Baby Bears at Astros, 5/19/08

[MusicMan]

Cubs
LF Soriano
SS Theriot
1b Lee
3b Ramirez
RF Fukudome
C  Soto
CF Edmonds
2b DeRosa
P  Lilly

Astros
CF Bourn
2b Matsui
SS Tejada
1b Berkman
LF Lee
RF Pence
3b Wigginton
C  Ausmus
P  Moehler

Let us celebrate the absence of the DH.

[mihoba]

Back to real baseball.

[OregonStrosFan]

Hmmm... Catch the game on ESPN in HD, or catch it on EI with JD/Brownie (for the first time in 10 games)... No brainer!

[MusicMan]

The Captain is now all situated, so they can play ball.

[mihoba]

6 pm start with the roof closed. Outfield is full of shadows.

[MusicMan]

1st pitch, fly ball to RF, Pence! fights the shadows for out 1.

[MusicMan]

1-2 pitch, Theriot cracks his bat and bounces 3-1.

[Ebby Calvin]

Wow. Nice pitch.

[matadorph]

Three up, three down. Niiiice.

[MusicMan]

Slider, slider, fastball on the hands, and Lee goes down looking.

1-2-3, Astros coming up to bat.

[Noe]

News from the ballpark: There seems to be some hesitation on Roy Oswalt's part to say he's ready to go in his next scheduled start.  He said he "thinks" he may be ready, whereas Cooper said "he's definitely ready".  Houston media all over this now saying this is yet again a serious communication issue between Coop and Sparky.  Sparky is saying he just wants to make sure and he'll let everyone know tomorrow if he can go and everyone will have to wait until then.

[MusicMan]

Dear Milo:

When you fish for a compliment for properly pronouncing a player's name... it's time to hang up your mic.

[Noe]

Three up, three down. Niiiice.

Light to shadow is bothering the hitters.

[MusicMan]

News from the ballpark: There seems to be some hesitation on Roy Oswalt's part to say he's ready to go in his next scheduled start.  He said he "thinks" he may be ready, whereas Cooper said "he's definitely ready".  Houston media all over this now saying this is yet again a serious communication issue between Coop and Sparky.  Sparky is saying he just wants to make sure and he'll let everyone know tomorrow if he can go and everyone will have to wait until then.

Aaaarrrrrgggghhh.

[MusicMan]

I'm off to home, someone else will have to assume PBP duty.

[Bench]

Bourn works the count a bit but grounds out to second.

Kaz walks.

Tejada pops out to shallow right.

Puma time...

[Bench]

Berkman FCs to 6.

[SaltyParker]

Edmonds has a career .938 Slg vs Moehler in 32 ABs

[JaneDoe]

Ramirez singles.
Fukudome grounds to Berkman. Ramirez to 2nd.
Soto grounds out 6-3.

I think I've caught up to live.

[JaneDoe]

Wild pitch gets Ramirez to 3rd.

[JaneDoe]

Wild pitch gets Ramirez to 3rd.

Edmonds pops to Lee in shallow LF.

On to the bottom of 2nd, 0-0

[Bench]

Ramirez singles.
Fukudome grounds to Berkman. Ramirez to 2nd.
Soto grounds out 6-3.

I think I've caught up to live.

There you go. Feel free to take it from here. I have to go meet someone for dinner.

[JaneDoe]

There you go. Feel free to take it from here. I have to go meet someone for dinner.

I didn't see you post, so I did.  I have to run my son to a school board meeting in a minute.  He won 1st place in UIL Number Sense and all the UIL winners are being recognized.  Will do pbp for a minute, and after I get back. Someone else will have to fill in if possible while I'm gone.

Have a great dinner!

[JaneDoe]

El Caballo up.

Flies to the Fuck you dome in RF.  1 out

[JaneDoe]

Pence

foul, called strike, foul, swinging K.  2 outs

[JaneDoe]

2 outs

Wigginton

foul, swinging strike, lines one to Soriano.  3 outs.

[mihoba]

Lilly tossing an assortment of junk up there tonight.

[JaneDoe]

Gotta go. Be back in a few.

[Noe]

This game won't start until two innings from now.

[mihoba]

This game won't start until two innings from now.

Thanks ESPN.

[Noe]

Mark DeRosa

Swining strike 0-1
ball 1-1
Swinging strike 1-2
foul 1-2
ball just a little outside 2-2
ball way outside 3-2
foul
GO 5-3
1 out

[Noe]

Ted Lilly

Ball 1-0
Swing, hit to right field
1 on, 1 out

[Greg M]

Man.  I finally get JD on EI, but then ESPN puts it on HD.  I never get to see the Stros in HD.  Got to go with the picture over the audio tonight.

Come on Moehler.  Get the pitcher out.

[Matt]

Ted Lily's eyes are too close together.

[mihoba]

Stalling to give Lance a breather?

[Noe]

Alfonso Soriano

Strike outside 0-1
Foul ball 0-2
(meeting at the mound for some reason)
ball high (Ausmus asked for it up high) 1-2
ball inside (setting him up for a breaking ball down and in or away) 2-2
ball high (did not bite on the fastball up) 3-2
FO 9 (outside fastball... had to guard against the breaking pitch so he didn't swing hard enough to drive it)

1 on, two out

[Noe]

Ryan Theriot

Ball 0-1
Strike 1-1
foul hard into the stands 1-2
GO 4-3,

1 LOB, three down

After 2.5 innings, Cubs 0 - Astros 0

[jonbloozy]

Just got home, how's Moehler look so far?

[Matt]

Just got home, how's Moehler look so far?

Adequate.

[mihoba]

(meeting at the mound for some reason)

Ausmus and Tejada met at the mound after Lance sprinted full out on the foul pop. The 2nd base umpire Country Joe West came out to break it up, and left laughing.

[Noe]

Just got home, how's Moehler look so far?

Ausmus and Moehler work really well together.  Two veterans who know how to manage a game.

[Noe]

Brad Ausmus

Strike swinging 0-1
Foul 0-2
Ball 1-2
FO 7, one down

[jonbloozy]

Soriano seems so happy when he makes a catch

[jonbloozy]

Ausmus and Moehler work really well together.  Two veterans who know how to manage a game.

Who caught Moehler the first two starts?

[Noe]

Brian Moehler

Strike 0-1
ball really high 1-1
foul to right 1-2
Swing Ana Miss

two in the books

[Noe]

Who caught Moehler the first two starts?

Ausmus

[Noe]

Michael Bourn

Turns on an inside fastball - lined out to Lee (had to catch it to protect himself)

Three down.

After 3 complete: Astros 0 - Cubs 0  (ahem... Ted Lilly has a no-hitter going... just saying)

[rifraft]

Bourn hit a rocket to first, shit, kid can't buy a break.

[mihoba]

Damn, Bourn robbed by the 6' 5" Lee. Brownie said he was 'staggered Lee'

[remy]

Bourn has gotta be the unluckiest kid in the league right now.

[JaneDoe]

Damn, Bourn robbed by the 6' 5" Lee. Brownie said he was 'staggered'

Yep.  Bourn got bad mojo right now.

[Noe]

Derrick Lee

Foul 0-1
Foul 0-2
FO 7, one down

[mihoba]

jammed Lee big time on the hands

[Noe]

Aramis Ramirez

Fastball outside, ball 1-0
Breaking ball, swing and a miss, 1-1
Fastball high, 2-1
sinker, foul ball, 2-2
breaking ball outside, foul 2-2
fastball inside, foul 2-2
fastball, ripped foul 2-2
breaking ball, foul 2-2
breaking ball, foul 2-2
fastball outside, ball 3-2
ground ball past Tejada into left, single

1 on, 1 out

[JaneDoe]

Ramirez swung so hard he almost fell on his own butt.

[mihoba]

Moehler threw Ramirez everything except the kitchen sink. Couldn't put him away.

[rifraft]

Moehler hasn't thrown one good curveball all game.  He's getting it done, so far.

[Noe]

Kosuke Fukudome

breaking ball away, ball 1-0
breaking ball inside, swing and a miss, 1-1
sinker low, ball 2-1
breaking ball away, foul off, 2-2
fastball high (Moehler working hard) ball 3-2
sinker low and away, ball
walk

2 on (1st, 2nd), 1 out

[Noe]

Giovanni Soto

Strike, 0-1
Ball, 1-1
Sinker that does not sink... hit hard...

LONG FLY BALL... inside the park homerun... (even though it looked like it was out)

clear the bases, 1 out  (why is Cooper arguing?)

[JaneDoe]

Well, CRAP!!

[matadorph]

i knew that was coming, but i didn't expect it that way.

[JaneDoe]

Moehler hasn't thrown one good curveball all game. He's getting it done, so far.

Geesh. 

[mihoba]

What was Bourn doing climbing the wall? The ball hit 20' up.

[rifraft]

Geesh. 

mah bad....

[Noe]

Jim Edmonds

Ball 0-1
Strike 1-1
Strike (foul) 1-2
Ball outside 2-2
foul 2-2
sinker outside, lined to center

1 on, 1 out (3 runs so far)

[JaneDoe]

Wow.  That pitch count graphic really told the story of Moehler tonight.

[mihoba]

Edmonds is hurting. He looks like crap despite the base hit.

[Greg M]

BP.  Oh no...Anaheim Jimmy hurt?  So sad.

[Noe]

Mark DeRosa

First pitch swinging, lined to left, single

two men on (1st, 2nd), 1 out... Edmonds broke a nail rounding second, trainer out...

[rifraft]

Wow.  That pitch count graphic really told the story of Moehler tonight.

Moehler's out of gas.  

Damn, did anyone else see that bruise on Anaheim's ankle?

[matadorph]

Heady play by Brad.

[Noe]

Ted Lilly

Bunt third base line, Aumsus to first, two out

Sacrifice, men on second and third, two out

[Noe]

Alfonso Soriano

Ball outside 1-0
Ball outside 2-0
Intentional pass...

Bases juiced, two out (Hersiher said "set up the double play"... huh?)

[matadorph]

Time to get those runs back.

[JaneDoe]

Thank goodness he got out of that with no more scoring.  Coulda been alot worse.

[Noe]

Ryan Theriot

GO 4-3, inning mercifully over

Cubs score three, take the lead.

After 3 and a half, Cubs 3 - Astros 0 (and Ted Lilly has a no-hitter)

[JaneDoe]

Anyone else think Theriot looks a little like Zipp?

[Noe]

Last half inning for me.. gotta go...

[JaneDoe]

Noe, you gonna do the bottom of the 4th?

[Noe]

Kazuo Matsui

Strike 0-1
Foul 0-2
Swing and a miss, one down

[Noe]

Noe, you gonna do the bottom of the 4th?

Yes, gotta break up this no-no...

[JaneDoe]

Kazuo Matsui

Strike 0-1
Foul 0-2
Swing and a miss, one down

There's my answer.

[JaneDoe]

Yes, gotta break up this no-no...

Bravo, Noe.  Tejada doubles.  Then steals 3rd.

[Twoniner]

  No more shadows for Lilly.  f him up.

[Noe]

Miguel Tejada

Ball 1-0
Foul 1-1
Ball 2-1
Ball 3-1
Ripped down the left field line, double... no-no gone!

1 on, 1 out

ETA: Tejada steals third easily!

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Bravo, Noe.  Tejada doubles.

So about this SHUTOUT...

[Noe]

Lance Berkman

Strike (took one while Tejada steals third) 0-1
Ball inside 1-1
foul ball, 1-2
foul ball 1-2
K swining, down and in slider, two down

man on third

[Noe]

So about this SHUTOUT...

Lost the best chance right there... but it's early....

[JaneDoe]

Lost the best chance right there... but it's early....

Good job, Noe.

[mihoba]

Lee comes through. whew.

[Noe]

Carlos Lee

Strike swining 0-1
Ball (chin music) 1-1
fastball away, swing and miss 1-2
fastball away, up... foul 1-2
looper to left... bad jump from Soriano, single

Tejada scores!

man on first, two out

[moriartp]

Carlo!

[Greg M]

Alright.  Shutout gonzo.  Come on Spaz.

[Noe]

Somebody ask me about tying this game... quick!

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Noe, why isn't this game tied?  I blame JJdO...

[JaneDoe]

Noe, you wearing a tie to work today?

[mihoba]

Fuck Jim Edmonds!

[OregonStrosFan]

Damn I HATE that guy!

[Greg M]

Fuck Edmonds in the fucking ass.

[JaneDoe]

Oh shit. FUCK.  Edmonds is a shitwad mfer.

[moriartp]

Wow. That made me want to cry.

[matadorph]

FUCK

YOU

JIMMY

[remy]

Pure murderous hate.

[Noe]

Hunter Pence

Ball outside 1-0
Ball outside 2-0
Ball outside 3-0
Strike outside 3-1
foul 3-2

GREAT CATCH BY EDMONDS!!!! Robs Pence of a double! maybe a triple, maybe an inside the parker if he falls down.

Three outs... okay folks, we have a game again... heads up, it's ain't over until it's over... go get'em Astros... someone take over.

After 4 complete... Cubs 3 - Astros 1 (fucking Edmonds!)

[JaneDoe]

I can hear Houston radio sports talk tomorrow. 

"Why didn't we sign Edmonds?"

My husband asks me that every day, fucker.

[Twoniner]

  Bean Edmonds in the fucking back.

[matadorph]

Damn I HATE that guy!

x 1000000

[JaneDoe]

I blame Budgirl.  She is at the game--why didn't she throw something at Edmonds?

Or jump out on the field and tackle him?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

On Gameday it looked like Pence! hit it all the way up the Hill.  Where'd Sexy Bitch catch it?

[rifraft]

I blame Budgirl.  She is at the game--why didn't she throw something at Edmonds?

Throw?  How about a fucking bullet in his fucking head.

[matadorph]

One foot on the hill, one off.

[Ty in Tampa]

On Gameday it looked like Pence! hit it all the way up the Hill.  Where'd Sexy Bitch catch it?

Base of the hill but over the shoulder basket style. Fuckstick.

[JaneDoe]

On Gameday it looked like Pence! hit it all the way up the Hill.  Where'd Sexy Bitch catch it?

On the way up the hill. Over the shoulder.  It will be on SportsCenter about 13 million times before noon tomorrow.

[Noe]

On Gameday it looked like Pence! hit it all the way up the Hill.  Where'd Sexy Bitch catch it?

foot of the hill, about 410 feet away, over the shoulder.  If Pence pulls it to where Soto hit his, it's out and we're tied.  Later peeps, I'll be back.

[rifraft]

Bourn would have been standing under that ball for about 2 seconds before making the catch.  Fucking Edmonds.

[LonghornCDR]

Worst part of Jimmy's catch was hearing the ESPN schlong gorvelling that followed.

[Ron Brand]

There's damn few things as entertaining as Game Zone.

[mihoba]

Nice job Moehler, putting up a zero through the middle of the order.

[jonbloozy]

Throw?  How about a fucking bullet in his fucking head.

I wonder if Budgirl's packin'?  



Nah, probably not, 'cause Bradley's in the game.

[Twoniner]

Good quick inning there by Moehler to get Lilly back on the hill.  

[mihoba]

Wiggy is due...

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Nice job Moehler, putting up a zero through the middle of the order.

Let's see if we can get one more frame out of him...I get ulcers when I think about anybody not named Wright, Brocail, or Valverde.

[Ty in Tampa]

TY!

[remy]

Good to see Wiggy hitting the ball well.

[Greg M]

If Wigginton can get hot, look out.

[mihoba]

Cheito in the on deck circle, Byrdak in the bully

[Limey]

I've had a fistful of Heinies, and most of a DogFish Head IPA (90 minute variety).  Who's coming to Mexico with me?

[Limey]

If Wigginton can get hot, look out.

I suspect that he sweats at room temperature.

[Ron Brand]

I'm sure it's shown in actual size on the web site, but that Biggio helmet bobble is really cool.

(http://houston.astros.mlb.com/hou/images/promotions/y2008/BiggioHelmet.jpg)

[Ty in Tampa]

Steve Phillips is a sorry excuse for a baseball analyst.

[Ty in Tampa]

I've had a fistful of Heinies...

NTTAWWT

[Greg M]

I suspect that he sweats at room temperature.

I hear he packs travel size deodorant in his back pocket.

[moriartp]

cmon, cheito, where's my pinch walk?


There it is. Booya.

[Limey]

Cheito:  Walkin' Boss

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Cheito in the on deck circle, Byrdak in the bully

I hereby correct my previous statement.  Byrdak is more than ok in my book, too.

[matadorph]

He was so due.

[mihoba]

There ya go, Bourn! Solid line drive.

[Twoniner]

  Great AB.  Wasn't afraid to let it fly on the fastball.

[Greg M]

Bourn!  My man.  This the start of the whole lineup hitting?

[rifraft]

There ya go, Bourn! Solid line drive.

Bourn is ready to explode, he's hit the ball hard twice tonight, its starting to come together for him.

[matadorph]

Bourn showed some great patience in that at bat. Got ahead in the count, stayed back, smacked a single right center.

[JaneDoe]

I've had a fistful of Heinies, and most of a DogFish Head IPA (90 minute variety).  Who's coming to Mexico with me?

me.

[Limey]

Let's go, TJ!

[matadorph]

Cue the Miggy music...

[Limey]

Cue the Miggy music...

[JD] Get Miggy With It [/JD]

[AtascAstro]

I've had a fistful of Heinies

the sequence here is critical

[Limey]

the sequence here is critical

It's all about the "s" on "Heinies".

[JaneDoe]

Well, crapola.

[rifraft]

good pitch, high fastball then the diving change up.

[mihoba]

Miggy will make up for that punchout later.

[jonbloozy]

TOP 5
Moehler pitching
Lee grounds out to Miggy, 1 out
Ramirez grounds to Matsui, 2 out.
FUK-U-SINGRE, 2 out
Soto flies out to Pence! in foul territory

BOT 5
Lilly pitching
Wiggy knocks a double to LCF, 0 out.
Bradley grounds to 2nd, Wiggy to 3rd, 1 out.
Cheito walks.  Runners on 1st and 3rd, 1 out
Bourn singles on a hit in front of Jim Espns, Wiggy scores, 1 out
Matsui grounds softly to 3rd, advances runners to 2nd and 3rd, 2 out
Miggy foul tips and k's, 3 out

END 5: HOU 2, PUPS 3

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Gotta keep chipping away.  Byrdak coming in?

[mihoba]

Gotta keep chipping away.  Byrdak coming in?

Yep

[JaneDoe]

Gotta keep chipping away.  Byrdak coming in?

Yes.

[rifraft]

Moehler did his job well tonight.  Kept the team in the game.

[mihoba]

Take your aspirin now, CB Bucknor will call balls and a few strikes tomorrow night.

[jonbloozy]

Gotta keep chipping away.  Byrdak coming in?

Yes.  Can you Cabrera a yes?

[Limey]

good pitch, high fastball then the diving change up.

Tejeda's going to get the best the pitcher can offer, with Berkman right behind him.  I'm not criticising, but he's a free swinger so he'll be behind in the count more than he's in front.  He needs to be in front in the count to benefit from the "Crouching Puma", or he'll be susceptible to a strikeout.

I still think that, in the long run, these two are better the other way around.  But I'm happy to be proved wrong.

[JaneDoe]

Nice quick inning by Byrdak. 

[Limey]

Fuck me!  Blurdak!

[Limey]

Commercial break: time for more DFH 90.

[rifraft]

Fuck me!  Blurdak!

Is that an actual request for Byrdak to stick his penis in an orifice in your body?

[Limey]

Is that an actual request for Byrdak to stick his penis in an orifice in your body?

No, but he'd be so quick about it I might not notice.

[AtascAstro]

4% of text voters need to get in the beatdown queue w/Edmonds

[rifraft]

Spurs up on NO at the end of 1: 23-20

[rifraft]

No, but he'd be so quick about it I might not notice.

NTTAWWT

[AtascAstro]

Its on like Donkey Kong!

Lilly to the showers, bring on the bully!

[Rebel Jew]

So the Cubs have a bench player with the last name of "Hoffpauir."  Is it in the Austin or Houston area where there's a car dealership (with a commercial featuring a heavy texan accent) with a similar name?

[matadorph]

So the Cubs have a bench player with the last name of "Hoffpauir."  Is it in the Austin or Houston area where there's a car dealership (with an annoying commercial) with a similar name?

Austin. Hoffpauir Chevrolet.

[Duman]

Any body check the red sox score lately.  Not that I would want to curse any one or anything.

[rifraft]

Any body check the red sox score lately.  Not that I would want to curse any one or anything.

If anyone just jinxed it, it was ESPN.  So, don't worry about it.

[Limey]

So the Cubs have a bench player with the last name of "Hoffpauir."

That's Hfuhruhurr!

[Rebel Jew]

Austin. Hoffpauir Chevrolet.

Is it the same name?

That's one thing I can say about SF versus Texas-- about a million times less car commercials.

[jonbloozy]

TOP 6
Byrdak pitching
Espns grounds to Matsui, 1 out
DeRosa flies to Bourn, 2 out
Lilly k's, 3 out

BOT 6
Lilly pitching
Puma k's swinging, 1 out
Pitching change, Lilly's out
Jon Lieber pitching
Lee pops one just past 2B Derosa, 1 out
Pence! grounds in DP, 3 out

END 6: HOU 2, PUPS 3

[matadorph]

Is it the same name?

Yep. The dude is from Jacksonville, Tx and played at Lamar. Maybe a family member?

[JaneDoe]

I just can't stand Soriano. 

[Rebel Jew]

Yep. The dude is from Jacksonville, Tx and played at Lamar. Maybe a family member?

I just looked up Jacksonville, TX on google maps.  Sure is in a classy part of the state.  No meth out there, that's for sure!

[Limey]

the sequence here is critical

Oh shit!  I just got that!

[Limey]

I just can't stand Soriano. 

That's ok.  He's out.  Auf wiedersehen.

[Rebel Jew]

Jacksonville also apparently hometown of the McCown brothers, of journeyman quarterback fame.

[Limey]

Fucking Cajuns.

[mihoba]

Lester with the BoSox will take his no-no to the 9th.

[Limey]

Lester with the BoSox will take his no-no to the 9th.

What does that mean?  Is it something like no runs, no hits?  Wow!  That must be very rare, something like that.  No hits.  Wow!  Just wow!  Hope he's not nervous or anything.

No hits.  Amazing.

[Rebel Jew]

Jacksonville is 0.68% Asian according to the 2000 census.

[OregonStrosFan]

Lester with the BoSox will take his no-no to the 9th.

That Pedroia play to save Bucholz NH last year was amazing... 

[matadorph]

Bill Brown and Limey tag teaming Lester.

[mihoba]

Jacksonville is 0.68% Asian according to the 2000 census.

Every East Texas town has a Chinese buffet.

[rifraft]

Jacksonville is 0.68% Asian according to the 2000 census.

I'm sure by now its up to 0.71%

[Limey]

Eh, shy, what choo say?

Want me to say it in pigeon French?

[Limey]

I won't bore you with the whole joke, but the punch line is...

[Non-PC] Fluctuations?  Well fluckt you round eyes too!  [/Non-PC]

[jonbloozy]

TOP 7
Fer-you gotta roll the R and the nando Nieve pitching
Soriano k's on 93 mph fatball (sic), 1 out
Theriot doubles past a Diving Wiggy, 1 out
Dirrklee singles up the middle, Theriot scores, 1 out
Ramirez flies out to Pence!, 2 out
FUK-U-SIGNRE's over Matsui for a singre.  Dirrklee to 3rd, 2 out
Soto grounds to Tejada, 3 out

MID 7: HOU 2, PUPS 4
 

[Ron Brand]

I won't bore you with the whole joke, but the punch line is...

[Non-PC] Fluctuations?  Well fluckt you round eyes too!  [/Non-PC]

Secret...Aaasian Man...Secret...Aaasian Man...

[mihoba]

Lester needs one more out.

[AtascAstro]

Jacksonville is 0.68% Asian according to the 2000 census.

Probably about the same as MMPUS right now

[Ron Brand]

Hey!  Lieber!  One man to a pair of pants out there!

[rifraft]

Probably about the same as MMPUS right now

does that include Matsui or not?

[Rebel Jew]

Every East Texas town has a Chinese buffet.

indeed:

Hunan Chinese Restaurant -
506 E Rusk St
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-4304

King's Wok Chinese Restaurant -
1644 S Jackson St
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-4950

Panda Cafe -
1664 S Jackson St
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 589-3998

[Rebel Jew]

Every East Texas town has a Chinese buffet.

and of course one of these as well:

Golden Corral Restaurants
2402 Beaumont St
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5798

[JaneDoe]

Lester gets the no-no.  Boston 7, KC 0

[Ty in Tampa]

No hittah!

[mihoba]

Fenway is happy.

[rifraft]

Lester gets the no-no.  Boston 7, KC 0

Now, back to the Stros, please.

[Ty in Tampa]

That just about does it for my full-res, NTSC Astros coverage.

[LonghornCDR]

Can ESPN please switch back to the game now, please?

[matadorph]

Can ESPN please switch back to the game now, please?

No, there's beantown schlongs to gorvel.

[jonbloozy]

BOT 7
Lieber pitching
Wiggy grounds out, 1 out
Bradley flies out to FUK-U-FRY, 2 out
Erstad pinch hits for Fernando, IF pop out to 3B Ramirez, 3 out  

END 7: HOU 2, PUPS 4

[AtascAstro]

The Cubs are too good tonight, we just don't have it in us.  I mean they play in that really old ballpark and they have so many famous fans and they pay a lot for tickets and sing the same song together every game.  We can't possibly come back to beat a team like that, just have to face the facts.

[Ty in Tampa]

ESPN - "Oh by the way, this insignifcant game is 4-2 Cubs."

[Ron Brand]

Are you guys all shut out from FSN, or is it your choice that you're watching it on ESuckPn?

[rifraft]

Are you guys all shut out from FSN, or is it your choice that you're watching it on ESuckPn?

live in NYC, no other choice.

[subnuclear]

can they show the Edmonds catch 5 or 6 more times?

[mihoba]

Nice play Wright

[JaneDoe]

Great play by Wright.  He really gets off the mound quick.

[Ty in Tampa]

I've got FSN on the interwebs but I'd take full-res any day.

[JaneDoe]

Ok, am I just expecting perfection or should Lee have had that one?

[Ron Brand]

Great play by Wright.  He really gets off the mound quick.

Quicker than your average 14-year-old, that's for sure.

[rifraft]

Quicker than your average 14-year-old, that's for sure.

or your average Disney character.

[JaneDoe]

Quicker than your average 14-year-old, that's for sure.

The foul pop up he caught the other day was very impressive.

And then Brownie brings up the play.

[Ron Brand]

Ok, am I just expecting perfection or should Lee have had that one?

If he hits one out tonight, then no, you are expecting perfection.

[OregonStrosFan]

Ok, am I just expecting perfection or should Lee have had that one?

After the scare on his dive in San Fran(?), I'll pass on those type plays unless ABSOLUTELY necessary...

[Ty in Tampa]

Good thing BudGirl's at the game and can't see that Red Wings/Stars score.

[rifraft]

Spurs up 51-42 at the half.

[JaneDoe]

Good thing BudGirl's at the game and can't see that Red Wings/Stars score.

Oh, I am sure she is keeping up with it.

[mihoba]

Dammit WW, you're fucking up walking a weak stick like Cedeno.

[Ron Brand]

Uh oh.  Bork gets a chance.

[mihoba]

Uh oh.  Bork gets a chance.

Better option than WW against Soriano.

[AtascAstro]

Limey, step away from the image folder, step away slowly...

[OregonStrosFan]

Better option than WW against Soriano.

Evidently.

I really hate the FRIGGIN' Cubs!

[Ron Brand]

Damn.  Just not our night for picking up a break.

[mihoba]

WW screwed the pooch that inning by walking Ronny freakin Cedeno.

Rally time.

[AtascAstro]

Wuertz needs a decision, he's due

[JaneDoe]

Bourn is swinging it well tonight.

[LonghornCDR]

Bourn seeing the ball really well tonight.

[matadorph]

Damn.  Just not our night for picking up a break.

I blame ESPN. It seems like the Astros have more failures than successes on national TV.

[Ron Brand]

Go Bourn!

[Rebel Jew]

could somebody recount recent and unfolding events?

[AtascAstro]

It takes a perfect throw to get Bourn, absolutely nothing less

[JaneDoe]

That was close.

[OregonStrosFan]

Damn, throw on the fly would've gotten him.

[mihoba]

Terrible jump from Bourn, looked like a botched hit and run.

[JaneDoe]

could somebody recount recent and unfolding events?

Bourn led off with a single, stole 2nd, Matsui singled, Bourn to 3rd.  No outs

[AtascAstro]

Table = set

Bacon on the griddle, buttering the toast, slice'n up a tomato...got a hanker'n for a sammich

[remy]

Let's. Do. This.

[Limey]

Bourn and Matsui: The Killer Fleas!

[Rebel Jew]

Bourn led off with a single, stole 2nd, Matsui singled, Bourn to 3rd.  No outs

thanks.

[Ron Brand]

Marmol could be Nieve's clean-shaving brother.

[JaneDoe]

Marmol coming in to face Tejada.  I really did not want to see him.

[Ron Brand]

It's Miggy Time!

[Craig]

Shut up you whiny fucking Cubs.

[Ron Brand]

Kaz steals 2nd!  Sweet Lou is trying to fire up his troops!

[remy]

I love Joe.

[JaneDoe]

Matsui steals second and Pinella runs out to argue.

On the replay, looks like the Cubs had him.

[Anit]

Damn.  Just not our night for picking up a break.

theres one

[remy]

God damn it, Miggy.

[JaneDoe]

Miggy pops up behind 2B.  dadgumit.

[Limey]

Limey, step away from the image folder, step away slowly...

Bork

[OregonStrosFan]

Matsui steals second and Pinella runs out to argue.

On the replay, looks like the Cubs had him.

Last replay made it look even.  2nd to last replay made him look out by a decent amount.

[austro]

Lance has swung at a bunch of pitches tonight that he's been taking during his streak.

[mihoba]

C'mon Marmol, make a mistake.

[JaneDoe]

Berkman dadgumit.

[MusicMan]

Ask for help, blue!!

[remy]

shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit

[Ron Brand]

Oh.  Bull.  Shit.

[Limey]

Lance looks like he's ben reading his own press.

[mihoba]

Fuck the Cubs

[remy]

Marmol all over the fucking place.  Lee hits the deck hard, fast ball 6 inches from his face.

[Ron Brand]

Lance strikes out with a checked swing on 3-2.

Marmol just spun Lee's cap with a hard one.

[Ty in Tampa]

Cocksuckers!

[Limey]

Ask for help, blue!!

Looks like he went pretty clearly.

[OregonStrosFan]

Lance has swung at a bunch of pitches tonight that he's been taking during his streak.

Looked like he was pressing that last AB.

2nd time Cubs almost took Lee's head off tonight.

[MusicMan]

Ugh... not good to see the way Kabong bent away from one down the middle after the brushback.

[remy]

Looks like he went pretty clearly.

Looked like it to me too even in real time, from the CF camera.

[MusicMan]

Looked like it to me too even in real time, from the CF camera.

If it's close, ask for help.  I hate that fucking rule.

[Greg M]

Well shit.  Time to rough up Wood.

[JaneDoe]

Fuck Marmol

[Ron Brand]

Crap, Lee grounds out to 3b.  Inning over.

[Limey]

Fucking Blue calls a shoe-top strike having called a bunch of high strikes lately.  What a twat.  Marmol has been wild, yet gets a call.

Fucking Cubs.

[jonbloozy]

TOP 8
The Kid pitching
Espns gives it a little tappy down 1b line, The Kid makes a nice flip to Puma, 1 out
Derosa drops a single just in front of El Caballo, 1 out
Ronny Cedeno walks, runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out
Pitching change, The Kid is out
Borkowski pitching
Soriano k's, 2 out
Theriot hits up the middle to Bourn, throw home cutoff by Puma, catch Cedeno in a pickle between 2nd and 3rd, runner scores, 3 out

BOT 8
Michael Wuertz pitching
Bourn with a nice hit to RF, 0 out
Bourn steals second, sometimes you gotta spike a cubbie
Matsui singles to shallow RF, Bourn to 3rd, Matsui mouths "Fuck the Cubs"
Pitching change, Wuertz out
Carlos Marmol pitching
Tejada batting, Matsui steals 2nd on a disputed play by Lou Pinella, he mouths "Fuck you Lou"
Miggy flies out just past 2b, 1 out
Puma k's on a disputed check swing, 2 out
El Caballo gets almost gets hit in the head for the 2nd time this game, grounds out to 3rd, 3 out

END 8: HOU 2, PUPS 5

Sorry I'm slow, trying to cook some gourmet Hamburger Helper, can someone come in and close PBP?

[Rebel Jew]

say what you want about pinella, but the guy can coach.  these are not dusty's cubs.

[Ron Brand]

JaneDoe, you weren't asking for perfection.

[HudsonHawk]

If it's close, ask for help.  I hate that fucking rule.

The rule that if you swing and miss it's a strike?

[Ron Brand]

say what you want about pinella, but the guy can coach.  these are not dusty's cubs.

Shut your dirty whorish mouth!

[OregonStrosFan]

Fucking Blue calls a shoe-top strike having called a bunch of high strikes lately.  What a twat.  Marmol has been wild, yet gets a call.

Fucking Cubs.

That strike call was bullshit.

[mihoba]

Dammit Wiggy, what the fuck?

[Ron Brand]

Derrek Lee leads off with a double down the LF line.

[HudsonHawk]

That strike call was bullshit.

Oh come on.  Marmol threw Berkman 5 pitches, none of the close to being strikes, yet Berkman K's.  It wasn't the ump's fault.

[Limey]

That strike call was bullshit.

The high strikes were bullshit too.  He just doesn't know what he's doing.

[OregonStrosFan]

Oh come on.  Marmol threw Berkman 5 pitches, none of the close to being strikes, yet Berkman K's.  It wasn't the ump's fault.

Not the Berkman K, the low strike to Lee on the 3-0 pitch.

[mihoba]

Derrek Lee leads off with a double down the LF line under Wiggy's glove.

Fixed.

[Ty in Tampa]

fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck

[JaneDoe]

Lee Doubled to LF.

Ramirez goes Crawford. 

[Ron Brand]

Fuck.  Ramirez 2-run HR to left.  7-2 Asshats.

[Limey]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

[AtascAstro]

Bork

Really, are you happy about this?

[rifraft]

Oh come on.  Marmol threw Berkman 5 pitches, none of the close to being strikes, yet Berkman K's.  It wasn't the ump's fault.

Agreed.  Berkman has been getting himself out all night long.

[HudsonHawk]

Not the Berkman K, the low strike to Lee on the 3-0 pitch.

My point is, bitching about a strike call after you step on your dick like that is kind of childish.

[MusicMan]

The rule that if you swing and miss it's a strike?

Kiss my ass, HH, you know damn well what I meant.  The catcher can ask for an appeal, but not the hitter.

[JaneDoe]

Fukudome grounds out 6-3.  1 out

[OregonStrosFan]

My point is, bitching about a strike call after you step on your dick like that is kind of childish.

Point taken.

[HudsonHawk]

Kiss my ass, HH, you know damn well what I meant.  The catcher can ask for an appeal, but not the hitter.

There is no appeal.  The umpire called a strike.  He swung at the pitch and missed.

[JaneDoe]

Soto K's 2 out.

[JaneDoe]

Edmonds flies to Bourn.  3 outs

Going to the bottom of the ninth. Pence, Wigginton, Ausmus up

[remy]

A little situational hitting woulda helped tonight.

[MusicMan]

There is no appeal.  The umpire called a strike. 

Hence my entreaty to hold the call and ask for help.

He swung at the pitch and missed.

Thanks, I'm clearly new to the game, your expanation of the rules is greatly appreciated.

[OregonStrosFan]

I take that back.  Marmol had been wild the whole Lee AB.  The pitch was a ball, but that aside don't think Marmol should have been given a close pitch either.  Don't think it is childish to bitch about a call that shouldn't have been.

[HudsonHawk]

A little situational hitting woulda helped tonight.

They've certainly had some chances.  The middle of the order simply didn't get it done when the opportunity was there.  That part of the order has been very good lately, but not tonight.  One of them nights.

[JaneDoe]

Howry in to face Pence.

16 game hittings streak on the line.

called strike, ball, flies to CF  1 out

[HudsonHawk]

Hence my entreaty to hold the call and ask for help.

He didn't  need to ask, he called it a strike.

Thanks, I'm clearly new to the game, your expanation of the rules is greatly appreciated.

One would think so the way you're bitching about the rules of the game.

[JaneDoe]

Wigginton K's. 2 outs.

[HudsonHawk]

I take that back.  Marmol had been wild the whole Lee AB.  The pitch was a ball, but that aside don't think Marmol should have been given a close pitch either.  Don't think it is childish to bitch about a call that shouldn't have been.

Previous pitches should have no effect on subsequent pitches.  If it was a strike, it should be called a strike.  It was borderline, but that pitch had been a strike all night.  I don't see the point in taking your frustrations out on the umpire.

[MusicMan]

One would think so the way you're bitching about the rules of the game.

I said I didn't like the damn rule, not that I didn't understand it.

[JaneDoe]

Ausmus K's.

Game over.

[Ron Brand]

...aaaand that is the game, Cubs 7-2. 

[mihoba]

He didn't  need to ask, he called it a strike.

And just to add, a catcher may ask for an appeal, but it doesn't have to be granted. The HP ump saw the play, pointed at Lance's bat and punched him out.

After a successful 7-3 road trip, to come home on National TV and lay a shitburger like this to a division rival kinda sucks.

Get'em tomorrow.

[BatGirl]

fuk the cubs.
go get 'em tomorrow night, boys!

[HudsonHawk]

I said I didn't like the damn rule, not that I didn't understand it.

I still don't see what your upset about, Berkman clearly swung at the pitch, the umpire called it.  No one can appeal a called strike, not even the catcher.  Those are the rules.  I'm not sure what whining about them accomplishes.

[JaneDoe]

After a successful 7-3 road trip, to come home on National TV and lay a shitburger like this to a division rival kinda sucks.

Sucks rotten eggs.

[HudsonHawk]

And just to add, a catcher may ask for an appeal, but it doesn't have to be granted. The HP ump saw the play, pointed at Lance's bat and punched him out.

Exactly.  The home plate umpire called it a swing.  That is not open to appeal, even by the catcher.  I'm not sure what MM is upset about.

[JaneDoe]

Thanks to everyone who did the tag team pbp.  I hope someone read it in between the catfight.

[OregonStrosFan]

Thanks to everyone who did the tag team pbp.  I hope someone read it in between the catfight.

A little GZ frustration ain't nothing but a thing... Hell, I might even admit to being a tad wrong if I wasn't pissed off about all of the razzing I'm going to have to take from my scrubsfan buddies tomorrow.

New game manana folks, adious 'til then...

[Noe]

They had the chances to pull this out but didn't get it done when it mattered.  You get used to seeing Tejada-Berkman-Lee-Pence come through and by and large some of the failure was Tejada-Berkman getting themselves out and in Pence's case, Edmonds made the defensive play of the season at MMPUS so far.

Overall, I've not seen Berkman get himself out all season long like he did tonight.  He reacted to the pitches as if he could not see the pitch at all.  Strange how he approached hitting tonight, but he got himself out against Marmol.  He swung at pitches that were nowhere near strikes and the Cubs were trying desperately to walk him and he wouldn't let them.

Overall, a pretty mediocre game from a team we've gotten used to giving us fans a little more than this kind of effort.  Go get them tomorrow.  One thing though: Michael Bourn's good work is paying off.  Other than the first AB when no one could see the pitch until it was too late (thank you ESPN for that crappy start time), Bourn had four quality ABs in a row.  He would've had four knocks tonight had Lee not robbed him of a double.  3-5, one stolen base.  Nice work from the leadoff man.

[MusicMan]

Exactly.  The home plate umpire called it a swing.  That is not open to appeal, even by the catcher.  I'm not sure what MM is upset about.

In most cases, when the swing/non swing is close, the umpire will call no swing and ask for the appeal.  You know that, but you were looking for "whining" to rail against, and so you chose to misinterpret what I said.

[HudsonHawk]

In most cases, when the swing/non swing is close, the umpire will call no swing and ask for the appeal.  You know that, but you were looking for "whining" to rail against, and so you chose to misinterpret what I said.

No he won't.  If he think it's a swing, it's called a strike.  Strikes called by the home plate umpire cannot be appealed, by anyone, under any circumstances.  You know that, but you needed something to whine about anyway, and apparently Berkman swinging at 3 balls wasn't an option.

[MusicMan]

I was frustrated by the call, but next time, I'll know to ask "mommy may I?" before commenting.

[HudsonHawk]

I was frustrated by the call, but next time, I'll know to ask "mommy may I?" before commenting.

No need to ask permission, just don't cry like a pussy when someone calls you on it.

[MusicMan]

No need to ask permission, just don't cry like a pussy when someone calls you on it.

Call me on what I said, don't pretend I don't understand the fucking rules, which you're not just intimating, you're stating.  You can disagree with my opinion all you want, but don't invent things that I am not saying and pretend that I don't understand the fucking game.

[HudsonHawk]

Call me on what I said, don't pretend I don't understand the fucking rules, which you're not just intimating, you're stating.  You can disagree with my opinion all you want, but don't invent things that I am not saying and pretend that I don't understand the fucking game.

OK, you understand the rules, you're just whining that they should be changed.  That's even more fucking stupid than not understanding them in the first place.  How's that?

[Limey]

They've certainly had some chances.  The middle of the order simply didn't get it done when the opportunity was there.  That part of the order has been very good lately, but not tonight.  One of them nights.

Let's drink two, and get 'em tomorrow.

[MusicMan]

OK, you understand the rules, you're just whining that they should be changed.  That's even more fucking stupid than not understanding them in the first place.  How's that?

edit: fuck it.  I'm going to sleep.