June 1, 2010. Natinals at Astros
Natinals 7, Astros 8 (BOX)
W. Lopez (W, 2-0), Capps (L, 0-2). Lindstrom (BS, 2)
McTaggart Recap
How shall I lose thee? Let me count the ways. With a boot, and a gaffe, and some walks, but it wasn’t to be. The Good Guys tried their asses off to pull out a “L” from tonight’s game, but just couldn’t make it happen in the end, try and try as they may. Despite the fluid nature of the Astros stellar, to shit, to shit, to shit, to stellar performances tonight, it was a win and a sorely needed one at that.
Brett Myers came through in a big way tonight
Giving a beleaguered bullpen a strong 7-inning start (7.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR).
Count Berkman in as a convert to the Brett Myers fan club:
“I was prepared not the like the guy just from playing against him, and I’ve got to tell you he’s one of my favorite teammates in terms of his competitiveness. He has a perfect attitude for what you’re looking for in a pitcher. If he loses 2-1 win, he’s always blaming himself and takes responsibility. He’s a competitor and not scared to throw the ball over the plate. I just think he’s a great addition to this team. That’s the kind of guy you can win with. He’s a warrior. The day he pitches he’s focused, he’s intense and I think the team feeds on that. I think the team takes the personality of the that day’s starter, and he does a great job of bringing that intensity to the ballclub.”
As did the offense
Sweet Baby Bourn: 1-4, 2 BB, 3 R
Jeff Keppinger, bitches: 3-5. 1 R
Puma: 3-5, 1 BB, 1 R, 5 RBI
Pence!!!: 2-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR
The defense, not so much
A booted ball by Blum and a poor throw to the plate by Berkman in the top of the 5th led to 3 unearned runs.
Nor the bullpen
Lyon allowed a run to score in the top of the 8th and loaded the bases before getting back-to-back strikeouts to end the thread (Astros lead 6-5). Line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.
Lindstrom allowed the tying and go-ahead run to score in the top of the 9th for his second blown save of the season (Natinals lead 7-5). Line: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO.
That is until Wilton Lopez
came in and cleaned up Lindstrom’s bases loaded mess. Line: 0.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.
And Berkman atoned for an earlier sin
2 out in the bottom of the 9th, Berkman plated 2 with a walk-off base hit.
As did third base umpire Bill Hohn
Yeah, this guy, who ruled that Berkman checked his swing on what otherwise would have been strike 3 and the ballgame (and yes, it looked as if Hohn did Berkman a very big favor).
Sure, parts of the game were ugly. Yet it was a win, and a sweet one at that…
Things I learned in the Gamezone tonight
Brett Myers is a fucking gamer, but he doesn’t even look Korean. He lowered his ERA to 3.04 on the season. Better than Lincecum. Lincecum looks more Korean than Myers. But ultimately, What can you say about Myers? He’s a battler. He hits them with everything he has.
Bizarre Panamanian rituals: Carlos gets under more balls than a midget hooker.
Yet another brilliant marketing strategy by Pam.
You do NOT walk a man to get to Jeff Keppinger, bitch! (unless Feliz trying to score from third on the play).