Nationals @ Astros August 24, 2017

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's home pitching duel:

Nationals

LFHowie Kendrick (R)
SSWilmer Difo (S)
2BDaniel Murphy (L)
1BRyan Zimmerman (R)
3BAnthony Rendon (R)
CMatt Wieters (S)
CFMichael Taylor (R)
DHPedro Severino (R)
RFA. De Aza (L)

WAS: Stephen Strasburg (R)  (10-4, 3.24)

Astros

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

HOU: Dallas Keuchel (L)  (11-2, 2.58)

[MusicMan]

Not sure why it's not a day game for getaway day to west coast, but a Keuchel-Strasburg matchup is the next best thing.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Strasburg looks pretty nasty.

[Ty in Tampa]

More asshattery behind the plate tonight.

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Springer grounds out 6-3 on the first pitch
Bregman...full count..strikes out looking
Altuve strikes out looking

No score through one

[austro]

Not sure why it's not a day game for getaway day to west coast, but a Keuchel-Strasburg matchup is the next best thing.

I feel for the guys with families, having to leave them behind in the middle of the night as a serious hurricane is approaching. That would turn me into a wreck.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Zimmerman grounds out weakly 4-3
Rendon doubles down the LF line
Wieters...0-2...strikes out swinging
Taylor grounds out 5-3

No score

[HudsonHawk]

I hate Todd Kalas

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Reddick...full count...strikes out swinging
Gurriel grounds out 6-3 on the first pitch
Marwin strikes out swinging...not a single pitch over the plate

No score

[Ty in Tampa]

I hate Todd Kalas

Just in general or something specific he said?

[MusicMan]

I feel for the guys with families, having to leave them behind in the middle of the night as a serious hurricane is approaching. That would turn me into a wreck.

Bud Selig says STFU and get your ass to Milwaukee.


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[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Severino strikes out swinging
De Aza grounds out 6-3...Marwin bobbled it, but recovered to get him with a strong throw
Kendrick grounds out 4-3

No score

[HudsonHawk]

Just in general or something specific he said?

He won't shut up about the World Series...who should the Astros start in Game 1...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Do you think he taunts the BBGs too much?

[HudsonHawk]

Do you think he taunts the BBGs too much?

He's completely oblivious.

[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Beltran...really battling, fouling off tough pitches...grounds out 6-3 on the 12th pitch of the at bat
McCann...3-1...walks, Astros first baserunner
Fisher...quickly 0-2...strikes out swinging at a pitch at his shoulders
Springer...3-0...pops out F3

No score

[HudsonHawk]

That's the fourth time in the last week an Astros has been hacking 3-0 and popped up on the infield.

[Foghorn]

That's the fourth time in the last week an Astros has been hacking 3-0 and popped up on the infield.

Baseball in 2017....leadoff hitter swinging on a 3-0 count with 2 outs and a runner on base.

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Difo grounds out 4-3 on the first pitch
Murphy...takes a pitch right down the middle of the plate for ball two...now full count...grounds out 3U
Zimmerman taps back to the mound 1-3

Still no score

[Ty in Tampa]

He's completely oblivious.

You'd think he'd be someone who'd know not to be so cavalier with the hypotheticals.

[Texifornia]

A very democratic inning by Keuchel.

[austro]

He's completely oblivious.

He's not oblivious, he flat-out doesn't believe. They had a lengthy discussion about this during a game a couple of weeks ago, and he was quite clear that he has no compunction about talking about no-hitters, hitting streaks, future match-ups, etc.

[hostros7]

The Astros are going to need about 8 more errors like that one if they're going to have any chance of scoring a run or two.


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[HudsonHawk]

Astros with two on, nobody out...

[Ty in Tampa]

He's not oblivious, he flat-out doesn't believe. They had a lengthy discussion about this during a game a couple of weeks ago, and he was quite clear that he has no compunction about talking about no-hitters, hitting streaks, future match-ups, etc.

Then he should have more consideration for his audience.

[HudsonHawk]

He's not oblivious, he flat-out doesn't believe. They had a lengthy discussion about this during a game a couple of weeks ago, and he was quite clear that he has no compunction about talking about no-hitters, hitting streaks, future match-ups, etc.

Now I hate him even more.

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Bregman grounds to SS on the first pitch...Difo throws it in the dirt...should be scored a TE6, but our idiot scorekeeper scores it a hit...Astros first
Altuve singles up the middle on the first pitch, Bregman to 2B
Reddick grounds into FC, Altuve out 3-6 at 2B...Bregman to 3B
Gurriel...infield at double play depth...grounds into 6-4-3 double play

Two leadoff hits wasted...no score

[hostros7]

He needs to read more Greek mythology. No one wants to end up being the baseball version of Sisyphus.


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[Texifornia]

shit

[austro]

Yuli has joined the suck-fest over the last couple of weeks, too.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Well that sucked.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Then he should have more consideration for his audience.

At least play along.

[Ty in Tampa]

He needs to read more Greek mythology. No one wants to end up being the baseball version of Sisyphus.

I have the feeling his dad would smack him upside the head.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

 gameday has Keuchel throwing 4 strikes in that AB.

[HudsonHawk]

Keuchel walks the first two hitters in the 5th...nobody out...

[HudsonHawk]

gameday has Keuchel throwing 4 strikes in that AB.

This ump is ridiculously bad. 

[hostros7]

Dallas should have gone to third. Lower risk and had a shot to get the runner.


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[Ty in Tampa]

Damn, Dallas.

[HudsonHawk]

Keuchel throws one into RF...1-0 Nats...runners on the corner...

[austro]

Why didn't Keuchel go to 3rd with that ball? Now he's going to give up two runs because of that.

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Rendon...3-1 with this shitty strike zone...walks
Wieters...full count...walks, Rendon to 2B
Taylor pops to 2B...infield fly rule in effect...Altuve squeezes it
Severino...3-1...3-2...chops towards 3B...Keuchel fields it, has a play at 3B, but chooses to try for 1B, throws it into RF...Rendon scores, Wieters to 3B...Idiot scorekeeper gives the error to Gurriel
De Aza grounds into FC...Severino out 4-6 at 2B, but no double play...Wieter scores
Kendrick taps back to the mound on the first pitch

Nats lead 2-0 on three weak ground balls

[Ty in Tampa]

Fuck.

[austro]

So we get runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and can't score either of them. They get runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and score both of them.

[hostros7]

Why didn't Keuchel go to 3rd with that ball? Now he's going to give up two runs because of that.

And he did give up 2 runs because of it. The play was 3B or eat it, but it's easier to say that from my couch and than it is to do it as a gold glove fielding competitor in the mix.

[HudsonHawk]

So we get runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and can't score either of them. They get runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and score both of them.

Welcome to the second half Astros

[Ty in Tampa]

Bregman was charging too but I don't know if Marwin was covering in time. That said, Keuchel didn't even look.

[austro]

Bregman was charging too but I don't know if Marwin was covering in time. That said, Keuchel didn't even look.

Bregman stopped and was back-pedaling. He was going to be at the bag in time.

[HudsonHawk]

Bregman was charging too but I don't know if Marwin was covering in time. That said, Keuchel didn't even look.

Bregman was back at 3B.  As you Keuchel never looked, but he had the out at 3B

[hostros7]

Bregman was charging too but I don't know if Marwin was covering in time. That said, Keuchel didn't even look.

Bregman recognized early that it was Keuchel's ball, and he retreated to the bag. Keuchel would have had to lead him a little, but Bregman was close to the bag.


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[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Marwin flies out F8
Beltran pops out F6
McCann flies out F8 on the first pitch

2-0 Nats

[HudsonHawk]

Bregman recognized early that it was Keuchel's ball, and he retreated to the bag. Keuchel would have had to lead him a little, but Bregman was close to the bag.


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Wonder what McCann was telling him to do. 

[Ty in Tampa]

Bregman was back at 3B.  As you Keuchel never looked, but he had the out at 3B

Right. I just saw the replay from LF.

[JimR]

Bregman was back at 3B.  As you Keuchel never looked, but he had the out at 3B

The throw hit the runner who was between Gurriel and the ball. I might have asked for a review for interference.

I agree he had a play at third.

Two walks, both score, no ball hit out of the infield

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Difo...0-2...1-2...2-2...grounds out 6-3
Murphy flies out F8
Zimmerman strikes out swinging

2-0 Nats

[HudsonHawk]

The throw hit the runner who was between Gurriel and the ball. I might have asked for a review for interference.

Wondered about interference too.  The rule says it has to be a "quality throw".  The ball tailed back across the line and the runner got between Gurriel and the ball.  Would have been an interesting call. 

[austro]

Wondered about interference too.  The rule says it has to be a "quality throw".  The ball tailed back across the line and the runner got between Gurriel and the ball.  Would have been an interesting call. 

At the very least, that should be a throwing error on Keuchel. Giving the error to Yuli is just goofy.

[hostros7]

Nasty 3-2 change from Stras.


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[Ty in Tampa]

At the very least, that should be a throwing error on Keuchel. Giving the error to Yuli is just goofy.

Kalas said they reviewed the play and gave the error to Keuchel.

[hostros7]

Nat CF did a really nice job/got lucky knocking that ball down off the carom.


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[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Fisher strikes out swinging
Springer...quickly 0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...George trots down to 1B, but you need four balls in this league...fouls off a few pitches...strikes out swinging, falling to his knees...which he seems to do every pitch now
Bregman...full up...doubles off the RCF wall

Trainer and manager out to check out Strasburg...he gets a drink of water...spits it out...ready to go I guess

Altuve...grimacing after a foul ball...takes  a moment...hackin at pitches way up and out...hammers a screaming line drive, but right at left fielder

Two balls scorched...nothing.  2-0 Nats

[JimR]

Damn unlucky game this far

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve out

Davis comes in...Bregman to SS, Marwin to 2B

[hostros7]

There is neck injury contagion


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[austro]

Damn unlucky game month this far

FIFY

[hostros7]

Wieters scored from first on a double. Judge the defense appropriately.


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[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Rendon flies out F9 as Reddick runs it down in the gap
Wieters singles to LF...thinks about two as Fisher is in no hurry to go get it, but holds at 1B
Taylor...3-0...3-1...3-2...doubles to RCF...line drive to RCF...Springer takes a horrible route and the ball rolls all the way to the wall.  Springer then misses the cutoff man...Wieters, the slowest runner in the National League,  chugs all the way around to score
Severino flies out F7
De Aza flies out F8

3-0 Nats at the stretch

[HudsonHawk]

Defense has not been good lately.

[chuck]

Carlos' primary business is not producing cattle for slaughter, it's producing cattle for breeding.

[Arky Vaughan]

Any word on Altuve?

[austro]

Any word on Altuve?

Not yet.

[austro]

They're playing with the same lackadaisical attitude that they usually reserve for afternoon games.

[hostros7]

Any word on Altuve?

The speculation is neck soreness, but no official word has been provided yet.


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[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Perez in for the Nats...

Reddick...takes strike one 12 inches off the plate...works the count to 2-2...flies out F7
Gurriel strikes out swinging
Marwin flieso out F9

3-0 Nats

[HudsonHawk]

They're playing with the same lackadaisical attitude that they usually reserve for afternoon games.

Don't worry, they've got a huge lead in the division.

[JimR]

They're playing with the same lackadaisical attitude that they usually reserve for afternoon games.

Don't know about attitude, but they are facing playoff pitching.

[Ty in Tampa]

Don't know about attitude, but they are facing playoff pitching.

And playing last-place defense.

[BudGirl]

The speculation is neck soreness, but no official word has been provided yet.


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another pillow issue?

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Martes in...

Kendrick lines out to RF
Difo soft liner to SS, Bregman is there
Murphy...0-2...strikes out swinging

3-0 Nats

[austro]

Nice job by Martes. At least that's an encouraging development.

[HudsonHawk]

Someone in that dugout needs to rattle the bats. 

[HudsonHawk]

Nice job by Martes. At least that's an encouraging development.

The pitching during this skid has been fantastic.  Best it's been all season. 

[austro]

Someone in that dugout needs to rattle the bats. 

They'd better get their shit together or they're going to come back from Anaheim with an 8 1/2 game lead.

[austro]

A run!

[HudsonHawk]

Astros get off the schneid!

Double from Beltran, scores on McCann's single

Nobody out....

[hostros7]

Fuck, Jake found the nook.


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[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Doolittle in...

Beltran doubles down the LF line
McCann singles to LF, Beltran scores
Marisnick, pinch hitting for Fisher...flies out to deep LCF, in the deepest part of the cutout
Springer grounds into 6-4-3 double play on the next pitch

Splat.

3-1 Nats

[HudsonHawk]

Springer has not been good since coming back.

[JimR]

More bad luck or its 3-3.

[austro]

Springer has not been good since coming back.

He wasn't particularly good to start the year either, if I remember correctly. I'm hopeful that he'll start picking things up soon. But I hope he doesn't fall into the "I have to carry the team" trap.

And I'd like to kidnap Rendon for our team.

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Gregerson in...

Zimmerman strikes out swinging
Rendon doubles to LCF...continues to fucking wear out the Astros
Wieters grounds out 5-3...shift was on so he fielded it where second baseman usually is...Rendon to 3B
Taylor taps back to the mound

Last chance...Astros need a pair

[HudsonHawk]

Bregman leads off the 9th with a single...Astros with the tying run to the plate...

[HudsonHawk]

Really thankful Davis didn't GIDP there.  Was almost hoping he'd strike out.

[HudsonHawk]

Reddick is a hacker too.

[HudsonHawk]

Reddick with an RBI single...3-2...tying run on base, winning run at the plate, one out...

[austro]

Reddick is a hacker too.

But he hacked that one up the middle. Time for Yuli to regain the magic.

[hostros7]

Go go go go - tied!


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[HudsonHawk]

La Pina ties it up!!!

Winning run at 2B...one out...

[austro]

Amazing! I had given up hope.

[hostros7]

Finally caught a break.


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[HudsonHawk]

I'm surprised they're not walking Marwin

[austro]

I'm surprised they're not walking Marwin

Even worse, they threw him a fastball down the middle. For some reason he didn't swing at it.

[HudsonHawk]

Marwin got carved up there.

[HudsonHawk]

Two out for Beltran...winning run at 2B...

[HudsonHawk]

For fuck's sake Beltran...swing the fucking bat

[hostros7]

Marwin and Beltran both took fastballs down Main Street.


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[HudsonHawk]

Now McCann's turn to give it a go...

[hostros7]

Fuck


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[HudsonHawk]

B9:

Kinstzler in for the Nats

Bregman singles to LF
Davis taps back to the mound on the first pitch...nobody covered 2B so he has to go to 1B, Bregman to 2B
Reddick singles up the middle, Bregman scores
Gurriel doubles to LCF...Reddick scores

And we're tied!!!

Marwin strikes out swinging
Beltran...full count...walks
McCann grounds out 3U

Astros tie it up 3-3

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Marwin got carved up there.

Seems that has been a common post in the GZ lately

[austro]

Is Giles still missing?

[HudsonHawk]

Seems that has been a common post in the GZ lately

He hasn't hit a breaking ball in a month.

[HudsonHawk]

Is Giles still missing?

He's pitching the 10th

[hostros7]

Giles is leaving his slider up. No bueno.


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[HudsonHawk]

Giles is leaving his slider up. No bueno.


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Yep.  He needs to bury one here.

[HudsonHawk]

Giles just cannot put Lind away...12 pitches in...count still 1-2

[hostros7]

There it is - nice put away slider from Giles


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[HudsonHawk]

T10:

Giles on the hill...

Lind, pinch hitting for Severino...0-2...1-2 on a pitch that was a strike for the first nine innings...10 pitches in, still 1-2...finally punches out swinging
De Aza strikes out swinging
Kendrick...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging

3-3

[BudGirl]

This series has had some good baseball.

[Texifornia]

Yo quiero Springer Dinger.

[HudsonHawk]

This series has had some good baseball.

Nats are a very good team, even without their best hitter.

[hostros7]

Springer reverting to past years' form. He may be the next to strain his neck hacking like that.


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[HudsonHawk]

B10:

Fat Albers on the bump...

Marisnick strikes out swinging at a pitch that almost hits him in the face
Springer...hacking, falling to his knees, looking like Carlos Gomez...grounds out 5-3
Bregman...3-1...3-2...strikes out looking

Fuck

3-3

[HudsonHawk]

Was hoping to at least clear Davis's spot that inning

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Good grief

[hostros7]

Defense continues to bone this one.


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[astrojo]

Davis needs to get rid of that ball quicker than that.

[HudsonHawk]

Davis lollygags the lead off hitter on

[astrojo]

These rookies lollygagging plays in the outfield. Lollygagging plays in the infield. Know what that makes them? Yep. Lollygaggers.

[HudsonHawk]

Go ahead run in scoring position, one out...

[BudGirl]

I hope I don't jinx him, but I like the clipboard pick up.

[hostros7]

Off the knob


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[austro]

Off the knob

Sure seemed like it. It definitely didn't get the top of the left hand.  Maybe fingers.

[hostros7]

Sure seemed like it. It definitely didn't get the top of the left hand.  Maybe fingers.

Agree, hard to tell, but he acted like it hit the left hand, which leads me to believe it didn't hit him since it looked like right hand or bat.


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[Arky Vaughan]

Cheater.

[Bench]

Was Zimmerman always this much of a smug prick?  Between his reaction to gloving McCann's bouncer down the line to getting "hit" and then mugging when the call was overturned, I'm starting to dislike the guy. 

[Bench]

Unbelievable.  What the fuck.

[hostros7]

Of course this is worse


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[BudGirl]

McCann doesn't make me happy. 

[astrojo]

Are you kidding me?!

[hostros7]

Of course this is worse


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[austro]

God damn it, another wild pitch/passed ball/fuckup. That's getting old.

[HudsonHawk]

Wow. Dick. Stepping.

[BudGirl]

That's on McCann.

[austro]

And it results in the go-ahead run. God damn it.

[Bench]

Fucking A.

[BudGirl]

Really that started with Davis. But McCann needs to do better.

[HudsonHawk]

Nats take a 3-2 lead on a strike out and fly out. After Davis fucking loafed the runner on base.

[austro]

Why is that guy still on 1st? It's not like the Astros were ever going to cut that throw.

[BudGirl]

Why is that guy still on 1st? It's not like the Astros were ever going to cut that throw.

So you want him in scoring position?

[toddthebod]

God damn it, another wild pitch/passed ball/fuckup. That's getting old.

I have never seen a team as bad as the Astros with wild pitches/passed balls. 

[JimR]

Really that started with Davis. But McCann needs to do better.

The ball skipped off the plate and stayed down.

[Bench]

Remember when the Astros used to make plays at the plate?

[austro]

So you want him in scoring position?

Of course not. I'm happy he fucked up, I'm just wondering why.

And I hope that Hinch spends some time on cut-offs and relays next spring, because these guys are doing a terrible job of it this year.

[BudGirl]

Of course not. I'm happy he fucked up, I'm just wondering why.

And I hope that Hinch spends some time on cut-offs and relays next spring, because these guys are doing a terrible job of it this year.

Didn't matter anyway.

[HudsonHawk]

T11:

Clippard in...

Difo bunts to 3B...Davis fields it, counts the laces, waves to his mom, stands up, smokes a cigarette then throws to 1B. Safe.
Murphy...3-0...3-1...3-2...grounds out 4-3, Difo running on the pitch moves to 2B
Zimmerman...0-2...hit by pitch on the hand...looked like he swung at it...Hinch challenging it hit the bat...overturned...still 0-2...Baker arguing...strikes out swinging, ball gets by McCann...Zimmerman to 1B, Difo to 3B
Rendon sac fly to LF on the first pitch.
Wieters...3-1...singles to CF, Zimmerman, running on the pitch, stumbling, but scores from 1B
Taylor grounds out 5-3

5-3 Nats

[astrojo]

I hope they option Davis back to the minors and leave him there after expanded rosters. 

[HudsonHawk]

If Davis leads off with a 3-run home run, he's off the hook. Otherwise, someone needs to beat the living shit out of him.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Struggling at the plate is one thing.  Same thing with various arms cycling from good to bad.  Whatever. That happens.

But how many ways does has this team found to fuck up routine plays?  Fielding errors, base running errors (Doubled off bc you don't retouch 2nd on the way back to first on a fly ball),  passed balls,  wild pitches, not turning 2 when it should be turned. 

Fucking  maddening.

[HudsonHawk]

I hope they option Davis back to the minors and leave him there after expanded rosters.

I'd send his ass back down to Low A ball for the rest of the year.

[BudGirl]

If Davis leads off with a 3-run home run, he's off the hook. Otherwise, someone needs to beat the living shit out of him.

He git a third of it.

[HudsonHawk]

Davis homers to RF. If he wasn't a fucking lollygager, that would be a walk off. But he still owes me two runs.

[hostros7]

This team made all the losing plays possible in a tight, playoff-style well-pitched game.


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[HudsonHawk]

Down to the last out...

[HudsonHawk]

B11:

Davis homers to RF
Reddick flies out F8
Gurriel pops out to shallow RF
Marwin taps back to the mound.

Astros snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, thanks to that lazy motherfucker at 3B

4-3 is the final.

[Bench]

Dispiriting. 

[HudsonHawk]

This is hands down the worst loss of the season.

[JimR]

Marwin swung at ball 3 for all you situational hitting fans.

[HudsonHawk]

Kalas still talking about World Series match ups.

Fuck I wanna punch someone in the throat.

[astrojo]

You know, it's one thing to lose ballgames because your offense is facing stellar pitching or just plain slumping. Or to lose because your starter had a bad game or your bullpen is tired and overused.  But to lose ballgames on bad defense, well, that infuriates me. Because solid defense is the one thing that should be constant, the only part of this game these guys have control over.

[HudsonHawk]

You know, it's one thing to lose ballgames because your offense is facing stellar pitching or just plain slumping. Or to lose because your starter had a bad game or your bullpen is tired and overused.  But to lose ballgames on bad defense, well, that infuriates me. Because solid defense is the one thing that should be constant, the only part of this game these guys have control over.

Not just bad defense, not giving the effort. Pisses me off more than anything.

[The Third Man]

He won't shut up about the World Series...who should the Astros start in Game 1...

Kalas clearly does not fear the wrath of the BBGs. He should.

[HudsonHawk]

Kalas clearly does not fear the wrath of the BBGs. He should.

I'll start by punching that cocky little fucker.

[JimR]

You know, it's one thing to lose ballgames because your offense is facing stellar pitching or just plain slumping. Or to lose because your starter had a bad game or your bullpen is tired and overused.  But to lose ballgames on bad defense, well, that infuriates me. Because solid defense is the one thing that should be constant, the only part of this game these guys have control over.

One of the problems is they have to keep moving guys around. Bregman, of course, would have made that play, but he was at SS. The defense will settle down, when Correa is back at SS.I wonder if Davis even knows he fucked up.

[HudsonHawk]

One of the problems is they have to keep moving guys around. Bregman, of course, would have made that play, but he was at SS. The defense will settle down, when Correa is back at SS.I wonder if Davis even knows he fucked up.

I hope Brian McCann or Carlos Beltran gave him an earful.

[homer]

who will give mccann am earful?

[JimR]

who will give mccann am earful?

Not sure the two plays were the same.

[astrojo]

One of the problems is they have to keep moving guys around. Bregman, of course, would have made that play, but he was at SS. The defense will settle down, when Correa is back at SS.I wonder if Davis even knows he fucked up.

I do know this, but it still doesn't make watching them lose winnable games in the meantime any easier.  It wasn't just Davis. Keuchel's error cost a run or two, Reddick/Bregman relay to home scored Zimmerman from first when he should have been out by several feet.  Not to mention his reaching on the strikeout/wild pitch. Not fully on McCann, but if you call for that pitch, and you get it, you get the K, you HAVE to keep it from getting that far away. 

[HudsonHawk]

who will give mccann am earful?

For what? 

[JimR]

I do know this, but it still doesn't make watching them lose winnable games in the meantime any easier.  It wasn't just Davis. Keuchel's error cost a run or two, Reddick/Bregman relay to home scored Zimmerman from first when he should have been out by several feet.  Not to mention his reaching on the strikeout/wild pitch. Not fully on McCann, but if you call for that pitch, and you get it, you get the K, you HAVE to keep it from getting that far away.

I do not disagree with the frustration, but when the bounced pitch hits the plate and skids rather than coming up, it is difficult to anticipate. It was Marisnick, not Reddick, on Zimmerman, and it looked to me like Jake never considered the possibility he would try to score from first. Springer's poor angle and bad throw to the cutoff man allowed Wieters to score.

We do not know what is going on in the clubhouse after these losses, but I hope Hinch and the veterans find a sense of urgency soon. These injuries are a big culprit, but Washington had a lot of them too.

[juliogotay]

Kalas still talking about World Series match ups.

Fuck I wanna punch someone in the throat.

How can someone that is watching this team every day talk about the WS?

[homer]

For what? 

His stellar and faultless play.

[HudsonHawk]

His stellar and faultless play.

I don't expect faultless play.  I do expect max effort though. 

And the ball that got by McCann was a very difficult play. 

[JimR]

I don't expect faultless play.  I do expect max effort though. 

And the ball that got by McCann was a very difficult play.

McCann gets bashed a lot in here, but he cares a lot about this team and gives maximum effort.

[HudsonHawk]

McCann gets bashed a lot in here, but he cares a lot about this team and gives maximum effort.

I agree.  He's not the player he once was physically.  He's not a good receiver, and doesn't throw well anymore.  He's slower than molasses on the base paths.  But he doesn't lollygag. 

That play last night was a fluke.  Yes, he didn't get the glove down, but 99% of the time, a ball that hits the plate bounces almost straight up.  One of those crazy bounces.  That play didn't bother me.  Davis's loafing did.  Clippard had to get five outs that inning. 

[MusicMan]

I'm frustrated with Davis as well, but it really leads me to think just what an unexpected blow Moran's fluke injury was.


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[HudsonHawk]

I'm frustrated with Davis as well, but it really leads me to think just what an unexpected blow Moran's fluke injury was.


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Or Correa's  Hadn't thought about it that much in those terms, but Jim made a very good point last night about how that's had such a domino effect of guys moving around, playing out of position, altering the batting lineup etc.  It wasn't like they could just plug another guy in at SS. This team wasn't built that way.  Him going down meant you now have multiple guys playing different positions.  And of course Altuve leaving the game last night made it worse.  The defense has gone to shit in the last month, but injuries has made it so there has not been a consistent defensive alignment during that time.  A regular steady lineup matters as much on defense as it does on offense.  Perhaps moreso. 

[JimR]

Or Correa's  Hadn't thought about it that much in those terms, but Jim made a very good point last night about how that's had such a domino effect of guys moving around, playing out of position, altering the batting lineup etc.  It wasn't like they could just plug another guy in at SS. This team wasn't built that way.  Him going down meant you now have multiple guys playing different positions.  And of course Altuve leaving the game last night made it worse.  The defense has gone to shit in the last month, but injuries has made it so there has not been a consistent defensive alignment during that time.  A regular steady lineup matters as much on defense as it does on offense.  Perhaps moreso.

and Fisher is not a better Aoki. In fact, he has not been as good.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

The McCann play goes into the "shit happens" file.

Most of the other stuff we've discussed goes into the "stupid shit that we've done that loses games" file.

[austro]

The McCann play goes into the "shit happens" file.

Yeah, I agree. In fact, I think the ball may have hit the back of the plate, which is why it skipped low instead of bouncing. My original frustration wasn't so much with McCann as it was with the fact that it happened at such an important time.