Astros in 2009

Timeline created by ChronicleSports

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Event Date:	Event Title:	Event Description:
02/11/2009	Tejada pleads guilty	Miguel Tejada pleads guilty to lying to congressional investigators regarding his dealing in performance-enhancing drugs.
02/14/2009	Pitchers and catchers report	And a 48th year of Astros baseball is under way.
02/25/2009	Successful opening act	The Astros defeat the Nationals 6-3 in the spring opener as they celebrate 25 years in Kissimmee, Fla. Spring record: 1-0
03/10/2009	'Bordering on ridiculous'	That's the bomb Cecil Cooper dropped on his team as the winless streak hit 11. Spring record: 1-10-1
03/16/2009	Astros acquire 'Pudge'	The Astros agreed on a one-year deal with catcher Ivan Rodriguez pending a physical.
03/18/2009	Boone out for season	A heart condition forces Aaron Boone to miss the entire 2009 season and jeopardizes his career.
03/23/2009	Visit from No. 41	President George H.W. Bush takes in the Astros' fourth straight spring training win.
04/06/2009	Opening day loss	Carlos Zambrano had his way with the Astros again, holding them to one run in the Cubs' 4-2 win in the season opener. Record: 0-1
04/07/2009	Keppinger delivers win	Jeff Keppinger's broken-bat single in his first Astros at-bat gave the Astros their first win of the season, 3-2 in 10 innings. Record: 1-1
04/13/2009	Another shutout	The Astros put up a zero for the second straight day, this time losing 7-0 to the Pirates' Zach Duke's four-hitter. Brian Moehler got rocked for the second straight start. Record: 1-6
04/15/2009	One down, one up	On the day the Astros lost Brian Moehler to the disabled list, Mike Hampton threw six shutout innings for his first win as an Astro since 1999. The Astros snapped their five-game skid with a 4-1 win over Pittsburgh. Record: 2-6
04/18/2009	Cooper extended	Cecil Cooper had his 2010 option picked up so as to eliminate any doubt about his status going forward.
04/24/2009	Collision mars game	The only eventful part of a quick 5-2 loss to the Brewers was Humberto Quintero's getting taken out by Mike Cameron in a home plate collision. Record: 6-11
05/05/2009	Susupended	The Astros and Nationals bullpens took turns giving back leads and the day ended in a 10-10 tie to be resumed July 9 at Minute Maid Park in the 11th inning. Record: 11-15
05/09/2009	Berry has surgery	Sean Berry had surgery on a cancerous tumor in his kidney.
05/12/2009	Q returns, Rockies pound away	Humberto Quintero returns from the disabled list after the scary collision two weeks earlier, but the Rockies hit four home runs off Astros pitching. Record: 14-18
05/27/2009	Seven straight losses	The Astros were swept by Cincinnati for their fifth, sixth and seventh consecutive losses. Record: 18-27
06/01/2009	Berry returns	Sean Berry's first game back with the Astros was a win as the hitting coach returned from surgery and the Astros beat the Rockies 4-1. Record: 21-28
06/11/2009	Two straight walk-offs	Geoff Blum had two game-winning hits in two days as the Astros beat the Cubs 2 out of 3 for their fourth straight series win. Record: 27-31
06/26/2009	Astros sign Mier	First-round pick Jiovanni Mier signs a contract, giving the Astros 25 signed picks out of 26. Record: 33-37
07/08/2009	First shutout	Wandy Rodriguez's 125-pitch effort is the first shutout for an Astros pitcher this year. Record: 41-42
07/09/2009	Wait for nothing	The completion of the suspended game against the Nats ended quickly on a Miguel Tejada error. Record: 41-43
07/12/2009	Astros add Coste	The Astros activate Chris Coste, whom they acquired from the Phillies on waivers. Record: 43-43
07/23/2009	Berkman to disabled list	Lance Berkman was placed on the 15-day DL with a calf strain. Record: 49-46
07/30/2009	Ortiz released	Russ Ortiz was released after a series of bad starts culminating in a nine-run outing in Chicago. Record: 51-51
08/02/2009	Boost from Bud	Bud Norris made his first big league start, going seven shutout innings in a win over the Cardinals. Record: 52-53
08/18/2009	Pudge traded	Ivan Rodriguez was traded to the Texas Rangers for minor leaguers, seen by many as the first sign of building for the future. Record: 57-62
09/02/2009	Boone returns	Aaron Boone played for the first time since open-heart surgery in spring training. Record: 63-70
09/07/2009	Manzella, Johnson called up	Tommy Manzella and Chris Johnson join the big club for the first time upon their call-ups from Class AAA Round Rock. Record: 67-70
09/21/2009	Cooper fired	In the midst of a seven-game losing streak, the Astros fire manager Cecil Cooper. Record: 70-79