Opening Day!!!

[OregonStrosFan]

Your 2011 Houston Astros

CF Bourn
SS Sanchez
RF Pence
LF Lee
2b Hall
3b Johnson
1b Wallace
C Quintero
P Myers

[OregonStrosFan]

Won't be able to do PBP until about the 5th inning.  If someone can take it                        til then, it'd be appreciated!

[pots]

Halladay throwing strikes

Bourn took a few then hit a soft liner to center - 1 down
Sanchez took few pitches, fouled one off then took strike 3 (nasty bender just at the knees)
Hunter came up hacking and went down hacking

[Mr. Happy]

Well, that was quick.

[Ty in Tampa]

This Halladay guy is good. All their pitchers can't be that goo.......eh? Oh.

[pots]

Victorino flys out to deepish right on the second pitch
Palanco grounds out 2 second on a 2-0 pitch
Rollins grounds out to second on the first pitch

0-0 after 5 minutes

[chuck]

This Halladay guy is good. All their pitchers can't be that goo.......eh? Oh.

I was just wondering if today Myers could crack the Phillies' rotation.

[pots]

I was just wondering if today Myers could crack the Phillies' rotation.

He's better then Blanton

[pots]

Top 2nd:
Lee - Inside strike called, inside ball, fouled off low and away, swing and miss on away fastball
Hall - strike low and away, ground out to short
CJ - swing and miss on fastball over the middle, ball, fooled badly on offspeed (swinging strike), struck out swinging on a breaking pitch that dropped out of the zone

[moriartp]

I was just wondering if today Myers could crack the Phillies' rotation.

Better than Blanton, but he'd be their #5.

[Mr. Happy]

Myers looks fairly sharp. It's said that cold weather favors the pitchers, but I'm not so sure anymore with all of the good insulated batting cloves used today. I know this: it's hard to get a feel for a cold baseball.

[Mr. Happy]

Halliday got away with one to Hall.

[austro]

I know this: it's hard to get a feel for a cold baseball.

I wonder if pitchers will ever be allowed to wear a glove of the sort that quarterbacks sometimes wear. Or if it's even possible to build a glove that doesn't change the feel so much that it's useless.

[hostros7]

I wonder if pitchers will ever be allowed to wear a glove of the sort that quarterbacks sometimes wear. Or if it's even possible to build a glove that doesn't change the feel so much that it's useless.

Pretty sure no pitcher would ever want to wear a glove on his throwing hand.

[pots]

Bot 2nd

Howard - single to center on first pitch
Ibanez - strike, ball, ball, ball, ground ball to second, easy doube play 2 out
Fransisco - ball, pop out to second, hall makes catch right at foul line (almost mijudged it)

0-0 after 2

[pots]

top 3rd

Wallace - inside ball, away swinging strike(late), inside ball, swinging strike under a fastball, weak groundout to 3rd  
Q - inside ball, outside ball, inside ball, strike (inside), fould off strike away, swing in miss 2 down
Myers - ball outside, stike taking, strike swinging, Myers BASEHIT up the middle
Bourn - smokes a line drive to Howard, would have been extra bases had it not found a glove.

0-0 Mid 3rd

[pots]

Who had Myers in the top of the 3rd?

[Reuben]

Myers!

[pots]

Bot 3rd

Ruiz - strike looking, ball outside, ground out 3rd
Valdez (Utley's replacement) - ball (bounced it), double to left (no comment)
Halladay - grounds out to short, (behind second bobbled almost safe) (actually he was) (runner to 3rd)
Vistorino - ball low, ball high and away(looked like he lost it), strike fastball inside corner, ball inside, fly ball to center

0-0 after 3

[BudGirl]

Bot 3rd

Ruiz - strike looking, ball outside, ground out 3rd
Valdez (Utley's replacement) - ball (bounced it), double to left (no comment)
Halladay - grounds out to short, (behind second bobbled almost safe) (actually he was)

it was very close

[Reuben]

Is there a reason Hall was standing five feet in front of 2nd base to take that throw from Carlos on the Valdez hit?

[Mr. Happy]

it was very close

It really wasn't. Halladay helped out by jogging initially down the line.

[Reuben]

It really wasn't. Halladay helped out by jogging initially down the line.

It was a great play by Sanchez to even stop that ball from going through- I was surprised he threw it at first.

[pots]

it was very close

replay showed he made it but the ump felt knew that Sanchez was involved in the play

[Mr. Happy]

It was a great play by Sanchez to even stop that ball from going through- I was surprised he threw it at first.

Agreed. Hey. Great news. Dr. Brown now not doing his clinic's commercials.

[Mr. Happy]

Is there a reason Hall was standing five feet in front of 2nd base to take that throw from Carlos on the Valdez hit?

Consider who was throwing the ball.

[pots]

Top 4th
Sanchez - ball, strike, ball strike, foul, ball, BASEHIT up the middle
Pence - runner going, taylor made ground ball that could only get one due to runner going (Sanchez to second)
Lee - foul, foul (broken bat), fly ball center
Hall - ball inside, stike swinging(fastball), oooo ball just off the plate,  deep line drive to left, Ibanez tracks it down

0-0 mid 4th

[chuck]

Now, I certainly get some credit for calling Angel's hit in the top of the 4th.

[EasTexAstro]

Hunter be Hacking!!1!!!111

Actually, if Sanchez was running, it had to be a hit and run, I guess. Angel isn't known for his speed.

[Mr. Happy]

Now, I certainly get some credit for calling Angel's hit in the top of the 4th.

I noted that.

[WakePhil]

Hunter be Hacking!!1!!!111

Caught the first inning on my lunch break so I'm late to the commenting action, but Hunter's first AB was pretty funny. Everybody remembered to keep their notes from last year. Slider away on 0-2, eventually puts him away on a high fastball. Feels good to be watching baseball again.

[Reuben]

Consider who was throwing the ball.

Lee, not Pence. It actually looked on-line, but Hall had to reach (and fall) back because he was so far towards the LF side of the bag.

[MusicMan]

DoRay with the first "frantic call of the warning track fly out" of the season.

[pots]

Bot 4th
Polanco - ball high, flys out to Pence
Rollins- 3-2 ground out to 3rd.  Hot shot, nice play by CJ to his left
Howard - grounds out to 1st, Myers covers

0-0 after 4

[BudGirl]

DoRay with the first "frantic call of the warning track fly out" of the season.

could make it a drinking game.  take a shot everytime they get excited over an out.

[Ty in Tampa]

could make it a drinking game.  take a shot everytime they get excited over an out.

That would require listening to them. I don't need a buzz that bad.

[Mr. Happy]

Lee, not Pence. It actually looked on-line, but Hall had to reach (and fall) back because he was so far towards the LF side of the bag.

Lee made an uncharacterically strong throw. Lee is fairly accurate, but he doesn't have much of an arm.

[pots]

You ready OSF?

[pots]

Top 5th -
CJ - inside ball, strike swinging, fouled off ball inside, ball (breaking pitch low and away), foul, ball just outside, foul, strike swinging on fastball outside part of the plate
Wallace - ball high, Wallace's bat explodes, pop out.
Q - ball, swinging strike, ball inside, swinging strike (pitch may have caught outside corner), Q line drive to right, Fransicso tracking it deep, muffs it (hit bottom of glove)  Q to second
Myers - ball low, foul, Myers, Basehit to right but right at a shallow right fielder, Q to 3rd
Bourn - ball, ball, strike looking, fly out to fight, one step shy of the wall.

0-0 mid 5th

[Mr. Happy]

Halladay is pretty sharp today. He's got some killer movement.

[BudGirl]

almost looked like pence there for a minute

[MusicMan]

Q with a... double??  Nope.  E9.

[BudGirl]

Q with a... double??

ruled an error

[BudGirl]

Myers, Myers, he's our guy...

[Mr. Happy]

Myers is 2-2.

[chuck]

Hunter be Hacking!!1!!!111

Actually, if Sanchez was running, it had to be a hit and run, I guess. Angel isn't known for his speed.

I'm always happy to point out Pence's various shortcomings but it was indeed a hit and run and Pence did a pretty good job with a ball that was not at all easy to place.

[MusicMan]

Myers, our greatest offensive weapon, smacks a single to RF, Q held at 3b.

[moriartp]

Myers is 2-2.

He wants this win.

[EasTexAstro]

I'm always happy to point out Pence's various shortcomings but it was indeed a hit and run and Pence did a pretty good job with a ball that was not at all easy to place.

That is why I went back and modified my statement. I had just walked in and saw he swung on the first pitch (watching on Gameday). I realized I was unfair.

[Mr. Happy]

That wind is blowing hard out to RF.

[Ron Brand]

Here it comes. DoRay just said that the Astros were making better contact off of Halladay than the Phillies were off of Myers. Thanks a lot.

[BudGirl]

Here it comes. DoRay just said that the Astros were making better contact off of Halladay than the Phillies were off of Myers. Thanks a lot.

assholes.

[chuck]

That is why I went back and modified my statement. I had just walked in and saw he swung on the first pitch (watching on Gameday). I realized I was unfair.

No, I know, I was just pointing out for those who aren't watching that he did well to get a bat on it. And hey, he actually picked up the sign so he's got that going for him too!

[pots]

Bot 5th -
Ibanez - strike outside corner, ball high, grounds out to second
Fransicso scorched one to CJ (who had to catch it or eat it)
Ruiz - ball, ball, strike, strike swinging(may have been high), flys out to center

0-0 after 5

[EasTexAstro]

Here it comes. DoRay just said that the Astros were making better contact off of Halladay than the Phillies were off of Myers. Thanks a lot.

Tags Tweet: An easy 1-2-3 fourth inning for Myers. He's thrown only 36 pitches.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm glad I had the day off and can listen to JD and Brownie, instead of DoRay

[MusicMan]

Dear future owner(s) of the Houston Astros:

Please get rid of DoRay.  Even if you have to call the game yourself.  Just do it.

[Mr. Happy]

Myers got away with two pitches in that inning. But that's how it goes when things are going your way.

[chuck]

I'm glad I had the day off and can listen to JD and Brownie, instead of DoRay

I was just feeling very sorry for Ron Brand.

[BudGirl]

phanatic mocking lady gaga. 

[pots]

Top 6 (whenever you are ready OSF)

Sanchez - strike on outside corner, foul, fouls off pitch that was about a half inch off the ground, ball low, basehit up the middle under the glove of Valdez (who was there in time)
Pence - foul, ball way high, lines one off the right field wall (double), Sanchez to 3rd
Lee - (infield back) ball, ball inside, Lee soft liner caught by second baseman running back
Hall - infield still back, foul, foul, ball, foul back(inside part of the plate), RBI ground out to second.  1-0 Astros  Pence to third
CJ - Ball, strike looking, strike swinging, ball (bounced), foul, flys out to left (101 pitches for Halladay)

1--0 Stros mid 6th

[chuck]

phanatic mocking lady gaga. 

I wondered what the fuck that was all about.

[chuck]

Fuck me, Sanchez is slow.

[BudGirl]

out of the infield carlos, out of the infield

[austro]

Fuck me, Sanchez is slow.

Yes, he is.

[Ron Brand]

Hey, their outfield can throw a little.

[BudGirl]

I wondered what the fuck that was all about.

it did some kind of "rebirth" crap before an awards show.

[Mr. Happy]

Well, thanks a lot El Caballo.

[BudGirl]

out of the infield bill, out of the infield

[MusicMan]

For the first and far from last time this season:

FUCK YOU, YOU FAT FUCK.

[sporadic]

out of the infield bill, out of the infield

dude(ette), did not work for Carlos, don't go back to that well

[matadorph]

An Astros win today would help take the sting out of the chunk of change I spent on a new set of Michelin tires today.

Ah, fuck it. I am drinking good Texas beer on Opening Day. There is no L in this equation.

[BudGirl]

dude(ette), did not work for Carlos, don't go back to that well

wasn't out of the infield, but he got the rbi.

[Mr. Happy]

Hall missed one, but he recovers and gets one in.

[MusicMan]

Thank you, Bill.

[Ron Brand]

Situational hitting, as per DoRay.

[BudGirl]

i have missed JD.  He's the bomb.

[austro]

Well, thanks a lot El Caballo.

I assume that Lee did not get the RBI.

[sporadic]

wasn't out of the infield, but he got the rbi.

yet another reason why women should not listen to me

[BudGirl]

yet another reason why women should not listen to me

have no doubt, we don't.

[Mr. Happy]

No, Hall drove in the run.

[Ron Brand]

Whoa, Halladay's being hit for?

[pots]

Bot 6h

Valdez - Flys out to Carlos on first pitch
pinch hitter for Halladay, Orr - ball low and inside, strike just caught the plate outside, line drive caught by Wallace, nice play
Victorino - ball just low, ball low, ball outside, strike taking all the way, ball low and outside, bah  walk
Polanco - ball high, YESSSSS Victorino thrown out, Q from his knees!

1-0 Astros after 6

[BudGirl]

well, roy h is done for the day.  is that good or bad?

[dirty steve]

halladay with only six innings today?  something wrong?

[moriartp]

Whoa, Halladay's being hit for?

101 pitches. Can't have that.

[MusicMan]

101 pitches. Can't have that.

On a cold day on opening day?  Understandable.

[BudGirl]

nice catch mr. wallace.

[dirty steve]

nice stretch by wallace.

[MusicMan]

WALRUS!!

[Ron Brand]

Brett Wallace, you are a bad man.

[OregonStrosFan]

If Myers implodes now it is all JD... Dude...

[BudGirl]

at least bb and jd realized they jinxed myers by talking about his pitch count. 

[loganck]

that was pretty amazing

[BudGirl]

bad ass q

[matadorph]

OMG. What a fucking throw Q!

[OregonStrosFan]

Q, you are a bad man.

This too!

[chuck]

DO NOT FUCK WITH Q.

[Mr. Happy]

Q!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pots]

You want it OFS?

[Ron Brand]

I love Q's defense. Fearless.

[austro]

I assume that Victorino is a dead man?

[dirty steve]

do not have DVR at work.  was that from his knees?

[BudGirl]

I assume that Victorino is a dead man?

yes, inning over.

[matadorph]

JD brought the brilliance again: "Q School!"

[BudGirl]

do not have DVR at work.  was that from his knees?

yes

[MusicMan]

do not have DVR at work.  was that from his knees?

According to DoRay it was.

/hasnoideaifthisreflectsreality

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Wow, did GameDay look this good during ST?  The new graphical view is pretty amazing.

Though somehow I doubt the weather is that sunny in Philly.

[pots]

Top 7

Romero pitching
Wallace - ball low, foul, Basehit to left
Manual on to takeo out Romero, Herndon in
Q - ball inside, throw over, basehit to right, Wallace was waiting to see if it was caught, barely made it to second
Myers - waves a bunt for strike 1, oo Myers fakes the bunt but the pitch was outside so he had to take, foul bunt, ball, bunt sacrifice, 2nd and 3rd one out
Bourn - ball, triple to right center, 2 runs score 3-0 Astros
Sanchez sac fly 4-0 Astros
Pence pops to first

4-0 Astros middle of 7th

Matt Holliday to have apemdectomy (sp?)

[BudGirl]

nice hit mr. wallace

[chuck]

You guys that are listening to the game need to track down the video of that throw. It was fucking sick and Hall's tag was great too.

[MusicMan]

Wow, did GameDay look this good during ST?  The new graphical view is pretty amazing.

Badges?!?!  We don't need no stinking badges.

[EasTexAstro]

Wow, did GameDay look this good during ST?  The new graphical view is pretty amazing.

Though somehow I doubt the weather is that sunny in Philly.

It has popped up a little icon, once. It allowed me to watch 5 minutes of MLBTV for free. It showed up right beside the video icon on the bottom.

[geezerdonk]

There is no reason for El Gordissimo to go back out on the field in the 7th.

[dirty steve]

am i the only one who likes the road grays ALOT better than the road red jerseys?

they can lose the saturday uniforms, too.

[Mr. Happy]

That was close.

[austro]

Wow, did GameDay look this good during ST?  The new graphical view is pretty amazing.

I can't get the thing to run on my Firefox here at work. Is anybody else having similar trouble?

[moriartp]

It has popped up a little icon, once. It allowed me to watch 5 minutes of MLBTV for free. It showed up right beside the video icon on the bottom.

It made me consider giving them a lot of money for MLB.TV (considering I won't have a TV here for most of the season), but then I realized I'd be blacked out. GAMEDAY IT IS.

[MusicMan]

Do you bunt with your best hitter?

[geezerdonk]

Gameday showed Quintero batting left handed.

[MusicMan]

I can't get the thing to run on my Firefox here at work. Is anybody else having similar trouble?

/whispers:

I run IE7

[das]

You guys that are listening to the game need to track down the video of that throw. It was fucking sick and Hall's tag was great too.

Indeed it was.  Looks really good on MLB.TV too.  MLB seems to have tuned the stream quite a bit.

[Mr. Happy]

Do you bunt with your best hitter?

Not bunting now.

[hostros7]

am i the only one who likes the road grays ALOT better than the road red jerseys?

they can lose the saturday uniforms, too.

I wish they only went solid white and road grays.  Then, occasionally the brick on holiday, etc.  BUT, if if wishes were truly granted, I'd revert back to the navy/orange color scheme.

[geezerdonk]

Ain't much speed on the base paths.

[MusicMan]

Indeed it was.  Looks really good on MLB.TV too.  MLB seems to have tuned the stream quite a bit.

Oh my.

[BudGirl]

successful bunt.  now it is time for SBB to get his first hit of the season.

[MusicMan]

Not bunting now.

Au contraire.

[Mr. Happy]

Not bunting now.

Well fuck me. Good bunt with two strikes.

[rifraft]

You guys that are listening to the game need to track down the video of that throw. It was fucking sick and Hall's tag was great too.

Its available on gameday now.

[OregonStrosFan]

SWEET BABY BOURN!!!!!

[chuck]

FUCK YEAH.

[BudGirl]

oh my, he makes me smile.  2 run triple.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bourn!!!! 2 run Triple

[hostros7]

successful bunt.  now it is time for SBB to get his first hit of the season.

new acronym is SDB = Sweet Daddy Bourn

[matadorph]

My mancrush continues to grow. I love Bourn.

[MusicMan]

Bourn!!

[das]

Ain't much speed on the base paths.

Bourn!!!!!!

[rifraft]

SWEET BABY BOURN!!!!!

Earned me a badge!

[Mr. Happy]

successful bunt.  now it is time for SBB to get his first hit of the season.

Great call!

[BudGirl]

new acronym is SDB = Sweet Daddy Bourn

he's not my daddy, so no.

[Ron Brand]

There's some speed on the bases NOW, dammit.

[MusicMan]

Angel Sanchez will score that run every time.

[Ron Brand]

Zang. 4-0 Good Guys!

[dirty steve]

keep booing ex-phillies, philly fan.

[MusicMan]

Earned me a badge!

I didn't realize you were 12.

[das]

Oh my.

??

[BudGirl]

nice inning.

[geezerdonk]

It looked like Quintero may have woofed a little to Polanco after the throw.

[Mr. Happy]

Phucking Phillie Phans booing the home nine. I love it.

[Alkie]

I just got my first chance to take a breath and look at the score.

ESPN.com and MLB.com are both broken and are showing an Astros-Phillies score from 1999.  Someone let me know what the real score is please.

[MusicMan]

??

Had just watched the video.  It was a thing of beauty. "Oh my" said with the Baseball Annie voice.

[MikeyBoy]

Video of Q's throw is now up on Game Day. Wow.

[BudGirl]

they got a season of perfect saves, we got bourn   at least they haven't thrown anything at them yet.

[MusicMan]

I just got my first chance to take a breath and look at the score.

ESPN.com and MLB.com are both broken and are showing an Astros-Phillies score from 1999.  Someone let me know what the real score is please.

Astros are winning i to 0.

[BudGirl]

I just got my first chance to take a breath and look at the score.

ESPN.com and MLB.com are both broken and are showing an Astros-Phillies score from 1999.  Someone let me know what the real score is please.

4-0 Astros.

[chuck]

Angel Sanchez will score that run every time.

Hell yeah he will. I love Sanchez batting second.

[Mr. Happy]

Let's geaux Astros!

[MusicMan]

PHIL-LY BULL-PEN (clap, clap, clap clap clap)

[Alkie]

4-0 Astros.

Shit, now BudGirl is broken too.

Can someone tell me the REAL score of TODAY'S Astros/Phillies game?  The one that Roy Halladay started for the 162-0 World Champeen Phillies?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Hell yeah he will. I love Sanchez batting second.

Nobody fucks with the Sanchez.

[pots]

Bot 7th

Polanco - ball high, strike called, ball bounced, ball high, control seems to have left him, ball way high walk
Rollins - strike called, ball high, foul, basehit through hole between first and second
(pen getting up)
Howard - strike called(phillies being patient), foul, ball high, foul, ball way outside passed ball runners advance, Deep sac fly to center 4-1 Astros, rollins to 3rd
Ibanez - foul, groundball to Wallace, RBI, 4-2 Astros
Fransicso - ball, ball, pop foul Wallace miss plays due to wind, ball, foul, foul, ball walk  
Arnsberg to the mound
Ruiz - Strike called, ball away, fly out to Bourn

4-2 Astros after 7

[MusicMan]

control seems to have left him,

32 strikes, 31 balls.

[BudGirl]

i need a double play.

[Mr. Happy]

32 strikes, 31 balls.

Time to get up the bully.

[chuck]

Trouble. Leadoff walks kick your ass every time.

[Ron Brand]

That's it, get the fucking pen in motion.

[Ron Brand]

Two on, Howard up

[JaneDoe]

We interrupt this broadcast for the following message:

GreatBagwell'sBeard--
Check your PM

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

[BudGirl]

well, that sucked

[MusicMan]

Shitfuck... PB by Q.

[Mr. Happy]

Put Howard on now. Oh well. 4-1 with one out in bottom 6.

[MusicMan]

SF to CF.  Rollins into 3b.

[MusicMan]

Per DoRay: Matt Holliday just had an emergency appendectomy.

[Mr. Happy]

Bottom 7. I mistyped.

[MusicMan]

Both runs are unearned due to the PB, correct?

[JackAstro]

Hmm. 4-2.

[dirty steve]

Per DoRay: Matt Holliday just had an emergency appendectomy.

does that move berkman to the 4 hole for the turds?

[rifraft]

I didn't realize you were 12.

Check your sarcasm meter.

[MusicMan]

Check your sarcasm meter.

My bad.

[JackAstro]

[ashby]Both runs are unearned due to the PB, correct?[/ashby]

[dirty steve]

about time for visit by the pitching coach.

[Mr. Happy]

Be careful with Ruiz.

[rifraft]

My bad.

No problem.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

{sidebar} I PM'd back {/sidebar}

[Phil_in_CS]

is the bullpen getting ready?

[Mr. Happy]

Gut it up, Brett.

[das]

Arnsburg leaves Meyers in.  That's some trust.

7IP, 2 runs (1 earned).  Awesome start.

[dirty steve]

nice job by myers.  

[chuck]

Alright. I can live with that.

[HudsonHawk]

Both runs are unearned due to the PB, correct?

Only one is unearned.

[pots]

Where's the option to not tell me about replies so I can reply to the pbp instead of modfying it?

[Ron Brand]

Good to get out of that one.

[matadorph]

Ain't no E in Bourn, motherfucker!

[chuck]

is the bullpen getting ready?

Yes, Lopez and Del Rosario.

[MusicMan]

Only one is unearned.

There is no assumption of advancing on the fly ball... so how is only 1 unearned?

ETA: MLB agrees with you, trying to understand the scoring.

[HudsonHawk]

There is no assumption of advancing on the fly ball... so how is only 1 unearned?

No assumption necessary.  Both runners *did* advance on the fly ball.

[BudGirl]

carlos needs to join the party and get a hit.

[BudGirl]

carlos needs to join the party and get a hit.

well, nevermind

[pots]

Top 8th

Lee - grounds out to short
Hall - ball, ball, strike called, foul, strike swinging at ball low
CJ - ball just outside, foul, oooo right on it fouled it straight back, foul, CJ stikes out swinging at pitch in dirt

4-2 Astros mid 8th

[BUWebguy]

Interesting -- the Gameday highlight videos (like Q's throw) are all cued with audio from the broadcast of the team being highlighted. So Q's throw, Bourn's triple, etc., have JD & Brownie's audio; Halladay's K early on, Howard's SF, etc., have the Philly broadcast. Have they always done this? Either way, nice touch.

[austro]

carlos needs to join the party and get a hit.

It's not June yet.

[EasTexAstro]

Crap. The "Watch Live" button pooped up on Gameday, but it took me to the Cubs game.

[MusicMan]

Crap. The "Watch Live" button pooped up on Gameday, but it took me to the Cubs game.

I got the same tease.

[Phil_in_CS]

Yes, Lopez and Del Rosario.

Thanks - CNN's play by play has auto-refresh, which is nice, but they aren't listing details like who's warming up, coach's visits, etc.

[pots]

Bot 8th

Lopez in

Valdez - strike called, ground out to second
Gload pinch hitting - strike, ball, basehit.  Line drive to left
Victorino - foul, foul, ball outside, force out, Hall to Sanchez
Polanco - strike called, foul, ball low, ball outside, foul, Fly out to left (Lee was pulled which is good because that might have been a double instead)

4-2 Astros after 8

[Ebby Calvin]

Crap. The "Watch Live" button pooped up on Gameday, but it took me to the Cubs game.

"Pooped" should've tipped you off.

[MusicMan]

Lopez in.

[Mr. Happy]

Neighborhood call. Thank God.

[MusicMan]

DoRay basically just said Abad sucks, but he's the only lefty, so he's up in the pen.

[MusicMan]

That's why you replace Lee for defense.

[geezerdonk]

The mlbtv announcer had Wallace and Quintero "thundering" home on Bourn's triple.

[Mr. Happy]

Great defensive replacement. Lee doesn't make that catch.

[T. J.]

Anybody know how to slo-mo a rewinded play on this damn new Comcast DVR menu?  Hitting "play" again doesn't work anymore.

ETA:  "Rewinded"?  Really?  I'm an idiot.

[MRaup]

The mlbtv announcer had Wallace and Quintero "thundering" home on Bourn's triple.

That was JD and Brownie...

And holy jesus, Wallace's MLB Gameday picture is HORRIFYING.

[pots]

Top 9th

Baez in to pitch for Phils
Wallace strke&ball, ball, fly out down the left field line
Q- umm missed on a bunt strike 1, ball, strike looking, ball high, ground out to short
Bourgeois - foul, ball inside, foul, foul, foul, bouncer up the middle, infield basehit.  Just beat it out great play try by Rollins
Bourn - throw over, ball, ball, stolen base by Bourgeois, intentional ball, intentional ball - walk
pissed off Sanchez to the plate - weak ground out to pitcher

[BudGirl]

Great defensive replacement. Lee doesn't make that catch.

it's nice to have a manager, isn't it?

[Mr. Happy]

Wallace has had some good AB's today.

[T. J.]

Q trying to bunt for a base hit?  Is the 3B positioned in left?

[HudsonHawk]

And holy jesus, Wallace's MLB Gameday picture is HORRIFYING.

Ugly first basemen is an Astros tradition. 

[Mr. Happy]

it's nice to have a manager, isn't it?

Yes it is. Mills is a really good skipper.

[HudsonHawk]

Q trying to bunt for a base hit?  Is the 3B positioned in left?

Shhhhhh!  He's trying to sneak up on someone.

[MRaup]

Q trying to bunt for a base hit?  Is the 3B positioned in left?

Q's bunted for a hit once or twice.

If the 3B is playing back, it's never a bad idea to try and drop one down the line. Even when a buttertub like Q is running, it takes a helluva play to field and throw a well placed bunt.

[das]

Boojwa be hackin'

[Mr. Happy]

Bourgeois!!!!

[das]

Bourgeois!!!!

Did he take a single pitch?

[BudGirl]

q is better than r

[dirty steve]

Boojwa be hackin'

never knew the phonetic spelling of his name.  good to know.

[loganck]

Q trying to bunt for a base hit?  Is the 3B positioned in left?

Wasn't it Chavez that used to pull that all the time?   Drove me crazy.

[MusicMan]

IBB to Bourn with Boojwa on 2b?

Double steal, please.

[subnuclear]

Did he take a single pitch?

He took one for a ball.

[T. J.]

Did he take a single pitch?

Count was 1-2, so yes.

[pots]

Bot 9th

Lyon in
Rollins - strike called, ball just outside, basehit to right (broken bat but hit in the right spot
Howard - strike called, ball inside, ball low and outside, foul, ball, foul, basehit up the middle
Ibanez - ball inside, strike swinging, strike called on outside corner, pop up to second
Francisco - strike called, ball low and away, ball Rollins steals 3rd, foul, basehit to left 4-3 Astros.  runners on 1st and 2nd
Ruiz - strike called, foul just off the left field line heart attack breath breath, ball, foul, basehit to left bases loaded
Valdez - basehit tie score...crap
Mayberry - ball, foul, ball, foul, basehit over Bourn Astros Lose

[Ron Brand]

Offspeed against the heart of the order.

[geezerdonk]

middle of the order

[das]

Let's turn two.

[MusicMan]

Howard 3-4, HR career vs. Lyon.

Let's turn that around.

[Ron Brand]

Lyon throwing fastballs.

[BudGirl]

i'm nervous

[HudsonHawk]

Strike em out throw em out here!

[Ron Brand]

i'm nervous

Oh my yes, this is quite tenses.

[HudsonHawk]

Boys we gotta get an out here.

[Ron Brand]

Balls.

[matadorph]

Oh my yes, this is quite tenses.

N. Deed.

[Ron Brand]

Howard singles to center.

[Phil_in_CS]

Let's turn two.

that's what we need

[MusicMan]

I don't like this ride, it's scary.

[BudGirl]

except for the fact that the astros need 3 outs to finish it.

[HudsonHawk]

That's what we need.  1 down.

[Mr. Happy]

Huge out.

[Ron Brand]

Ibanez pops out to second.

[Ron Brand]

Ok, let's get two now.

[BudGirl]

bugger

[MusicMan]

Rollins steals 3b... strange move when you're down by 2.  Howard stays at 1b.

[HudsonHawk]

bugger

No damage. Rollins means squat.

[Ron Brand]

Why steal third in that situation?

[Ron Brand]

FUCK.

[BudGirl]

No damage. Rollins means squat.

disagree.  you still have runners on 1 & 2 with one out.  granted howard's not speedy, but he's sitll in scoring position

[MusicMan]

Single to CF makes it 4-3.  Howard stops at 2b.

[HudsonHawk]

disagree.  you still have runners on 1 & 2 with one out.  granted howard's not speedy, but he's sitll in scoring position

Not from 1B he's not.

[Mr. Happy]

Fuck. Breaking bats but giving up hits.

[MusicMan]

disagree.  you still have runners on 1 & 2 with one out.  granted howard's not speedy, but he's sitll in scoring position

No, he stayed put until the single.  And Rollins scores from 2b regardless.

[BudGirl]

Not from 1B he's not.

i was worried about a single, not a SF.

[Ty in Tampa]

disagree.  you still have runners on 1 & 2 with one out.  granted howard's not speedy, but he's sitll in scoring position

Rollins would have scored anyway.

[OregonStrosFan]

Heart. Just. Stopped. For. A. Moment.

[MusicMan]

Ruiz lines one just foul.

[BudGirl]

Rollins would have scored anyway.

you think he would have scored from 2nd on that single?  if that is the case, then it would not have mattered stealing 3rd.

[HudsonHawk]

i was worried about a single, not a SF.

Even on a single, Howard moves to 2B.  I'm not sure of you point.

[Mr. Happy]

Hanging hook. Got away with it.

[Ty in Tampa]

you think he would have scored from 2nd on that single?  if that is the case, then it would not have mattered stealing 3rd.

Rollins, he-a-speedy.

[BudGirl]

Even on a single, Howard moves to 2B.  I'm not sure of you point.

bases loaded versus 4-3 score.  it's just that i think the steal paid off for philly at this point.

[Ron Brand]

He's hacking, give it to him low and away.

[Phil_in_CS]

Even on a single, Howard moves to 2B.  I'm not sure of you point.

the point is everyone is nervous and bitchy

[BudGirl]

and now it doesn't matter.

[HudsonHawk]

bases loaded versus 4-3 score.  it's just that i think the steal paid off for philly at this point.

The steal meant squat.  Howard is the runner who counts.

[OregonStrosFan]

3 broken bats singles this inning. UGH!

[austro]

Are there two outs?

[T. J.]

Three fucking broken bats.  Three fucking hits.  Glad they didn't PR for Howard.

[MusicMan]

Hard single to LF, Howard holds at 3b.

[JimR]

steal there=bad play

[MusicMan]

Are there two outs?

One.

[Ron Brand]

I'd like to see Melancon right about now.

[Ty in Tampa]

Lyon is the problem here.

[OregonStrosFan]

Are there two outs?

1

[Phil_in_CS]

Are there two outs?

one

[OregonStrosFan]

SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HudsonHawk]

Well shitfuck.

[matadorph]

3 broken bats singles this inning. UGH!

and one broken remote.

[HudsonHawk]

You can't lob the ball in letter high with the tying run on 3B.

[EasTexAstro]

uno.

[Mr. Happy]

Lyon is a weak link. I want a fireballer out there.

[MusicMan]

Lyon is the problem here.

Correct.

[Ty in Tampa]

The foul to LF was the hardest hit ball this inning.

[JimR]

the single that tied it was hard hit.

[Ron Brand]

The foul to LF was the hardest hit ball this inning.

Yeah, but what was it? Five hits in a row? He can't get the ground ball and that is what he needs.

[HudsonHawk]

Yeah, but what was it? Five hits in a row? He can't get the ground ball and that is what he needs.

He's not gonna get it either, as long as he stays above the belt.

[Ron Brand]

He's not gonna get it either, as long as he stays above the belt.

I think he's thrown two low ones and both were balls away.

[matadorph]

Might could have gone with Lindstrom but Wade sucks /lisagray

[Ron Brand]

30 fucking pitches for Lyon so far.

[HudsonHawk]

Fuckshit.

[MusicMan]

Might could have gone with Lindstrom but Wade sucks /lisagray

Too properly spelled and coherent to be lisa gray.

[JimR]

fuck. what a way to start.

[BudGirl]

playing too shallow.

that sucks.

6 hits in one inning.

[Ty in Tampa]

Wel, well, well-fucking-well...

[Ron Brand]

Thanks, DoRay. "It's his to lose."

[JackAstro]

SHITFUCK

[MusicMan]

We better get used to this shit.

[loganck]

Well, that sucked.

[HudsonHawk]

I think he's thrown two low ones and both were balls away.

I'm not a big fan of soft tossers who nibble as your closer.

[matadorph]

I would've rather lost 10-0.

[rifraft]

That sucked.  Strong work by Brett Myers though.

[chuck]

Fuck you and your magic underwear.

[Ty in Tampa]

Too good a game to lose it that way.

[MusicMan]

playing too shallow.

No.  Any deep fly ball ends the game anyway.  You have to stop the bloopers.

[Ron Brand]

Feckshite.

[HudsonHawk]

playing too shallow.

that sucks.

6 hits in one inning.

He was playing where he had too.  That ends the game no matter what.

[roadrunner]

That's about right

[David in Jackson]

I was ready to enjoy, for just one day, the 2011 season.  Oh well.  Settle in for 161 more.

[HudsonHawk]

I would've rather lost 10-0.

Not me.  I love 1-run baseball.

[Ron Brand]

I'm not a big fan of soft tossers who nibble as your closer.

No. It's a tough way to close.

[BudGirl]

I'm not a big fan of soft tossers who nibble as your closer.

I was wondering why is he the closer.  Did he have the best spring? 

[HudsonHawk]

That's about right

Fuck you, you frontrunning little cocksuck.

[austro]

I was wondering why is he the closer.  Did he have the best spring? 

Experience.

[HudsonHawk]

I was wondering why is he the closer.  Did he have the best spring? 

He had the best 2010.

[MusicMan]

I was ready to enjoy, for just one day, the 2011 season.  Oh well.  Settle in for 161 more.

I enjoyed it for 8.5 innings.

[Ron Brand]

I was ready to enjoy, for just one day, the 2011 season.  Oh well.  Settle in for 161 more.

You could've enjoyed yesterday.

[BudGirl]

He was playing where he had too.  That ends the game no matter what.

i know, but he almost got it.  run still would have scored.

[Phil_in_CS]

That sucked.  Strong work by Brett Myers though.

Yep. And, it is baseball season again! At least there's that.

[T. J.]

0.1 IP, 6 hits, 3 earned runs, ERA = 81.00

[BudGirl]

He had the best 2010.

that's what i figured just wanted to be sure.

[Mr. Happy]

Let's go get 'em tomorrow, guys!

[MusicMan]

At least the FTC gave up a grand slam during that fiasco.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Well Lyon sure crapped a big ol' stinky turd.

[HudsonHawk]

that's what i figured just wanted to be sure.

Lyon can be a good guy to have in the pen.  I'm just not convinced he'll make a good closer.

[pots]

Only a matter of time before Lopez is closing

[Ron Brand]

Only a matter of time before Lopez is closing

Melancon, baby. Melancon.

[Ty in Tampa]

Everything else looked pretty good. Much better than I expected.

[BudGirl]

lot of good stuff in the game.  who would have thought it was going to be that close to handing Roy H the loss?

[Reuben]

Well Lyon sure crapped a big ol' stinky turd.

Maybe someone already mentioned this, but the score would've been 4-1 or maybe even 4-0 (coming into the 9th) if Q hadn't gotten sloppy with the PB in the 7th. So he has to take part of the blame. Easily preventable PB, in my opinion.

[BudGirl]

Maybe someone already mentioned this, but the score would've been 4-1 or maybe even 4-0 (coming into the 9th) if Q hadn't gotten sloppy with the PB in the 7th. So he has to take part of the blame. Easily preventable PB, in my opinion.

he also gets credit for the CS in the 6th. 

[HudsonHawk]

Maybe someone already mentioned this, but the score would've been 4-1 or maybe even 4-0 (coming into the 9th) if Q hadn't gotten sloppy with the PB in the 7th. So he has to take part of the blame. Easily preventable PB, in my opinion.

He got crossed up.  It happens.  They had a 2-run lead going into the 9th. 

[pots]

Everything else looked pretty good. Much better than I expected.

Almost everything else.  I'm trying not to rip on him so much, but Lee is less then useful at this point.  

[matadorph]

Losing to everyone's WS pick in that manner on national TV sucks, but The Void sucks harder.

My bitching notwithstanding, I must say it was a good day.

[chuck]

Maybe someone already mentioned this, but the score would've been 4-1 or maybe even 4-0 (coming into the 9th) if Q hadn't gotten sloppy with the PB in the 7th. So he has to take part of the blame. Easily preventable PB, in my opinion.

Did you see it? It was very, very wide and Q could barely get a glove on it. The easy part of prevention is having the pitcher not throw a fastball five feet off the plate.

[HudsonHawk]

Almost everything else.  I'm trying not to rip on him so much, but Lee is less then useful at this point.  

At this point?  It's been one game.  We're starting to pass around the blame on April 1st?

[Reuben]

he also gets credit for the CS in the 6th. 

That was damn impressive- an absolutely perfect throw. I certainly expect him to have more of those than sloppy PB's this year.

[HudsonHawk]

That was damn impressive- an absolutely perfect throw. I certainly expect him to have more of those than sloppy PB's this year.

There was nothing sloppy about the passed ball.

[pots]

That was damn impressive- an absolutely perfect throw. I certainly expect him to have more of those than sloppy PB's this year.

It was wide enough that if he didn't get a glove on it it may have been called a wild pitch.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I thought it was up and away enough to be a wild pitch.

[matadorph]

At this point?  It's been one game.  We're starting to pass around the blame on April 1st?

He is fat! And slow!

[Reuben]

Did you see it? It was very, very wide and Q could barely get a glove on it. The easy part of prevention is having the pitcher not throw a fastball five feet off the plate.

I did. No question it was a bad pitch, but it looked (to me) like Q got the glove out there easily but took his eye off it and it doinked off the fingers. Sloppy in that respect.

[pots]

At this point?  It's been one game.  We're starting to pass around the blame on April 1st?

Did not blame Lee for anything.  My point is his offense has weakened to the point that it doesn't make up for the defense.  

Bourgeois would have caught the double by Valdez in the 3rd and Lee would not have caught the pop up by Polanco.  Not every game will have one of these but enough that it hurts

[matadorph]

No Astros Live here in Austin?

Fuck the Rangers!

[Reuben]

There was nothing sloppy about the passed ball.

OK, I'm gonna defer to your take on this one, seeing as I've never laid hands on a catcher's glove. Apologies to Q.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fuck Josh Lewin.

[MusicMan]

Rangers start the season with an outfield collision.

[HudsonHawk]

Did not blame Lee for anything.  My point is his offense has weakened to the point that it doesn't make up for the defense.  

It's been one fucking game.  Jesus.  It's already begun.

[pots]

It's been one fucking game.  Jesus.  It's already begun.

Fine.  I knew I shouldn't have mentioned it.   I had blast watching the game.  Defense made some great plays, offense showed signs of promise and aside from the last half an inning, the Astros dominated that game.

[matadorph]

Fine.  I knew I shouldn't have mentioned it.   I had blast watching the game.  Defense made some great plays, offense showed signs of promise and aside from the last half an inning, the Astros dominated that game.

It's a GZ thread, bitch away.

Fucking Lyon. Argh.

[MusicMan]

Closers.  How do they work?

YOU CAN"T EXPLAIN THAT.

[Ty in Tampa]

It's a GZ thread, bitch away.

Fucking Lyon. Argh.

This evening's drive down to Miami with my lovely girlfriend who is also a Philly-style Phillies fan will be an absolute blast.

[JimR]

playing too shallow.

that sucks.

6 hits in one inning.

he had to play shallow. winning run on 3rd.

[MusicMan]

This evening's drive down to Miami with my lovely girlfriend who is also a Philly-style Phillies fan will be an absolute blast.

Ask her to show you their World Series highlights from last year.

[Ty in Tampa]

Ask her to show you their World Series highlights from last year.

Win!

[Reuben]

Win!

Better yet, show her the video of Howard's season-ending AB. Then remind her about his massive contract.

[matadorph]

Better yet, show her the video of Howard's season-ending AB. Then remind her about his massive contract.

Written in black ink...

[MRaup]

Written in black ink...

RACISM ALERT!

[BudGirl]

he had to play shallow. winning run on 3rd.

I know.  I just wish he had been able to catch and at least make a throw to home.  That's all.  I really and truly did not mean he was positioned wrong.

[drew corleone]

Lots of positives out there today.

[MRaup]

Lots of positives out there today.

Cue Mr. Happy in 5,4,3,2...

[Ron Brand]

Your 2011 Houston Astros...Fucking Fiat of a Team.

[Alkie]

Wait.

You're kidding.

True story:  I am following the 8th and 9th innings and get busy right after the first two batters in the bottom of the 9th.  Thinking the game is over, I forget about it until just now and go back to check the final.

What the fuck?

[MusicMan]

The game is, indeed, over.

[Ron Brand]

Wait.

You're kidding.

True story:  I am following the 8th and 9th innings and get busy right after the first two batters in the bottom of the 9th.  Thinking the game is over, I forget about it until just now and go back to check the final.

What the fuck?

You just snapped back from 1999 and the Twilight Zone.

[OregonStrosFan]

That sucked.  Strong work by Brett Myers though.

As grumpy as I was about the end of the game is as pleased as I was with Myers performance.  Call me skeptical, but I've had my doubts that he could come close to repeating last years performance.  Now I dunno... the kid keeps this up and he might have a future on the mound...

[JimR]

Almost everything else.  I'm trying not to rip on him so much, but Lee is less then useful at this point.  

based on this, Pujols should be released.

[Mr. Happy]

Cue Mr. Happy in 5,4,3,2...

I saw a much better club than I saw in ST. It'z a heartbreaker to lose this way, but I'm thinking that my prediction of wins is under.

[Alkie]

The game is, indeed, over.

I have to say, even with the expectations for this season, I still can't believe it.

When my wife said "hey, we're up 4, late" I started following the box score updates and it honestly didn't occur to me that we'd blow this one.   I thought we had a decent bullpen this year?

[MusicMan]

I thought we had a decent bullpen this year?

Only if Lyon could continue his late 2010 work.

[Mr. Happy]

Please. Cut the Q criticism on the passed ball. That really was on Myers. Q played a great game.

[Ron Brand]

Please. Cut the Q criticism on the passed ball. That really was on Myers. Q played a great game.

This one wasn't really lost by inches unless you're counting how far up Lyon was getting his pitches. It happens. Hopefully it was just one of those days and they'll get 'em tomorrow.

[Ty in Tampa]

This one wasn't really lost by inches unless you're counting how far up Lyon was getting his pitches. It happens. Hopefully it was just one of those days and they'll get 'em tomorrow.

The further I get from this one the better I feel about it.

[OregonStrosFan]

B9 not withstanding, it was DAMN NICE to see some regular season Astros baseball again!!! Screw the Void (and FTC)!

[dirty steve]

so is sanchez batting #2 a permanent thing until barmes gets healthy?  could wallace be an option if he starts fast?

[austro]

so is sanchez batting #2 a permanent thing until barmes gets healthy?  could wallace be an option if he starts fast?

I don't want Wallace giving himself up to move Bourn along. I want him swinging the bat for hits.

[BudGirl]

Wallace is way to slow of a runner for batting 2nd.

[MusicMan]

Wallace is way to slow of a runner for batting 2nd.

If it's Sanchez and Wallace in a footrace, we all lose.

[dirty steve]

Wallace is way too slow of a runner for batting 2nd.

so is sanchez.  i guess it's just him by default until barmes gets back.  bummer.

[austro]

If it's Sanchez and Wallace in a footrace, we all lose fall asleep.

FIFY

[pots]

so is sanchez.  i guess it's just him by default until barmes gets back.  bummer.

Good news on that front, they are expecting him back a week or 2 sooner.

[pots]

From a Footer tweet:

"This game was like a really good movie with an ending that sucked." Deshaies

Also good news on the Happ front, apparently his pitching session went good, he's making his start Sunday

[Russ99]

Good to see the Astros make progress vs. arguably the best in the NL, even though Lyon blew it.

Hopefully the guys bring the same mentality tomorrow and sneak a win away from those guys.

[Lurch]

Holy shit.  20 fucking pages?  Fuck you guys.

[austro]

Hey, we're passionate!

[loganck]

Closers.  How do they work?

YOU CAN"T EXPLAIN THAT.

nice.

[BUWebguy]

based on this, Pujols should be released.

John Mozeliak, are you listening?