will have a decent season. There is a reason the Cubs gave him up for an old relief pitcher. I know the Cubs saved some cash too but Marquis will just be average over the course of the season. The first few starts tricked a lot of Rox fans into thinking he will be great.
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