18 Sep 2014 - Cleveland Indians at Houston Astros

[subnuclear]

Cleveland Indians

1. Michael Bourn (L) CF
2. Jose Ramirez (S) SS
3. Michael Brantley (L) LF
4. Carlos Santana (S) 1B
5. Jason Kipnis (L) 2B
6. Yan Gomes (R) C
7. David Murphy (L) DH
8. Lonnie Chisenhall (L) 3B
9. J.B. Shuck (L) RF

SP: Danny Salazar (R)

Houston Astros

1. Robbie Grossman (S) LF
2. Jose Altuve (R) 2B
3. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
4. Chris Carter (R) DH
5. Jason Castro (L) C
6. Jake Marisnick (R) RF
7. Jon Singleton (L) 1B
8. Matt Dominguez (R) 3B
9. Gregorio Petit (R) SS

SP: Scott Feldman (R)

[subnuclear]

Santana - Flies out to deep LCF
Kipnis - K looking
Gomes - Flies out to CF

Middle of the 2nd. No Score.

[subnuclear]

Only nine more games after this one.

If they lose every game out then I win RTFL.

[Aussie Astro]

Only nine more games after this one.

If they lose every game out then I win RTFL.

Unlucky, you miss by nine.

[subnuclear]

Castro - K looking
Marisnick - Single off bunt to 3B
Singleton - K swinging
Dominguez - K swinging

End of the 2nd. No Score.

[subnuclear]

Unlucky, you miss by nine.

The Astros winning 76 games would dull the pain a little.

[subnuclear]

However, they aren't going to get there if they keep striking out like this.

[Reuben]

However, they aren't going to get there if they keep striking out like this.

It's painful watching Dominguez and Singleton right now. I suppose it's been fairly painful most of the year.

[subnuclear]

Murphy - Double to LCF
Chisenhall - Grounds out to 2nd, Murphy to 3B
Shuck - Grounds out to SS, Murphy holds
Bourn - BB
Ramirez - Grounds out to 2B, Feldman having to sprint to 1st

Middle of the 3rd. No Score.

[subnuclear]

Have to make a run, so there will be a pause in the score keeping.

[Aussie Astro]

However, they aren't going to get there if they keep striking out like this.

Yep, we need to put bat on ball at some point.

[Reuben]

Yep, we need to put bat on ball at some point.

Or just wait for about 8 consecutive walks and/or errors.

[Reuben]

Altuve with a really fine play to end the 4th, ranging way over towards the RF line to get a Kipnis grounder and whirl and throw him out. Was almost directly behind Singleton by the time he threw the ball.

[Aussie Astro]

Or just wait for about 8 consecutive walks and/or errors.

Didn't the Astros take a loss once in a game where the pitcher recorded a no hitter?

[Reuben]

Didn't the Astros take a loss once in a game where the pitcher recorded a no hitter?

Yes, Ken Johnson right?

[subnuclear]

Fowler scores on Marisnick single. Astros 1-0. 2 outs.

[subnuclear]

Fowler - Singles to LF
Carter - Line out to LF
Castro - Flies out
Marisnick - (Fowler advances to 2nd on WP) Singles to CF, Fowler scores
Singleton - K

End of the 4th. Astros 1-0.

[Reuben]

Hey Jon: you don't have to hit the ball to the moon to drive in a runner from third, even with 2 outs. A nice easy opposite-field line drive will do the job just fine.

[Aussie Astro]

Yes, Ken Johnson right?

I don't remember the detail, I think it was a tv or radio story during a slow game...

What do you know, good guys surge into the lead.  1 - 0 after 4.

[subnuclear]

Gomes - Flies out to LF
Murphy - Lines out to 2B
Chisenhall - Grounds out  to 1B

Middle of the 5th. Astros 1-0.

[subnuclear]

The Indians CF is not too shabby.

[subnuclear]

Dominguez - Flies out to RF
Petit - Flies out to CF
Grossman - Single to CF
Altuve - Flies out to RF

End of the 5th. Astros 1-0.

[Aussie Astro]

Is it just me or does Leila have a really horrible accent (or voice)?

[subnuclear]

Is it just me or does Leila have a really horrible accent (or voice)?

She has a forced diction that comes from being a mediocre broadcasting student.

[subnuclear]

Shuck - Grounds out to 2nd
Bourn - K looking
Ramirez - Grounds out to 2nd

Middle of the 6th. Astros 1-0.

[Aussie Astro]

TV crew reporting Appel threw a bull pen session in Houston... lets hope there is no mass hysteria this time around.

[subnuclear]

Fowler - Flies out to RF
Carter - Singles to CF
Castro - K swinging
Marisnick - (Carter caught stealing!)

End of the 6th. Astros 1-0.

[subnuclear]

I saw Carter have a long conversation with the first base coach before he was caught stealing there.

[Aussie Astro]

I saw Carter have a long conversation with the first base coach before he was caught stealing there.

If he was asking about if he should try to steal abase or not, he should get a second opinion next time.

[subnuclear]

Brantley - Files out to RF
Santana - Flies out to SS
Kipnis - Grounds out to SS

Middle of the 7th. Astros 1-0.

[subnuclear]

Marisnick - K swinging
Singleton - K looking
Dominguez - Hard line out to LF

End of the 7th. Astros 1-0.

[subnuclear]

Gomes - Flies out to LF
Murphy - Grounds out to SS
Chisenhall - Seeing-eye single up the middle
Shuck - Flies out to CF

Middle of the 8th. Astros 1-0.

[subnuclear]

Hagadone in to pitch for the Indians.

[NeilT]

Someone needs to come up with a nickname for Hagadone, just because.

[subnuclear]

Shaw coming in to pitch to Altuve. 2 outs.

[subnuclear]

Petit - Flies out to CF
Grossman - (Hagadone in to pitch) Flies out to RF
Altuve - (Shaw in to pitch) Flies out to LF

End of the 8th. Astros 1-0.

[subnuclear]

The ball goes behind the outfield padding and then comes back. The ump didn't see it and says Bourn hit an inside the park HR. Being reviewed.

[subnuclear]

Ruled a double. No outs.

[Aussie Astro]

I thought there was supposed to be no further discussion after a replay?

[subnuclear]

I thought there was supposed to be no further discussion after a replay?

Francona gets to do that I guess.

[subnuclear]

Sipp in to pitch for the Astros.

[Aussie Astro]

Francona gets to do that I guess.

Pretty sure I saw Joe Maddon get tossed for leaving the dugout to talk about a replay.  He didn't get a chance to say anything, ejected after taking two steps.

[subnuclear]

Sac Bunt being reviewed. Looked safe by a hair to me.

[subnuclear]

Runners on 1st and 3rd. 1 out. Sipp still pitching.

[austro]

I sure hope there are some good relievers on the market this winter.

[subnuclear]

Brantley grounds to 1st, Singleton throws to Dominguez on 3B, Dominguez throws to Castro to get Bourn at the plate. 1 out. Ramirez on 2nd, Brantley on 1st.

Qualls coming in for the Astros.

[subnuclear]

Santana singles to RCF, throw cut off, Ramirez scores from 2nd. Tied 1-1. 1 out.

[austro]

Damn it. It's gotten to the point where I'm scared to see a lead in the 9th.

[subnuclear]

Bourn - Ground rule double
Ramirez (Sipp in to pitch) - Bunt single, Bourn to 3rd
Brantley - Grounds to 1st, throws to 3B, 3B to Catcher gets Bourn at the plate, Ramirez to 2nd
Santana - Singles to RCF, Ramirez scores, Brantley to 2nd
Aviles - Flies out to RF
Gomes - K swinging

Middle of the 9th. Tied 1-1.

[chuck]

A league average bullpen and something other than a black hole of suck from the first baseman in the batting order and the Astros might not be terrible.

[Aussie Astro]

Damn it. It's gotten to the point where I'm scared to see a lead in the 9th.

Walk off wins are even better.

[subnuclear]

Carter hits the ball hard right to SS, 6-4-3 DP after single by Fowler. 2 outs.

[Reuben]

A league average bullpen and something other than a black hole of suck from the first baseman in the batting order and the Astros might not be terrible.

Don't forget LF. 1B and LF have arguably been the Astros' worst hitters this year.

[subnuclear]

Rzepczynski in to pitch for Indians.

[subnuclear]

Fowler - Slow grounder  to CF
Carter - 6-4-3 DP
Castro - Grounds out to SS

End of the 9th. Tied 1-1.

[subnuclear]

Don't forget LF. 1B and LF have arguably been the Astros' worst hitters this year.

And 3B offense is bad too.

[subnuclear]

Chapman in to pitch for the Astros.

[subnuclear]

Aguilar - Flies out to CF
Chisenhall - Grounds out to 2B
Holt - Flies out to RF

Middle of the 10th. Tied 1-1.

[chuck]

Sure, the team could upgrade offensively anywhere other than second base and wherever Springer ends up playing. Dominguez at least plays good defense. You should be able to find a first baseman who can hit without much trouble.

I know the nerd cave loves guys who stand around and watch pitches but rather than look to the outside to replace Morgan Grossman I would be comfortable with Pressley out there instead. Who knows, maybe Santana will wake up one day.

But I don't get the feeling that the nerd cave cares too much about Grossman's offense. Singleton should strike out looking a lot more. He'd be more secure in his position.

[chuck]

There you go!

[subnuclear]

Marisnick - Flies out to SS
Singleton - K looking
Dominguez - Hard ground out to SS

End of the 10th. Tied 1-1.

[Reuben]

What's the record for consecutive strikeouts by a batter?

[subnuclear]

Veras in to pitch. Brantley on 1st. 2 outs.

[subnuclear]

Bourn - Grounds out to 3B
Ramirez - Grounds out to SS
Brantley - Singles to RF
Santana - BB
Aviles - Grounds out to 3B

Middle of the 11th. Tied 1-1.

[subnuclear]

According to WAR ratings from baseball reference, in the AL, Astros are 4th in SP, 2nd at 2B, Average in RF, C and SS and near the bottom in everything else.

[subnuclear]

Petit - K swinging
Grossman - Single up the middle
Altuve - Flies out to 2nd
Fowler - Flies out to CF

End of the 11th. Tied 1-1.

[Reuben]

CF too?

[subnuclear]

Alright, I'm out. Hopefully things will work out for the good guys.

[subnuclear]

CF too?

13th in AL. However, the median CF WAR in AL is higher than other positions if you want to get Nerd Cave about it. 

You can check it out here.

[Reuben]

13th in AL. However, the median CF WAR in AL is higher than other positions if you want to get Nerd Cave about it. 

You can check it out here.

Ahh, now I see - they're factoring in a defensive rating... and those fielding-WAR-whatevers always seem to hate Fowler's defense. Personally, I don't think he's great (as people here may be tired of reading), but I find it hard to believe he's below-average, let alone significantly below-average (they've got him at 3.2 offensive WAR but -1.6 defensive... which somehow adds up to 1.4 total WAR).

[Reuben]

Guzman Ks against a lefty who looks like he's 14 years old.

[MRaup]

Good lord, Guzman's at bat was absolutely pathetic.

[Reuben]

Good lord, Guzman's at bat was absolutely pathetic.

Wallace, Carlos Pena, Guzman, Singleton, Krauss... I'm not sure I've ever seen a major league team struggle for so long to find even 1 first baseman who can hit decently.

[MRaup]

Good lord, Guzman's at bat was absolutely pathetic.

Also, fuck Angel Hernandez.

[MRaup]

There are about 40 people in the ballpark right now. You can hear the individual idiots yelling.

[MRaup]

Wow. That throw was absolutely fucking terrible to home. That should've been an easy 9-2 double play.

[Reuben]

yeah, bad throw, but how the hell did the runner get home so fast? it would've been close if it was on-line.

[chuck]

I don't know what Jake's natural position is but it certainly isn't right field. He should have thrown that guy out by four steps.

[MRaup]

Also, why the fuck are there so many Indians fans out of the 40 left in the ballpark? Who the fuck roots for the Indians?

[mrpink]

What happened? Gameday seems to have locked up and MLB audio refuses to play for me.

[chuck]

What happened? Gameday seems to have locked up and MLB audio refuses to play for me.

MLB's digital media properties are run by the same guys who are in charge of North Korea's space program.

[MRaup]

Jesus Fuck Christ, way to piss that one away boys.

[mrpink]

MLB's digital media properties are run by the same guys who are in charge of North Korea's space program.

Indeed.  I was in Kansas yesterday and wasn't able to watch the game because they thought I was in an area blacked out by one of the teams.

[Aussie Astro]

What happened? Gameday seems to have locked up and MLB audio refuses to play for me.

Funny timing it was like that shitty throw that caused the lock up.  But the picture came back just in time to see Fowler strike out, lucky huh?

[mrpink]

Funny timing it was like that shitty throw that caused the lock up.  But the picture came back just in time to see Fowler strike out, lucky huh?

That's just about exactly how it happened.

[Aussie Astro]

I don't know why Swisher is not paying but it is  small bonus not having to watch that smug little wanker.

[mrpink]

I don't know why Swisher is not paying but it is  small bonus not having to watch that smug little wanker.

Apparently he had surgery on both his knees about a month ago. 

[chuck]

Indeed.  I was in Kansas yesterday and wasn't able to watch the game because they thought I was in an area blacked out by one of the teams.

You probably were.

[Ron Brand]

Mr. Happy saw the whole thing.

[NeilT]

There shoul be a prohibition against wifely gloating in the marriage vows.

[Mr. Happy]

There shoul be a prohibition against wifely gloating in the marriage vows.

Indeed.

[Aussie Astro]

There shoul be a prohibition against wifely gloating in the marriage vows.

Isn't it covered in the 'love, honour and obey' clause?

[NeilT]

Isn't it covered in the 'love, honour and obey' clause?

Not according to Kris.  Of course the obey clause had long been jettisoned by the time we got married.  Or maybe it was in my vows.  I can't remember.

[Aussie Astro]

Not according to Kris.  Of course the obey clause had long been jettisoned by the time we got married.  Or maybe it was in my vows.  I can't remember.

I got an obey, I remember it clearly AND I have witnesses.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I thought she said obey but in hindsight I realize she had said betray.