Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Astros 3
Royals 4

W: Soria (2-0) | L: Fulchino (2-3) | S: Bale (1)

MLB.com Recap
MLB.com Video Recap
AP! Recap! On Yahoo!
GameZone

As a backdrop to the final game of college baseball this year, the Astros found themselves stuck in a pitcher’s duel that crapped out late for the loss. Oswalt pitched a solid six innings of one-run ball, working around some traffic and striking out eight.

The Royales screwed themselves out of a likely run in the 3rd, when Maier clubbed one over Bourn in dead center, and it rolled to the base of the wall at the top of the hill. Maier cruised into third, where the base coach decided it would be a strong plan to go for it with zero outs in the inning. The throw beat Maier by plenty enough for Pudge to have time to dive back inside the line for the tag. Score that one as a triple with an error charged to the parts of Dave Owen’s brain that evaluate risk/reward scenarios, time estimation and spatial relationships.

KC did manage to scratch out a run in the 6th on a Hulett single, taking a 1-0 lead before Roy got himself out of a bases-loaded mess without further damage. Hochevar had held the Good Guys hitless until Lee singled in the 5th, but in the bottom half of the 6th, Matsui wound up in scoring position after a throwing error, and Erstad came on to hit for Roy. On a 2-1 count, he found a fastball that tailed back over the plate, and mashed the shit out of it, clanging off the face of the right field upper tank for the one-run lead and his first tater of the year.

That’s where it stayed until the top of the 9th, with El Loco Ponche on the hill to close out the win. With one out, Maier hit a routine grounder to Fat Elvis, who thoroughly Buckner’d it to allow the tying run aboard. Jacobs then smacked one a mile in the air over towards the boxes, and it looked like trouble. Michaels eased around the side wall and out of view of the cameras, where he made the catch with absolutely no room to spare, and heaved it in to double up Maier, who was standing on third (lesson learned). Unfortunately, the umps chatted and got the call right, ruling that the ball had glanced off the wall before Michaels caught it. Great play and sales pitch, regardless. With runners on the corners and one down after the error and the near miss, DeJesus predictably singled in the tying run before Valverde got out of it with a grounder and a lazy fly.

The bottom of the 9th produced nothing, and KC struck first in extras, with Pena going yard to right off of Byrdak for a 3-2 lead. Pudge lead off the bottom half with a single against Soria, and moved into scoring position on a bunt from Kaz. Kata pinch hit for Byrdak, and came up huge with a solid knock to right, scoring Pudge after what seemed like an impossibly long run from second. They could’ve run a couple of commercials and still cut back to the game in time to see him slide in for the tie, bless his stumpy little legs. Bourn flied out to the track, Kepp walked, and Miggy came up empty on a swinging ponche to finish it out.

In the top of the 11th, Fulchino came on for Byrdak, providing me an opportunity to talk up his performance this year to the guy next to me who had never heard of him. I was just about to sing the praises of his rich, full-bodied flavor – with a hint of mocha and cinnamon – when Olivo blasted his first pitch four-hundred-something feet off the gas pump for the eventual game winner. So yeah, I guess that one is partially on me. My bad. From then on, I referred to him only as a cocksucker and a generally worthless piece of crap. My heart wasn’t really in it, but this still seemed to work better, as he struck out two and finished the inning with no additional scoring. The damage was done, though, and Michaels, Twinkie and Thunderpants went quietly against Bale to end the game.

Sweep avoidance mode is in effect shortly today, with an impending Businessman’s Special at 1:00. Do your part to uphold the antiquated theme by dressing nattily in a suit pulled from the wardrobe rack of Mad Men, and enjoying a few Martinis and filterless Lucky Strikes while closing that big deal.

Royals 2, Astros 1

W: Zach Greinke, L: Russ Ortiz, S: Joakin Soria

Astros Recap
Yahoo Recap

Astros Highlights:

Russ Ortiz pitched 7, seven, sept, siete, sieben innings of 2 run baseball. Russ did a great job. I was surprised when he came out to bat in the bottom of the 5th inning. I thought for sure Cecil Cooper would have pulled him. Glad he didn’t.

Miguel Tejada is still hitting the ball. He went 3 for 4 on the night. If the Astros were going to take Andy’s advice, he’s a great one to start trading.

Alberto Arias, Tim Byrdak, and LaTroy Hawkins pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief. The bullen pen did a good job.

And Michael Bourn got a single on the night.

Royals Highlights:

Zach Greinke pitched 8 innings of 1 run baseball. His first win since May 26. Sometimes the Astros have a way of making the other guys come out of slumps. He probably would have gone 9 innings, but was pinched hit for in the top of the 9th.

Billy Butler went 2 for 4 on the night. One of his hits was for a homerun.

Game Analysis:

I have to admit, this game was kind of boring. Not sure why, could have just been my section or us. The homerun by Butler was loud. The Astros had their chances and didn’t capitalize. Maybe it was an Ortiz start that makes one not excited. Still I can’t say the Astros sucked on the night, but they definitely weren’t great. Go get’em today Roy.

Bench Tidbits:

At a game where Lance Berkman was honored for hitting 300 homeruns, the promotional give away was this. Seriously, this was the lamest give away ever. It did provide some entertainment during the game, but it is hard to describe what we were doing with it. Plus, the only appearance Lance made was before the game when he got a bat and hopefully correct lineup card from the Astros and a pinch hit in the 9th.

Check out stroysray absolutely awesome series preview.

There was some stuff posted in the GameZone.

Seems like a good College World Series is going on right now. People were more interested in that score than the game last night. Good luck to both schools. I’m rooting more for Texas since I’m from Texas, I just hope Longhorn fans don’t act like jackasses if they win.

Astros 4, Twins 1 (June 21, 2009)

WP: Rodriguez (6-6), Save: Valverde (5), LP: Perkins (2-4). Box Score
McTaggart (Well-supported Rodriguez stifles Twins)
Minneapolis Star Tribune (Injuries, illnesses taking toll on Twins)

The Good Guys got things going early in this one. In the top of the first, Bourn bunted for a hit and stole second. Keppinger singled to center, scoring Bourn. Tejada hit a ground-rule double to right, moving Kepp to third. Lee grounded out to second, scoring Kepp and moving Miggy to third. A double by Pence later in the inning scored Miggy. (Bourn scored on a sac fly by MIggy in the seventh, but that was just icing).

That was all April/May Home Wandy would need (that, and a little self-realization: “”When I threw the first five, I said, ‘Hey, I can pitch.”). Other than a mistake to Cuddyer in the bottom of the second, Wandy pitched a gem. His line on the night: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 Ks. Sampson and Valverde finished off the eight and ninth without allowing a hit, sealing the series win.

A Little Wandy Love

*”Wandy pitched an outstanding game and set the tone with quick outs and not very many pitches. Coming out of the bullpen, it makes us focus and make sure we want to pick up where he left off, for sure. I wanted to make sure he got his ‘W.’ ” – Sampson

*”Whenever your pitcher is on like that, it’s fun.” – Bourn

*”[Rodriguez] just threw the ball well. He pitched really well. He had good stuff, good location. Sometimes you have to tip your hat to the pitcher, and you’ve got to do that today.” – Gardenhire

Tidbits

Cooper did nothing again, but was not thrown out for it this time.

Q was a late scratch from the game with back spasms, forcing Coop’s second choice to set up behind the dish.

Keppinger got to swing away today (instead of having to sacrifice bunt to move over the world’s fastest man) and went 3-5 with a run and an RBI.

Bourn went 2-5 with 2 runs (but gets a pass for being a Hitler youth – where’s the feigned outrage on this one Pinwheel?).

Pence went 3-4 with an RBI.

Mauer’s 12-game hitting streak was snapped, and the poor sucker is now only batting .407.

If you can’t hit it, wear it.

Fathers Day Shout-outs

Congrats to BUWebguy on his first Father’s Day and on the Astros’ newest fan (along with Mrs. BUWebguy). Sic ‘Em!

Congrats as well to rpntex on the new gas-powered trimmer (among other things) as well. Keep up the good work!