KFDM COOP Posted March 26, 2008 Report Posted March 26, 2008 Oswalt shelled in final start before opening day KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The way the pitching staff has struggled this spring, the Astros can’t afford many outings like Wednesday by ace righthander Roy Oswalt. Oswalt didn’t make it out of the fourth inning, and a late rally by the Astros fell short in a 7-6 loss to the Cleveland Indians. Oswalt allowed five runs (one earned) and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. He was chased after allowing two doubles and a triple during a three-run fourth inning. "Overall it didn't go great," Oswalt said. "My last two starts I've had a little dead arm. My arm actually feels pretty good as far as recovery." In his final two spring starts, Oswalt allowed nine runs (five earned) and 19 hits over 8 2/3 innings. Astros manager Cecil Cooper said he’s not concerned with his ace being ready for his opening day start Monday at San Diego. “He’ll be ready when the time comes,†Cooper said. “Am I concerned? No, but I don’t like to see my ace go out and scuffle for three or four innings.†The Astros lost for the fourth time in their last six spring exhibitions. Houston closes out the Florida portion of its schedule Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. Miguel Tejada had two hits, and Jose Cruz Jr. had a pinch-hit, two-run double to increase his team-leading RBI total to 18. Cruz is hitting .350 this spring to likely secure the fifth outfield spot on the roster. David Dellucci went 3-for-5 with two RBI for the Indians. Asdrubal Cabrera had a solo home run off reliever Dave Borkowski in the sixth. The Astros rallied for three runs in the eighth. Darin Erstad had a RBI double, Hunter Pence drove in a run on a ground out and Humberto Quintero continued to make a case for a roster spot with a run-scoring single through the hole at shortstop. Rafael Perez retired the final three batters in the ninth for his first save. The Astros had three errors in the game, two of which led to four runs.
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