8 scoreless innings and out...Again!!

I can't believe Cecil Cooper did it again.  First Wandy and now Chacon.  Wandy was in the 7th and Chacon had a scoreless 8 innings before getting pulled.  I can't imagine how Shawn Chacon feels this morning after that pitching performance and getting nothing from it but a lower ERA.  The worst part is the Astros getting another loss after leading for 8 innings. 

If this is the way it's gonna be I can't stand to watch.  I heard Jim Deshaies comment on the move last night.  He said that's the way 90% of baseball managers would have played it.  Really? 90%?  Even those with a closer that has yet to pitch an inning without getting blasted? 

9th inning up by three. There is no reason a manager should not depend on his closer.

First pitch home run second pitch hit batsman

Coop should have moved Cruz in left field with a three run lead.

I think that Chacon had demonstrated for 8 innings that he was ON FIRE that night. 109 pitches? Whatever. It's not like he's Oswalt and has periodic issues where we need to protect him.

I have no doubt that had we left Chacon in there, we would have won. Maybe the 3-0 shutout wouldn't have held up, but would you take a 3-1 or 3-2 win that night? I sure would have. Would have been a great complete game for Chacon, and more importantly a WIN for the team. Instead, a 4-3 loss.

Valverde clearly hadn't recovered from the flu yet. First pitcher homer? Second pitch a HBP?!

I know Coop was thinking "3 run lead... gotta get Valverde his confidence back," but that was NOT the time for it. Let the starter go the distance every now and then. It's not like we have 4-men rotations anymore. Pitchers CAN throw complete games now and then.

Damned closer role.