Astros @ Sea Hags September 29, 2015

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's late show:

Astros

2BJose Altuve (R)
RFGeorge Springer (R)
SSCarlos Correa (R)
DHEvan Gattis (R)
3BJed Lowrie (S)
1BChris Carter (R)
LFMarwin Gonzalez (S)
CHank Conger (S)
CFJake Marisnick (R)

HOU: Mike Fiers (R)  (7-10, 3.66)

Sea Urchins

SS Ketel Marte (S)
3B Kyle Seager (L)
DH Nelson Cruz (R)
2B Robinson Cano (L)
LF Seth Smith (L)
RF Mark Trumbo (R)
1B Logan Morrison (L)
CF James Jones (L)
C John Hicks (R)

SEA: Vidal Nuno (L)  (1-5, 3.69)

[geezerdonk]

Swashbuckler Hinch throws caution to the wind and moves Carter up from seventh to sixth in the order.

[das]

Agent Martinez with a 2-run pokey off of Hammels in the top of the first. Are we allowed to say that in here?

[MusicMan]

Agent Martinez with a 2-run pokey off of Hammels in the top of the first. Are we allowed to say that in here?

Yes, because Choo tied it with a 2 run HR in the bottom of the first.


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[Jacksonian]

Yes, because Choo tied it with a 2 run HR in the bottom of the first.


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But the fielders are throwing their rookie completely under the bus.  Two errors in the first and 0 out.

[MusicMan]

But the fielders are throwing their rookie completely under the bus.  Two errors in the first and 0 out.

Rangers tack on 3 more as a result. 5-2 Rangers after 1.


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[Jacksonian]

Rangers tack on 3 more as a result. 5-2 Rangers after 1.


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Thanks das.

[MusicMan]

Ausmus caused a Twitter riot by letting Norris throw 54 pitches in the inning.


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[Jacksonian]

Ausmus caused a Twitter riot by letting Norris throw 54 pitches in the inning.


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Guy knows nothing about handling pitchers.

[NeilT]

6-6

[juliogotay]

Guy knows nothing about handling pitchers.

What is Bud Norris and pitching doing in the same sentence?

[Jacksonian]

What is Bud Norris and pitching doing in the same sentence?

Bud Norris was pitching his ideas of a new career to the career counselor.

[mrpink]

I'm pretty sure I heard Ashby refer to him as Bud Norris last night.

[NeilT]

J.D. Martinez must hate the Astros.

[mrpink]

Agent Martinez with a 2-run pokey off of Hammels in the top of the first. Are we allowed to say that in here?

Agent Martinez my ass. JD dropped a popup to right from Beltre for a ground rule double. 7-6 Texas

[ferret]

Brad has to be livid about the etagere he has in right.

[jbm]

Agent Martinez my ass. JD dropped a popup to right from Beltre for a ground rule double. 7-6 Texas

Didn't even make enough effort to touch it. Pathetic.

[das]

Thanks das.

I think I'll stick to my infrequent comments about the game at hand...

[Jacksonian]

I think I'll stick to my infrequent comments about the game at hand...

Wise advise for the vast majority.

[Nate in IA]

This just in.. mlb.tv sucks.   Multiple pauses, dropouts, replays.. just pathetic for what is supposed to be the premier streaming service.

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Altuve singles to CF
Springer singles to LF, Altuve, who was running on the pitch, moves to 3B
Correa chops one over the mound, Springer out 6U, but can't turn two..Altuve scores
Gattis pops out F3 in foul territory
Lowrie flies out F8

Astros take a 1-0 lead

[MusicMan]

Dammit, Marwin. You had no shot there.


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[Tom Servo]

Conger should have stopped that, though

[chuck]

Dammit, Marwin. You had no shot there.

No, but Conger's inability to catch leads to another Seattle run. If I never see Conger play catcher again that will be too soon.

[HudsonHawk]

Conger should have stopped that, though

Yes, that was on Conger.  He's just so fucking awful with the glove.

[hostros7]

The joint phallus-stepping costs the team a run.


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[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Marte with an infield single
Seager doubles to RF, Marte to 3B
Cruz with a sac fly to LF, Marte scores, Conger steps on his dick and can't stop the throw, Seager to 3B on what's scored a TE7, though it was Conger's fault.
Cano with a sac fly to LF, Seager scores
Smith...full count...strikes out swinging

Mariners get two runs, one earned, and lead 2-1

[juliogotay]

Yes, that was on Conger.  He's just so fucking awful with the glove.

why is noodle-arm playing? Stassi can catch and throw.

[Navin R Johnson]

Conger is just not a good defensive catcher.  36 stolen bases in a row allowed, ridiculous.

[HudsonHawk]

why is noodle-arm playing? Stassi can catch and throw.

He's in there because he can occasionally hit.  But he already owes one run.

[homer]

If I never have to hear Ashby again it will be too soon.

[Tom Servo]

Also, Marwin made a pretty decent play there in LF to catch that ball.  He's not embarrassing himself out there (the unnecessary throw notwithstanding) .  Guy can just play.   

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Carter flies out F8 at the track
Marwin grounds out 5-3 on a hot smash
Conger strikes out swinging

2-1 M's.

[NeilT]

There is just nothing more exciting than the crowd at a Mariners Astros game. You can feel the excitement right through the screen.

[hostros7]

There is just nothing more exciting than the crowd at a Mariners Astros game. You can feel the excitement right through the screen.

The manifestation of true, deep-seated enmity.


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[Navin R Johnson]

37 stolen bases in a row vs Conger.  WTF.

[David in Jackson]

There is just nothing more exciting than the crowd at a Mariners Astros game. You can feel the excitement right through the screen.

A lot of quiet ballparks in late September.

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Trumbo strikes out swinging
Morrison singles to CF
Morrison steals second as Conger bounces one down to 2B
Jones grounds out 6-3, Morrison to 3B
Hicks strikes out looking

2-1

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Those of y'all who know such things: why is Conger so bad at throwing out runners? Arm strength? Release speed?

[David in Jackson]

That pitch was tough for Conger to handle, to be fair.

[hostros7]

Those of y'all who know such things: why is Conger so bad at throwing out runners? Arm strength? Release speed?

It's all above the above when one is historically inept. Also, his footwork seems awful/non-existent.


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[David in Jackson]

stRangers and Halos winning. Twinkles rained out.

[HudsonHawk]

Those of y'all who know such things: why is Conger so bad at throwing out runners? Arm strength? Release speed?

Yes.

[ferret]

Not what he's paid for

[NeilT]

Detroit just struck out Hamilton with bases loaded.

[HudsonHawk]

That pitch was tough for Conger to handle, to be fair.

The pitch was tough to throw someone out.  That doesn't excuse the lollipop throw.  As long as Conger cannot reach 2B, he's not going to throw anyone out.

[jbm]

Those of y'all who know such things: why is Conger so bad at throwing out runners? Arm strength? Release speed?

I only know that his arm strength is bottom of the barrel for MLB.

[Navin R Johnson]

The pitch was tough to throw someone out.  That doesn't excuse the lollipop throw.  As long as Conger cannot reach 2B, he's not going to throw anyone out.

Well to be fair, he did throw one person out this year....that person was JB Shuck.

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Marisnick strikes out swinging
Altuve strikes out swinging
Springer singles to LF
Correa pops out F4

2-1 M's

[hostros7]

An intriguing scenario involving Springer, Julia, and some Crisco might be Ashby's ultimate aphrodisiac.


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[HudsonHawk]

I only know that his arm strength is bottom of the barrel for MLB.

It's not even that.  Conger could not make a high school team as a catcher.

[BizidyDizidy]

I thought I had heard (or read) that historically he was average throwing out runners? Could be the peyote talking though.

[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Marte bunts, but right back to Fiers and is out 1-3
Seager flies out F7
Cruz strikes out looking

2-1

[chuck]

It's not even that.  Conger could not make a high school team as a catcher.

He could probably make a travel team.

Cruz is not going to suck all series. At some point he's going to wake up.

[BizidyDizidy]

He could probably make a travel team.

Cruz is not going to suck all series. At some point he's going to wake up.

Not that at bat.

[HudsonHawk]

I thought I had heard (or read) that historically he was average throwing out runners? Could be the peyote talking though.

He's always been below average, but never this bad.  Regardless, I couldn't care less what he did three years ago, I only care what's he's doing now.

[BizidyDizidy]

Does Ashby have any ability to judge balls off the bat?

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Gattis flies out Fy
Lowrie grounds out 6-3
Carter strikes out looking

2-1

[NeilT]

I thought I had heard (or read) that historically he was average throwing out runners? Could be the peyote talking though.

Mmmmm. Peyote.

[BizidyDizidy]

Mmmmm. Peyote.

Nice little Tuesday.

[chuck]

I thought I had heard (or read) that historically he was average throwing out runners? Could be the peyote talking though.

No one takes peyote in Brooklyn, dude. Do you realize how many gallons of water it takes to produce an ounce of peyote? Fuck.

[NeilT]

That ad is what's wrong with America.

[HudsonHawk]

He could probably make a travel team.

Depends on daddy's money.

[BizidyDizidy]

No one takes peyote in Brooklyn, dude. Do you realize how many gallons of water it takes to produce an ounce of peyote? Fuck.

Hey, I live in the upper east now, we don't give a shit about that.

[BizidyDizidy]

Its terrible, btw.

[HudsonHawk]

Hey, I live in the upper east now, we don't give a shit about that.

Peyote is a cactus, so it doesn't take much water at all, but it does usually require higher elevations.  I guess it depends on what floor you live on.

[BizidyDizidy]

Peyote is a cactus, so it doesn't take much water at all, but it does usually require higher elevations.  I guess it depends on what floor you live on.

23rd, but my wife keeps overwatering our balcony supply.

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Cano pops out F5 in foul ground
Smith chops out in front of the plate, tagged out by Fiers, 1U
Trumbo grounds out 3U

2-1

[Noe]

With runners on the corners for Detroit and only one out, Rajai Davis tried to bunt? Whaaa? Bunt? And pops out doing so. Two outs now, Kinsler is the last hope to get something done in the bottom of the ninth.

[chuck]

Hey, I live in the upper east now, we don't give a shit about that.

A band I was in back in a past life was due to play in some place or another. The little tag line they put in the free weekly ad next to our name in advance of the show was 'Peyote for the masses.'

I never really knew what to make of that.

[BizidyDizidy]

Shitfuck

[BizidyDizidy]

Marwin!

[HudsonHawk]

Marwin!!!

[Noe]

It's over. Detroit spits the bit and Texas wins a tight game... 7-6, even though Kinsler gave it a ride, but Drew Stubbs runs it down. Again, with only one out and a runner on third... Davis tried to bunt and popped out. Man, oh man!

[juliogotay]

With runners on the corners for Detroit and only one out, Rajai Davis tried to bunt? Whaaa? Bunt? And pops out doing so. Two outs now, Kinsler is the last hope to get something done in the bottom of the ninth.

Kinsler almost got it done but a very good running catch in CF by Astros draftee Drew Stubbs ended the game. Would have been an extra base hit scoring two. Damn.

[chuck]

A lo profundooooooooo!

[BizidyDizidy]

A band I was in back in a past life was due to play in some place or another. The little tag line they put in the free weekly ad next to our name in advance of the show was 'Peyote for the masses.'

I never really knew what to make of that.

More enlightening than opium?

[Nate in IA]

Springer -- RBI stud!

[Noe]

Houston needs to rely on themselves to stay with the pack. BTW - the Yankees just made themselves catchable. Boston is having fun playing the spoiler role right now. Just saying.

[BizidyDizidy]

Springer -- RBI stud!

If Springer, Gattis, Carter are hitting, this is a very tough team

[HudsonHawk]

More enlightening than opium?

You gotta have a pretty strong stomach to do peyote...most people get sick and puke it all up long before any of the psychoactive effect.  I think chuck has a pretty strong stomach. 

[Noe]

Springer -- RBI stud!

His approach is to let the ball travel and hit back up the middle and to right. Great approach makes for great situational hitting.

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Marwin homers to LF
Conger with a rule book double to RF
Marisnick strikes out swinging quickly on three pitches...why he wasn't bunting I don't know
Altuve pops out F6
Springer doubles to RCF, Conger scores
Correa...full count...grounds out 4-3

But the Astros regain the lead 3-2

[BizidyDizidy]

Bit of a testament to Gattis's recent success that they gave Correa hittable pitches in that AB

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Morrison flies out F7
Jones strikes out swinging, 2-3 on the putout
Hicks strikes out swinging

3-2 Astros

[BizidyDizidy]

Really liking Fiers (and that trade overall).

Goes to show you the benefit of hiring McKinsey geniuses.

[BizidyDizidy]

@ESPNStatsInfo: Marwin Gonzalez (HOU): 24th career home run (all 24 are solo home runs)

@EvanDrellich: One third of Marwin Gonzalez’s 24 career homers have come against the Mariners.

[hostros7]

Lowrie injured?


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[chuck]

Really liking Fiers (and that trade overall).

Goes to show you the benefit of hiring McKinsey geniuses.

I know. You get genius deals like Perez and Tropeano for Hammerin' Hank Conger.

[BizidyDizidy]

I know. You get genius deals like Perez and Tropeano for Hammerin' Hank Conger.

Hey, better than Enron

[hostros7]

Gattis scoring from first may be one of my new favorite athletic feats.


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[BizidyDizidy]

Boom, "intriguing", drink

[chuck]

Hey, better than Enron

Depends on who you are.

I wonder if Lowrie is gong to loan Villar his oven mitts.

[chuck]

Boom, "intriguing", drink

I think Blum said intriguing a couple innings ago. That's got to be like three Fireball shots.

[chuck]

Carter strikes out. Boom. No one drinks.

[HudsonHawk]

Lowrie injured?

He has a hole in his bat.

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Ramirez in for the M's

Gattis walks
Villar, pinch hitting for Lowrie...3-0...3-1, doubles over CFer's head, Gattis lumbers around to score
Carter strikes out swinging at a pitch in the dirt
Tucker, pinch hitting for Marwin, flies out F7
Conger flies out F9

4-2 Astros

[BizidyDizidy]

I was on a 530 AM flight to Houston this morning, not going to make it much longer. Don't fuck this up guys.

[HudsonHawk]

Productive outs...Carter's inability to put the ball in play cost them a run.  Story of the season.

[HudsonHawk]

I was on a 530 AM flight to Houston this morning, not going to make it much longer. Don't fuck this up guys.

So?  We were at work at 5:30.  Don't be such a pussy.

[Jacksonian]

I know. You get genius deals like Perez and Tropeano for Hammerin' Hank Conger.

I truly think that's proof Luhnow thought he had a deal in place for Castro that fell apart right after he got Conger.

[David in Jackson]

Productive outs...Carter's inability to put the ball in play cost them a run.  Story of the season.

+1

[David in Jackson]

Angels lead 7-1. Need this one.

[chuck]

I truly think that's proof Luhnow thought he had a deal in place for Castro that fell apart right after he got Conger.

I think a number of us thought that at the time. I wonder what it would be like to follow a team in a town with a competent press. I guess I'll never know.

[Jacksonian]

Angels lead 7-1. Need this one.

A's have quit.

[BizidyDizidy]

So?  We were at work at 5:30.  Don't be such a pussy.

5:30 flght = 2:45 CT wakeup - but you know what, fuck it, lets see this thing through.

[Jacksonian]

I think a number of us thought that at the time. I wonder what it would be like to follow a team in a town with a competent press. I guess I'll never know.

The fuck!?  You have OWA.

[hostros7]

I truly think that's proof Luhnow thought he had a deal in place for Castro that fell apart right after he got Conger.

Because when you trade your starting catcher you want to be sure to secure the services of the worst one in the Mlb as a replacement?

Not saying you're wrong, just saying the move is the move.


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[HudsonHawk]

Cano with a game tying home run...4-4 now.

[hostros7]

Shite


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[HudsonHawk]

Fiers out, Qualls in

[HudsonHawk]

Qualls gives up a hit, and he's out after one hitter...Thatcher in.

[Tralfaz]

Steve Sparks pregame ritual is gargling red wine vinegar and whistling show tunes.  He says.

[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Marte flies out F8
Seager singles to RF
Cruz strikes out swinging
Cano homers to RCF, Seager scores
Smith walks

That's it for Fiers...Qualls in

Trumbo singles to RF, Smith to 2B

Qualls out, Thatcher in

Guiterrez, pinch hitting for Morrison...flies out F7

tied 4-4 now

[hostros7]

Ashby and this dick cameraman are trying to give me a stroke. Made it seem like that ball off gutierrez's bat was headed for the 2nd deck.


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[Tralfaz]

Sounded well played by Tucker on radio

[David in Jackson]

Ashby and this dick cameraman are trying to give me a stroke. Made it seem like that ball off gutierrez's bat was headed for the 2nd deck.


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Near about had a heart attack. Tied after six.

[roadrunner]

Camera man killed me there.

Let's get some fucking runs

[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Smith in for the M's

Marisnick grounds out 5-3
Altuve grounds out 5-3
Springer strikes out swinging

4-4

[HudsonHawk]

Thatcher out, Harris in

[Bench]

You gotta have a pretty strong stomach to do peyote...most people get sick and puke it all up long before any of the psychoactive effect.  I think chuck has a pretty strong stomach.

A marxist cook that I used to work with at a neighborhood tex-mex joint during summers in college would bring dried rings of it across the border in containers of goat milk.  It was dry and tough to choke down, but no nausea and a very mild, pleasantly relaxing effect.  I remember hoping for more of  a Jim Morrison experience.

[Bench]

Harris looking June-like.

[HudsonHawk]

B7:

O'Malley pinch hitting for Jones, and Hinch counters with Will Harris...strikes out swinging, 2-3 on the putout
Miller, pinch hitting for Hicks, strikes out swinging
Marte...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...walks
Seager strikes out swinging

4-4

[Bench]

Great AB by Villar. 

[Bench]

Carter to first on the catchers interference on an absolute meatball down the center. 

[chuck]

I remember hoping for more of  a Jim Morrison experience.

If you wanted to be a pretentious asshole you could just do coke.

[HudsonHawk]

Astros with 2 on 2 out in the 8th for Tucker...

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Correa grounds out 3-1

Smith out, Wilhelmsen in

Gattis strikes out swinging
Villar...full count...walks
Carter reaches on catcher's interference...score it E2, Villar to 2B
Tucker pops out F3 in foul ground.

Still tied at 4

[Bench]

If you wanted to be a pretentious asshole you could just do coke.

I was young, naive, and didn't know any better.

[Arky Vaughan]

Astros with 2 on 2 out in the 8th for Tucker...

Dammit.

[Bench]

Harris still in for the meat of the order.

[HudsonHawk]

Harris out, Perez in

[Bench]

Well, he was in for Cruz and got a ground out to third.  Perez in now for the lefty matchup on Cano.

[Bench]

Cano battled but ended up weakly putting the barrel on the bat for a pop up to left center. 

Perez stays in against the lefty Smith.

[Bench]

Neshek warming.

[Bench]

Smith bloops one in front of Springer.  Perez out, Neshek in.

Trumbo up.  Man on first, two out.

[HudsonHawk]

Interesting thought...the Astros have 83 wins today.  In 2001, the Mariners got their 83rd win on August 8th. 

[Arky Vaughan]

Neshek warming.

At first I read that as Neshek warning.

[Bench]

At first I read that as Neshek warning.

That too.  This white-knuckling the end of the season is more stressful than post-season games.

[HudsonHawk]

M's with runners at the corners and 2 out...

[juliogotay]

Neshek laid that one right in there for Trumbo.

[Arky Vaughan]

That too.  This white-knuckling the end of the season is more stressful than post-season games.

It's nothing personal against Neshek, but his stuff just isn't working like it did a month or two ago. It seems risky bringing him in.

[HudsonHawk]

I don't like the way Conger jerks around back there with runners on base. 

[Bench]

It's nothing personal against Neshek, but his stuff just isn't working like it did a month or two ago. It seems risky bringing him in.

It doesn't seem like he knows what's going to happen whenever he lets go of the pitch.

[HudsonHawk]

Neshek walks Gutierrez to load the bases with 2 out

[Bench]

Bases loaded.  2 outs.  Sean O'Malley up.

[Arky Vaughan]

It doesn't seem like he knows what's going to happen whenever he lets go of the pitch.

Earlier in the year he was putting it in nasty places on the corner. It's cruising right down the pipe nowadays.

[Bench]

Neshek immediately falls behind 2-0.

[Bench]

Now 2-2.  C'mon Pat!

[Bench]

Awww FUCK.

[Arky Vaughan]

Un-fucking-believable.

[HudsonHawk]

Who didn't see that coming?

[MusicMan]

Someone needs to put Neshek out of his misery.


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[Bench]

Fucking two out rallies. 

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Cruz grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch

Harris out, Perez in

Cano flies out F8
Smith with a flair off the end of the bat for a single that drops in front of Springer

That's it for Perez, Neshek in

Trumbo singles to RCF, Smith to 3B
Gutierrez...full count...walks to load the bases
O'Malley...singles to CF, Smith scores, Trumbo scores, Conger stomps his dick on the throw again, and runners move to 2B and 3B
Sucre flies out F9

6-4 M's, headed to the 9th

[juliogotay]

Who didn't see that coming?

HInch.

[HudsonHawk]

Fucking two out rallies.

Perez gives up the little flair single, and he's on the hook for the loss.

[ValpoCory]

Perez gives up the little flair single, and he's on the hook for the loss.

That's 8th inning Pat Neshek for you.   

[chuck]

Neshek warming.

I'll take organizational arrogance for eight hundred, Alex.

[BizidyDizidy]

Well, fuck

[Arky Vaughan]

I try hard not to be a fan who second-guesses the guy in the dugout, but Neshek has allowed baserunners in 11 of his last 15 appearances. For whatever reason, his effectiveness has deteriorated badly since mid-August.

[HudsonHawk]

Astros down to their last out, one on two out, chasing two runs

[juliogotay]

I try hard not to be a fan who second-guesses the guy in the dugout, but Neshek has allowed baserunners in 11 of his last 15 appearances. For whatever reason, his effectiveness has deteriorated badly since mid-August.

It's his location. too many pitches down the middle of the plate.

[ValpoCory]

Altuve has looked atrocious in Seattle so far. Horrible approaches.

[Texifornia]

For whatever reason, his effectiveness has deteriorated badly since mid-August.

It seems with side-armers that they sometimes lose vertical movement and the ball sails to the plate like a frisbee. The last couple of times I've seen Neshek on TV it didn't seem he had much movement.

[Arky Vaughan]

And, as of now, the Astros are on the outside looking in for the playoffs.

[Bench]

That's a rough loss.

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Valbuena, pinch hitting for Conger, 2-0...3-1...full count...singles to LF
Rasmus, pinch hitting for Marisnick...quickly down 0-2...strikes out swinging
Altuve grounds back to the mound, Valbuena out 1-6, but Altuve reaches on FC
Altuve takes 2B
Springer down 0-2 hacking at a pitch 27 feet outside...flies out F9

Astros go down 6-4

Collapse continues, and the Astros now looking up at the second wild card spot.

[ValpoCory]

Well tonight sucked.  Hope for better tomorrow.

[HudsonHawk]

It's his location. too many pitches down the middle of the plate.

When you get behind, you have to be down the middle.  Neshek has to throw strikes.  He doesn't have the stuff to blow people away on fastball counts.

[The Spleen]

Extra brutal because we have no idea who or what is pitching for the Astros next game.
This series is likely lost unless they score a bunch of runs tomorrow...

[Arky Vaughan]

At least the Rangers and Angels have to play each other for four games to end of the season, so they cannot both keep winning. But it will not matter if the Astros keep losing winnable games.

[juliogotay]

1-10 with RISP tonight.

[juliogotay]

At least the Rangers and Angels have to play each other for four games to end of the season, so they cannot both keep winning. But it will not matter if the Astros keep losing winnable games.

I don't think they can afford another loss.

[Noe]

And, as of now, the Astros are on the outside looking in for the playoffs.

The loss tonight and basically the collapse in September made them a chaser instead of a chasee in this final push. So now, instead of controlling  your own destiny, the Astros have to rely on others to help. Meaning, they need help from the Royals and Indians to hold off the Twins. While they will need help from Detroit and possibly Texas (yeah, right... watch them split) to bring the Angels back down to where the Astros can catch them. Oakland can help a little, but honestly, they're not competing much any more and quite frankly, don't know how much you can trust the Royals to compete (why should they if they can rest some guys and set up their playoff rotation instead).

You basically don't want to be in the position where you need help, but that is eggszactly the position they are in now.

[Noe]

I don't think they can afford another loss.

One more loss and you need other teams do some damage like sweep the Angels or Twins and that is unrealistic. You have to win out now, and hope the damage done to the hopes of the other teams is in terms of realistic outcomes from their series. Astros are now in that position... IMHO.

[Navin R Johnson]

Doomed.  Even if they make the playoffs, you aint going far with the bullpen pitching like it is.  Neshek might as well not be on the roster at this point.

[HudsonHawk]

At least the Rangers and Angels have to play each other for four games to end of the season, so they cannot both keep winning. But it will not matter if the Astros keep losing winnable games.

The Astros basically have to win out and hope for Rangers wins to have any hope at the wild card.  They have no realistic shot at the division anymore. 

[HudsonHawk]

I don't think they can afford another loss.

Of course not.  Another loss puts them four back of the division and two out of the wild card with three to play.  They must win out now. 

[Noe]

The Astros basically have to win out and hope for Rangers wins to have any hope at the wild card.  They have no realistic shot at the division anymore.

*DING, DING, DING* the loss by Detroit and the Astros loss pretty much made a division title no realistic. Now you're in a position where you have to think four game sweep, so Hinch needs to manage the games that way. Every player has to contribute in order to sweep the next four games. You need to think moving runners over, not swing for the downs, take extra bases when you can... little things like that because you just cannot afford one more loss.

And then you still need help, so you need the Royals and Rangers to help.

[HudsonHawk]

*DING, DING, DING* the loss by Detroit and the Astros loss pretty much made a division title no realistic. Now you're in a position where you have to think four game sweep, so Hinch needs to manage the games that way. Every player has to contribute in order to sweep the next four games. You need to think moving runners over, not swing for the downs, take extra bases when you can... little things like that because you just cannot afford one more loss.

And then you still need help, so you need the Royals and Rangers to help.

If they win out, they can secure a tie for the second wild card, without help.  The Rangers and Angels have four against each other, so you're guaranteed either an Angels loss or four Rangers losses.  But they must win out now.

[The Spleen]

I can see sweeping in Arizona (Keuchel, McHugh, etc.). I just don't know how they get past tomorrow. Kazmir? Straily? Either way they're likely going to have to run out Johnny Wholestaff, and that's not going to end well with this bullpen... unless they score 453562898 runs.

[Noe]

If they win out, they can secure a tie for the second wild card, without help.  The Rangers and Angels have four against each other, so you're guaranteed either an Angels loss or four Rangers losses.  But they must win out now.

Yup, but a tie only means they still have to play an extra game and they have to win in order to make the playoffs. They need help and they need to win out. They can do it, but can the other teams help? I hope so.

[ValpoCory]

The Astros basically have to win out and hope for Rangers wins to have any hope at the wild card.  They have no realistic shot at the division anymore.

Yep.  I rolled my eyes last week when Matt Thomas started begging some Angels coach he was interviewing to "beat the Rangers for us".   What an idiot.  So disrespectful to the Angels.   The BBGs were all over that one.

[HudsonHawk]

Yep.  I rolled my eyes last week when Matt Thomas started begging some Angels coach he was interviewing to "beat the Rangers for us".   What an idiot.  So disrespectful to the Angels.   The BBGs were all over that one.

I can imagine the Angels coach saying "sure, we'll beat them for you...while we're passing your dumb asses as well."