Reds 6, Astros 4
W: Leake, L: Paulino
This game was just bad. Bad defense, bad offense, and suspect pitching. I think it was the Astros way of reminding us that they did start the season 0-8. That 0-8 start is still part of this team.
This picture sums up the reactions of many watching the game.
Check out Craig’s Series Preview and the Gamezone for more information.
Contributed by 94CougarGrad
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Pirates 3
Astros 10
WP: Myers (1-1)
LP: Morton (0-4)
Today in history: Lance Berkman knocked his first homer of 2010, and Brett Myers logged his first win as an Astro. Oh, yeah, and the team that lost its first eight games completed its first sweep of the season behind the brooms bats of Lee, Berkman, Pence!!!, and Feliz.
It was a gorgeous day for baseball, and with the roof open, Fox Sports viewers witnessed a surreal hat parade: fans donned everything from baseball gloves to school binders to shade their pretty little heads from the sun. Thankfully, former first lady Barbara Bush and her wide-brimmed classic black chapeau were there to show these whippersnappers how it’s done.
The Pirates trudged to an early 1-0 lead in the second, but Berkman’s homer tied it up in the bottom of the inning, and Houston never looked back. By the end of the 3rd, the Astros were ahead 5-1, and one inning (not to mention pitcher) later, they made it 8-1. Bourn put on a base-stealing clinic, nabbing 3 bags, while Thunder Pants, Feliz, and even Lee (?!?) got in on the action.
Though the home team ran away with the game early, the fans were treated to moments of serious excitement. The distance on Pence’s early bat-toss into the stands rivaled my discus hurl at the JV district meet back in 1986; Bourn generated crowd electricity by stealing back-to-back bases during the same base outing; and Lee scored a 3-run Little League home run on a triple gone sour with a throwing error, earning him a snow cone from the concession stand. My bet: Pina Colada.
Scare of the day: Bottom of the 8th, Berkman twisted funny upon contact with the ball, and grounded out- but not without noticeably limping towards first. Fans were no less nervous when Blum entered the game for Lance. Her Footer-ness later Tweeted that Lance hyper-extended his knee during the at-bat because he doesn’t have the strength in that quad. Mills confirmed that while Lance hyper-extended while leaving the box, he realized as he jogged up the line that he was fine.
All in all, it was a great series to be an Astros fan, both because it feels so damn good to win, and because it’s far more challenging to be a Pi-roots fan.
Tomorrow, the Good Guys get a well-deserved day off before hosting Cincy and heading to Hotlanta. Don’t forget to tune in to your tv sets and the Spikes n’ Stars Game Zone for your viewing pleasure.
Astros 1, Cardinals 2
W: Brad Penny, L: Brett Myers, S: Ryan Franklin
The change for this game was the Astros pitching. They only gave up 5 hits and 2 runs on the night. Tommy Manzella didn’t have his gold glove on tonight, but the Astros need to stop stranding runners in scoring position. Brett Myers had a really good night. If he and the other pitchers start pitching mroe like that every night, the season might not be as bleak as it seems right now.
Michael Bourn seems to be the good spot in the line up. He got on base 3 out of 4 plate appearances. He only scored once. Not surprising, he was stranded at third.
Kaz Matsui was very consistent in ending innings on 6-3 put outs. Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee have continued to produce next to nothing in the middle of the order.
Observations:
Great night in the GameZone. All kinds of great information can be found there. I thought there were quite a few posts worthy of nomination for POTW.
Check out Taras’ Series Preview. Be sure to note that the Astros try for win #1 at noon on Thursday.
Phillies 9, Astros 6
W: Jamie Moyer, L: Brandon Lyon
The positive from this game is the Astros scored as many runs as they have in all four previous games. There was some offensive production on the night. The hits might start coming. The Astros also held the lead in the game for a couple innings. They are getting closer to that elusive first win of the season.
I thought Felipe Paulino did a pretty good job pitching with an umpire that may not have had his best day behind the plate calling pitches.
Perspective:
While watching this game, I was reflecting on this team. I do not believe they are as bad as the 0-5 start they have. Do not mistake that to mean I think they are a good team, just not as bad as they seem. They faced some pretty good pitching against the Giants. The Phillies line up is pretty good. Pretty good, hell they are damm good. The Phillies are going to win a lot of games with the line-up they have.
Also, the starting pitching was not that bad. The worst outing was Bud Norris’ Friday night. I really think things are going to start to get a little better and maybe going on the road after the Sunday afternoon win will help the team relax . (Yes, I think Roy beats Roy on Sunday.)
I am hoping that Brad Mills will be able to pull something out of this game to help the players start playing better baseball. We all know this team will not lose 162 games and they will beat teams besides the Nationals and Pirates. We just have to be patient and remember that it is our Astros team and we love them.
Observations:
Having Jeff Bagwell as an addition to Bill Brown and Jim Deshaies on the Saturday telecast is AWESOME, he adds a lot to Bill and JD, who I think are great already. I think he will only get better. It is just golden for watching this team right now.
I do not usually care about the uniforms, but I like the uniforms from tonight’s game.
Check out the Game Zone for in-game reactions.
For information on the Sunday game, do yourself a favor and read MRaup’s Series Preview.
Giants 10, Astros 4
W: Jeremy Affeldt, L: Sammy Gervacio
Game Highlights:
Pence got on base for the first time this season.
The Astros scored four runs, which doubled their runs from the first two games.
Game Analysis:
Bret Myers, just like Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez, kept the game close but the rest of their team mates did little to help them get a win. The bats came a little bit alive but the bullpen was the culprit today giving up six runs in two innings.
I have to remember that I hope this team will end the season around .500. I can not let myself get too caught up in losses.
Observations:
Off day on Thursday, so everyone can get ready for the Phillies to come in for the weekend series. No preview yet, but there will be one you should read.
The weather is warming up so beach trips can be made.
Wildflowers, especially bluebonnets, are still in bloom, so you can enjoy a nice ride around parts of Texas.
Check out the Game Zone for in-game reactions.
If you are interested in writing a game recap, please let me know.
Giants 3, Astros 0
W: Barry Zito, L: Wandy Rodriguez, S: Brian Wilson
Game Highlights:
Jeff Keppinger pretty much provided all the offense for the astros. Two doubles, one of which was a homerun but the New York office decided it wasn’t, and a walk. Unfortunately, none of his teammates were able to plate him.
The bullpen pitched three scoreless innings. Fulchino, Lyon, and Lindstrom did a good job of keeping the Giants from scoring any runs.
The Astros did turn 3 double plays tonight, so there was some good defense on the field tonight.
Game Analysis:
The bats really need to get going. The pitching, which was good in this game, deserves some offense. I’m not expecting 8 runs a night, but I would like some production out of the middle of the lineup. Then again, Hunter Pence is in the middle of the lineup and when was the last time the #2 hitter was walked to get to the #3 hitter?
I will not blame only Hunter for the offensive woes of this team. They need, as a team, to hit good pitches and things will happen.
Wandy Rodriguez had one bad inning. The two walks to lead off the 6th inning pretty much set up the bad inning. Then the boys didn’t turn a double play.
Observations:
Tommy Manzella got hit hard by that pitch on his wrist. All I could think of at the time was Bagwell getting hit like that.
I wish Larry Dierker could stay in the booth with Bill Brown and Jim Deshaies. He added a lot to the broadcast.
Check out the gamezone for in-game reactions and Craig’s series preview for information on Wednesday’s day game.
If anyone is interested in writing game recaps, let me know.
