Contributed by Reuben
Pirates 8, Astros 7
W: Hanrahan (4-0)
L: Wright (0-2)
Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
Don’t grumble, give a whistle
And this’ll help things turn out for the best…
You know, one could choose to look at this game in a negative way. The Astros had a 4-run lead in the 6th and blew it. They lost on a walk-off homer by former Astro farmhand (now journeyman) Drew Sutton. They’ve pretty definitively been kicked to the curb by former division-mate cellar-dwellers the Pirates, who now routinely humiliate them. They’ve lost several games in a row (5? 7? Why bother looking that up?), and have an absolutely pitiful road record this year. Their veteran first baseman just vetoed a trade that would’ve added to their vital collection of talented prospects.
But I’m choosing to look on the bright side of life. There’re lots of Astros-related positive things to appreciate right now, including some in this very game:
-Lucas Harrell had a near-dominant first five innings, striking out 9 vs. 0 walks. He only lost it in the 6th after having to run like crazy all around the bases, including a pickoff-avoiding dive that caused JD to invoke the name Carlos Hernandez.
-The Astros actually hit pretty well. Schafer, Lowrie, Lee, and Harrell each had 2 hits.
-Bogusevic and Schafer each stole a base.
-Jason Castro had one of the best and most nail-biting Astro ABs of the season in the 9th, lining a 3-2, 2-out pitch into the RF corner to score Lowrie (who’d walked) all the way from first and tie the game. It was pretty awesome.
If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle – that’s the thing.
-The Astros signed 3 kids out of Latin America!
For life is quite absurd
And death’s the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin – give the audience a grin
Enjoy it – it’s your last chance anyhow.
-Roy Oswalt got his prissy ass kicked by the White Sox!
-Wilton Lopez, possibly the lone RHP in the ‘pen that doesn’t make you cringe when he’s brought into a game, is about to start a rehab assignment at OKC!
-Surprise! Justin Maxwell don’t need no surgery! He’s apparently gonna be OK with just rest/rehab, and may be back after the All-Star Break.
Life’s a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true.
You’ll see it’s all a show
Keep ’em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
-So what if Drew Sutton hit a walk-off against the Astros? The Astros got a couple very good years of Keppinger out of that trade, and then turned Kepp into Jason Stoffel, who just made the Texas League All-Star team thanks to his 1.62 ERA and 12 saves… not impressed? Lefties are hitting .031 off him. And he’s a RHP. Just the type of pitcher to face a switch-hitter like Sutton…
-Shoot, AstrosCounty put together this whole long list of farm-related things to feel happy about.
So rather than grumble about Fernando Rodriguez throwing gasoline on the fire, or being silly chumps about Brian Bogusevic’s poor OPS compared to your average MLB corner outfielder, let’s remember to appreciate the good things we see from these Astros…
And… always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the right side of life…
I’m sure you all know the classic version. Harry Nilsson did a pretty nice cover of it as well.
On a personal note, my softball team got stomped pretty good earlier tonight, 13-3, but hey, tomorrow I’m going tubing, watching fireworks, maybe grill some corn and hot dogs, maybe catch Spider-Man at the drive-in…