Random thoughts from Houston … 

• Jimmy Rollins said he meant no disrespect to the Phillies when he said the Yankees never would have traded Cliff Lee like the Phillies did. He said he meant it to compliment the Yankees, and say it would have big had the Phillies beaten them in the World Series because they are the only team that can spend with impunity. Either way, it’s much ado about nothing. Ruben Amaro Jr. had no comment when asked about it yesterday, but kiddingly gave Rollins a hard time in the clubhouse before the game.
• Raul Ibanez hit a ball hard in the first inning, a double to score to runs. Could be a good sign. Ibanez has been struggling.
• Shane Victorino entered tonight’s game hitting just .154 (2 for 13) with two RBIs. So he took some time going through the team’s bat bags before BP, looking for a teammate’s bat he could use in the game. Matt Stairs said last season that Victorino is a habitual bat borrower, so it’s not too unusual to see him doing that. But it shows players will try anything to get out of a funk.
• Happy Birthday to Chris Wheeler … except it isn’t his birthday. But Phillies broadcasters are behaving like it is, giving him a cake and a card and everything. Wheeler accidentally wrote in his book that his birthday is April 9. It’s actually August 9. As somebody who writes thousands upon thousands upon thousands of words a year, I feel his pain.
• Had the worst allergy attack of my life in DC. You know it’s bad when players come up to you and think you’re dying. Thankfully, the pollen count isn’t crippling me in Houston.
• The Astros play “Deep In the Heart of Texas” during the seventh-inning stretch. Always reminds me of the scene in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.

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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. His Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!