Giants 3, Astros 6
w: Brett Myers, L: Barry Zito

Astros Recap
Game Zone

The Astros finally beat the Giants this year. It took the 8th meeting between them, but the finally did it.

Jeff Keppinger’s 2 out double in the 2nd gave the Astros a 4-0 lead. Zito threw Keppinger some weak-ass shit.

Overall the game was enjoyable, minus the 3 errors in the field by the Astros. The rookies Johnson and Castro seemed a bit shaky out there. I thought Bourgeious was ok in CF and uncomfortable in LF. I also think he will be able to adjust fine there.

The bats were there for 11 hits on the night. The hit parade was led by Keppinger, Lee, and Johnson with 2 each.

Today’s game is an early one, so productivity for Astros fans may be down this afternoon at their places of employment. Check out strosrays outstanding series preview if you haven’t already for more information.

And don’t forget the USA plays Ghana Saturday at 1:30 CST. Go USA!!!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Jints 3
Astros 1

W: Lincecum (8-2) | L: Oswalt (5-9) | S: Wilson (20)

Astros.com Wrap

A million apologies to Jason Castro, who will undeservedly get short shrift in his first SnS recap, as I have spent the morning watching Univision in my red white and blue body paint and novelty wig. Given the result, I’m heading out to burn some couches and cars, before settling in for a productive afternoon at the office (read: hitting the booze like Don Fucking Draper).

As for the game, Castro’s first on the big club was individually memorable in spite of the loss. The kid picked up a hit against Lincecum in his first MLB at-bat – a line single into center – and scored the Astros’ only run of the night. Not shabby at all, and he added to it by throwing out a pair of runners trying to swipe second. Castro’s parents were in attendance – being stalked relentlessly by Patti Smith – and his mom was especially giddy over everything he did. It just good to see someone genuinely happy while watching the Astros play baseball for a change.

Apart from Castro’s debut, it was a solid pitcher’s duel, With Lincecum again getting the best of Oswalt. The score probably would have been higher on both sides, but the two pitchers took turns mangling the art of bunting beyond recognition, ruining a few opportunities along the way. Roy absolutely shit on a great chance when he popped a bunt up weakly to the catcher with runners on first and second and nobody out. Bourn followed with a double that should have scored both runners, so hopefully Roy took responsibility for his part in the lack of offense last night.

At least Lincecum’s failures with bunting lead to some quality entertainment from Twinkie, as he unsuccessfully fake-dropped one pop-up to attempt a double play, with some of the best acting I’ve seen since… earlier in the day in the World Cup, I guess. The second pop-up was even better, as Fat Elvis lumbered down the line in a valiant effort to snare it, belly-flopping spectacularly into foul territory like someone threw him off a deer stand.

But all this is losing talk, and ‘mericans like winnin’. So here’s some fucking WIN…

Contributed by 94CougarGrad

Rangers 5, Astros 4End 10
WP: Ray (2-0), LP: Daigle (0-1), SV: Feliz (19)

A Happy Father’s Day it was at 1:05 pm, with plenty of Dads and kids strewn around the ball park, a hopeful gleam of “Astros win?” and “I want another hot dog!” in their eyes. Three and a half hours later, the jack-booted thugs from Arlington tossed their brooms into the storage compartment of the team bus and gave the Astros and their fan-Dads big, honkin’ boots in the junk, extending their record road game winning streak to 8.

You just knew the day would be interesting when you heard the first “stri-YEEEEEK!” call from behind the plate. Things indeed started out promising, as the Good Guys scored two runs in each of the first two innings (including one on a Vlad Guerrero error), and the stRangers got one lone run in the second. Then, okay-no-big-deal, one in the third. And then, too-close-for-comfort, one in the sixth. And then, ohhhhh-shit, the tying run in the top of the ninth.

Mills utilized his bullpen to the best of his ability in an attempt to preserve the win, going through Lopez, Byrdak, Lyon, Lindstrom, Daigle, and then Chacin.

Take Josh Hamilton out of yesterday’s lineup and the Astros would have won the damn game. 6 at-bats, 5 hits, 2 RBIs- the second of which scored the go-ahead in the top of the 10th. At some point the guy’ll have to head into the shop for an oil and filter change, but right now, he’s on a skeery-good roll.

A full onslaught of in-game entertainment was provided by JD and Brownie, who waxed poetic about the biggest afro in baseball, pierogies having Facebook pages, and likening baseball games to prime rib buffets. Wilton Lopez was complimented by both for his “charge” from the bullpen every time he’s called into action.

The excitement of the day came not from home runs or fantastic defensive plays, but from shock and worry. In the top of the 4th, the Rangers’ Blanco followed aaaaall the way around on a hard swing, striking Quintero in the right side of the head. Q clutched at his helmet and collapsed, and I could hear the “oh!” from the spectators loud and clear over the FSAstros network. The good sign was that Q was moving, so he apparently wasn’t out cold. The bad sign was that after his helmet was removed, the athletic trainers donned latex gloves, signaling to Brownie that blood was involved. The Wizard helped his teammate by delivering towels to the trainers, and a contrite Blanco hovered on the edge of the milling crowd while Keppinger attempted to comfort him. In the end, Q, sure on his feet and looking agitated (he brusquely waved off the apologizing Blanco), was helped off the field to great applause for stitches and testing.

After the game, Ed Wade announced that Cash, Daigle, and Sullivan were DFA’ed, to be replaced with Jason Castro, Jason Bourgeois, and Chris Johnson. A post-game locker room interview with Q revealed that he had 7 stitches because something inside his helmet cut his head when the bat hit him, and no concussion. Q announced himself “ready to play on Tuesday” and grinned. I didn’t agree, however, with asking Q if he’d heard that Cash had been DFA’ed. Q blinked in surprise and recovered as best as he could, saying that nobody had told him anything because he hadn’t been there.

The Astros are back in action at MMPUS on Tuesday for a 3-game series with San Francisco and get-an-effin’-haircut Lincecum vs. Oswalt, Parte Dos. Next weekend the team can look forward to visiting the Ballpark in Arlington, because they just can’t wait to see the other Texas team again. I guess they took the phrase, “Don’t be a stRanger” to heart.

Submitted by austro

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Rangers 5 | Astros 1
WP: Lewis (7-4) | LP: Moehler (0-4)

Astros.com Recap
Gamezone

A fine effort by Moehler (6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER) went to waste as the offense continued its season-long disappearing act and the bullpen failed to close the door in the 8th and 9th innings. Smoak took Moehler deep (real deep) in the 2nd for a 2-run homer following a 12-pitch AB by Murphy, and that was all the Rangers needed to secure the win. Some credit for the lousy offense has to go to Lewis, who tossed a complete game, struck out 9 Astros, walked none, and only gave up 1 hit in the first 7 innings. Of course, this year it’s kind of hard to tell whether this kind of result is due to the pitching or the “hitting”.

As embarrassing as the offense was, the real disappointment of the evening was the crowd. Not the size: there were 41K+ folks in attendance. No, this season’s low point was reached when the bandwaggoning Rangers fans started “Rangers! Rangers!” cheers that were clearly audible, even on the TV broadcast. Worse, there was no answer by Astros fans, if there were any there.

Today sees Paulino taking on Wilson at 1pm. Maybe the earlier starting time will be sufficiently before bedtime that the bats will be awake.

And congratulations to the Horny Frogs for kicking some Florida butt in the CWS. With neither UT nor Rice present, I think they’ll be my adopted team for the tournament.

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Astros 2
Royals 5

W: Marte | L: Myers | S: Sorio

Astros.com
Gamezone

The fading day helped the Good Guys carry a lead for most of this one, but their fading starter helped give that lead up. A first inning double by Pence, aided by the setting sun in the eyes of Royals’ LF and Astro-killah Posednik, plated 2 early runs and gutty pitching again by Myers had the Astros cruising towards another possible series win.

The lead even survived some official buffoonery in the bottom of the 5th. Man on 2nd with one out, batter hits a sinking liner to Blum at SS. Runner at 2nd takes off. Blum traps the ball, sees runner almost to 3rd and starts to wheel towards 1st. But Blum hears and sees 2nd base ump calling a catch and out so he wisely trots to 2nd for the DP. Umpires gather ’round as the Astros leave the field.

Yost, Mills, bat boys, Quanell X, EVERYBODY was consulted and a evidently fitting conclusion was reached on what happened and what should be done about it. Since the catch call was obviously blown, Blum’s initial reactions were probably taken into account so the runner on base was allowed 3rd since Blum didn’t attempt a throw there. The batter, however, was out since Blum appeared to be going there for the out. 6-3. Got it? Astros trotted back onto the field after what seemed like 10-12 minutes and Myers calmly got the next batter to line out to Blum.

The 7th is where this one crumbled. Leading 2-0, Myers was still looking sharp as the first 2 Royals are retired, but he gave up a single to Aviles. Myers then gets Betemit to ground weakly back to the right side of the mound but his bare-handed effort failed and the inning continued. Next batter Betancourt then singles, scoring Aviles and it’s looking like Myers might be done. Mills leaves him in to face Posednik. 3-run homer to right. From up by 2 to down by 2, all with 2 out.

More Silver Boot silliness this weekend as the stRangers hit town. Feldman @ Wandy tomorrow night. 7:05 CDT.

OK, gotta run and get my rest for the early-morning drinking I have planned at my local. USA vs. Slovenia at 10AM my time. I could get to like this soccer.

Astros 4, Royals 2
W: Roy Oswalt, L: Bruce Chen

Astros recap
Astros wrap
Game Zone

After a ~2 hour delay to start the game, the Astros found some runs at the end of the rainbows. According to JD there was a double rainbow in the sky after the down pour in KC.

I admit to not scrutinizing the team very closely, but Sweet Baby Bourn needs to start getting some hits. I have high expectations for him and he needs to meet them.

Roy had a good outing, especially against an AL club, is a good thing if he is to be traded this season.

I have a feeling David DeJesus is going to have a large family. He’s been great in his at-bats since his son was born and going 4-4 on the night just added to it.

Check out Jane’s preview for news about the game Thursday.

Go USA!!!