Orioles 4, Astros 1

Contributed by Reuben

I don’t know if they were “hammered into submission,” but the Astros did lose Tuesday night, ending their 6-game winning streak. I listened to an inning or two, but my focus this night was not really on the game.

Two years ago, on this date – 6/4/11 – the Astros and Wandy Rodriguez were beaten by the Padres, giving them a 23-36 record. (Incidentally, none of the Astros who appeared in the game are on the 25-man roster today.) I definitely didn’t watch that game. My wife and I were busy having our wedding.

One year ago, on June 4, my wife and I were driving to dinner to celebrate our one-year anniversary. When we got there, my dad had texted me, as I hoped he would. “Astros select SS Carlos Correa;” the MLB draft had started during our 25-minute drive. One year later, Correa, who has cooled off a bit in the past week, is nonetheless hitting .275/.383/.401 with 33 RBI in 43 games, not bad for an 18 year-old in A-ball.

Ten years ago, on June 4, the Astros also hosted the Orioles. In that game, Brian Roberts played 2B and hit leadoff for the Orioles. Geoff Blum played 3B and hit 2nd for the Astros. Ten years later, they are both getting paychecks from the same teams. The Astros won, 6-4, as Jose Vizcaino homered and Wade Miller outdueled Pat Hentgen before turning the ball over to Brad Lidge and Billy Wagner.

Yesterday, we went on a hike to celebrate our two-year anniversary. We’ve been on several hikes here in the Catskills, but I’d have to say none of them can beat the view from the top of this one. One of those times that really shakes you out of the daily routine a bit and makes you reflect on things and feel good about living. Not that this photo does it justice, but here it is:

And, since this is ostensibly a write-up about the Astros game, here’s a couple cool photos I found from that as well:

Astros 5, Angels 4

W: Lyles (3-1)
L: Wilson (4-4)

You look at the MLB article on the game, and the headline is ‘Astros win fifth straight behind power, pitching.’

Ok. I gueeeesss, in the grains of sand that represent the totality of baseball games played, yyyyyyeah, there was some power and pitching going on, but let’s not kid ourselves. This one was a grain like an almost-infinite number of other grains, especially when you consider that Houston again tried to give the game away, and failed to hit in clutch situations, and struck out a dozen times, etc. etc. etc.

Houston is playing the role of the loose and aggressive losers who don’t stand a chance and have nothing to lose. The Angels, on the other hand, have the weight of millions of dollars in expectations pressing down on them with every pitch. It’s not like these professionals haven’t dealt with stress in their pasts, but right now the convergence is that the Astros are the beneficiaries of the numbing buzz that has gotten into the heads of the Angels. Good for us, and bad for them.

Wilson started out well for the Halos, giving up only two hits through five. Of course, both were solo home runs, but you didn’t think Lyles would keep Anaheim down, did you? And even if he did, that bullpen? That’s like taking the top off of the quart bottle of Gulf Lite and dumping it on the already-lit coals.

Sure enough, Houston matched Anaheim’s scoring, Martinez driving in Barnes and Trumbo homering in the sixth. Blackley and Peacock (sounds like an English soap company) played to the Angels’ confusement until the bottom of the ninth, when Conger homered to bring the Halos within one. Ambriz came in and nailed down the save and that was that – let the rich guys beat themselves is the mantra I wish would work more often.

Astros 2 Halos 0

contributed by Mr. Happy

I listened to part of last night’s game at Fifth Third Field, the home of the Toledo Mudhens, who entertained the Louisville Bats last night, courtesy of my At Bat app on my trusty Samsung Android phone. The Tigers, who are the parent club for the Mudhens, have nothing but journeymen AAAA players here right now as far as I can tell. Phil Nevin manages the Mudhens, and Leon “Bull” Durham is the hitting coach. University of Toledo icon A.J. Sager is the pitching coach. They have some good looking gear. However, I resisted the urge to take one of those jerseys home last night, but I strongly suspect that it is only a matter of time.

Norris apparently had command problems early, but he wasn’t missing over the plate like Matt Cain did in yesterday’s horrific third inning against the Terdinals. I am convinced that Cain has started tipping his pitches out of the stretch because his stretch numbers are awful this season and are vastly different from his historical line with runners on base. Those wascally Terdinals (and some other clubs) are on to something about Cain when they have him in the stretch. Cain threw five perfect innings yesterday in addition to the forgettable seven run third inning. Cain has 14 innings this season where he’s allowed four or more runs. That’s about one Oswalt inning per outing.

Last night, Norris gave us six shutout innings, giving way to a bully that somehow did the job again, throwing 100 pitches, 60 for strikes. Cisnero, who gave us two solid shutout innings last night, has pitched to a 2.88 ERA this season.

Some of you have been rather hard on closer Jose Veras. However, the facts are that Veras has converted ten of 13 chances, which, while that’s not great, could be worse. I like his arm. He’s got two plus pitches.

The Astros got all of the runs they needed in the seventh inning courtesy of Chris Carter’s 11th home run, which was a two run shot.

I always look forward to NeilT’s Friday night game recaps. I learned about Astroleena and am convinced that she’s a messenger from the BBG’s.

The Good Guys make the drive for five in a row against the Halos on Sunday. Young Jordan Lyles toes the slab against crafty portsider C.J. Wilson. Come join us in the Game Zone. You might learn what a footy is, as well as other important things.

Astroleena 6, Angel 3

contributed by NeilT

When I came through the door Honey told me she was in my office. “I couldn’t keep her out Brad. I would have had to call the cops, and I knew you didn’t want that.”

It had been years since I’d seen her, and she looked the worse for wear. She was still beautiful though, but harder around the mouth and eyes, more frayed around the edges.

“Astroleena.” I sat down behind the desk and started opening mail, bills mostly, and advertising. I stayed quiet, waiting for her.

You could tell she was nervous; there was none of the old assurance, none of that feeling that she was one trade away from respectability. “It’s been a hard few years Brad. I don’t know who else to turn to. I know you don’t owe me anything, but I was hoping something was still there.” She paused, reached across the desk and gently touched my hand. If I’d been smart I’d have thrown her out then and there.

I’m smart, but not about Astroleena.

“I’ve lost it, Brad. I’ve lost my ability to string together three wins. I think it may be in Anaheim. I was hoping you’d go look for me.”

***
I hate Anaheim, that damned Disney town. It’s dirty, and I’m not talking about trash. If you want to know what’s going down in Anaheim, there’s only one place to start, Boss Rat. He owns that city.

Boss Rat

I called Rat and he said he was looking for Astroleena, because she owed a friend of his some wins. He told me to meet him at the Magic Kingdom. I drove up Highway 1 from San Diego then stood in line to see the Rat.

“Cheese,” he offered, pushing a plate of bright yellow cheddar across a table to me. “I love cheese,” he said. “Since Annette died I can’t get enough. It’s grief.”

I asked him what he knew about the third win.

“You think that’s why I agreed to see you? She told you she was missing a third win? I’m out of baseball, it’s a rich man’s game, but she’s been taking wins from my friend Angel. You go talk to Angel.” He reached for another piece of cheese.

***
Los Angeles Angels Stadium of Anaheim isn’t far from the Magic Kingdom, but when I got there Astroleena was ahead of me, facing off against Angel. I knew immediately that she had set me up. She thought I’d take her side. She thought I’d pop Angel for her. She had never figured out that I might not be as bad as my reputation.

And I won’t be played for a patsy. I sat down in the stands and watched.

***
Keuchel went 7 innings, throwing 90 pitches, with 14 groundouts, 4 strikeouts, and no walks. He gave up two ER in the second. In the GameZone, people seriously asked why Keuchel was taken out after the 7th. I never thought I’d hear that.

Clemens ran into homer trouble with Erik Aybar in the 8th and got pulled for Blackley. Hamilton popped out to Dominguez to end the inning. Veras, our 4.50 ERA closer, got the save with Iannetta and Conger SOs and a ground out by Callaspo to Carter.

It was a good night at the plate. Castro started off the Astros scoring with a homer in the 4th. Carter and Dominguez each drove in an RBI in the 4th with Sac Flies. Carter hit a single in the 6th and walked in the 2d and the 7th. A Barnes single drove in Cedeno after Cedeno led off the inning with a single. Pena was on fire with a double and two singles in 5 ABs.

Pena stole second on a single in the 1st but was stranded. Altuve stole third in the 7th and then scored on a Pena single.

The Astros are 5-5 over their last 10 games. That’s real baseball. The Los Angeleeeez Angels of Anaheim are 7-3.

***
After the game she stood in front of me, beautiful as ever.

“You didn’t need me Astroleena.”

“Brad,” she said, gazing at me with those baby blues, “I need your help.”

“I can’t help you Astroleena. You’re trouble.”

“But I need you Brad. I think I know where I can get a 4th win. I think it’s in Anaheim. I was hoping you’d go look for me.”