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Around the NL Central: April 27 Edition

News from around the Central:

Last night's action:

  • Everything was coming up Berkman in the erstwhile Astro's return to Houston, as the new St. Louis outfielder drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead over the Astros. But new Astro Bill Hall spoiled Berkman's homecoming with a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth as Houston rallied to score two to steal a 6-5 victory.
  • On the strength of three solo homers and an incredible performance from No. 6 starter Marco Estrada, Milwaukee solved Cincinnati -- for one night, anyway -- and claimed a 3-2 win.
  • Colorado got to Chicago lefty James Russell early and often, plating four runs in the first five innings and chasing Russell from the game after just 4.0 innings of work.  The ancient Todd Helton did the heavy lifting for the Rockies, socking two solo homers off Russell, and former Brewer George of the Rose pitched seven strong innings as the Rockies took a 4-3 win.
  • Pittsburgh went all Keystone Kops against San Francisco with the game tied at 2 in the top of the tenth inning: right fielder Matt Diaz muffed a leadoff single by Nate Schierholtz which permitted Schierholtz to reach second base.  Schierholtz was cut down trying to advance to third on a bunt attempt, but the Pirates outdid that mistake immediately: Joel Hanrahan airmailed a pickoff throw, allowing Darren Ford to reach third.  Ford then scored the winning run on a grounder to second baseman Neil Walker, who threw to first without looking Ford back at third base.
Your updated standings for April 27:


W L GB Last 10 Streak
Brewers 12 11 -- 5-5 W1
Cardinals 12 11 -- 6-4 L1
Reds 12 12 0.5 3-7 L1
Cubs 10 13 2.0 4-6 L3
Pirates 10 13 2.0 4-6 L1
Astros 9 14 3.0 5-5 W1

On tap for tonight:
  • The Uptight Citizens of St. Louis continue their series in Houston, with the first pitch in game two scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT.  Kyle Lohse (3-1, 2.01) gets the start for the Redbirds, and J.A. Happ (1-3, 6.94) starts for the Astros.
  • The Brewers and Reds conclude their three-game series with a matinee tilt at 12:10 p.m. CDT.  Sam LeCure (0-1, 4.15) is on the bump for Cincinnati, and the Crew has their fingers crossed that Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 4.88) shakes his recent malaise. 
  • The Cubs finish their series with the Rockies with a 1:20 p.m. CDT afternoon affair, with Cubs right-hander Casey Coleman (1-1, 7.43) scheduled to match up with Colorado's Jhoulys (pronounced just like it's spelled, FYI) Chacin (3-1, 2.67).
  • The Pirates and Giants play the second game of their three-game series in Pittsburgh at 6:05 p.m. CDT.  James McDonald (0-2, 10.13) takes the ball for Pittsburgh and the struggling Madison Bumgarner (0-3, 7.79) goes for San Francisco.