Everett gets more work; Oswalt looks sharp.Stros Over Jays

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Everett gets more work; Oswalt looks sharp

Everett, who missed two games last week with soreness in his lower back, has only 27 at-bats this spring after going 0-for-3 with an RBI.

"He's on the short end of at-bats right now," said manager Phil Garner, who likes to have his position players get 55 to 60 at-bats each at spring training.

"I've been hitting seventh and I have to play seven innings to get my three at-bats and he's giving me a chance to get them a little sooner," Everett said.

Also Sunday, Roy Oswalt looked sharp in his fourth start of the spring Sunday, allowing three runs, one hit and one walk while striking out five over 5 2/3 innings in the Astros' 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Osceola County Stadium.

Oswalt didn't give up a hit until Reed Johnson's one-out, run-scoring double in the sixth.

"It wasn't the best outing, but the results turned out pretty well," said Oswalt, who mixed very few curveballs over his 71 pitches. Manager Phil Garner certainly was impressed.

"He was outstanding," he said. "That looked like season-ready right there. He threw the ball very crisply, really sharp. He had good breaking balls and good location with his fastball. He had a nice day."

Offensively, Carlos Lee went 1-for-2 with a two-run single to raise his batting average to .433 and Brad Ausmus had two hits and an RBI. Outfielder Hunter Pence tripled in his only at-bat and is hitting .593.

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Let's hope Lee keeps that up.... all season.... maybe....