I was expecting a pitchers duel last night at Minute Maid Park and Wandy Rodriguez and Ryan Dempster didn’t disappoint.  In the end, the Astros came away with 3-2 win in the 10th inning.

The newest edition to the team, Jeff Keppinger, had a game winning single and was rewarded with a typical Astros pummeling at first base.  Keppinger, who had been brought into the game as a pinch runner, has already made a difference to the team.

“I don’t think I could have scripted it any better,” said Keppinger. “It’s definitely a good welcoming right there. And I’m glad I could come through for the team.”

Jeff became the first Astros to get a walk-off hit at his first at-bat for Houston since Jim Crawford when Houston beat the Dodgers in the 12th inning almost 26 years ago on April 10, 1973.

Rodriguez looked good on the mound and it was amusing to see him pitch to another Rodriguez (Pudge) who also scored the winning run.

This was a great win for Houston and we beat a good pitcher in Dempster.  Plus, we struggled to win in extra-innings early on last year, so hopefully this is good mojo for the season.

Houston faces another tough one tonight in Ted Lilly who is also on my fantasy team.  This is one of the few times that I hope I take a loss in the fantasy world.  Hopefully Brian Moehler will have his A-game and we can take two out of three from the Cubs to open the season.