stRangizz @ Astros Flag Day 2017

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's important tilt:

stRangizz

LFD. DeShields Jr. (R)
DHShin-Soo Choo (L)
RFNomar Mazara (L)
3BAdrian Beltre (R)
2BRougned Odor (L)
CJonathan Lucroy (R)
1BJoey Gallo (L)
SSJ. Profar (S)
CFJared Hoying (L)

TEX: Andrew Cashner (R)  (3-5, 3.17)

Astros

RF George Springer (R)
2B Jose Altuve (R)
SS Carlos Correa (R)
DH Carlos Beltran (S)
C Brian McCann (L)
3B Marwin Gonzalez (S)
1B Y. Gurriel (R)
LF Derek Fisher (L)
CF Jake Marisnick (R)

HOU: Francis Martes (R)  (0-0, 9.82)

[MusicMan]

Warning, sabremetric hot take ahead:

Your pitcher's ERA should not be higher than Usain Bolt's 100m time.


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[juliogotay]

This is kind of a big game.

[Mr. Happy]

This is kind of a big game.

I agree.

[HudsonHawk]

This is kind of a big game.

No such thing as a big game in June, best record in baseball, don't panic, sunshine, unicorns etc etc etc.

But you better fucking win tonight.

[Texifornia]

There's going to have to be much vaunting tonight in order to win with AAA pitching.

[HudsonHawk]

There's going to have to be much vaunting tonight in order to win with AAA pitching.

And a long night for the pen, likely.

[WVastro]

And a long night for the pen, likely.

Just what they need!

[juliogotay]

I'd like to see them start to hit at home like on the road. That would overcome some pitching shortcomings.

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Deshields strikes out swinging
Choo lines out to 1B
Mazara grounds out 3-1

NIce start for Martes

0-0

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Springer strikes out looking
Altuve takes strike one at his shoulders, takes strike two at his eyes...flairs a double right on the RF line
Altuve to 3B on a wild pitch...Lucroy blocked it, but Altuve with a good jump makes it without a throw
Correa...3-0...takes strike one five inches off the plate...bounces out 6-3, Altuve scores
Beltran flies out F8

1-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Beltre pops out F5 on a towering pop right in front of the plate
Odor strikes out swinging
Lucroy...works the count full...grounds out 4-3

1-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Leadoff double and an RBI single by Marwin makes it 2-0...as Gurriel singles to LF

[HudsonHawk]

Fisher makes his Big League debut with two on, nobody out...

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

McCann goes oppo off the base of the LF wall, ball rolls all the way back to the infield as McCann...rumbling, bumbling, stumbling into 2B for a leadoff double
Marwin...ahead 2-0...2-1...singles up the middle, McCann scores
Gurriel singles to LF
Fisher...making his Major League debut!....3-0...flies out F7...not sure why he wasn't taking there...unable to move the runner to 3B with nobody out
Marisnick...quickly down 0-2...1-2...2-2...with a slow roller to 3B...Beltre backs up and is on the bag as he fields it...Marwin, who got a terrible jump is out 5U
Springer grounds into FC on the first pitch, Marisnick out 6-4

Disappointing inning...though they manage to get a run

Astros lead 2-0

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Gallo...Little League teammate of Bryce Harper... strikes out swinging
Profar...who did not play with another MLB player as a 9 year old...singles to LF
Hoying...quickly down 0-2...strikes out swinging on a pitch that hits him in the thigh...don't see that every day
Deshields grounds into FC, Profar out 5-4

2-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Jeebus Correa...swing the fucking bat

[HudsonHawk]

Back to back singles...Astros with runners on the corners, nobody out

[austro]

What a fucking shitty break.

[HudsonHawk]

B3;

Altuve...quickly down 0-2 again...chops an infield single to 3B...his second 0-2 doink...I like it!
Correa punches a single to RF, Altuve to 3B
Beltran lines into DP to 1B, Correa doubled off...hardest hit ball of the night, but right at Gallo
McCann strikes out swinging at a pitch over his head

Another disappointing inning

2-0 Astros

[austro]

That was a generous strike for Martes. Bonus points for fucking over Odor.

[HudsonHawk]

This home plate ump is nuts

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Choo...3-2...reaches on E5...shift was on and Marwin was at SS position and he just booted it...now for some reason that's scored a hit.  Nobody knows why other than the scorer is a moron
Mazara pops out to shallow RF
Beltre flies out F8
Odor strikes out swinging

2-0 Astros
 

[HudsonHawk]

That was a generous strike for Martes. Bonus points for fucking over Odor.

Then he punches Odor out on a good fastball on the corner, and ump blows it.  Luckily Martes came back to get him

[Texifornia]

Yo quiero "Springer Dinger".

[austro]

Fuck. Two more lobsters, and it's starting to get old.

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Marwin...after being behind 0-2...works the count full, and fouls off ball four three feet off the plate, then fouls off ball five three feet off the plate, fouls off another and finally grounds out 4-3.  Not a good at bat
Gurriel grounds up the middle, Profar dives and stabs it, but bounces the throw and Gallo can't pick it...infield single
Gurriel to 2B on a wild pitch
Fisher...full count...draws a walk
Marisnick swings and misses ball one, swings and misses ball two, swings and misses ball three.  Awesome
Springer strikes out swinging at a pitch 6 feet off the plate

Another hugely disappointing inning with lots of traffic and nothing to show for it.  13 individual LOBsters...through four inning

2-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Leadoff double and a walk brings puts the tying run on base, nobody out...

[HudsonHawk]

Martes falling apart...bases loaded, nobody out...

[HudsonHawk]

Martes is a wreck now...two walks, HBP, wild pitch...one run in, bases loaded one out...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Way to battle through. Good job by Martes.

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Lucroy doubles to LCF
Gallo...count full...walks
Profar, squares around to bunt and is hit by the first pitch, Lucroy to 3B, Gallo to 2B
Hoying strikes out swinging
Martes throws one over McCann's head, Lucroy scores, Gallo to 3B, Profar to 2B.  Ball came right back to McCann, but Martes didn't get to the plate
Deshields...now infield in on a full count...walks to load the bases
Choo...0-2...1-2 pops out F5 in foul territory
Mazara...quickly 0-2...1-2...strikes out looking

Good job to limit the damage

Astros lead 2-1...but better score some fucking runs

[juliogotay]

If Martes is done for the night, and I'm sure he is, he did good. They didn't get much solid contact on him all night. His stuff will play up here.

[HudsonHawk]

Astros with runners on the corner and nobody out...

[MikeyBoy]

Great at bat by Beltran.

[HudsonHawk]

Beltran with an RBI single...3-1 Astros, runners still on the corners with nobody out which chases Cashner

[HudsonHawk]

If Martes is done for the night, and I'm sure he is, he did good. They didn't get much solid contact on him all night. His stuff will play up here.

I'll give it to...you're a "glass a quarter full" kind of guy.

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Altuve doubles to LCF...ball bounced off the top of the wall, just east of the Crawford Boxes
Correa takes a hanging curve for strike one, fouls off the same pitch...0-2...singles to RF, Altuve to 3B, had to freeze and make sure it went through
Beltran...quickly 0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...singles to LF, Altuve scores, Correa was running on the pitch and moves to 3B

And that's all for Cashner...Jeffress in

McCann chops to 2B, eats Odor up, no play but to 1B...Correa scores, Beltran to 2B...no error scored there, but that gives the Astros an extra out and an extra runner in scoring position
Marwin flies out F8, Beltran tags and moves to 3B
Gurriel pops out F3

But the Astros get a pair...now lead 4-1

[juliogotay]

I'll give it to...you're a "glass a quarter full" kind of guy.

thank you.

[austro]

I have absolutely no idea what constitutes a strike tonight.

[HudsonHawk]

My god this umpire is terrible.

[NeilT]

Who is the ump?


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[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Martes done...Hoyt in

Beltre punches out on a good 0-2 slider
Odor...full count...because...well, the ump flipped a coin and it came up that way...grounds out 4-3
Lucroy strikes out swinging

4-1 Astros

[austro]

That was a nice inning by Hoyt.

[HudsonHawk]

Who is the ump?


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Stevie Wonder

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Who is the ump?


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Quincy McGoo.

[HudsonHawk]

Fisher!!!

First ML hit is a dinger!

[hostros7]

Young guns showing some skills tonight


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fisher HR! That is so cool!

[HudsonHawk]

Marisnick with a back to back!

[Texifornia]

Those guys vaunted the shit out of those two pitches!

[MrKnuckleball]

The roof is about to come off of this place!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Jake's went close to the same spot as Fisher's.

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve drilled, just like Banister ordered...and that's it for Jeffress,

[NeilT]

That was ugly. Who throws at Altuve?


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[MikeyBoy]

Altuve drilled, just like Banister ordered...and that's it for Jeffress,

So fucking obvious.

[NeilT]

Bannister dresses like an evil travel team coach.


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[HudsonHawk]

That was ugly. Who throws at Altuve?


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Hall of Fame cocksucker Jeff Banister does

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Those guys vaunted the shit out of those two pitches!

The vauntability quotient is at least 73% higher tonight than it was on Twitter Tuesday, but that can still change from inning to inning.

[HudsonHawk]

Bases drunk with Astros...nobody out...

[MusicMan]

Marisnick with a back to back!

And potential winning pitcher Martes... give the player of the game belt to Jared Cosart


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[austro]

Man, this is one slow game.

[MusicMan]

Man, this is one slow game.

I watched all of Back to the Future between the 2nd and 6th inning.


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[HudsonHawk]

Man, this is one slow game.

Just more dollar dogs to be had.

[juliogotay]

Altuve drilled, just like Banister ordered...and that's it for Jeffress,

I hope to see that answered.

[MusicMan]

I hope to see that answered.

Earl Weaver was right. "Our guys are better than their guys, so why should I risk getting my guys hurt?"


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[austro]

Good deal, beat the shit out of these guys. I hope they score 20.

[HudsonHawk]

If that throw is not cut, they had a shot at Altuve at the plate for a 9-2 force.  Altuve almost lollygagged that into historical embarrassment.

[NeilT]

Martes should be rested by the end of this inning.


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[HudsonHawk]

Crooked number...10-1 Astros...two on still nobody out

[NeilT]

Fisher is only a double and a triple away from the cycle.


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[juliogotay]

Fisher is only a double and a triple away from the cycle.


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he may get those this inning.

[hostros7]

Fisher is only a double and a triple away from the cycle.


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In the 6th.


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[juliogotay]

Earl Weaver was right. "Our guys are better than their guys, so why should I risk getting my guys hurt?"


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Can I hit him yet?

[MusicMan]

Nice work by the PA playing "Bad Blood" after Marisnick's HBP.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I hate to see our guys get hit.

[MusicMan]

Can I hit him yet?

I think the 13 runs sends a much better message. I'd keep running it up.


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[geezerdonk]

The Texas players need to know that somebody in the lineup is going to pay when their manager has a fit of pique. They need to know that their manager is hanging them out to dry because he can't keep his temper.

[MusicMan]

The Texas players need to know that somebody in the lineup is going to pay when their manager has a fit of pique. They need to know that their manager is hanging them out to dry because he can't keep his temper.

Their pitching staff is paying.


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[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Julia with a lobster corndog...

Fisher homers to LF!...first Major League hit!
Marisnick homers to LF in the same spot
Springer singles to RF
Altuve drilled on the first pitch...just as Banister ordered, Springer to 2B

Jeffress out, Barnette in

Correa...3-1...walks, Springer to 3B, Altuve to 2B
Beltran...infield in...full count...battling...walks, Springer scores, Altuve to 3B, Correa to 2B
McCann...2-0...takes strike one 4 feet off the plate...swings at a pitch in the dirt...takes ball five to fill the count...singles to RF, Altuve scores, Correa to 3B, Beltran to 2B
Marwin...quickly 0-2 as the ump says "let's move this along"...1-2...singles up the middle, Correa scores, Beltran scores, McCann to 2B

That's it for Barnette...Gee in

Gurriel grounds into 1-6-3 double play, McCann to 3B
Fisher singles to RF, McCann scores
Marisnick hit by pitch, Fisher to 2B
Springer doubles to RCF, Fisher scores, Marisnick scores
Bregman, pinch hitting for Altuve...grounds out 6-3

But fuck the Rangers...13-1 Astros

[juliogotay]

I think the 13 runs sends a much better message. I'd keep running it up.


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So would I. And then I would put one of them on their ass.

[chuck]

Now put one in somebody's earhole.

[HudsonHawk]

Someone else will have to grab PBP...I've got to get on a conference call

[NeilT]

That was some vaulting.

Vaunting.

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[Reuben]

So, who pitches the rest of this game?

Gregerson, to try to somehow work through shit, at least until the Rangers close to within 8 runs or so...?

Feliz, for the same reasons?

Some other pitcher I'm forgetting is on the roster (Diaz...?)?

Bregman/Aoki/Gattis?

I would personally love to see Gattis up there on the mound, perhaps doing his best Luis Tiant or Juan Marichal impression.

[hostros7]

Luhnow is calling Tampa and PIttsburgh to request Cole or Archer for Fisher...straight upp (John Malkovich from Rounders Teddy KGB accent).



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[HudsonHawk]

It's important that when you're spotted a 12 run lead, you respond by immediately giving up a monster home run.

[chuck]

550 feet!

[HudsonHawk]

So, who pitches the rest of this game?

Gregerson, to try to somehow work through shit, at least until the Rangers close to within 8 runs or so...?

Feliz, for the same reasons?

Some other pitcher I'm forgetting is on the roster (Diaz...?)?

Bregman/Aoki/Gattis?

I would personally love to see Gattis up there on the mound, perhaps doing his best Luis Tiant or Juan Marichal impression.

Seriously.  Can we at least wait until the game is over before we gloat?

[austro]

Well, that was fun. Now we only need 7 more.

Gallo gets one back with a monster shot over the batter's eye.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Gallo can smash the crap out of the ball on the rare occasions when he makes contact.

[astrojo]

Now put one in somebody's earhole.

If they do, please let it be Odor.

[Reuben]

Seriously.  Can we at least wait until the game is over before we gloat?

I'm not gloating, I'm musing. The Astros already lost this series against the Rangers, which is nothing for an Astros aficionado to gloat about, in my opinion.

[BizidyDizidy]

Does Fisher have any realistic chance to stick this season (before callups)? Doesn't seem like there's anyone he could replace.

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[HudsonHawk]

Does Fisher have any realistic chance to stick this season (before callups)? Doesn't seem like there's anyone he could replace.

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Depends on how many pitchers they continue to go with.  Hinch hinted the other day that they may go with one less arm and one more bat as the season goes on.  That's about the only way I could imagine, barring more injuries.  I suppose he could displace Aoki, if he absolutely mashed, but I don't see that happening. 

[astrojo]

Does Fisher have any realistic chance to stick this season (before callups)? Doesn't seem like there's anyone he could replace.

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Easy there. Great debut, but only one game.

[BizidyDizidy]

Easy there. Great debut, but only one game.

Just a hypothetical out of curiosity

[juliogotay]

Just a hypothetical out of curiosity

I could see him replacing Aoki. I could also see him being dealt for pitching.

[juliogotay]

I wonder if Banny's coaches find him a boor too?

[HudsonHawk]

I wonder if Banny's coaches find him a boor too?

I'd imagine Doug Brocail has to restrain himself from beating the shit out of Banister petty much every day.

[HudsonHawk]

Fisher has shown a remarkable amount of patience and cool for this being his debut. 

[HudsonHawk]

How the fuck is Marwin not sliding there?

[HudsonHawk]

Is Giles growing mutton chops, or does his beard just naturally grow in that carnival worker pattern?

[MRaup]

Is Giles growing mutton chops, or does his beard just naturally grow in that carnival worker pattern?

Cletus Lightenberg-esque.

[HudsonHawk]

And that's that.  Astros win big 13-2

There's no such thing as a must win in June, but this team really needed that tonight.