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NL notebook

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 11, 2001

Astros bats missing their 'Bs'

HOUSTON -- The Killer Bs still aren't delivering any playoff sting for the Astros.

Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman went a combined 2-for-10 in Houston's 1-0 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday, with Bagwell getting both hits.

"We just didn't find a way to win and the Braves always seem to find a way to win," Bagwell said. "That said, our team will go over there and battle."

The Astros are in a familiar playoff position, down and almost out. They have never won an elimination game and have an 0-6 playoff series record.

Bagwell and Biggio have slumped throughout the Astros' 1997, '98 and '99 playoff ventures. Berkman, making his first postseason appearance, has joined the fizzle.

After two games against the Braves, Bagwell is 3-for-5 but Biggio and Berkman both are 1-for-8.

The longer it goes, the harder the Astros try to keep a positive outlook.

"There are a lot of teams who haven't been to the playoffs in four years, you have to look at it like that," Bagwell said. "We were good enough to get here. I'm a lot happier to be a player who had the opportunity to play.

"I could have played my whole career and never gone to the playoffs."

Biggio went 0-for-4 Wednesday. He almost got the game started with a hit, but shortstop Rey Sanchez leaped and grabbed his line drive.

"We couldn't get a break," Biggio said. "Somewhere along the line, you expect to get a break. We haven't gotten any breaks yet. I thought I had a leadoff double and the guy leaps up and grabs it.

"Those are things that don't show up in the box score."

COX WITH AILING SISTER: Braves manager Bobby Cox learned before the game that his sister, Joy Rogers, had a brain hemorrhage and was in intensive care. He did not speak with reporters and planned to drive to be with her in Birmingham, Ala., upon flying back to Atlanta late Wednesday. A team spokesman said he was too distraught to talk.

It was not known if Cox would be with the Braves for Game 3.

HOMETOWN RAZZING: Matt Williams was booed at Bank One Ballpark, a day after the home crowd jeered the Arizona third baseman as he went 0-for-4, striking out twice and stranding three runners in scoring position in Game 1.

It wasn't the first time the Arizona crowd has gotten on the 35-year-old former All-Star, who struggled through a difficult season after being sidelined for 47 games with a hip flexor and a strained hamstring.

The crowd's reaction irritated Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly.

"Fans are entitled to do whatever they choose to do after they come to the ballpark, but it stung me personally because Matty has been such a big part of this team and a big part of our offense," Brenly said.

Williams went 0-for-3 Wednesday.

HIT MAN: The Braves' Andruw Jones tied a playoff record with five straight hits. He had three Wednesday before striking out in the ninth.

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