Here we go again, Houston. The team we’re supposed to actually have some faith in (as opposed to the embarrassing Texans) has already begun to let us down early on in the season. I had high hopes for us this year, but it’s looking like classic crapstros on the field as of late.

I really thought that we were headed in the right direction with moving Lidge and strengthening our hitters but apparently that’s not all it’s going to take to put up some W’s. I’m at a loss for words with WHY our boys lose confidence so suddenly, without provocation. And for those of you who feel I’m being too harsh or giving up too soon on the ’stros; you must not have caught last night’s “game”. And by game, I’m stretching the word.

It’s time for our city’s baseball team to get their act together or for the franchise to make some serious changes. Right now we’re playing like a bunch of average minor-leaguers, which is NOT going to cut it.

By BRIAN McTAGGART
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

PITTSBURGH — There was no sugarcoating or excuse-making. Astros manager Phil Garner instead gave a concise — and accurate — description of Tuesday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“We stunk tonight. Absolutely stunk,” he said. “Very bad game. It looked like we had no clue what we were doing tonight.”

Playing their third game in a row in a different city, the Astros were held to three hits and didn’t get a runner past first base in losing their fourth consecutive game, 3-0 to the Pirates at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh lefthander Paul Maholm (1-2) threw his first career complete game in shutting out the Astros. He needed only 99 pitches and one hour, 57 minutes to send Pittsburgh to 4-0 against the Astros this season.

“That’s not a good night for us if you’re not getting anybody into scoring position at least once,” said second baseman Craig Biggio, who had two of the Astros’ three hits to push his career total to 2,948. “You have to give (Maholm) credit. He made some pitches, let his defense do the work for him, and we had the leadoff man on three times and weren’t able to get anything done with it.”

The Astros, who dropped to 1-5 against lefthanded starters, wasted a good performance by starter Woody Williams, who allowed nine hits and three runs in seven innings.

Williams (0-3, 5.90 ERA) gave up one run and two hits in each of the first three innings, but was in a good rhythm and didn’t show any ill effects of the bruised shin he suffered last week.

It’s been one week into the new season and we’ve canned Brad Lidge in favor of a new closing pitcher. Thank goodness. I’m sure you’re as happy as I am about this.

Think back to the World Series appearances at which Lidge seriously fouled up our Astros’ chances at winning the big one. Time and time again this pitcher has royally jammed up our team’s valiant efforts at putting together a big-winning season. Glad to see the guy’s gone, although I do feel a bit bad that he fell apart so quickly. That’s gotta be a serious blow to your mental game.

In any case, we’ll see what this new guy’s got and hope for the best. Let’s go ‘Stros, put it outta the park (when we’re at BAT)

Fans of poker, join me in rejoicing in what could very well soon be legal Texas Hold ‘Em gambling.

Our state’s Legislature is considering a proposal that would allow us to take part in licensed Hold ‘Em games. These games would be totally legal.

The bill’s been introduced by Rep. Jose Menendez (S.A. Dem). Specifically, it would allow electronic and/or live poker gambling at certain places including charitable poker for groups that qualify.

Some poker enthusiasts and big-time national players are at the Capitol in Austin today take part in a hearing regarding the Texas gambling bill, before the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. Hopefully they’ll show the Legislature that the bill should indeed be enacted and create a less-volatile environment for those who throw down some money on a game.

California and Montana have already passed such law(s) and have seen positive results.