HOUSTON - The Houston Astros have sent their hottest
pitcher to the minors.
Wade Miller, who is 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts in
August, was optioned to Class AA Round Rock of the Texas League
on Friday, but will return to the major league roster on Monday,
when he is scheduled to start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Astros purchased the contract of switch-hitting catcher
Mitch Meluskey from Round Rock to replace Miller on the roster
for the weekend series against San Diego.
Houston (70-62) leads St. Louis (69-63) and the Chicago Cubs
(68-63) in the National League Central.
Miller is 11-11 with a 4.21 ERA in 28 starts this season.
Meluskey, 29, was signed to a minor league contract by the
Astros in August and hit .265 with one home run and six RBIs in
13 games for Class AAA New Orleans.