Houston Astros Wiretap

Astros Give Garner An Extension Through '07

The Houston Astros rewarded manager Phil Garner on Monday for leading the club to its first World Series by extending his contract by one season 2007.

With his trademark mustache and occasionally unexpected moves, Garner has guided the Astros to a 137-99 record over 1 1/2 seasons. Houston won its first playoff series last year and made the World Series this season before getting swept by the Chicago White Sox.

The Astros needed big comebacks to win wild-card berths both seasons, overcoming a 15-30 start this year to become the first team since the 1914 Boston Braves to reach the World Series after falling 15 games under .500.

"We are very pleased about the performance of our team under Phil," team owner Drayton McLane said. "It is an exciting time for the Houston Astros, and we feel Phil's leadership and efforts have contributed greatly to our success. We look forward to having him as our manager as we continue our mission toward a World Series championship."

Via ESPN

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Owner Wants Clemens To Return

If Roger Clemens wants to pitch again, the Houston Astros would love to have him back.

As for Jeff Bagwell, the desire is definitely there. The question is whether his right shoulder can handle a 16th season, but he'll start rehabilitating Friday to find out.

The future of both superstars was on everyone's minds Wednesday night, practically as soon as the Astros' 1-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox ended the World Series in a sweep.

Clemens has said he was retiring after each of the last two seasons. This time, though, he's 43 with a strained hamstring and a back problem this season. Now that he's helped Houston get this far, about the only motivation left is winning the Series or maybe playing with his son, Koby, who is 18 and finished this season in Class A.

"Certainly we would love to have him back," team owner Drayton McLane said. "I think he has just been so important to this franchise. He helped lift it to the next level. ...

"I'll certainly give him two or three days, then we'll talk about it. We were talking today about whether he was going to pitch Game 6 or Game 7."

Via ESPN

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Rocket To Start Game 5

If the Astros force a Game 5 in the World Series, Roger Clemens is expected to get the nod to start.

On Monday, Astros manager Phil Garner said he planned to start Clemens if there was a Game 5 on Thursday night in Houston.

The Houston ace was forced out of Game 1 after only two innings, walking gingerly because of a recurring strained left hamstring that has bothered him since September. The Astros lost the opener 5-3, and now trail 0-2 in the best-of-seven series after a dramatic 7-6 loss to the White Sox on Sunday.

Garner said either Wandy Rodriguez, who worked 3 1/3 shaky innings in relief of Clemens in Game 1, or Ezequiel Astacio, who started 14 games for the Astros this season, would get the nod if Clemens wasn't healthy.

But Garner seemed certain that Clemens would be ready.

"Roger Clemens is pitching the fifth game right now," Garner said.

Via ESPN

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Bud Wants The Roof Open

Bud Selig is expected to decide personally that the roof of Minute Maid Park should be open for Game 3 of the World Series on Tuesday night.

The Astros have kept the retractable roof shut tight for all five of their postseason games over the first two rounds. But during the World Series, it's MLB's call. And MLB officials have told the Astros they prefer the great outdoors -- tropical storms permitting.

"That decision won't be made until [Tuesday]," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said during Monday's off-day workouts. "We want to take into account what the weather conditions will be at the time. And we want to look into past practices -- what's normally happened in the past. Our understanding is that the policy has been that when it's 80 degrees and warmer, the roof is closed. But when it's cooler, it's open."

The Astros, however, have had a different policy in October: When it's hot, the roof is closed. When it's cold, the roof is closed. And when it's in between, the roof is closed. To their credit, though, they haven't even tried to pretend that was done for any reason other than to increase their home-field advantage.

"Bottom line," said manager Phil Garner on Monday, "is that I think that with it closed, it does generate a lot of noise and it's a lot of fun. And I think that we play for that. We play for that excitement, and that noise -- it helps a little bit."

Via ESPN

Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros

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Lidge Not Going To Change Approach

Brad Lidge is staying true to course, even though giving up game-winning home runs in his last two appearances.

"You don't expect him to do that, he's not a home run guy during the regular season," Lidge said. "Give him credit. I didn't want to fall behind, 3-1, so I threw him a fastball and he got it. Give a lot of credit to him. It [stinks], but what are you going to do?"

One thing Lidge won't do is start second-guessing himself or changing the approach that helped him rack up 42 saves during the regular season.

"I'm not going to change my approach. I'm going to stick to my guns," Lidge said. "I'm not going to change a thing. I'm ready to get back out there. It was a fastball out over the plate and he hit it. He's not a home run hitter obviously and he did a great job. Unfortunately, it wasn't a great night to be a bullpen guy on either side."

Inevitably, Podsednik's dramatic shot rekindled the question of Lidge's situation, coming as it did on the heels of Pujols' stunner. Once was a tough break, twice could be also, but already some are beginning to wonder if there is more to it than that.

Not Lidge and the Astros.

The right-hander wouldn't blame the miserable conditions and insisted he's fine.

"It was just wrong location," Lidge said. "That [Pujols homer] was a different situation entirely. It's frustrating, but it is what it is, we didn't get this game tonight. It was a tough night to be a bullpen guy for either team and I just happened to be the last one out there. But I'm not going to change my approach. I'm going to give Podsednik a lot of credit and get back out there next time."

As he has his entire career, Lidge faced the media onslaught with the character and dignity he routinely exudes in these situations. He was disappointed obviously, but not devastated.

When asked if he was worried about Lidge's confidence being shaken, catcher Brad Ausmus said: "Not at all. He's fine."

Via MLB.com

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