Astros @ Royals June 6, 2017

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's road tilt:

Astros

CFGeorge Springer (R)
RFJosh Reddick (L)
2BJose Altuve (R)
SSCarlos Correa (R)
DHCarlos Beltran (S)
CEvan Gattis (R)
1BY. Gurriel (R)
3BAlex Bregman (R)
LFNorichika Aoki (L)

HOU: David Paulino (R)  (0-0, 4.50)

Royals

2B Whit Merrifield (R)
RF Jorge Bonifacio (R)
CF Lorenzo Cain (R)
1B Eric Hosmer (L)
C Salvador Perez (R)
DH Mike Moustakas (L)
3B C. Cuthbert (R)
SS Alcides Escobar (R)
LF Alex Gordon (L)

KC: Jake Junis (R)  (1-0, 2.70)

[AstroNut]

Any word on the extent of Marwin's hand injury ?

[Mr. Happy]

Any word on the extent of Marwin's hand injury ?

Only thing I can find says that he's not likely to play tonight. Sounds day-to-day to me.

[Navin R Johnson]

Hand discomfort. Available off the bench.

[Navin R Johnson]

Here is a video of Hinch discussing Marwin.

https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/872212435020730375

[hostros7]

Whit Merrifield missed out on his lacrosse destiny.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

If the Astros keep getting guys to third each inning, they might eventually score. Maybe.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I like this Paulino better than the first.

[austro]

Geez, the Astros are +50  in run differential during the streak? There are probably a bunch of teams that haven't even scored 50 in their last 11.

[Waldo]

Well that GIDP ended up saving a run.

[AstroNut]

Cincy putting an Astro like whooping on the Turds...

[Waldo]

2 outs, bases juiced for Gurriel.

[Waldo]

2 run single!  3-0 Astros

[hostros7]

The old fella can still get down with the stealth slide


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[doyce7]

That was a great slide

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[Waldo]

That was a great slide

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If he'd clipped his fingernails this morning he wouldn't have touched the plate.

[hostros7]

The astros have hit the ball harder than the score would indicate and it's 3-0


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Top of the third
Junis pitching

Springer leads off with a stand up double to LCF
Reddick with one of the most awkward successful bunts ever. Springer to third.
Altuve with a sac fly to CF to score Springer from third.
Correa works the count full. takes ball four, now runners on first and second
Beltran hit into a FC Correa out at second, Riddick on third and Beltran on first.
Gattis works the count full, foul, (Junis throwing a lot of pitches) foul, ball four, bases loaded.
Yuli G singles to shallow CF Reddick scores, Beltran scores,
Bregman  smashed a line drive to LF that is caught for the third out

End of 2,5 Astros 3  Royals 0

[austro]

You know, Diaz is doing a nice job with the strike zone so far.

[hostros7]

I like this Paulino better than the first.

Per Daren Willman:

David Paulino hasn't throw his curveball all that often but when he has it's got some serious spin. Avg of 3014 RPM. League avg is 2492 RPM

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[Waldo]

You know, Diaz is doing a nice job with the strike zone so far.

My impression of Diaz is that he's an above average umpire.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I heard somewhere that Alex Gordon is a dick

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bottom of the 3rd
Paulino pitching

Escobar ground out 5-3
Gordon hit a HR to CF.
Merryfield FO to LCF
Bonifacio does down on a looker

End of 3 Astros 3   Royales 0

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Per Daren Willman:
Quote
"David Paulino hasn't throw his curveball all that often but when he has it's got some serious spin. Avg of 3014 RPM. League avg is 2492 RPM"

How great it must be to be able to throw a ball that stays in the air for a minute.

[NeilT]

Per Daren Willman:
Quote
"David Paulino hasn't throw his curveball all that often but when he has it's got some serious spin. Avg of 3014 RPM. League avg is 2492 RPM"

How great it must be to be able to throw a ball that stays in the air for a minute.

That the sort of thing that slows down the game.

[austro]

Man, those were two very hard-hit balls.

[Texifornia]

Astros' offense is relentless.

[Waldo]

Heads-up running by Reddick makes it 5-1.  And Beltran goes deep to make it 7-1!

[NeilT]

I bet that's an annoyed pitcher.

[Texifornia]

Heads-up running by Reddick makes it 5-1.  And Beltran goes deep to make it 7-1!

Not one single relent.

[doyce7]

Scoring can happen so fast with this team

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[Andyzipp]

This team is just ridiculous.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

How about the old man Beltran.

[austro]

That escalated quickly.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Top of 4
Junis pitching

Aoki flies out to LC
Springer singles on a liner to LF
Reddick doubles, Springer scores
Altuve grounds out to short, Reddick to second
Correa singles to third, Reddick scores from second on the bad throw.
Beltran homers to RF

Pitching change
McCarthy pitching
Gattis strikes out

end of 3.5 Astros 7   Royals 0

[hostros7]

I bet that's an annoyed pitcher.

"Annoyed" isn't the first adjective that came to mind


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[Waldo]

Kalas just said the Astros have scored 195 runs on the road this year.  The Royals have scored a total of 198.

[austro]

Great play by Correa (and Yuli), but Correa's body language makes we wonder if he didn't tweak his back or shoulder on the dive.

[hostros7]

Paulino needs to throw strikes and save the bullpen a few innings of extra work.


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[Andyzipp]

I think my Grandfather used to order Cheslor Comfort on the rocks back in the day.

[hostros7]

This cuthbert at bat is definitely the second best looking cuthbert I've seen in my life.


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[Andyzipp]

Paulino needs to throw strikes and save the bullpen a few innings of extra work.


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I think the two doubles are proof he's throwing strikes.

[Texifornia]

Say what you will about the Royals, their roster wins the All-Onomatopoeia award.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bottom of 4
Paulino pitching

Cain hit a grounder to Correa who dives to make the grab, hops up makes the throw to first, called safe, under review (Cain before the result heads back to dugout) and the play is reversed out 6-3
Hosmer the butthole doubles off the LCF wall.
Perez the Dick hit a double to RF, Hosmer scores
Moustakas flies out to Bregman in foul territory
Is it Chester or Chessor? Cuthbert ends the threat with a pop-up to third.

end of 4  Astros 7   Royals 2

[Waldo]

Paulino needs to throw strikes and save the bullpen a few innings of extra work.


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He's doing fine.  56 pitches through 4 IP, no walks, and constantly getting ahead of hitters.

[Andyzipp]

Bottom of 4
Paulino pitching

Cain hit a grounder to Correa who dives to make the grab, hops up makes the throw to first, called safe, under review (Cain before the result heads back to dugout) and the play is reversed out 6-3
Hosmer the butthole doubles off the LCF wall.
Perez the Dick hit a double to RF, Hosmer scores
Moustakas flies out to Bregman in foul territory
Is it Chester or Chessor? Cuthbert ends the threat with a pop-up to third.

end of 4  Astros 7   Royals 2

Cheslor, which...pretty sure that was the leader of the Sleestaks.

[hostros7]

I think the two doubles are proof he's throwing strikes.

I meant it more as encouragement given the two doubles than criticism. My comment wasn't worth a post, particularly as imprecise as it was.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Top of 5
McCarthy Pitching

Gurriel flies out to Alex the dick in LF
Bregman grounds out 6-3
Aoki with an infield single between 3rd and short, Escobar made a nice effort but too late
Springer works the count full, then ground out 6-3

End of 4.5  Astros 7    Royals 2

[Nate Colbert]

Scooter Gennett with 4 homers tonight. First Reds player ever to do that.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Buckle down Paulino

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bottom of 5
Paulino Pitching

Escobar strikes out swinging
Gordon lines out to Aoki in LF
Merryfield hit one to the wall in LF for a double
Bonifacio  works the count full and the takes the base on balls
Cain flies out to CF

End of 5  Astros 7   Royals 2

[NeilT]

Paulino with 74 pitches through 5.  Not bad.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Scooter Gennett with 4 homers tonight. First Reds player ever to do that.

Wow. I might have guessed Votto or Duval or Schebler but never Gennett

[Nate Colbert]

Wow. I might have guessed Votto or Duval or Schebler but never Gennett

He only had 3 homers coming into the game.

[NeilT]

It's about time Altuve got a hit in KC. 

[austro]

Wow. I might have guessed Votto or Duval or Schebler but never Gennett

I mean, think about it: Bench, Morgan, Griffey, Foster, and who knows who else, and Scooter Gennett gets that record.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Top of 6
McCarthy pitching

Reddick grounds out 4-3
Altuve singles into RF
Correa grounds out 4-3, Altuve to second
Beltran strikes out swinging

end of 5.5 Astros 7    Royals 2

[Waldo]

I mean, think about it: Bench, Morgan, Griffey, Foster, and who knows who else, and Scooter Gennett gets that record.

Adam Dunn too.

[hostros7]

I mean, think about it: Bench, Morgan, Griffey, Foster, and who knows who else, and Scooter Gennett gets that record.

Adam Dunn hit about 35 HRs per year as a Red.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Don't forget Eric Davis

[austro]

They may want to try something different with Hosmer.

[Andyzipp]

Or Barry Larkin.

[AstroNut]

KC has had more doubles than Foster Brooks on a Saturday night...

[austro]

Oh, jesus, catcher's interfence again

[Knoxbanedoodle]

They call Salvador Perez "Salvy" in KC.

[Waldo]

KC has had hard contact on Paulino all night.  Figures it would finally catch up to him.

[austro]

Looks like they made Paulino angry.

What a play by Correa! What a questionable move by Perez!

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Or the begoggled Chris Sabo.

[austro]

Or the begoggled Chris Sabo.

Or even Billy Hatcher. He turned into a streaky homer-hitter for them, as I recall.

ETA: Nope, my memory was really faulty on that one.

[juliogotay]

Or the begoggled Chris Sabo.

Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

They call Salvador Perez "Salvy" in KC.

Which 19th Century president had the excessive drooling problem and the fucked up neck? "Salvy" puts me in mind of him. I believe he was Lincoln's predecessor.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bottom of the 6th
Paulino still on the hill

Hosmer hit another double, what a fuckstick.
Perez gets first on catcher's interference
Moose Tacos drives a single up the middle, Hosmer scores, Perez to third.
Cuthbert pops-up to Correa
Escobar swings through the fist pitch, watches strike two, ball 1,  Hits a FC to Correa, who throws to Gattis who tags out Perez at the plate.
Pitching change. Devo in. Runners at first and second two out.
Alex Gordon works the count full then goes down swinging at the circle of death

End of 6  Astros 7   Royals 3

[juliogotay]

Which 19th Century president had the excessive drooling problem and the fucked up neck? "Salvy" puts me in mind of him. I believe he was Lincoln's predecessor.

Buchanen was Lincoln's predecessor.

[Nate Colbert]

Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson.

Big Klu.

[Andyzipp]

There's nothing quite like enjoying a sensible piece of tilapia over some greens with roasted tomatoes and peppers while Julia Morales is shoving a cinnamon roll ice cream sandwich topped with candied bacon in her maw.

[austro]

Boy, I thought Aoki might be safe there.

[Andyzipp]

Really which Kalas would stop referring to "this 12 game streak"...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Top of the 7th
Travis Wood pitching

Gattis Flies out to the centerfielder
Yuli G lines a single to LF
Bregman pops out to 1st
Aoki grounds out to short.

end of 6.5  Astros 7    Royals 3

[NeilT]

Buchanen was Lincoln's predecessor.

Trump?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Hell, Tony Perez or Lee May

[AstroNut]

Replaces Aoki with Mars...why not bat Mars there ? KC just brought in lefty ??

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bottom of the 7th
Devo pitching

Merrifield flies out to Springer now in RF
Bonifacio can't check himself on strike three
Cain flies out to Marisnick in CF

End of 7 Astros 7   Royals 3

[hostros7]

Trump?

He enjoys his tilapia with ketchup and his ice cream cinnamon bun served in a pork pie hat perched atop the head of a diminutive server, who he hired at Mar-a-lago for an unpaid internship for hotel and restaurant Managment school credit.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

what about Jay Bruce?

[geezerdonk]

Lorenzo Cain is my name.

[Andyzipp]

He enjoys his tilapia with ketchup and his ice cream cinnamon bun served in a pork pie hat perched atop the head of a diminutive server, who he hired at Mar-a-lago for an unpaid internship for hotel and restaurant Managment school credit.


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Replace tilapia with fishsticks and you've got it...

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Buchanan, yes, that's him. Now Salvador Perez puts me in mind of James Buchanan. I'll bet I'm the only person in the world for whom that's true.

[Texifornia]

He enjoys his tilapia with ketchup and his ice cream cinnamon bun served in a pork pie hat perched atop the head of a diminutive server, who he hired at Mar-a-lago for an unpaid internship for hotel and restaurant Managment school credit.

She was a grad student at dear ol' Trump U.

[WVastro]

Big Klu.

I was excited to use the nickname but of course NC was quick on that one.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Top of 8
Wood pitching

Springer grounds out 6-3, Escobar is pretty good
Reddick singles on the first pitch to RF
Altuve strikes out swinging
Correa works a 2-2 count, Redick steals second, Correa out swinging.

End of 7.5   Astros 7    Royals 3

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I know this because last night's postgame show in KC promised to hit on two subjects: one was the Astros "streaking" into KC, and the other was "Salvy nails two", or something to that effect. It was an R-rated postgame show, I guess.

By the way the second Guardians of the Galaxy movie has one of the funniest lines I've ever heard in a movie.

Edited to add: should've said "sequence" of lines.

[Andyzipp]

Guduan in to see what he can do against Hosmer.

[Andyzipp]

And Hosmer finally retired...

[Waldo]

Guduan in to see what he can do against Hosmer.

Of all the people to strike out on some chin music, I wasn't expecting it to be Hosmer.

[Texifornia]

Guduan in to see what he can do against Hosmer.

He finally got that pinched-face SoB out!

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Hosmer looks like the devil.

[Texifornia]

Hosmer looks like the devil.

Based on his '15 NLDS he is at least in league with him.

[Andyzipp]

Fuckin' Mooseknuckle

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

These guys just keep swinging and putting guys on base.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I appreciate that Hinch is not idly standing by. These guys seem to love hitting against the Astros.

[austro]

These guys just keep swinging and putting guys on base.

Seems kind of familiar.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

And dinky fucking hits.

[Waldo]

More soft contact crap.

[austro]

Time to get serious here.

[austro]

More soft contact crap.

But contact nonetheless. Good things happen when you put the ball in play.

[hostros7]

She was a grad student at dear ol' Trump U.

And he billed Eric for her time, mostly spent avoiding his "spider fingers," at a benefit for Kids with cancer.


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[WVastro]

Time to get serious here.

Yup

[Waldo]

Giles coming in to put out the fire with bases loaded.

[hostros7]

Giles gets the call with the bases juiced and will be asked to get the 4 out save.


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[austro]

Giles coming in to put out the fire with bases loaded.

It's going to be exciting one way or another.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bottom of 8
Guduan pitching

Hosmer strikes out swinging at a would be ball four up and in.
Perez hits a pop fly that finds the grass between Jake and George for a single
Moose Tacos batting, (Hoyt warming up in the bullpen), hit a single down the RF line, Perez to third
Pitching change Hoyt in. Runners on the corners with 1 out.
Cuthbert flairs a single to shallow RF, Perez scores, Moose Turds to second
Escobar strikes out swinging and missing
Gordon  check swing strike, ball, ball, ball.
Pitching change, Hoyt out, Giles in. 2 outs bases loaded.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I feel like Giles doesn't have much experience with this sort of situation.

[Waldo]

Paulino deserved better.

[MrKnuckleball]

Damn

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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I hate these bastards

[austro]

That was kind of a bummer. Not one of Reddick's better efforts out there in left.

[Tom Servo]

Really which Kalas would stop referring to "this 12 game streak"...

agreed.

[Waldo]

I'd like to see a breakdown of how many Royals reached base after falling behind 0-2 or 1-2.  Seemed like it was all of them.

[AstroNut]

WTF...where's the fastball ?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bottom of 8
Guduan pitching

Hosmer strikes out swinging at a would be ball four up and in.
Perez hits a pop fly that finds the grass between Jake and George for a single
Moose Tacos batting, (Hoyt warming up in the bullpen), hit a single down the RF line, Perez to third
Pitching change Hoyt in. Runners on the corners with 1 out.
Cuthbert flairs a single to shallow RF, Perez scores, Moose Turds to second
Escobar strikes out swinging and missing
Gordon  check swing strike, ball, ball, ball.
Pitching change, Hoyt out, Giles in. 2 outs bases loaded.

Bottom of 8th cont.
Giles pitching

Merrifield hits a double scores all three runners on base to tie the game at 7 all.
Bonifacio strikes out but the damage has been done, tie ballgame

End of 8   Astros 7   Royals 7

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Seems kind of familiar.

Sickly familiar.

[The Third Man]

The Royals are like zombie vampires against the Astros. They just keep coming.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Hey, at least we went out and got Giles for these kinds of--

[austro]

Now there's a bit of a problem in the pen: who's still available?

[NeilT]

Now there's a bit of a problem in the pen: who's still available?

Giles comes out the 9th, right?

[Waldo]

Giles comes out the 9th, right?

Yep.  Then you've got Sipp and Gregerson for potential extra innings.  Harris if you're desperate.

[austro]

Giles comes out the 9th, right?

Yeah, but if we have to go beyond that, what next?

[Arky Vaughan]

Giles has 25 appearances.

He's managed a clean outing (no baserunners) in 11 of them.

He's allowed 58% of inherited runners to score.

[austro]

It would be helpful if Bregman contributed here.

[NeilT]

Is Bregman slow?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

top of 9
Mike Minor pitching

Beltran strikes out swinging
Gattis pops out to second
Yuli G singles up the middle
Bregman, Yuli steals second, Escobar with another great play at short throws out Bregman

End of 8.5  Astros 7   Royals 7

[The Third Man]

Is Bregman slow?

Alex is of above-average intelligence.

[chuck]

Giles has 25 appearances.

He's managed a clean outing (no baserunners) in 11 of them.

He's allowed 58% of inherited runners to score.

Giles is a seventh inning guy on a good team.

People are going to rush in and insist that it wasn't Giles' fault. No shit, it's not his fault that there are three guys standing on base. But if he's supposed to be some elite closer he needs to start looking like one.

I too would like to know why he kept going to the slider. And I'd like to know why Reddick was so far off the line.

[NeilT]

I don't think the shift worked that time.

[Waldo]

It had to end that way, didn't it?

[NeilT]

Dang. Darn.  Dadgummit.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bottom of 9
Giles pitching

Cain grounds out 5-3
Hosmer out 4-3
Perez beats the shift with a single where Altuve was.
Mooseturdo hits a walk off.

Royals 9   Astros 7

[austro]

Not a great night for the pen.

[doyce7]

Can't win em all boys

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[chuck]

Not Giles' fault, either, I don't imagine.

[Arky Vaughan]

Giles is a seventh inning guy on a good team.

People are going to rush in and insist that it wasn't Giles' fault. No shit, it's not his fault that there are three guys standing on base. But if he's supposed to be some elite closer he needs to start looking like one.

I too would like to know why he kept going to the slider. And I'd like to know why Reddick was so far off the line.

This team is fantastic and has very few weaknesses. Part of the bullpen has been fantastic. But Gregerson and Giles have both been disappointments. They've managed to dodge some bullets because the offense has been scoring so many runs. But neither of them is pitching like an elite closer. Maybe they turn around, or maybe somebody else steps up. But the current situation would be risky in the playoffs.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fuck, that hurts. Got to bounce back tomorrow, start another streak.

[AstroNut]

100mph man gets beat on two 87mph sliders...

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I thought that was pretty consistent with how Giles pitches. He shows the fastball and relies on the slider for the K. But he hasn't I think been mistaken for an elite closer since Philly--if he was ever considered such there. I remember a lot of explaining around his five blown saves in limited opportunities, etc.

Anyway, shitty way to lose. The Royals and Indians are the only teams to win series against the Astros so far this year, right?

Fuck these guys. I hope we come out tomorrow pissed off.

[The Third Man]

All good things must come to an end, but I have no confidence in Ken Giles.

[Jacksonian]

I thought that was pretty consistent with how Giles pitches. He shows the fastball and relies on the slider for the K. But he hasn't I think been mistaken for an elite closer since Philly--if he was ever considered such there. I remember a lot of explaining around his five blown saves in limited opportunities, etc.

Anyway, shitty way to lose. The Royals and Indians are the only teams to win series against the Astros so far this year, right?

Fuck these guys. I hope we come out tomorrow pissed off.

Philly's defense was the excuse.

He's the gas can until he's not.

Indians and Royals only, yes.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Well, at least I can finally change my underwear.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The more they talk about this exit velocity and that exit velocity the less relevant exit velocity becomes. I guess it's just a fun fact kind of thing.

[doyce7]

Giles is a seventh inning guy on a good team.

People are going to rush in and insist that it wasn't Giles' fault. No shit, it's not his fault that there are three guys standing on base. But if he's supposed to be some elite closer he needs to start looking like one.

I too would like to know why he kept going to the slider. And I'd like to know why Reddick was so far off the line.

Who should be the closer?
We've done the will harris and gregersen experience.
I don't want to pull devenski from his current role.
Giles has been inconsistent and no he isn't an "elite" closer but how many of those guys are there? Not many

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[Waldo]

Who should be the closer?
We've done the will harris and gregersen experience.
I don't want to pull devenski from his current role.
Giles has been inconsistent and no he isn't an "elite" closer but how many of those guys are there? Not many

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I think the point is they need to go get one.

Not sure Watson is the answer either - blew his fourth save of the season tonight.  Giles has only blown two.

[Navin R Johnson]

Walk off pitch location.

https://twitter.com/darenw/status/872294153496952832

[doyce7]

I think the point is they need to go get one.

Not sure Watson is the answer either - blew his fourth save of the season tonight.  Giles has only blown two.

Elite closers are usually on good teams and good teams don't trade elite closers.

Giles to me isn't a bad closer. This teams biggest need is still adding another starter. Your not gonna add a closer and a frontline starter in the same deadline.

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[AstroNut]

Giles can close...but he has to have confidence in throwing the 100mph heat...

One question to ask Hinch...Why bat Aoki against lefty who just came in to end inning with a runner on base.

Then put Mars in after the inning...Why not bat Mars there ? Can someone esplane pleez?

Let's go get them tamarra and take the series...this AL Central has been problems

[Jacksonian]

I think the point is they need to go get one.

Not sure Watson is the answer either - blew his fourth save of the season tonight.  Giles has only blown two.

You get Watson to handle lefties not be the closer.

I don't know that they can do better this year.  Giles lives too much over the plate.  He's got electric stuff but no one can live that much over the plate.  He's Farnsworth when he's there.  But he's going to be the guy so I'm hoping for the best while hoping for non-save winning situations.

[JJxvi]

Personally, reading the tea leaves to see the future, I pretty much think that when we get down to the games and final outs that decide how the season ends up, it's going to be Devenski on the mound with ball, even if he's not the closer until that point.

[juliogotay]

Personally, reading the tea leaves to see the future, I pretty much think that when we get down to the games and final outs that decide how the season ends up, it's going to be Devenski on the mound with ball, even if he's not the closer until that point.

Try coffee instead. Changing your bullpen around for playoffs is not going to happen. It could happen sooner but not then barring injury.

[JJxvi]

I would be surprised if this club believed there was a real benefit to be gained from "keeping the roles consistent" for the playoffs.  Nor do I believe from watching postseason baseball that it's even something that's typical except for teams who have pens overflowing with great arms who can just punch them up Dotel-Lidge-Wagner style.

[Waldo]

This teams biggest need is still adding another starter.

Absolutely agree.  Just think that Luhnow should consider shopping around a bit.

I actually wouldn't mind kicking the tires on Harris in the closer spot again.  He's been nails in pressure situations.

[doyce7]

Giles can close...but he has to have confidence in throwing the 100mph heat...

One question to ask Hinch...Why bat Aoki against lefty who just came in to end inning with a runner on base.

Then put Mars in after the inning...Why not bat Mars there ? Can someone esplane pleez?

Let's go get them tamarra and take the series...this AL Central has been problems

Aoki actually has better numbers against leftys than rightys. Marwin if I recall correctly said that his hand bothers him more when he gets from the right side of the plate

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Knoxbanedoodle]

The particularly insidious thing about losing to this team in this way, for me, is that it just evaporated all the good feeling from the stretch of ridiculous baseball we've been treated to over the past couple weeks. The Royals haunt us. I hope we can exorcise that shit the next couple games. If we can't, I hope we dust ourselves off and move on like we did after the Cleveland sweep.

I recognize I'm not saying anything profound here. Was surprised to wake up with such a bad taste still in my mouth, as if I hadn't just witnessed the longest winning streak of my life as an Astros fan.

[HudsonHawk]

The particularly insidious thing about losing to this team in this way, for me, is that it just evaporated all the good feeling from the stretch of ridiculous baseball we've been treated to over the past couple weeks. The Royals haunt us. I hope we can exorcise that shit the next couple games. If we can't, I hope we dust ourselves off and move on like we did after the Cleveland sweep.

I recognize I'm not saying anything profound here. Was surprised to wake up with such a bad taste still in my mouth, as if I hadn't just witnessed the longest winning streak of my life as an Astros fan.

If losing this one game ruins all the joy you had from winning the previous eleven, perhaps you'd better not look the rest of the summer.  this is going to happen again.  Like 40 or 50 times again at least, maybe more.  Last night sucked.  Part of it was their own doing, part of it was the Royals not lying down and actually trying to win right up until the end.  That's going to happen more this season. 

[Waldo]

If losing this one game ruins all the joy you had from winning the previous eleven, perhaps you'd better not look the rest of the summer.  this is going to happen again.  Like 40 or 50 times again at least, maybe more.

Yeah, all winning streaks have an end.  You're robbing yourself of enjoyment of a really good stretch if you let this loss get you down that much.

I just wish it hadn't been 1) a walk-off HR, 2) that went 400+ feet, 3) to cap a comeback from down 7-1, 4) on a pitch from Giles that Tim Bogar could've crushed.

[BudGirl]

There's nothing quite like enjoying a sensible piece of tilapia over some greens with roasted tomatoes and peppers while Julia Morales is shoving a cinnamon roll ice cream sandwich topped with candied bacon in her maw.

I don't usually care what she eats but that did look really good.

[HudsonHawk]

Yeah, all winning streaks have an end.  You're robbing yourself of enjoyment of a really good stretch if you let this loss get you down that much.

I just wish it hadn't been 1) a walk-off HR, 2) that went 400+ feet, 3) to cap a comeback from down 7-1, 4) on a pitch from Giles that Tim Bogar could've crushed.

Nobody liked it.  But...

The tying run reached on a 2-out walk to move runners to 2B ad 3B
There is no way Gordon should score that tying run from 1B on a base hit to LF
The 9th should have ended on Perez's routine chopper to 2B

If the Astros don't walk people, and don't insist on leaving half the fucking field uncovered, they win that game, even with the bullpen meltdown. 

Gotta go out and win this series. 

[Knoxbanedoodle]

If losing this one game ruins all the joy you had from winning the previous eleven, perhaps you'd better not look the rest of the summer.  this is going to happen again.  Like 40 or 50 times again at least, maybe more.  Last night sucked.  Part of it was their own doing, part of it was the Royals not lying down and actually trying to win right up until the end.  That's going to happen more this season.

Thanks for the advice. It honestly hadn't occurred to me that we would ever lose again.

My point was that this particular defeat to this particular team entailed an unusual sting. That is all.

[HudsonHawk]

Thanks for the advice. It honestly hadn't occurred to me that we would ever lose again.

Glad I could help.

My point was that this particular defeat to this particular team entailed an unusual sting. That is all.

And my point is that there are going to be lots of these.  Dozens more before the season ends.  If you let it ruin your joy of the season that's unfolding, you're probably better off just not watching. 

[chuck]

unusual

And my point is that there are going to be lots of these.

If something is unusual then there won't be lots of them.

[NeilT]

It's just painful to watch the hitters fail the bullpen in that way.

[Arky Vaughan]

Glad I could help.

And my point is that there are going to be lots of these.  Dozens more before the season ends.  If you let it ruin your joy of the season that's unfolding, you're probably better off just not watching.

I'm certain they're going to lose more games. I'm hopeful that there aren't dozens more times when they blow 7-1 leads, however. That's a rare event, even for a bad team,

But, hey, they've certainly won more games like that than they've lost, so I'll suck up the loss and gladly pocket the 11-game winning streak before that.

[Arky Vaughan]

Thanks for the advice. It honestly hadn't occurred to me that we would ever lose again.

My point was that this particular defeat to this particular team entailed an unusual sting. That is all.

I'm with you. I'd rather see the streak end on a good old-fashioned whupping like Wednesday then watching a six-run lead being chipped away like Tuesday. Let's go start another streak.

[juliogotay]

I'm with you. I'd rather see the streak end on a good old-fashioned whupping like Wednesday then watching a six-run lead being chipped away like Tuesday. Let's go start another streak.

I've noticed through the years winning streaks are often followed by tailspins. Hopefully that won't be the case with this team. But it can go the other way for a while and pretty quickly.