The Astros decided that they wanted to wipe the slate clean and start over. So with the team at 58-73 they decided to fire manager Phil Garner and GM Tim Pupura. Garner ends a pretty successful run as the manager of the Astros as he compiled a 277-192 (.591 winning %) record. He will be replaced by Cecil Cooper who will be getting his first experience as a major league manager. Tim Pupura was doomed by quite a few moves that backfired in the off-season. Giving Woody Williams a ton of money is one thing, but trading three good, young players for Jason Jennings likely doomed him. Pupura will be replaced by veteran GM Tal Smith.

Luke Scott looked like he was sleepwalking in the first half of the season but he has been dominant since the All-Star Break. In 29 games since the All-Star Break, Scott is 26 for 78 (.333 avg, 1.063 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 4 homers and 17 RBIs. The Astros need to get Scott more at bats as long as he keeps swinging the bat well. In 104 games this season now Scott is 75 for 295 (.254 avg, .849 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 14 homers and 55 RBIs.

The Astros have placed Jason Jennings on the 15-day disabled list with a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow. He is done for the season. What a bad trade the Astros made with the Rockies in the off-season for Jennings. He pitched in 19 games (18 starts) this season for the Astros and he was 2-9 with a 6.45 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. In 99 innings he allowed 119 hits, 19 homers, walked 34 batters and whiffed 71. The Astros have activated Hunter Pence from the disabled list to replace Jennings on the roster. Pence still has a chance to win the Rookie of the Year Award and he would have been the favorite for the award if he just stayed healthy this season. Pence has played in 75 games this season and he is 105 for 322 (.326 avg, .909 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 12 homers, 46 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.

The Astros have placed lefty reliever Stephen Randolph on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right knee. The Astros will benefit from this injury as they won’t have to pitch him for a while. He has pitched in 9 games this season for the Astros and he is 0-1 with a 12.46 ERA. In 8.2 innings this season he has allowed 13 hits, walked 10 batters and whiffed 14.  The Astros have recalled righty starter Juan Gutierrez to replace Randolph in the bullpen. Gutierrez has pitched in 24 games (23 starts) in AAA this season and he is 5-9 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. In 145.1 innings this season he has allowed 139 hits, walked 55 batters and whiffed 101.

Look past another “we want Willy back” start for Jason Jennings. Put aside the rediculous 20 runners stranded on the base paths. Don’t even talk about why the hot hitting (by “hot” I mean going 1 for 2) Jason Lane is in the lineup. I want to get right down to the heart of the problem. Problem = Phil Garner and his percentage play.Â

With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Phil “because the book says so” Garner motions for Trevor Miller to relieve Borkowski, after Rafael Furcal laced a double into left-center. So Garner, playing the percentages, motions for the lefty to face the left-handed hitting Juan Pierre, perfect move right?  Of course, at least to Phil Garner and his John Madden, state the obvious, way of coaching. Everything sounds promising up to this point.Â

Well let’s DVR time real quick to yesterday’s game, where Garner brought in Trevor to face guess who, Juan Pierre. To shorten the story up, Pierre smashed a Trevor Miller slider for a base hit. Â

Ok, back to Wednesday’s game. Garner once again plays the percentage and once again is burned. Lesson obviously not learned and another would be win winds up in the trashcan. Garner manages the Stros like a robot, without feeling or brains.  Once in a while I wish Garner would make a decision on his own and not use his statistical way of coaching to lose us games.  Leave the game blowing to Mr. Lidge. Drayton, after another season of playoff-less baseball, I think it’s time for YOU to play the percentage.  Â