Astros Opening Day

Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt winds up on the mound.
Kirk Sides: Courtesy

Season opener falls short for the home team

Ryan Eldred

The Signal Staff

The Houston Astros opened the 2010 regular season April 5 with a loss against the San Francisco Giants. More than 43,000 people attended the game at Minute Maid Park to help celebrate the 45th anniversary of the franchise.

Festivities and pep-rallies took place outside Minute Made Park all afternoon. Bill Worrell, television broadcaster for the Houston Astros, said it best during the game by announcing, “Everyone in the ballpark has an extra step in themselves on opening day.”

Encouraged fan and League City resident Julia Gregory, who attended the game, said the atmosphere in the stadium was “reassurance to root for the good guys.”

Even after a first-game loss, the Astros feel confident and are taking an optimistic approach to the season, especially after a crucial coaching change.  The Astros front office and General Manger Ed Wade fired Cecil Cooper after the 2009 season and hired Brad Mills to take on the managing duties.

“I just want to give these guys [the players] a freedom to be who they are,” said Mills, who is a rookie manager with more than 20 years of Major League experience.

Houston fans are relying on him to re-create the magical ride to the World Series they experienced in 2005. This year new faces have been added to the roster.

Astros Manager Brad Mills speaking before the game.

“The manager brings a lot of fire to the team,” said Roy Oswalt, the Astros’ pitching ace, who is confident in his new skipper’s ability. “It should be fun.”

Fans packed the ballpark to see Oswalt in action against the two-time National League Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum.  Lincecum, who has not pitched in Houston since last August, out-dueled the Astros right-handed pitcher.

“The season may have opened with a loss, but there are 161 games left and I will not let one get me down,” said Jeff Collins, a teacher at Baytown Lee High School, who attended opening day.

Oswalt made his eighth career opening day start for Houston, but Lincecum and the Giants’ bats proved too much for the Astros.  Oswalt pitched six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. Lincecum pitched a near-flawless seven innings, posting seven strikeouts and walking none.  The Giants’ bullpen aided Lincecum’s performance and sealed the team’s 5-2 victory over the hometown favorite.

Minute Maid Field getting prepared for the game.

Astros second-baseman Kaz Matsui, and left-fielder Carlos Lee each led the team with two hits.  Unfortunately,  the Astros were without their star first-baseman Lance Berkman who is on the disabled list while he recovers from off-season surgery on his left knee.

The Astros lost their six-game home stand against the Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies. They kicked off their road schedule April 12 against their division rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tickets and information regarding the Astros are easily available by visiting www.astros.com or by contacting the Minute Maid Park Box Office at 1-877-9-ASTROS.

The following video was taken at the Opening Day street festival in downtown Houston around Minute Maid Park.

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