Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
Turds 1
Astros 4
W: Norris | L: Garcia | S: Melancon
As shitty a game as last night’s steamer was, tonight’s game was tasty. Sure, winning vs. losing makes it on it’s own but no, tonight’s game had great pitching, great defense and some timely hitting (in spots), things this team rarely seems to put together all in the same game. They did tonight and it was fun to watch.
The centerpiece, young Bud. His dominance of the shitbirds is documented but tonight, he really had it going. In non-typical fashion, Ks were down, walks were up, even as he seemed to have command of every pitch and despite putting men on in the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th, his defense had his back with 3 double plays and he survived them all. He kept the ball down for the most part, daring the Turds to chase, roll over or take and it was pretty damned effective.
Out of the gate, the line-up was a bit more typical. Lead-off doubles in the first 2 innings led to nothing and when Kepp singled with 1 down in the 3rd, you could almost mail in the result. But Hunter has fancy plans, and pants to match! His 10-pitch AB was a thing of beauty, ending with a crushing drive to center, way the fuck over the head of apprentice hot-dog Colby Assmunch and landing at the top of Tal’s Hill. By the time Rasmus and his sherpa retrieved the ball and got it in, Pence was adjusting his cufflinks standing on 3rd. A GO by Lee plated Pence and it was 2-0 after 3.
On to the Astros 5th, Boojwah decided to create some excitement. A sharp grounder down the third base line that in the 1st went for a double, was nicely snagged by 3B Carpenter but his throw was just late. Booj promptly stole 2nd and when Kepp lined out to right, the jets fired and he slid into 3rd ahead of the throw. Pence’s ground out failed to plate Booj but after a walk to Lee, Michaels singled to left to give the boys a 3-0 lead.
Did I mention the defense? Kepp and Barmes were plenty busy tonight and steak dinners should be on Bud’s platinum card. Defensive plays have to be seen and not described but one play in particular stands out and really added to the suspense of what we were watching. Top of the 7th and the 2-3-4 hitters for the Jakes are up. Bud is dealing to the tune of 0 0 0. John Jay poked a flare to the left side of the infield that to my eye, looked to be the one that would break it up. But Barmes launched himself to his right and snagged the shit out of the ball, keeping Bud’s flirt with glory intact. After a deep fly ball to CF got Pooholes out, Lance Berkman strolled to the plate.
I’m trying to think of what to write here…I want to say some things but then I don’t want to make this about Berkman, that cocksucker. I’d rather make this about Hunter ‘cuz the kid came a couple of scant inches from saving this thing. He tracked Twinkie’s deep drive to right field and timed his leap at the wall perhaps just a bit too soon as the ball dropped just beyond his glove.
No-no no more. Shut out gone. But Bud wasn’t shaken at all. He finished the 7th with a Rasmus infield pop then went on to retire the side in the 8th with just one more walk. Melancon closed it out with a 1-2-3 9th for his 6th save.
Great game! Big effort by all involved and it showed. Let’s hope they do it again tomorrow night and send the Jakes home with a beefy shitburger!!