Post by Coach2 on May 16, 2007 8:26:37 GMT -5
www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4807686.html
Lamb starts; Garner goes 'day at a time' at 3B for Astros
Longtime starter Ensberg has 'struggled a little bit,' manager notes
Mike Lamb started at third base for the Astros on Tuesday.
And although Phil Garner was hesitant to say whether Lamb was his new starting third baseman, it appears that Morgan Ensberg isn't assured the regular starting job anymore.
"We're just going a day at a time," Garner said.
Asked whether media shouldn't arrive at Minute Maid Park expecting to see one guy starting at third base all the time like you would expect Carlos Lee in left field, Lance Berkman at first or Craig Biggio at second, Garner didn't disagree.
"It's fair to say that," Garner said. "Morgan's struggled a little bit and we have other guys that have been playing really good. I do like to have more of a set lineup. But if he struggles and other guys play pretty good then we have to take a look at it."
Lamb entered the contest with a .419 batting average. Ensberg had a .217 average with two home runs and 11 RBIs. Ensberg spoke with Garner recently, and he's handling the lineup change with class.
"Mike Lamb is hitting .420. I mean, the guy is getting hits," Ensberg said. "And we're obviously trying to get back to a winning record and he's just doing a great job. I understand why I'm not playing right now. I wish that obviously I was doing better, but we have limited places where guys can play.
"I'm not going to be somebody that's going to be a spoiled brat because I'm not getting my way. I support Mike immensely because I went through this situation with Geoff Blum. Geoff Blum was awesome. We're just trying to win and everybody's happy when you win. I think that I'm a solid ballplayer and I believe that with time obviously I think that I can hit and really help the team. But we're looking for wins right now and Mike plays third."
Lamb starts; Garner goes 'day at a time' at 3B for Astros
Longtime starter Ensberg has 'struggled a little bit,' manager notes
Mike Lamb started at third base for the Astros on Tuesday.
And although Phil Garner was hesitant to say whether Lamb was his new starting third baseman, it appears that Morgan Ensberg isn't assured the regular starting job anymore.
"We're just going a day at a time," Garner said.
Asked whether media shouldn't arrive at Minute Maid Park expecting to see one guy starting at third base all the time like you would expect Carlos Lee in left field, Lance Berkman at first or Craig Biggio at second, Garner didn't disagree.
"It's fair to say that," Garner said. "Morgan's struggled a little bit and we have other guys that have been playing really good. I do like to have more of a set lineup. But if he struggles and other guys play pretty good then we have to take a look at it."
Lamb entered the contest with a .419 batting average. Ensberg had a .217 average with two home runs and 11 RBIs. Ensberg spoke with Garner recently, and he's handling the lineup change with class.
"Mike Lamb is hitting .420. I mean, the guy is getting hits," Ensberg said. "And we're obviously trying to get back to a winning record and he's just doing a great job. I understand why I'm not playing right now. I wish that obviously I was doing better, but we have limited places where guys can play.
"I'm not going to be somebody that's going to be a spoiled brat because I'm not getting my way. I support Mike immensely because I went through this situation with Geoff Blum. Geoff Blum was awesome. We're just trying to win and everybody's happy when you win. I think that I'm a solid ballplayer and I believe that with time obviously I think that I can hit and really help the team. But we're looking for wins right now and Mike plays third."
