KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Cecil Cooper missed the first three innings
of the Astros' game with the Mets on Sunday in order to watch
right-hander Brandon Backe and catcher J.R. Towles play in a
Minor League game on the back fields of Osceola County Stadium.
Cooper's main focus was Towles, who has yet to play in a big
league game since straining his hamstring on March 8. He was
cleared to catch Backe, but he is still not allowed to hit or
run hard. Athletic trainers made sure the 24-year-old understood
that before the game started.  "They said, 'Just don't run
hard,' " Towles said. "'Whatever you do, just don't do it hard.
If there's a popup down the line, don't run after it.' "  The
same applied to wild pitches to the backstop. However, Towles
was able to do everything else, including blocking balls in the
dirt and throwing to second base.  "I feel good," he said. "I
didn't feel [the strain] one time."  "He caught well, he threw
well," Cooper said.  Backe, on the other hand, struggled a bit
during his outing. He all