Astros 4, Pirates 1
W: Brett Myers, L: Brad Lincoln, S: Mark Melancon

Boxscore and Recap

I was only able to watch part of this game on the television last night but I had the opportunity to catch a couple innings with DoRay. I am disappointed to say that I do not know what happened in the first part of the game. I mean, I know what happened because I can read recaps and boxscores but if you had asked me at the time the game was occurring I could not tell you.

I was kind of shocked to learn that this was Myers 4th win of the season. Seriously, he’s only won 4 games. I mean, I know the Astros aren’t great and all, but for your “Ace” to only have 4 wins is really bad. I’d like to say the fault is mine for drafting him in fantasy baseball, but even I couldn’t have had that much influence on his record.

The kid he opposed was, Brad Lincoln, is a former UH student. I remember seeing him pitch at games. I hope he does well against other teams.

I’m still hoping the Astros get to 55 wins. I know 7 more wins is not that many, but this team needs a goal!

Pirates 0, Astros 2
W: J.A. Happ (yeah that’s right, Happ won a game); L: McDonald; S: Melancon
Boxscore and Recap

4 game win streak for the Astros. Oh yea, that’s right. 4 games in a row won by the Houston Astros.

All the scoring was in one inning, the 4th. Jimmy Paredes walked, Sanchez singled (Jimmy went to 3rd), Q grounded out to the catcher who thought he looked Jimmy back to 3rd but as soon as he threw to first Jimmy was running home, Jones of the Pirates tossed to the ball somewhere besides the pitcher McDonald who was covering first. Once the dust was settled, Astros up 1 and Sanchez was on third. Happ comes up to bat next, he draws a walk. Runners on the corners for Schafer. Schafer reaches first on a bunt while Sanchez scores and Happ goes to 2nd. Then The Altuve hit into a double play.

But that was all the scoring Happ would need on the night. He did a good job. Tossed seven innings of scoreless baseball. 71 out of his 110 pitches were strikes. Maybe the time in the minors did him some good. (I hope the same for Wallace.)

Bench Tidbits
Tonight was one of those nights that was great. Besides the obviousness of the Astros winning and sweeping another team at home (I don’t care if it is the Pirates) I saw a lot of friends. I ran into Bench on the concourse, then three friends came to visit us in our seats. My company at the game was his usual great self. We also ran into friends after the game and chit-chatted for a while. This reminded me why I love going to ballgames. Hanging out with friends and having a good time. The time of year is starting to set in, these good times are coming to an end for this year. Even though some are ready for this Astros season to end, I’m not so sure I’m ready for the baseball season to end.

Astros 3, Giants 1
W: Sosa, L: Vogelsong, S: Melancon

Boxscore and Recap
GameZone
Series Preview

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
— Earl Wilson

What a fun game to watch played by the Houston Astros? There was some really nice defense, hitting and good pitching. Sosa did an outstanding job on short rest tossing 6 innings of 1 run baseball. Lopez and Melancon out of the bullpen pitched 3 scoreless innings. I wish the Astros could win every game this way.

Now, I sometimes just don’t get what Mills is doing. So, in the top of the 8th, JD Martinez hits a double, then is replaced for pinch runner Jason Bourgeious. Why? Is Martinez that slow of a runner? I can’t imagine he is. Well, I’m not going to dwell on it because the Astros won and that makes me happy.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Cubs 3, Astros 4
W: Norris (6-8) L: Coleman (2-5) SV: Melancon (12)

Box Score and Recap
GameZone

I totally missed seeing this game. I thought I was recording it but that did not happen which makes me sad. It was my plan for the evening after running errands. Oh well, the Astros won and that is all that really matters. The Astros beating the Cubs and winning the series is the kind of thing that makes Baby Jesus and Mohammed smile.

From what I read in the GameZone, Bud played with fire a couple times in the game and got yanked in the 5th. Surprisingly, the bullpen was able to go 4 innings without giving up a run. Will be interesting to see what Keppinger does to this bullpen when he comes to town this weekend. Altuve only got one hit, slacker. I hope he does a better job when I get to see him in person on Friday!!! I also hope I get an umbrella, I left my old, broken Astros umbrella at a bar and need a replacement. Plus, there are fireworks on Friday night!!! I love fireworks.

Lots of things are changing for people right now. Summer is about over. Kids are going back to school. I have to start getting up early for work. The time cushion I have is going to be gone Monday and it is already made worse because of the Metro construction happening around work. Football is getting ready to start, so get ready for a lot of UT threads in that regard.

Pope Benedict XVI is in Madrid, Spain. There is suppose to be a strike of airline workers while he is there. Not sure why. Get ready for the campaigning to start for the next US President. A number of people will be lying to you.

Special shout-out to Neil T. for sharing the Brad Ausmus news. He obviously knows how much I love and miss Bradley.

The temperature here in Houston is expected to get up to 104 degrees. That is hot!!!

I’m looking for suggestions on how to determine the winner of RFTL, because right now HudsonHawk and Limey did not get their picks in timely and technically are not qualified picks. PM me your suggestion. I may use one or just save the money and buy myself a Cowboys shirt.

Astros 5, D-Backs 8
L: Astros’ Bullpen, W: Putz

Box Score and Recap

It has been just under a month since I’ve recapped a game. I kind-of-not-really missed it. I have to admit, I had not watched a game in almost 3 weeks. Did not see a lot of Astros games on the televisions east of Texas. Things have changed, yet they haven’t.

I can sometimes predict good things for the Astros and I did so once last night. I did make the mistake of saying I thought the Astros would win when I really didn’t feel it. I am in no way psychic, hell this year anyone could predict the outcome of an Astros game. I really thought the guys could win this one. At one point they had a 4-0 lead, but with this team is any lead ever enough?

I am rather excited to go to the ballpark again. I want to see Altuve and Martinez in person. Hopefully there will not be a lefty starting opposing pitcher and I’ll see someone in the outfield besides Michaels.

Myers pitched a good game last night. I was hoping he’d get the win, but those don’t come often with this team. They’re going to go after the Dodgers this weekend. Hope the results are better.

Bench Tidbits:

As some may know I recently went on a road trip to Boston. Lots of fun. Would definitely do it again. One thing people tried to tell us about Texas is that it is a dry heat. Texas is pretty fucking big and there is more than one kind of heat here. Houston and Corpus Christi are hot and humid, San Antonio has some humidity, but not much. Dallas and West Texas probably have the dry heat they were talking about. But to me, hot is hot. I don’t care how much moisture is or isn’t in the air. It is fucking hot and we need some rain.

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Nationals 5, Astros 2
W: Jason Marquis, L: Jordan Lyles

Boxscore and Recap

I attended this game with Neil T., his wife, and BatGirl. I must confess it was one of the most enjoyable games I have attended. There was no one sitting in front of us obstructing the view and no loud individuals behind us (well, not until the later innings when the young group of males had consumed unknown quantities of beer – but even they weren’t bad). The conversations involved a number of topics, most baseball related.

One topic was discussed thoroughly was the Fantasy Baseball Team. Now, this Fantasy Baseball Team (FBT) has nothing to do with stats but with looks of ball players. I will tell everyone that Neil T. added very little to this discussion. One lady thought Hunter Pence should be on the team, one thinks Jayson Werth (without all the facial hair he is apparently a hottie) should be included, and one of us demanded Brad Ausmus (even though he isn’t currently playing) should be included on the FBT. I understand why the one that thinks Hunter should be included seems to like tall, lean guys with blond hair. This brought up the idea that taller players should be included almost without further discussion. It took maybe a minute before Randy Johnson was tossed out for consideration. The qualification of height is no longer quite as important as before.

Other topics were who would get traded and why. General baseball discussion about stadiums and whether or not engineers design railings at heights for view or safety.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable night. Jordan Lyles really did a great job even though he got tagged with the loss. I didn’t realize until looking at the box score that Wilton Lopez didn’t record an out. I really thought with all the “baseball” going on while he was out there he got an out. My mistake. I knew the Astros were going to be in trouble anyway, they didn’t have a closer for the game since Mark Melancon pitched three innings the day before.

I’m also glad Jason Michaels got at least one hit against Marquis since Brett Wallace was riding the pine this game. Please note:

“Jason Michaels (7-10!!!, 1 HR 4 RBI)” Quoted from some asshole’s Series Preview.

Michaels is a pinch-hitter on this team not a starter. I understand the occassional start to keep one sharp, but Mills has taken it too far.

Carlos Lee had a pretty good night going 2-3 with a walk. He probably would have gotten more RBIs if anyone had been on base ahead of him.

Only 3 more work days before I take off on the road trip. I’m so looking forward to it.