Astros 1, Cubs 7
W: Samardzija (8-10) L: Galarraga (0-3)
I have only one good thing to say about last night’s game. Barnes came off the bench to get his first homerun of his MLB career.
Much can change when one is away.
Nationals 5, Astros 4
W: Stammen (5-1) L: Lopez (3-1)
I went on vacation again this year, during that time the Astros added 5 players to the active roster that I do not know. Subtracted a number of players also. I’m not surprised, probably no one that follows this team is. I’m not upset about any of the traded players (I do wonder if Mr. Happy wondered why anyone would want J.A. Happ though.) and no real opinions of the players that came to the Astros, yet.
The Astros, whoever they are, lost the game again last night. I have to admit I wasn’t able to watch all of it. I just got tired and feel asleep. According to the GameZone there were some surprises (the game getting tied) and some non-surprises (the team losing on bad defense). I think as a player, this season could really tear a player down. Losing sucks. It is hard on fans but jeez, how many of us like losing at something we are trying to win at? I hate it. I can’t imagine how demoralizing it is for those players. I know some are young, but at what point does a player realize that when (yes, I’m an optimist) the Astros start winning again it won’t be because of them? Many, if not all, of these players really aren’t our future for Astros fans.
While on vacation, I went to a game in San Diego. BEAUTIFUL ball park. I loved it. I also liked listening to fans of another team talk baseball. It was a nice change of pace from what you don’t hear at MMP.
I also went to part of a Lexington Legends game (the rain that came down during that game was something central Texas would love). That was fun and probably one of the highlights of the vacation. I truly love minor league baseball. Knowing there was the future of the team I get to watch was a thrill. When I lived in Austin I loved going to Express games. The feeling of those baseball games is so different than a major league game.
I know and agree with Foghorn regarding going to Astros games. But if you are given the opportunity to see the future at a minor league game. GO!
And a special Thank you to Mr. Happy for covering the recaps while I was away. You are AWESOME.
This team is still fun to watch, after all it is baseball.
Wish I Knew Some Sartre
Contributed” by Reuben
Padres 8, Astros 2
W: Ohlendorf (3-0)
L: Lyles (2-6)
I should’ve gone to bed earlier. Astros were looking OK early on in this one. Marwin Gonzalez continued on with the full head of steam that he shot out of the OKC cannon with, singling in the 1st, dropping a nice bunt hit in the 3rd, stealing 2nd and scoring on a JD Martinez single. Jordan Schafer actually managed a beautiful drag-bunt base hit in the 2nd and scored after stealing a bag himself (the down-shot [is that a word? Opposite of upshot?] to that is it will surely reinforce Schreefer’s misguided notion that he’s a good bunter, resulting in many, many more 1st-pitch fake-bunt called strikes). Things didn’t go completely to shit until later, while I was sitting in bed with the game on my laptop, trying to stay up a little longer.
The 4th inning was wobbly for young Mr. Lyles, and then at least one wheel slipped all the way off the axle in the 5th. Four straight hits led to two Padre runs, and a 4-2 deficit, which as we all know is a deep hole for our boys. By this time I was already nodding off but the damage was done. Hopes of a late-game Astro rally were dashed when I woke up in the middle of the night and checked the score. Looks like it got worse.
At this time I’d like to raise a mug of tea in salute to those hearty Game Zone denizens who stayed with this game until the bitter end. You were better (and less sleepy) than I. A sampling of the late-game comments:
“I’m glad I don’t have the recap on this one.”
“Good time to dust off some Jean-Paul Sartre-style existentialism.”
“What poor sucker does?”
“I just looked, and it’s Reuben. I haven’t seen that east coaster in here tonight.”
“He is drinking, and muttering darkly to himself. Getting himself ready.” (note: I’m sure I was muttering to myself in my sleep, and I had been drinking earlier)
…This was followed by a brilliant, not-to-be-missed Howl reinterpretation by Dark Star. Check it out.
What else happened?
-Marwin went 3-for-4 overall including a nice pop-fly double. That kid is Midas right now.
-JD Martinez had two hits and his 50th RBI. Yeah, he’s still stuck in the .230’s but it’s something.
-50 years ago on the same date, the Colt .45s also lost 8-2 (2nd game of a double-header). Bob Aspromonte hit his 9th HR.
-We had some tasty homemade pizza for dinner, topped with zucchini from our inaugural vegetable garden. Full-grown zucchini coming out of a plant in your own yard are beautiful, beautiful things.
-Tune in at 2:35 Central time to watch Wandy try to get Road Win #11. The (Astro-watching) world seems to think he’ll be traded at any moment. I don’t think it’ll be his last start as an Astro. I think he’ll probably go right before the deadline, after the scramble for the Dempsters and Greinkes and Hamelses is done and teams realize Wandy would actually look pretty good in their rotation. But I do plan to enjoy him while he’s still here (here, on my laptop, not here in upstate NY. That would be odd).
Win #10
Astros 2, Padres 0
box
The Astros finally did it. They finally won their 10th road game of the season. The monkey is off their back. Only wins will follow the team now. They also did it with Happ on the mound and Bogusevic in the line-up. Unbelievable. I honestly started to wonder if it would ever happen. Do you realize how hard it is to get over the hump of winning your 10th road game. It was all most people could talk about. When was it going to happen? Who’d be the winning pitcher? What team would suffer the defeat by the Mighty Astros? All these questions and more have been answered.
If you want to know more about the series, check out Ebby’s preview. If you want to read about the games or interact during the games, check out the GameZone 2012. You never know what you might learn.
On a personal note, not got be accompanied with song lyrics. I am getting ready to go on vacation. I fly out Thursday to go to a soccer tournament in San Diego – my niece is participating, I get to be a soccer-mom. It should be a fun time. We are going to the Astros game Thursday night, sitting on the 3rd base side. I’ve set my dvr to record the game, you never know when you might get on the television. I am also taking my niece and one of her friends to tour a couple universities while there. The rest of the time is soccer games and beach time. Should be a good trip.
After the tournament trip, we go back to San Antonio and begin the 2012 Road-Trip Extravaganza. We seem to be going to many of the same places as we did last year. Makes one wonder why we would do that again. Well, the soccer playing niece gets a college tour trip. Yep, we will be visiting a couple colleges along the way. Vanderbilt, Duke and Kentucky. Nothing cheap for this girl. I hope her dad did a good job on her college fund. I should be able to get in a Lexington Legends game this time. And this time, when we go to Chocolate World, I am eating the candy bar and not saving it.
I’ll be back in August, I’m sure you all will notice I’m gone. But Mr. Happy said he would cover the Monday games while I’m out. I hope he does a better job at writing recaps than I do.
It Still Counts, Right?
National 8, American 0
W: Cain (1-0) L: Verlander (0-1)
After reading JimR’s All-Star Game Preview and learning some history of the All-Star game I was really disappointed in the American League. I guess when the National League put a five spot up in the first inning, it no longer mattered. Their pride was not wounded because, well, I don’t know why they didn’t have any pride about playing in the game.
One thing I noticed while watching the game last night is that the American League team seemed cocky and arrogant. Normally, it would not bother me much, but my freaking team is going to be part of that shit next season. I’ve not been happy with the move, but I’m trying to move past it and just keep supporting my Astros. But, geez, what a bunch of prima donas. Ugh.
A couple notes, some were touched on in the GameZone during the game. Bryce Harper, to me, seems like he should play in the American League. Gold shoes?? Really? Even Prince thought that was too much. Then all the excuses they made for him not catching, what I thought was a routine fly/pop ball. Wonderkid? I think he’ll probably be a good player, but eh.
I did like Mike Trout though. He seemed genuine. Granted I don’t know him from Harper, but I just got a good vibe about him.
Jose Altuve did not embarrass himself, not that I expected him to do so.
I really like Andrew McCutchen. That dude can play some damm good baseball.
Overall, for a game that counts and where it all starts, it didn’t have the feel like a lot of the “All-Stars” gave a shit.
Astros’ Blast Another Dud
contributed by Sphinx Drummond
Pirates 6 Astros 4
W: Correia (5 – 6)
L: Keuchel (1 – 1)
S: Harahan (21)
Astros lost to the Pirates, again. Hogan’s goat thinks the Astros are fucked up. But, the Astros are getting better, sorta, since being shut out 3-0 by the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, the Astros have scored in all three of their subsequent losses to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, the Astros have scored first in the first three games of the series in the Steel City… Uh, for now, I can’t think of anything else positive to say about the club.
Oh wait, Carlos Lee was traded during the game to Miami for some prospects. I guess that’s a good thing, but I’ll miss Carlos and his bubbly manner. He was a good Astro.
With just a half-game lead over the Cubs for last place, the Astros will try to avoid a another sweeping and possibly the cellar with a win in the last game of the four game visit with the Pirates.