Although Jamie Moyer has convinced manager Jim Tracy and the Colorado Rockies that he has more in the tank, it will be the Houston Astros who will ultimately make that call on Saturday. At 49 years, 41 days old, Moyer will attempt to become the oldest pitcher to win a major-league game when he faces the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros showed flashes of improvement Friday, but four errors ultimately proved to be their undoing in a 5-3 setback to the Rockies. Catcher Jason Castro's overthrow in the eighth inning was the final straw for Houston, which can't afford too many miscues considering it suffered a franchise-worst 106 losses in 2011.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), FS Houston
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Jamie Moyer (2011: DNP) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (2011: 0-2, 4.50 ERA)
After missing the 2011 campaign following Tommy John surgery, Moyer will begin his 25th major-league season. Moyer has won five of eight career decisions versus Houston - including his lone outing in 2010. He allowed five runs on nine hits in six innings, but Philadelphia was able to post a 9-6 victory.
After working out of the bullpen last year, Harrell will try his luck in the starting rotation. The 26-year-old did face Colorado last season, but was roughed up for five runs on seven hits in an eventual 19-3 drubbing on Sept. 25. Harrell pitched six shutout innings in his last exhibition outing Monday, albeit against Houston's Double-A affiliate in Corpus Christi.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston veteran Carlos Lee, who homered in the fourth inning Friday, has struggled in his career versus Moyer. The 35-year-old Lee is 7-for-33 (.212) with three extra-base hits.
2. Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki wasn't certain to be in the lineup on Friday after his altercation with former teammate Ubaldo Jimenez. Tulowitzki erased all doubts of his health after blasting a solo homer in the ninth inning.
3. Jack Quinn holds the major-league record as the oldest pitcher to win a game. He was 49 years, 74 days.