A win is a win is a win, and the Astros just beat the Braves 2-1 in a duel between Andy Pettitte and Russ Ortiz.

The Braves scored in the 4th when J.D. Drew and Johnny Estrada hit back-to-back 2 out doubles, but we got the run back in the 5th after Jeff Kent got a bad-bounce double, took 3rd on a groundout to SS (aggressive baserunning from probably the slowest runner on the team), and scored on a Brad Ausmus sac fly. Then with 2 outs in the 7th we scored after an Ensberg single, Ausmus walk, Vizcaino walk, and Palmeiro walk. Look at that again: 3 of the 5 worst hitters on the team (Everett, Chavez also) drawing walks!!! I love it. That was it - we won 2-1, as Miceli was solid in the 7th and 8th and Dotel dominated in the 9th.

We get a day off tomorrow, which will hopefully be enough to get Richard Hidalgo out of his funk. I wouldn't have thought he would ever slump after his hot start, but his swing his long, he's standing too far away from the plate, and he looks absolutely overmatched out there. Pick it up, Doggy.