Blue Jays @ Astros August 5, 2017

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's home tilt:

Blue Jays

RFJose Bautista (R)
CRussell Martin (R)
3BJosh Donaldson (R)
1BJustin Smoak (S)
DHKendrys Morales (S)
LFSteve Pearce (R)
SSRyan Goins (L)
CFKevin Pillar (R)
2BDarwin Barney (R)

TOR: Marco Estrada (R)  (4-7, 5.19)

Astros

RF Derek Fisher (L)
2B Jose Altuve (R)
CF Josh Reddick (L)
DH Y. Gurriel (R)
LF Carlos Beltran (S)
SS Alex Bregman (R)
C Brian McCann (L)
3B J.D. Davis (R)
1B Tyler White (R)

HOU: Charlie Morton (R)  (9-4, 3.77)

[doyce7]

Pregame ceremony was pretty good. Anybody else here tonight?

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[HudsonHawk]

Pregame ceremony was pretty good. Anybody else here tonight?

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I'm here.  Pregame was nice


Oh you mean at MMPUS...thought you mean in the GZ

[doyce7]

I'm here.  Pregame was nice


Oh you mean at MMPUS...thought you mean in the GZ

I can see some ants on the field from my nose bleed seats, but I'm here

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[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Bautista with a slow chopper to 3B...Davis comes in and makes a nice barehanded pickup, but can't get the speedy Bautista...single
Martin pops out F3
Donaldson doubles off the CF wall, Bautista scores
Smoak grounds out 4-3, Donaldson to 3B
Morales grounds out 6-3 into the shift on the first pitch

1-0 Jays

[HudsonHawk]

Wooo!!!

2-run job by Reddick

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Reddick wooo!

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Fisher draws a leadoff walk
Altuve nubs one off the end of the bat  to 1B...3U as Fisher moves to 2B
Reddick homers to RF, Fisher scores
Gurriel strikes out swinging
Beltran...getting robbed on pitches 8 inches off the plate...count full though...strikes out swinging...had the bat taken right out of his hands

But the Astros grab a 2-1 lead

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I wish HPU Davis cared as much about the strike zone as he does on-deck circle placement.

[hostros7]

I wish HPU Davis cared as much about the strike zone as he does on-deck circle placement.

Seriously, where was that 3-2 pitch to Pearce?


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[HudsonHawk]

Seriously, where was that 3-2 pitch to Pearce?


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Or the first pitch.  He missed two right down the middle, yet called pitches 8 inches off the plate on Beltran

[Texifornia]

Or the first pitch.  He missed two right down the middle, yet called pitches 8 inches off the plate on Beltran

Gameday agrees. HPU has no zone.

[homer]

I think Davis forgot how many outs there were. and he closed his eyes when he was fielding the ball.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Pearce walks as Morton gets squeezed to the size of a walnut
Goins bunt single, Pearce to 2B
Pillar strikes out swinging
Barney flairs one off the end of the bat into CF...Pearce to 3B, Goins to 2B
Bautista grounds to 3B...Davis can't decide what to do...finally goes to 1B for the 5-3, but Pearce scores on the potential double play ball...Goins to 3B, Barney to 2B
Martin strikes out swinging...ball gets away from McCann, but he recovers for the 2-3 putout

Tied 2-2 again

[austro]

I think Davis forgot how many outs there were. and he closed his eyes when he was fielding the ball.

I have no idea why he didn't come home. He was moving in, and the runner wasn't even half-way home when he fielded the ball.

[hostros7]

Kalas and Blum are joking that it's a bagwell tribute and is a return to 90s umpiring when individuals had their own unique interpretation of the zone.


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[HudsonHawk]

I think Davis forgot how many outs there were. and he closed his eyes when he was fielding the ball.

Panicked.  Had a double play at home or at 2B, but was a deer in the headlights.

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Bregman flies out F9
McCann flies out F9 at the track...just got under it a little
Davis...first big league at bat...strikes out looking

2-2

[MusicMan]

B2:

Bregman flies out F9
McCann flies out F9 at the track...just got under it a little
Davis...first big league at bat...strikes out looking

2-2

Nice salute to Ensberg by the rookie 3b.


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[HudsonHawk]

Nice salute to Ensberg by the rookie 3b.


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Tonight's not the night to take a close pitch.  Ump's gotta ump

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Donaldson grounds out 6-3
Smoak strikes out swinging
Morales grounds out to 2B...shift was on so I'm not sure who fielded it...but it's an out

2-2

[MusicMan]

This is one of those "just build the whole plane out of the black box" things, but man, they should keep sending White down so they can bring him back up for his first week back in the majors.


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[HudsonHawk]

B3:

White...3-0...3-1...3-2...homers to LF!
Fisher strikes out swinging
Altuve flies out F8
Reddick pops out F5

Astros up 3-2

[HudsonHawk]

So since they're talking about hitting two home runs in the same inning...who's the only player to do it twice in his career?

[MusicMan]

So since they're talking about hitting two home runs in the same inning...who's the only player to do it twice in his career?

Tatis?


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[HudsonHawk]

Tatis?


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Two salamis, but the only time he did it

[Nate Colbert]

So since they're talking about hitting two home runs in the same inning...who's the only player to do it twice in his career?

Jeff King.

[HudsonHawk]

More of this great Texas bourbon...

[HudsonHawk]

Jeff King.

Nope

ETA:  Oops...you're right.  King did do it.  But he wasn't the first...so my question is bogus.  Willie McCovey was the other, and the only one I was aware of.

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Pearce strikes out swinging
Goins strikes out swinging after Blum calls him out for trying to bunt 3-1
Pillar grounds out 5-3

3-2 Astros

[Nate Colbert]

McCovey and Andre Dawson did it besides King.

[HudsonHawk]

McCovey and Andre Dawson did it besides King.

Guess I need to quit living in the 70s

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Gurriel grounds out 3U
Beltran pops out F4
Bregman lines out to LF...good wood, but right at Pearce

3-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Barney lines a single to CF on the first pitch
Bautista strikes out swinging
Martin grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch...Barney running on the pitch moves to 2B
Donaldson walks...pitched around him a bit with a base open
First pitch to Smoak is a fastball right down the middle, but McCann crossed up and it's a passed ball...Barney to 3B, Donaldson to 2B
Smoak...0-2...strikes out looking

3-2 Astros

[austro]

God, that had to hurt. Do other teams get crossed up as often as the Astros do?

[HudsonHawk]

So to redeem my fucking up the last trivia question...Blummer mentioned Kirk Gibson winning the MVP in a year he wasn't an All Star.  I know of at least one other...

[HudsonHawk]

God, that had to hurt. Do other teams get crossed up as often as the Astros do?

Yeah.  You just noticed because you watch the Astros more than anyone else.

[JimR]

Panicked.  Had a double play at home or at 2B, but was a deer in the headlights.

This. He had no idea what to do.

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

McCann pops out F6
Davis with a  chopper past 3B...Goins can't handle it....official ruling....a HIT!  hit first in the Bigs
White...seeing the ball well, works the count full...strikes out swinging at what was ball four, Davis thrown out on the strike em out, thrown em out double play

3-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Morales flies out F9
Pearce grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch...nice backhand and strong throw from Davis
Goins flies out F9 on the first pitch

Quick 1,2, 3 inning...Astros still up 3-2

[JimR]

Man, enough about Bagwell. There is a tight game going on.

[astrojo]

So to redeem my fucking up the last trivia question...Blummer mentioned Kirk Gibson winning the MVP in a year he wasn't an All Star.  I know of at least one other...

Chipper Jones is one I'm pretty sure, don't know the year

[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Fisher lines out to RF on the first pitch
Altuve pops out F4
Reddick walks
Gurriel pops out F6

3-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Chipper Jones is one I'm pretty sure, don't know the year

Yep...Jones is one.  Thinking of at least one more.  First ballot Hall of Famer

[doyce7]

Yep...Jones is one.  Thinking of at least one more.  First ballot Hall of Famer

Not a hof but I wanna say Jimmy Rollins did it

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[HudsonHawk]

Not a hof but I wanna say Jimmy Rollins did it

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Yep.  One I'm thinking of was also a SS...two time MVP

[astrojo]

What the heck?! Did he think it was a force out?

[austro]

Little things matter: if Fisher doesn't take that extra step before throwing and Davis is back at the bag instead of 5 feet in front of it, they get Pillar at the plate.

And now they fuck up another play at the plate.

[HudsonHawk]

Wow...mental error ties the game...two on, still nobody out.

[HudsonHawk]

Boy talk about snake bit...this inning...

[astrojo]

That's at least two runs Jays scored on mental errors.

[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Pillar...0-2...takes strike three for ball one...hits one to 3B...shift on so Davis towards SS..dives, but can't come up with it
Barney singles to RF...Pillar running on the pitch moves to 3B...nice throw by Fisher, but Davis way out of position to field the throw
Bautista...infield back...grounds to 1B...White comes home, but McCann doesn't bother to tag...Pillar scores and o out...scored a FC...Barney  to 2B
Martin grounds into 6-4-3 double play on a nice flip and turn...Barney to 3B
Donaldson grounds out 4-3 on the first pitch

At the stretch...new ballgame 3-3

[MikeyBoy]

Yep.  One I'm thinking of was also a SS...two time MVP

Barry Larkin?

[austro]

Morton has pitched an excellent game. He's gotten some pretty unlucky breaks.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Juan Gonzalez in 1996 was AL MVP but not an All-Star.

[JimR]

Wow...mental error ties the game...two on, still nobody out.

No. McCann was set up for a tag but saw there was no play and came away from the plate. Replays made that clear.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Yep.  One I'm thinking of was also a SS...two time MVP

Robin Yount?

[HudsonHawk]

No. McCann saw there was no play and came away from the plate. Replays made that clear.

I thought there was a play and he gave up too soon.  I'd have at least tried. 

[MikeyBoy]

I thought there was a play and he gave up too soon.  I'd have at least tried. 

Yea, me too.

[HudsonHawk]

Robin Yount?

That's the one I was thinking of.

[austro]

Shit, I expected a better AB out of McCann.

[astrojo]

Are we sure McCann isn't the one that is concussed?

[astrojo]

Well that sucked.  White please come through....

[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Beltran with a single to RF to beat the shift
Bregman doubles down LF line...Beltran to 3B but Pettis says "Flaps Down!!"
McCann pops out F2 behind the plate on the first pitch
Davis...infield in...down 0-2...a little chin music makes it 1-2...2-2...strikes out swinging
White...0-2...strikes out swinging

That was disappointing

Still tied at 3

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fuck!

[austro]

What a bummer. Contact, boys, we need contact.

[HudsonHawk]

What a bummer. Contact, boys, we need contact.

Needed to put a ball in play there

[JimR]

I would have thought about hitting Marwin for Davis.

[astrojo]

I would have thought about hitting Marwin for Davis.

Now that would have made sense.

[HudsonHawk]

I would have thought about hitting Marwin for Davis.

Was thinking the same thing

[HudsonHawk]

Expect Carrera to try to take a bag here.  I'd consider pitching out

[astrojo]

I really miss the days when Devo in to pitch didn't have me on the edge of my seat

[MusicMan]

Someone please point Devo in the direction of the strike zone.


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[austro]

What the fuck is wrong with Devo nowadays?

[astrojo]

That popup was huuuge

[HudsonHawk]

What the fuck is wrong with Devo nowadays?

League is laying off the COD

Devo out, Giles in

[JimR]

We need Harris.

[doyce7]

League is laying off the COD

Devo out, Giles in

He has to make an adjustment. Morales last time I saw him face devo wanted nothing to do with it. Now he just watched 4 straight balls

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[astrojo]

Thank you Bregman!

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Devenski in...

Smoak...0-2...strikes out swinging
Morales walks on four pitches
Carrera in to pinch run for Morales...look for him to try to take a bag
Carrera easily takes 2B on a very poor throw from McCann
Pearce...full count...walks
Wild pitch sends Carrera to 3B and Pearce to 2B
Goins...3-0...3-1...pops out F5...big out

Devo out...Giles in

Pillar with a flair into shallow CF...Bregman with a nice over the shoulder grab to end the inning!

Good job to work out of that jam...now let's punch a few runs across!

3-3

[BizidyDizidy]

Really nice play by Bregman

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[austro]

Well, at least Giles didn't have time to get cold.

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Tepera in for the Jays...

Fisher pops out F5
Altuve grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch
Reddick...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging

To the 9th..3-3

[JimR]

Crap. Top of the order.

[HudsonHawk]

Well, at least Giles didn't have time to get cold.

And only threw one pitch in the 8th

[doyce7]

Nice job from Giles tonight

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[austro]

Great job by Giles.

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Barney...0-2...1-2...2-2...flies out F9 on a running grab by Fisher
Bautista singles to LCF
Martin strikes out swinging
Donaldson...1-2...2-2...strikes out swinging as Donaldson throws his bat at it

To the bottom of 9...knotted at 3

[WVastro]

T9:

Barney...0-2...1-2...2-2...flies out F9 on a running grab by Fisher
Bautista singles to LCF
Martin strikes out swinging
Donaldson...1-2...2-2...strikes out swinging as Donaldson throws his bat at it

To the bottom of 9...knotted at 3

That's the definition of an ugly swing.

[HudsonHawk]

That's the definition of an ugly swing.

He just sort of punched at it...U-G-L-Y

[HudsonHawk]

Now let's get a run boys!!

[austro]

I wonder what the strikeout rate is in the last two weeks. Seems like it's been going up.

[HudsonHawk]

Bregman works a two out walk...winning run on base...

[HudsonHawk]

If McCann reaches, you gotta see Marwin, right?

[HudsonHawk]

B9:

Gurriel flies out F7
Beltran strikes out swinging
Bregman...3-0...3-1...3-2...walks
McCann flies out F9

Extra baseball

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Just now realized Smoak was a switch hitter.

[HudsonHawk]

Liriano with a four pitch walk to a .130 hitter

[austro]

Fucking force field around the plate.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I think Bregman is a good shortstop but having seen him for a number of games, I think Correa has more range and a stronger arm.

[HudsonHawk]

.130 hitter steals 2B and winning run in scoring position with one out...

[HudsonHawk]

Gerry Davis is a fucking train wreck of an umpire.

[WVastro]

Pearce gave Liriano a giant gift there.

[austro]

How was he safe?

[austro]

Wow, that was a heck of a slide by Refsneyder, or whatever his name is.

[MikeyBoy]

What a shit throw.

[HudsonHawk]

RBI single...Blue Jays take the lead...that's all for Liriano

[HudsonHawk]

How was he safe?

McCann never tagged him

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Hell of a slide by Refsnyder.

[austro]

Fisher needs to learn how to throw without taking five steps first.

[JimR]

How was he safe?

Bad throw by Fisher

[HudsonHawk]

Fisher needs to learn how to throw without taking five steps first.

Accurate throw gets him.  The problem was it was up the 1B line

[MusicMan]

Fisher needs to learn how to throw without taking five steps first.

No excuse. When the ball was fielded I thought the runner would be out by a mile.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fisher needs to learn how to throw without taking five steps first.

If the throw is on the third base side of the plate, Refsnyder is out cold.

[HudsonHawk]

T10:

Liriano in...Marisnick in to CF...Reddick to RF, Fisher to LF

Smoak...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...grounds out 6-3
Rethsnyder, pinch hitting for Carerra...3-0...walks on four pitches
Rethsnyder steals 2B
Pearce...2-0...2-1...2-2...3-2...strikes out swinging
Goins...1-2...singles to LF...Fisher with the throw...up the 1B line...McCann makes a nice bid, but the call is safe...good throw would have gotten him...Astros challenging...looks like Rethsnyder never touched the plate, but McCann's glove never touched him...will be upheld though...yep...run scores...4-3 Blue Jays...Goins to 2B on the throw

That's it for Liriano...Gregerson in...

Pillar...3-2...strikes out swinging

Astros need a run to tie...Blue Jays up 4-3

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Golden opportunity for young Mr. Davis.

[JimR]

The Astros 7th was the killer

[astrojo]

Is Gonzales hurt?!

[HudsonHawk]

Still not sure why Marwin isn't available

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Not the most auspicious debut for the rookie.

[HudsonHawk]

The Astros 7th was the killer

Yep.  Game should be over now

[austro]

Not the most auspicious debut for the rookie.

Not a great strike zone for your first game.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Still not sure why Marwin isn't available

It seems as if maybe A.J. is more concerned with seeing how these young guys handle the pressure situation than winning the game.

[HudsonHawk]

A month ago...who would have thought that the Astros would be sending J.D. Davis, Tyler White and Derek Fisher to the plate in the 10th of a one run game.

[austro]

Shit, I thought we were going to miss Stroman.

[HudsonHawk]

B10:

Davis...quickly 0-2...1-2...strikes out looking...his third punch out of the game
White...1-2...2-2...strikes out swinging
Fisher grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch

Astros take it in the shorts 4-3 in 10 innings

[austro]

It seems as if maybe A.J. is more concerned with seeing how these young guys handle the pressure situation than winning the game.

I'm pretty sure he didn't want to send the "we don't trust you" message to Davis in his first game.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm pretty sure he didn't want to send the "we don't trust you" message to Davis in his first game.

Fuck trust.  The Astros need to start winning ballgames

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm pretty sure he didn't want to send the "we don't trust you" message to Davis in his first game.

An affordable luxury for now.

[DVauthrin]

I'm pretty sure he didn't want to send the "we don't trust you" message to Davis in his first game.

With the size of the division lead, Hinch seems to be comfortable rotating rest days among his regulars.  He sat Altuve last night.

However, the team needs to get back to playing better, and that's hard to do when Correa, Springer and Gattis are already out, and Hinch decides to rest key regulars in the first two games of the series.  It worked out last night, but didn't tonight.

[JimR]

I'm pretty sure he didn't want to send the "we don't trust you" message to Davis in his first game.

The win is more important than someone's ego.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Thanks HH for the pbp. I appreciate the effort.