Pack Trip to Houston Astros Baseball Game

Cub Scout Fun

1 August 2010

Several members of the pack travelled to Houston to see the Astros play the Milwaukee Brewers on Scout Day at Minute Maid Park. Everyone had a good time while enjoying All You Can East soda, water, peanuts, popcorn, nachos and hot dogs. Meanwhile a young Astros team delivered some fireworks in the form of a grand slam home run, a first Major League hit for a young first baseman, and a first Major League win for a pitcher (as a starter).

Though the game did not start until 1:05 p.m., there were many activities for families who showed up early. All Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and leaders in uniform got to march around the warning track in a Scout Parade at 10:30 a.m. Later, the kids could play in the Kids Fun Zone with inflatables, mascots, and games to win prizes. But the real treat was the baseball game.

Since the Astros had traded Roy Oswalt to the Philidelphia Phillies on Thursday, and Lance Berkman to the New York Yankees on Friday, we were somewhat concerned about the spirit of the team. Nevertheless, the Astros had won the previous two games against the Brewers, and were looking for the sweep. Wesley Wright was aiming to get his first major league win as a starter, and the Astros featured several rookie players in the starting line-up.

Both Wright and Brewer's starter Randy Wolf pitched very well. The Brewers broke through in the sixth inning on a 2-run homer by by Corey Hart. Then in the bottom half of the eighth, Hunter Pence hit a line drive off Wolf's left hand, and beat out the throw. An injured Wolf exited the game, so Kameron Loe came on in relief. Loe walked Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson on 8 pitches, and was lifted for Zach Braddock. The Astros countered by sending up Jason Michaels to pinch hit, and oh what a move! With Braddock behind 2-0 in the count, Michaels sent the next pitch into the Crawford boxes. "I didn't think he wanted to throw another ball," Michaels said.

In the fifth inning, rookie Brett Wallace blooped a single into right field, marking his first hit in the Major Leagues. Wallace was playing in his second game, having been acquired from Toronto following the Oswalt trade.

After the game, the kids lined up to run the bases.