6/16/2011: Lyles vs. Bucs

[MusicMan]

Tabata LF
Paul RF
McCutcheon CF
Walker 2b
Jones 1b
Harrison 3b
Cedeno SS
Brown C
McDonald P

Bourn CF
Keppinger 2b
Pence RF
Lee LF
Wallace 1b
Downs 3b
Sanchez SS
Corporan C
Lyles P

TOP 1: Single-K looking-walk-k-swinging, 3 run HR to RF on 1-2 pitch, grounder to end inning

3-0 Pirates

[EasTexAstro]

I was going to go with the Pirates crossing Jordan, but no matter what, Mr. Happy should probably avoid looking at this today.

[geezerdonk]

Is Bourgeois hurt?

[MusicMan]

BOT 1:
Bourn flies to LF
Kepp singles to LF
Pence singles to LF
Lee flies to CF, both runners advance
Wallace walks
Downs flies to RF

End 1, 3-0 Pirates

[MusicMan]

TOP 2:
Cedeno lines out to RCF, nice running catch by Bourn
Brown grounds to 2b
McDonald K looking

[MusicMan]

Astros went 1-2-3 when I blinked and missed it.

[MusicMan]

Top 3:

Tabata comebacker to Lyles for the out
Paul flies to LF
McCutchen 6-3

After bad first, Lyles settling down, 48 pitches through 3.

3-0 Pirates.

[Limey]

Astros went 1-2-3 when I blinked and missed it.

After the 1st inning, this game has zipped along.  A quick "L" then home for tea!

[MusicMan]

Bot 3:

"Bourney" 1-3. (Please, Milo.  Retire.  Now.  You can't really want to watch more of this, right?)
Kepp K looking on three straight curves
Pence singles up the middle.  The man is locked in right now.
Lee doubles to LF, off Tabata's glove, and Pence is somehow thrown out at the plate.  Just par for the fucking course.

End 3, 3-0 Pirates.

[Limey]

My knee-jerk reaction is to be furious at Pence, but perhaps someone who saw that can help me with details more than GameDay's "Hunter Pence out at home plate".

Thanks.

[OregonStrosFan]

In case anyone cares... the Astros/Root game is the freebie on MLB.TV today.

[MusicMan]

My knee-jerk reaction is to be furious at Pence, but perhaps someone who saw that can help me with details more than GameDay's "Hunter Pence out at home plate".

Thanks.

It sounded like some sort of weird play, but I'm listening to Milo.  So anything is possible.

[EasTexAstro]

In case anyone cares... the Astros/Root game is the freebie on MLB.TV today.

Unless you are in the Astros area....

[Limey]

In case anyone cares... the Astros/Root game is the freebie on MLB.TV today.

* Subject to blackout restrictions.   Wankers.

[chuck]

It sounded like some sort of weird play, but I'm listening to Milo.  So anything is possible.

It was a good defensive play. It looked like the ball was going to bounce around in LF but Tabata got a fortunate carom off the wall and fired a strike to the cut off man (the what?) who fired a strike home. It was very good defense.

[rifraft]

It sounded like some sort of weird play, but I'm listening to Milo.  So anything is possible.

He was sent on a ball of the wall which bounced 5 feet off the wall and was quickly picked up and fired in.  Good throws and a good job of blocking the plate led to Hunter getting thrown out.  

Jordan's curveball is much better than advertised, nice sharp break, and he controls it well.  He had a rough 1st inning, missed his spot on a fastball, but since then, he's been money.  Quick worker with good control, gotta love it.

[MusicMan]

It was very good defense.

No wonder Milo was confused.

[BudGirl]

Unless you are in the Astros area....

I'd think I'm in the Astros area and it works for me.

Thanks, OSF!!!

[MusicMan]

Top 4: Walker 4-3, Jones K, Harrison K.

Lyles has settled nicely.

[EasTexAstro]

My knee-jerk reaction is to be furious at Pence, but perhaps someone who saw that can help me with details more than GameDay's "Hunter Pence out at home plate".

Thanks.

Pence at 2nd. Lee bounces one off the LF wall just over the leaping OFer's glove, but it bounces straight up and the LFer catches it barehanded. Clark is already sending Pence around third as the LFer throws in to the cutoff. Good turn and a bang-bang play at the plate.

It just looked like a good, close play.

[Limey]

Jordan's curveball is much better than advertised, nice sharp break, and he controls it well.  He had a rough 1st inning, missed his spot on a fastball, but since then, he's been money.  Quick worker with good control, gotta love it.

The 1st got off to a bad start when he misplayed a poor leadoff bunt attempt.  He wasn't given an error, but it was an eminently makable play.  If he gets the leadoff guy out, Jones never gets to bat...

[EasTexAstro]

I'd think I'm in the Astros area and it works for me.

Thanks, OSF!!!

I tried it, but it says blackout restrictions apply and sends me to an old game with Oswalt pitching against the Pirates. Odd.

[Limey]

McDonald has been scuffling so far.  Time for a hammer blow!

[rifraft]

The 1st got off to a bad start when he misplayed a poor leadoff bunt attempt.  He wasn't given an error, but it was an eminently makable play.  If he gets the leadoff guy out, Jones never gets to bat...

He got to that bunt too quickly, any normal pitcher and Downs picks up the ball and makes the play.

[Limey]

McDonald has been scuffling so far.  Time for a hammer blow!

That's not what I meant, but I'll take it.  Productive outs are better than unproductive outs.

[MusicMan]

Bot 4:
Wallace walks
Downs doubles down LF line, Clark is once bitten, twice shy - holds Wallace despite Tabata having trouble coming up with the ball.
Sanchez rolls one down 3b line, thrown out at first, both runners advance.  3-1 Pirates
Corporan flies to CF, Downs home.  3-2 Pirates
Lyles K swinging.

End 4, 3-2 Pirates.

[BudGirl]

I tried it, but it says blackout restrictions apply and sends me to an old game with Oswalt pitching against the Pirates. Odd.

sounds like a user problem.

[Limey]

sounds like a user problem.

Jim tried it, and got a game with Cy Young pitching.

MLB Time Machine?

[MusicMan]

Jim tried it, and got a game with Cy Young pitching.

MLB Time Machine?

It takes the user back to the time when they were happiest.

MLB.tv = The Nexus

[OregonStrosFan]

Jim tried it, and got a game with Cy Young pitching.

MLB Time Machine?

Didn't Jim play ball with Cy Young, or did Young not start pitching until well after Jim had stopped playing?!?

[MusicMan]

On phone - someone pls pick up PBP

[matadorph]

The Kid is dealing, apparently. Another K.

[Limey]

On phone - someone pls pick up PBP

Astros still losing to the Pirates.  The fucking Pirates!

[rifraft]

Astros still losing to the Pirates.  The fucking Pirates!

The 1 game above .500 Pirates. 

[Limey]

The Kid is dealing, apparently. Another K.

He breezed through the bottom of the order, including K's of the 8 and 9 hitters.

Mid 5:  3-2 Pirates

[jbm]

8 Ks thru 5.  The saber guys will sleep well tonight.

Get some runs for the kid.  

[OregonStrosFan]

On phone - someone pls pick up PBP

Got it. T5 Lyles strikes out the side (swinging, swinging, looking), and has retired 13 straight,  Middle 5: PIT 3, HOU 2

[BudGirl]

SBB with a walk.  Anyone think he's going to try and steal 2nd and 3rd?  and maybe home?

[Limey]

SBB with a walk.  Anyone think he's going to try and steal 2nd and 3rd?  and maybe home?

McDonald does - he's thrown over twice already and is struggle to locate the zone* against Kepp.


* FTR, I posted this as Gameday updated to show 2 called strikes.

[OregonStrosFan]

Kepp with a shot into the hole at SS on the 3-2 pitch. Great play by SS to get him at 1B. 1 out, SBB at 2B, Pence at the dish.

[OregonStrosFan]

Pence smacks one off the bullpen wall in left center, Bourn scores easily.  Its 3-3, Hunter at 2B, 1 out, B6.

[BudGirl]

I am amazed at how productive Pence can be.  As crazy as he drives me, he is productive with the bat.

[Limey]

Attaboy Hunter!

[matadorph]

PENCE!!! is on quite a roll.

[rifraft]

I am amazed at how productive Pence can be.  As crazy as he drives me, he is productive with the bat.

Considering how ugly some of his swings can be, it is amazing.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

PENCE!

You know, I'm starting to reconsider the whole "trade Hunter" thesis, because it's looking very likely that he hasn't peaked yet.

[Limey]

I am amazed at how productive Pence can be.  As crazy as he drives me, he is productive with the bat.

He can mash a hittable pitch.  His problem is with unhittable pitches, baserunning and when in the field.

[BudGirl]

PENCE!

You know, I'm starting to reconsider the whole "trade Hunter" thesis, because it's looking very likely that he hasn't peaked yet.

or the astros could get more for him than we thought.

[MusicMan]

or the astros could get more for him than we thought.

DING DING DING

[BudGirl]

He can mash a hittable pitch.  His problem is with unhittable pitches, baserunning and when in the field.

what player doesn't have problems with unhittable pitches?

[rifraft]

DING DING DING

Dominic Brown and Jared Cosart!

[Limey]

what player doesn't have problems with unhittable pitches?

Bagwell?  (He leaves them alone).

[austro]

what player doesn't have problems with unhittable pitches?

Vlad the Impaler.

[BudGirl]

Bagwell?  (He leaves them alone).

right now, he leaves all pitches alone.

what's the fascination with walking wallace?

[OregonStrosFan]

Carlos absolutely crushed a 2-2 pitch to left, but just went foul.  Struckout looking. Wallace has reached safely in 6 of his last 7 plate appearances, and gets an IBB with Downs coming up.  B5, 2 outs, runners on 1B and 2B.

[Jacksonian]

or the astros could get more for him than we thought.

The Rays need another bat and have a lot of prospects....

[BudGirl]

Carlos absolutely crushed a 2-2 pitch to left, but just went foul.  Struckout looking. Wallace has reached safely in 6 of his last 7 plate appearances, and gets an IBB with Downs coming up.  B5, 2 outs, runners on 1B and 2B.

I guess that is because he sits against lefties.

[austro]

Walking Wallace to get to Downs? Have they not been paying attention to what Downs has been doing lately?

[rifraft]

Wallace has reached safely in 6 of his last 7 plate appearances

12 of his last 14.

[BudGirl]

12 of his last 14.

against righties.

[JimR]

Didn't Jim play ball with Cy Young, or did Young not start pitching until well after Jim had stopped playing?!?

i coached the tyke in LL.

[JimR]

what player doesn't have problems with unhittable pitches?

many refuse to swing at them. that's a real good plan.

[OregonStrosFan]

Downs takes a close pitch to go 0-1, ball (1-1), ball inside (2-1), foul (2-2), foul down 3B line (2-2), grounder to 3B, 3B just beats Pence to the bag for the 3rd out.  End 5: PIT 3, HOU 3

I'm actually trying to get some work done, so if anyone can take over PBP, let me know...

[OregonStrosFan]

T6: Tabata grounds out to SS on 3-2 pitch. 1 out, none on.

[OregonStrosFan]

T6 (1 out, none on): #38 (missed dude's name) - flied out to CF. Lyles at 96 pitches. McCutcheon singles to CF. 1st baserunner Lyles has allowed in last 15 or 16 batters. 2 outs, speed on 1B.

[MusicMan]

Walker singles up the middle, McCutchen to 2b.  Millsie out to lift Lylie, bringing in the lefty Escalonie.

[Limey]

Just watched the replay of Pence's out at home.  Fucking luckiest carom ever off the wall.  Any other bounce and Pence is safe.

[OregonStrosFan]

T6 (2 outs, McCutcheon on 1B) - Walker: cs, liner into CF. 2 outs, runners at 1B and 2B. Guy that took Lyles deep in 1st coming in to bat. Mills to make the pitching change here, bringing in LHP Escalona to face the LHB. 

T6 (2 outs, runners at 1B and 2B): PIT 3, HOU 3

[OregonStrosFan]

Walker singles up the middle, McCutchen to 2b.  Millsie out to lift Lylie, bringing in the lefty Escalonie.

Thanks man, all yours!

[jbm]

I wanted to read about Lyles turning the table on Jones.  Oh well.  Hope the leftie does the job. 

[BudGirl]

2nd error, not going to get a gold glove that way.

[MusicMan]

Liner to CF, Bourn can't come up with it, thinks he should have.  Run scores.

DoRay says he misjudged it and the ball hit above the glove on the dive.  E8.

[BudGirl]

did pence really hit a cut-off man?

[MusicMan]

Harrison drives one to RF, off the wall, run scores, Hunter HITS THE RELAY MAN, Corporanblocks the plate well, trailing runner out at home.

MID 6: 5-3 Pirates.

We did a hell of a lot better when I was on the phone.  Fucking IRS.

[OregonStrosFan]

Dangit... Rare miscue by Bourn in CF...  1 run scores, but superb Pence to RELAT MAN Keppinger to Corporan (excellent plate blocks) gets the 2nd runner out at HP.

[Limey]

Usual barn door job by the bullpen.  Ugh!

[MusicMan]

Sanchez doubles when SS and LF let a ball drop between them.

[BudGirl]

Sanchez doubles when SS and LF let a ball drop between them.

"missed tag" at second.

[OregonStrosFan]

I really am done with PBP... but... gotta describe this one. Lazy fly down 3B line that falls in between 3B (or SS) and LF (should've been caught). Angel tries to stretch it into a 2B and 2BU says he slid around the tag (he really didn't...).  Total cluster all the way around there...

[MusicMan]

Corporan flies to LF, Sanchez holds.

[MusicMan]

Michaels pops to 2b.  Two down.

[JimR]

Usual barn door job by the bullpen.  Ugh!

on a misplayed liner?

[MusicMan]

Double switch: Wood to 3b in the 9 spot, Watson pitching in the 6 spot.

[MusicMan]

on a misplayed liner?

True.  Although they hammered one off the wall after that.

[MusicMan]

Bourn pops one down the LF line, Tabata runs it down.  Inning over.

[Limey]

on a misplayed liner?

They weren't softly hit pitches.

[MusicMan]

Top 7, Lopez on to pitch:
Cedeno grounds 5-3
Brown K
Wood F8

Stretch time 5-3 Pirates.

Yes, we're about to get swept. At home.  By the Pirates.  And we're no longer surprised.

[MusicMan]

Bot 7, Watson still pitching:
Kepp 5-3
Pence 6-3
Lee F8

Mercifully short, but at least Milo says my company has a group there.  I miss the days when he would salute Jack Bauer and the Counter Terrorist Unit.

[MusicMan]

Top 8, Lopez still pitching:

Tabata K
Paul singles thru right side of infield
McCutchen HBP
Walker 3-6-3, inning over

Mid 8, 5-3 Pirates

[MusicMan]

Echo... echo.... echo.......

[BudGirl]

I'm kind of here.  Starting my recap.

[BudGirl]

I guess that is why Wallace doesn't face lefties.

[MusicMan]

Bot 8:

Wallace 3u
Downs K looking
Sanchez walks on full count
Tony Wood in to pitch for Watson
Corporan flies to LF

End 8, still 5-3

[MusicMan]

Top 9, Abad in

Jones 3-1
Diaz IF single to 3b
Cedeno F9
Diaz running, Corporan throws it into CF
Brown K

Mid 9, 5-3 Pyroots

[BudGirl]

Astros can score 3 runs to win it.  right?

[JaneDoe]

Astros can score 3 runs to win it.  right?

All things are possible for them that BELIEVE.

[MusicMan]

Bot 9: Veras pitching, Boojwah PH

Boojwah sends a single up the middle on full count

[geezerdonk]

What does this guy have to do to get some playing time?

[chuck]

What does this guy have to do to get some playing time?

I've been wondering the same thing about Downs although Downs has seen more time lately.

[MusicMan]

Boojwah steals 2b; Bourn grounds to 2b, Boojwah to 3b.

[MusicMan]

What does this guy have to do to get some playing time?

Trade Lee.

[MusicMan]

KEPP!

Single to CF, Boojwah scores, 5-4 Pirates

Pence to the plate, runner on 1b, one out

[MusicMan]

Pence slow bouncer to 3b, out at first, Kepp moves to 2b.

Lee up, runner on 2b, two out

[Limey]

Pence slow bouncer to 3b, out at first, Kepp moves to 2b.

Lee up, runner on 2b, two out

A single ties it.  One mighty kabong wins in!

[OregonStrosFan]

Carlos Lee, slowest man alive...

[MusicMan]

Lee goes 3-0, fouls off 2, smashes a grounder off the third baseman, out by an eyelash at 1b.

Final, 5-4 Pirates.

[chuck]

The Astros are so bad they do not deserve any benefit of any doubt but Carlos was safe.

[MusicMan]

The Astros are so bad they do not deserve any benefit of any doubt but Carlos was safe.

Mil and DoRay disagree.

[OregonStrosFan]

Lee goes 3-0, fouls off 2, smashes a grounder off the third baseman rolls far enough away that 3B has to take 5-7 steps to get back to the ball, pick it up and throw it to 1B, out by an eyelash at 1b.

Final, 5-4 Pirates.

Just a little add there for the folks at home...

[OregonStrosFan]

BTW, thanks for the PBP!

[Ebby Calvin]

Just a little add there for the folks at home...

Dammit OSF.  I was happier not knowing that.

[Limey]

Lee goes 3-0, fouls off 2, smashes a grounder off the third baseman, out by an eyelash at 1b.

Final, 5-4 Pirates.

S-N-A-K-E-B-I-T.

Pirates get a break on the opening bunt that leads to Jones' 3-run at bat.  Get a break with an incredibly lucky carom off the scoreboard in the bottom of the 1st to keep 2 runs (at least) off the board.  End it when the slowest man in Christendom lasers one right at the 3Ber.

When it's not going for you, it's really not going for you.  Swept at home by the Pirates.  Good job I wearing an anti-seasickness patch.

[MusicMan]

S-N-A-K-E-B-I-T.

Bad baseball <> snakebit.

[pots]

On pace to win 58...ugh.

And they now have a 4 game lead for the worst record in the majors.

[JaneDoe]

Dammit OSF.  I was happier not knowing that.

+1

[Limey]

Bad baseball <> snakebit.

I would usually agree but, other than OSF's intimation that Lee may have been less than hustling out of the box on that last play, they really were just unlucky today.  I'm not sure whether I prefer crap to unlucky, but either way it's an "L".

[Limey]

On pace to win 58 lose 104...ugh.

And they now have a 3.5 game lead on the worst record in the majors.

GHEIFY

[jbm]

Losing 100+ is usually reserved for rosters with major holes throughout.  This roster doesn't look 100-loss bad to me.  On the other hand, they seem to have perfected the art of losing, even though they rarely just get their ass kicked.

[BudGirl]

I would usually agree but, other than OSF's intimation that Lee may have been less than hustling out of the box on that last play, they really were just unlucky today.  I'm not sure whether I prefer crap to unlucky, but either way it's an "L".

They had the Sanchez "double" go their way.  I thought he was out.

[OregonStrosFan]

I would usually agree but, other than OSF's intimation that Lee may have been less than hustling out of the box on that last play, they really were just unlucky today.  I'm not sure whether I prefer crap to unlucky, but either way it's an "L".

Maybe that first couple of steps he wasn't burning it (Carlos' version of burning anyway) - maybe - but after that he was putting on (his version of) the jets. Just slow... Not a hustle deal IMO...

[Limey]

Losing 100+ is usually reserved for rosters with major holes throughout.  This roster doesn't look 100-loss bad to me.  On the other hand, they seem to have perfected the art of losing, even though they rarely just get their ass kicked.

Have you taken a closer look at the pitching staff?  It's 100-loss bad.

[Limey]

Maybe that first couple of steps he wasn't burning it (Carlos' version of burning anyway) - maybe - but after that he was putting on (his version of) the jets. Just slow... Not a hustle deal IMO...

I've seen Lee running "sprints" in ST.  He isn't moving for the first 10 or so steps.  If he looked like it took 2 or 3 to get motoring, then that's Lee busting his ample arse out of the box.

[jbm]

Have you taken a closer look at the pitching staff?  It's 100-loss bad.

The starters look to me to be at least middle of the pack.  I mean, who would you obviously dump?  Sure, the bullpen is pretty weak, but Melancon has been good, Lopez has been good.  They have had contributions from Escalona and Rodriguez. 

I don't doubt that stats describe the staff as awful, but looking at it piece by piece, it doesn't seem awful at all to me.  It just seems that the whole is quite a bit less than the sum of the parts.

[chuck]

Carlos's ball was sharply hit and by the time he saw that it had glanced off the fielder's glove he had just dropped the bat and was no more than a step down the line. In other words, he knew almost immediately that he had a chance. He did not loaf out of the box.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

So, did we really just get swept at home by the Pirates?!?!? Or was it some kind of illusion? You know, a magic trick, or something.

[Lurch]

So, did we really just get swept at home by the Pirates?!?!? Or was it some kind of illusion? You know, a magic trick, or something.

Remember that time, when we swept the cubs? That was awesome