Oswalt Leaves With Injury

Houston Astro right-hander Roy Oswalt left Friday’s game against the Chicago Cubs early after aggravating a strained groin.

“Any time you have to deal with pain like that, you can’t throw the ball where you want it,” said Oswalt, who lasted only three innings and lost his first start since July 23. “It’s a sharp pain. Once you get to the critical point where you release the ball, that’s when it kicks in.”

Oswalt had missed his previous start after straining his groin Sept. 18 in San Francisco. He lasted only two innings against the Giants.

*

Mark McGwire hopes Barry Bonds breaks the home run record he set three years ago.

“All I’m going to say is he’s got an excellent chance,” McGwire said before the St. Louis Cardinals played Pittsburgh. “I’m rooting for him. If he gets it, it’ll be a phenomenal feat.”

McGwire was hesitant to talk about the record chase, fearing anything he said would be construed as sour grapes.

“He’s doing it routinely,” McGwire said. “His pace is unbelievable. I’ve told guys in here, I’m calling 72, 73.”

The most impressive aspect of Bonds’ chase, McGwire said, is that he has had only 455 at-bats.

“It’s unbelievable,” McGwire said. “He’s totally blown away what I did, even if the year ended today.”