Backup...We Need Backup!

There's no point in going through all of Roger Clemens' accomplishments. I will simply say that it is an absolute treasure that the Houston Astros have him.

But why-oh-why can't the Astros score for him? After Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Dodgers, the Astros have been shut out EIGHT TIMES during Clemens' 27 starts this season. (They have also been shut out a league high 16 times this year). It is amazing they are still in the Wild Card hunt as it is.

There's no question that the Houston offense is weaker this year, but the lack of support for Clemens is inexcusable. My best theory on this is that the opposing pitcher marks the date against Clemens on his calendar and throws the game of his life. Regardless, the 43-year old Clemens goes out to the mound and throws shutout inning after shutout inning. It is not uncommon for Houston to lose when a reliever gives up a late or extra inning run (three of the Astro shutouts have been 1-0 in extra innings).

That's no knock on the bullpen...they have done better than expected this year.

I went through every Clemens-pitched game this year and added two runs to the Astros run total. Obviously, as an official scorer, I have to make some judgment calls on this, but assuming all other things remained equal AND the bullpen did NOT blow a game in which he left with a lead, this is what Clemens' record should be: 21 wins, 3 losses, 3 no decisions.

Current record: 11 wins, 6 losses, 10 no decisions. Did I mention that this is a putrid record for someone was has a Major League-leading 1.51 ERA? ONE POINT FIVE ONE!

Using my theory, the Astros should have TEN more wins on the season. Adding these wins to the standings as of today (8/28), Houston would have an extremely comfortable eight game lead in the Wild Card race and would be battling St. Louis for the division title, only 4 1/2 games out.

Roger Clemens would never sound off on his teammates. He is a class act and fits the Astros' history of sportsmanship perfectly. But I am on my knees with puppydog eyes:

Just two runs a game. That's all the Rocket and his bullpen needs. Please?

BQ UPDATE:

The quest for a place to live is slowly picking up steam. We are working on a couple of possibilities, one that we definitely have our fingers crossed on. Although it's only been 10 days, I know the BQ has had some frustrating moments and hopefully this chapter of the saga will end soon. We're still taking it one step at a time, but we can't wait to get to the next level of the staircase.