Astros @ Tribe April 26, 2017

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups (sans Altuve) for tonight's road tilt:

Astros

CFJosh Reddick (L)
LFCarlos Beltran (S)
SSCarlos Correa (R)
CBrian McCann (L)
DHEvan Gattis (R)
3BAlex Bregman (R)
1BY. Gurriel (R)
RFNorichika Aoki (L)
2BMarwin Gonzalez (S)

HOU: Lance McCullers (R)  (2-0, 3.38)

Tribe

1B Carlos Santana (S)
SS F. Lindor (S)
LF M. Brantley (L)
DH E. Encarnacion (R)
3B Jose Ramirez (S)
2B Jason Kipnis (L)
CF L. Chisenhall (L)
RF Abraham Almonte (S)
C Roberto Perez (R)

CLE: Trevor Bauer (R)  (1-2, 6.35)

[moriartp]

No fly balls tonight, Lance.

[juliogotay]

What is the thinking behind these early games in Cleveland? I suppose it is a 6 pm start there but that is still unfashionably early for a weeknite.

Attendance has dropped off precipitously over the years since the Jake was built. The first 8 years ('94-01) average game patronage was 40,000.
Since it has averaged about 24,000 including an average of just under 20k last year as they won the pennant.

[BizidyDizidy]

Apparently, people are very eager to flee Cleveland as soon as possible, so they thought they could boost attendance by giving them less chance to escape the city after work.

http://www.letsgotribe.com/2016/4/6/11377048/cleveland-indians-start-times-2016

[juliogotay]

Apparently, people are very eager to flee Cleveland as soon as possible, so they thought they could boost attendance by giving them less chance to escape the city after work.

http://www.letsgotribe.com/2016/4/6/11377048/cleveland-indians-start-times-2016

Good find Biz. Thanks.

[MusicMan]

McCullers needs to get it together.


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[HudsonHawk]

Could sure use a CFer. 

[HudsonHawk]

2-0 Tribe...one out in the first...

[HudsonHawk]

Did I mention we could use a CFer?

[juliogotay]

we could also use a #2 starter.

[HudsonHawk]

3-0...1B and 3B on an infield popup that because of the shift ends up a single

[HudsonHawk]

we could also use a #2 starter.

It's hard when you have to get six outs

[HudsonHawk]

Double play ends the first with no more damage.  3-0 Tribe.

[MRaup]

Well, I just turned the game on to see a double play, so I'll take the blame for the 3 scored.

[HudsonHawk]

Well, I just turned the game on to see a double play, so I'll take the blame for the 3 scored.

And where the fuck were you last night with all them caught lookings?  I had to rant for everyone

[MRaup]

And where the fuck were you last night with all them caught lookings?  I had to rant for everyone

Playing floorball. I was listening to the game on my phone while goalieing.

[MRaup]

Playing floorball. I was listening to the game on my phone while goalieing.

And cursing loudly for the majority of it.

[Aussie Astro]

Playing floorball. I was listening to the game on my phone while goalieing.

Floorball is ice hockey without ice, right?

[HudsonHawk]

Glovework a little shaky tonight.

[MRaup]

Floorball is ice hockey without ice, right?

Kind of. It's got contact rules like soccer (mostly), but the rest of it is fairly hockey-like.

[HudsonHawk]

Tbere's the ol' rally killer...

[MRaup]

Tbere's the ol' rally killer...

That sucked especially because it was pretty well placed . A foot to the left and it's first and third with no outs.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Dammit, forgot about the early start. nice to see the normal whole to climb out of.

[HudsonHawk]

Two hits, two walks, but nothing to show for it. 

[juliogotay]

Dammit, forgot about the early start. nice to see the normal whole to climb out of.

Got 'em right where we want 'em now boys.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Captain CaveeeeeeeeeMannnnnnn!!!!

[WVastro]

Captain Caveman!

[HudsonHawk]

Boy Beltran just doesn't get in a hurry out there, does he. 

[MRaup]

Boy, McCullers went from dominant to sucking ass in a big hurry.

[HudsonHawk]

5-2 on a walk and a  couple of seeing eye groundballs. 

[HudsonHawk]

Boy, McCullers went from dominant to sucking ass in a big hurry.

Should have been out of this inning with no runs. 

[MRaup]

Should have been out of this inning with no runs.

Yup!

[HudsonHawk]

No errors this game, but I count about five plays that really should have been made.  Which would make this a 2-1 Astros lead.  This current outfield is fucked up. 

[HudsonHawk]

McCann!!

He really needs a nickname. 

[hostros7]

Jack!


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

McCann shit canned one.

[MRaup]

They cut back to Bauer right after that homer and he had the biggest "what the shit?" look on his face. I don't think he thought that one was gonna go.

[HudsonHawk]

5-4 Tribe after the 2-run tater by McCann. 

[hostros7]

McCann!!

He really needs a nickname.

This statement made me realize one additional reason to like hinch is that he doesn't add "y" to every player's name.


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[HudsonHawk]

Gattis has now gotten five straight meatballs.

[HudsonHawk]

This statement made me realize one additional reason to like hinch is that he doesn't add "y" to every player's name.


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McCanny?

[HudsonHawk]

Gattis got 8 straight meatballs and finally swung and missed the last one. 

[HudsonHawk]

Sipp in to face the lefties, and immediately gives up a hit.

[HudsonHawk]

To think...there was a time when Sipp was the best you had in the pen...as his next pitch goes to the screen after a wild pitch

[HudsonHawk]

And now a 4-pitch walk.

Sipp his usual garbage self...that's all for him. 

[MRaup]

To think...there was a time when Sipp was the best you had in the pen...as his next pitch goes to the screen after a wild pitch

I'd be happy to never see Sipp in to pitch for the Astros again. Man, he's putrid.

[HudsonHawk]

First pitch from Feliz is wild, takes the double play off the table.

That pitch hit the grass, 15 feet in front of the plate. 

[MrKnuckleball]

First pitch from Feliz is wild, takes the double play off the table.

That pitch hit the grass, 15 feet in front of the plate.

And comes back to strike him out, interesting.

[HudsonHawk]

Astros just do not want to win this game...7-4 Tribe now.   

[MusicMan]

Astros just do not want to win this game...7-4 Tribe now.

54 that you're just going to lose each year. Playing 2 left fielders and a DH in your outfield pretty well contributes to that category.


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[MRaup]

54 that you're just going to lose each year. Playing 2 left fielders and a DH in your outfield pretty well contributes to that category.


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So does a worthless lefty specialist that gets torched by lefties.

[MusicMan]

So does a worthless lefty specialist that gets torched by lefties.

I'm fully ready to cut bait on him, but filing 13 pitching spots isn't easy.


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[David in Jackson]

Can we send Support to Fresno?


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[David in Jackson]

 Not support. Sipp. Darn iPhone.


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[HudsonHawk]

Astros with the bases drunk and one out...

[HudsonHawk]

Jebus Carlos...SWING THE FUCKING BAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HudsonHawk]

Fuck.  What a putrid fucking inning from your RBI guys. 

[HudsonHawk]

SWING THE GODDAM BATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HudsonHawk]

Fuck that shit drives me nuts

[moriartp]

McCann!!

He really needs a nickname.

Something along the lines of "Asshole" or "Dickbag" would do.

[HudsonHawk]

This game is never gonna end.

[juliogotay]

Something along the lines of "Asshole" or "Dickbag" would do.

Hey! He's our asshole now.  Actually I haven't seen one thing about McCann I don't like since he's been here.

[HudsonHawk]

Marwin with a 2-run double...7-6 Tribe...

[hostros7]

Marwin! Drives in a pair. Stros now down 7-6.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Marwin is the best at what he does.

[HudsonHawk]

If Correa and McCann hadn't been deer in the fucking headlights last inning, the Astros would be up by about four runs now. 

[HudsonHawk]

SWING THE FUCKING BAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hostros7]

Bad strike call up in the zone against Reddick on the 2-0 pitch changed the entire complexion of the AB.


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[HudsonHawk]

Bad strike call up in the zone against Reddick on the 2-0 pitch changed the entire complexion of the AB.


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Yeah, that's why he took a meatball 2-1...he was still fragile from a high strike call. 

[HudsonHawk]

To the 9th...Astros chasing a run.

Had Hinch gone to Devo earlier, instead of Sipp and his gas can...

[moriartp]

Hey! He's our asshole now.  Actually I haven't seen one thing about McCann I don't like since he's been here.

"Our son of a bitch," perhaps?

[hostros7]

Yeah, that's why he took a meatball 2-1...he was still fragile from a high strike call.

Pretty sure he was still bitching about it after he grounded out weakly on the next pitch even.


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[HudsonHawk]

Correa is fucking killing this team in the cleanup spot. 

[MrKnuckleball]

Correa is fucking killing this team in the cleanup spot.

All I can think about right now is that bases loaded opportunity.

[juliogotay]

Correa is fucking killing this team in the cleanup spot.

I'm more comfortable seeing the bottom of the order up right now.

[HudsonHawk]

Pretty sure he was still bitching about it after he grounded out weakly on the next pitch even.


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That's my point.  The game on the line and his head is up his ass.  It was that way for Correa and McCann in the 7th.  Neither were prepared to hit.  In fact, they looked like they had no idea what they were supposed to do.

[hostros7]

There is perhaps no worse swing than an "ass out" flail at an outside breaking pitch that the batter has been fooled on.


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[HudsonHawk]

I'm more comfortable seeing the bottom of the order up right now.

Right now, Correa is the last guy I want to see up there in a big situation. 

[HudsonHawk]

Shitfuck.  VERY winnable game down the drain. 

[hostros7]

That's my point.  The game on the line and his head is up his ass.  It was that way for Correa and McCann in the 7th.  Neither were prepared to hit.  In fact, they looked like they had no idea what they were supposed to do.

I followed you. He should have been more focused on driving in the run on a fat pitch in the zone on a favorable 2-1 count than get wound up about the strike 1 call.

[WVastro]

McCann shit canned one.

We're looking for a nickname? I think Sphinx outlined it...


McShitCann

That has nothing to do with his ability or contribution. Sorta like Fuckin Aoki

[Knoxbanedoodle]

We're looking for a nickname? I think Sphinx outlined it...


McShitCann

That has nothing to do with his ability or contribution. Sorta like Fuckin Aoki

"Fuckin" Aoki is in no way a slur. It is emphatically positive.

[geezerdonk]

This loss is 100% Hinch's fault. When McCullers was done, the entire bullpen was available. He chose the least effective and most unreliable option. His undermanned team had fought back from a poor McCullers effort and bad luck with Reddick's glove to make the game competitive and he pulled the rug out from underneath them.
Inserting Sipp into a competitive game is the ne plus ultra of provocative taunts to the baseball gods.

[BudGirl]

This loss is 100% Hinch's fault. When McCullers was done, the entire bullpen was available. He chose the least effective and most unreliable option. His undermanned team had fought back from a poor McCullers effort and bad luck with Reddick's glove to make the game competitive and he pulled the rug out from underneath them.
Inserting Sipp into a competitive game is the ne plus ultra of provocative taunts to the baseball gods.

If you can't put your pitchers into competitive games, then get them off the roster.

[MRaup]

If you can't put your pitchers into competitive games, then get them off the roster.

Agreed.

Tony Sipp's job is to get lefties out. If he can't do the ONE thing he's supposed to do, he needs to be gone. That's not on Hinch, that's on management.

[MusicMan]

Agreed.

Tony Sipp's job is to get lefties out. If he can't do the ONE thing he's supposed to do, he needs to be gone. That's not on Hinch, that's on management.

First, it's on Sipp.

[juliogotay]

First, it's on Sipp.

I would agree except that he was this bad last year, too. They had all year to find a LH option for the pen. I expect they thought he would rebound but it hasn't worked out up to this point.