Besides 8 shutout innings from Wandy Rodriguez, the Chronicle’s Jose De Jesus Ortiz gives a portion of the credit for Houston’s 2-0 defeat of San Diego Friday night to CF Hunter Pence’s “Rally Hawk”. Pence (above left, with teammate Geoff Blum) reportedly opted for the dubious haircut in solidarity with the Rockets’ Ron Artest, though Alyson Footer found at least one member of the Astros reluctant to hop on the bandwagon.

“If you look like a goon, is it worth it?” Lance Berkman asked. Then, acknowledging his .184 batting average, added, “At this point, I don’t need to be drawing any undue attention to myself.”