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General Discussion => Archive => Game Zone 2008 Archive => Topic started by: OregonStrosFan on May 17, 2008, 06:05:17 pm
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Astros Pitching: Oswalt
Astros Lineup:
Pence, RF
Matsui, 2B
Tejada, SS
Berkman, 1B
Lee, DH
Erstad, LF
Wigginton, 3B
Bourn, CF
Ausmus, C
stRangers Pitching: Padilla
stRangers Lineup:
Kinsler, 2B
Young, SS
Hamilton, RF
Bradley, DH
Murphy, LF
Laird, C
Catalanotto, 1B
Byrd, CF
Vazquez, 3B
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I can do PBP for a while if anyone needs it. Let me know.
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Don't know if anyone caught the opening ceremony or not, but thought it was VERY COOL! If you've got the game DVRd, don't skip over it. It was composed of US Soldiers (Rangers fans) in Iraq. The end with soldier Ochoa wishing his two sons happy birthday (and tearing up a bit as he was doing so), the fans signing happy birthday to the boys, and then the two boys throwing out the opening pitch was touching.
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The 4th Infantry soldiers in Iraq playing the national anthem was awesome. Very moving.
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P.S. I still hate this fucking ballpark.
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That's the way to start it. Don't know about you, but I love when they play The Tejada Song.
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That's the way to start it. Don't know about you, but I love when they play The Tejada Song.
Barely remember it, 9th game in a row getting the opponents feed...
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That's the way to start it. Don't know about you, but I love when they play The Tejada Song.
That makes at least two of us.
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Top 1: Padilla pitching for the stRangers, Angel Hernandez umpiring at home plate.
Spaz: grounded out to short on 3-2 pitch. 1 out, none on.
Kaz: walked on 3-2 pitch (after being down 0-2). 1 out, runner on 1B.
Kaz steals 2B on 1st pitch to Tejada. 1 out, runner on 2B
Tejada: doubles to right on 0-2 pitch, Kaz scores. HOU 1, TEX 0. 1 out, runner at 2B.
Berkman: walks on 3-2 pitch. 1 out, runners on 1B and 2B.
Lee: flied out to left. 2 outs, runners on 1B and 2B.
Tejada and Berkman advance on 0-2 wild pitch to Erstad. 2 outs, runners on 2B and 3B
Erstad: grounded out to 1B. 3 outs.
Middle 1: HOU 1, TEX 0
Padilla pitch count: 32 (18/14)
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OSF: I'm watching (so I don't really need PBP) but I think the GZ is so much better when someone's doing it. Thanks.
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Wow, good swing.
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Bottom 1: Oswalt pitching for the Good Guys.
Kinsler: flied out to Bourn on 2-2 pitch (decent contact a couple of times). 1 out, none on.
Young: flied out to Pence on 1-1 pitch (Pence almost misplayed it, but made a good grab. rangers getting good wood on the ball so far). 2 outs, none on.
Hamilton: singled into left center on 1-2 slow curve away. 2 outs, runner on 1B.
Bradley: Homers to right on 1-2 slow curve. HOU 1, TEX 2. 2 outs, none on.
Murphy: grounds out to 2B. 3 outs.
End 1: HOU 1, TEX 2
Oswalt pitch count: 22 (15/7)
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I hate absolutely everything about the Rangers. From their godawful park, to their ugly ass uniforms, to their Dallas-ite fans, to their playing of "The Natural" soundtrack whenever anyone wearing said uniform hits a home run.
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OSF: I'm watching (so I don't really need PBP) but I think the GZ is so much better when someone's doing it. Thanks.
You're welcome. Kinda what I thought too, so will give it a go for a while.
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to their playing of "The Natural" soundtrack whenever anyone hits a home run.
As if watching balls fly out aren't pissing me off enough, listening to that damn soundtrack every time the stRangers go yard is about to drive me friggin' insane...
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It has been a redundant theme these past two evenings.
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For some reason I had the masochistic urge to catch a couple of minutes on the Ranger feed. I was just informed during the Wiggington AB that the Astros turn-around coincided with the return of Wigginton to the lineup. I'm back to Brownie and JD.
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Top 2: Padilla Pitching
Wigginton: Struck out swinging (b, ss, fb, fb, fb, ss). 1 out, none on.
Bourn: Struck out looking (cs, cs, fb, b, cs). 2 outs, none on.
Ausmus: grounded out to SS on 3-2 pitch. 3 outs.
Middle 2: HOU 1, TEX 2
Padilla pitch count: 49 (30/19)
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the Astros turn-around coincided with the return of Wigginton to the lineup
Wow. Just wow.
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For some reason I had the masochistic urge to catch a couple of minutes on the Ranger feed. I was just informed during the Wiggington AB that the Astros turn-around coincided with the return of Wigginton to the lineup. I'm back to Brownie and JD.
Hitting average wise, this year's Wigginton is last year's Everett, this year's Towles is last year's pitcher du jour.
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What's the Astros record since Matsui came off the DL?
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Fucking shit, enough already.
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What is Roy's deal this year?
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FUCK THIS FUCKING BALLPARK AND FUCK THIS FUCKING TEAM.
God, I'm sick of this series all fucking ready.
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Marlon Byrd gets his first HR? Off Roy? Welcome to bizarro-world.
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What is Roy's deal this year?
Too many HR's for one thing.
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And singles and doubles and...
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This is one ballpark where Roy might consider not pitching to contact.
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Marlon Byrd gets his first HR? Off Roy? Welcome to bizarro-world.
20+ mph wind to right + wind blown fly ball = Marlon Byrd home run.
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Bottom 2: Oswalt pitching
Laird: bounces out to Tejada on 0-1 pitch. 1 out, none on.
Catalanotto: infield singled deflected(?) by Oswalt on 1-2 pitch. 1 out, runner on 1B.
Byrd: home run to right om 2-1 pitch. HOU 1, TEX 4. 1 out, none on.
Vasquez: grounded out to 2B on 2-0 pitch. 2 outs, none on.
Kinsler: walked on 3-1 pitch. 2 outs, runner on 1B.
Young: grounds into 5-4 fielders choice. 3 outs.
End 2: HOU 1, TEX 4
Oswalt pitch count: 41 (25/16)
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Everytime I look up Pence is 0-2.
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FUCK THIS FUCKING BALLPARK AND FUCK THIS FUCKING TEAM.
I can see it now: next Astros World Series appearance is against the fucking Rangers. And the AL wins the All-Star game that year. And Bud insists that the Astros keep the roof open even though game 3 is on Thanksgiving.
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Everytime I look up Pence is 0-2.
The whole team is taking hittable fastballs...
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Young's grounder was the first time Roy had retired a batter from the stretch, the other two resulted in 4 runs.
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20+ mph wind to right + wind blown fly ball = Marlon Byrd home run.
Yet the Astros don't have a HR this series?
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I'd like to add that I utterly despise interleague play.
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Bang-bang but I think Matsui beat it.
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Top 3: Padilla pitching.
Pence: strikes out looking on 0-2 pitch. 1 out, none on.
Matsui: walked on 3-2 pitch (after beginning 0-2). 1 out, Matsui on 1B.
Matsui picked off 1B prior to 2-1 pitch to Tejada. 2 outs, none on.
Tejada: grounded out to SS (great play by Young to rob Miggy of a base hit). 3 outs.
Middle 3: HOU 1, TEX 4
Padilla pitch count: 65 (40/25)
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Bang-bang but I think Matsui beat it.
yeah, looked like his hand might have gotten there before the swipe.
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I'd like to add that I utterly despise interleague play.
I hate it for how it screws up the whole schedule.
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Yet the Astros don't have a HR this series?
In-fucking-explicable.
I'm gonna go watch Indiana Jones on Sci Fi... I already know how that one comes out, and ilt'll be a LOT more enjoyable than this shitburger.
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I hate it for how it screws up the whole schedule.
It screws up the schedule, it cheapens the world series, and perhaps most importantly it costs the Astros an extra 15 losses or so every year, because they really really suck against the AL.
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that's jd's family?
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It screws up the schedule, it cheapens the world series, and perhaps most importantly it costs the Astros an extra 15 losses or so every year, because they really really suck against the AL.
It has that feel of exhibition baseball.
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I'm gonna go watch Indiana Jones on Sci Fi... I already know how that one comes out, and ilt'll be a LOT more enjoyable than this shitburger.
I'm watching the Science Channel program on U-864. It's pretty interesting.
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Bottom 3: Oswalt pitching
Hamilton: grounds out to SS on 0-2 pitch (FINALLY the 'Stros get Hamilton out). 1 out, none on.
Bradley: broken bat popup to Wigginton on 2-2 pitch (bat goes twice as far as the ball on that one). 2 outs, none on.
Murphy: pops out to Bourn on 1-1 pitch. 3 outs.
End 3: HOU 1, TEX 4
Oswalt pitch count: 53 (33/20)
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sold inning for Roy
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that a baby Breky :D
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That's more like it. Too bad it was a solo shot.
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Erstad kicks ass.
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I'm watching the Science Channel program on U-864. It's pretty interesting.
I assume you've see Das Boot. One of my favorite movies.
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I assume you've see Das Boot. One of my favorite movies.
The long version.
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They keep showing these women eating, and they all look like they have no idea about food and theyve never eaten in their lives.
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Erstad kicks ass.
If Bourn's average continues to go further and further down, it's gonna be heard to excuse not starting Darin. I know that the team is trying to avoid the knee-jerk reaction of bench/demote Bourn, but Darin is just too damn good to be spending most of his time on the bench.
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I assume you've see Das Boot. One of my favorite movies.
Yes. That's a great movie.
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Top 4: Padilla pitching
Berkman: Homers to left on 2-1 pitch (#16 on the season, extends hitting streak to 16 games). HOU 2, TEX 4. None on, none out.
Lee: struck out on 0-2 pitch on appeal to 1B ump. 1 out, none on.
Erstad: line-drive single into center on 2-1 pitch. 1 out, Erstad on 1B.
Wigginton: flied out to SS in shallow left on 1-1 pitch. 2 outs, Erstad on 1B.
Bourn: flied out to center on 0-1 pitch. 3 outs.
Middle 4: HOU 2, TEX 4
Padilla pitch count: 81 (51/30)
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They keep showing these women eating, and they all look like they have no idea about food and theyve never eaten in their lives.
i thought that was jd's family.
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he called one woman lori, i don't know who it is though
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i thought that was jd's family.
I met JD and two of his girls in the Dome in '99 during the squatter Worrell days. I suppose they would be teenagers now.
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Gonna take a 2-inning break from PBP after the 4th. If anyone wants to pick it up after this inning, go for it!
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I met JD and two of his girls in the Dome in '99 during the squatter Worrell days. I suppose they would be teenagers now.
i went back - i believe it is his wife and three girls. he said they went through their meal money and eagle bucks.
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Bottom 4: Oswalt pitching
Laird: pops up 1st pitch bunt attempt to Roy. 1 out, none on.
Catalanotto: grounds out to Tejada on 1-0 pitch. 2 outs, none on.
Byrd: bloop single to center on 1-2 pitch (slow curve). 2 outs, runner on 1B.
Vazquez: base hit past Oswalt to CF with runner going on 3-2 pitch. 2 outs, runners on 1B and 3B.
Kinsler: struck out swinging on 3-2 pitch. 3 outs.
End 4: HOU 2, TEX 4
Oswalt pitch count: 67 (48/28)
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Jesus Christ, Angel Hernandez is a shitheels.
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Is it me or the calls by blue going one way?
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Jesus Christ, Angel Hernandez is a shitheels.
What happened? I'm having to rely on you guys and Gameday.
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If Bourn's average continues to go further and further down, it's gonna be heard to excuse not starting Darin. I know that the team is trying to avoid the knee-jerk reaction of bench/demote Bourn, but Darin is just too damn good to be spending most of his time on the bench.
Erstad had surgery on his ankle and he's had problems staying in the lineup for the past two years. He's admitted he's in no condition to play every day. If the Astros push it, they could lose him for the season.
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Erstad had surgery on his ankle and he's had problems staying in the lineup for the past two years. He's admitted he's in no condition to play every day. If the Astros push it, they could lose him for the season.
Ah thanks, didn't know that. Well then he's a damn fine bench player. And I hope Bourn figures it out at the plate.
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What happened? I'm having to rely on you guys and Gameday.
Fucknut is giving Padilla about 3 inches off and above/below the corners, and not giving Oswalt anything.
Punched out at least 3 Astros on borderline pitches.
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Fucknut is giving Padilla about 3 inches off and above/below the corners, and not giving Oswalt anything.
Punched out at least 3 Astros on borderline pitches.
And just came over a bit from home to yell at someone (Cooper?) in the Astros dugout.
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Fucknut is giving Padilla about 3 inches off and above/below the corners, and not giving Oswalt anything.
Punched out at least 3 Astros on borderline pitches.
Sounds like the 3-A playoff games I saw this weekend. Brutal.
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And just came over a bit from home to yell at someone (Cooper?) in the Astros dugout.
What exactly does it take to get an umpire removed from his job?
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I'll pick up PBP again after this inning.
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I think coop is bitching about the same thing - he's squeezing Roy
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What exactly does it take to get an umpire removed from his job?
Dissolving the umpires union.
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And just came over a bit from home to yell at someone (Cooper?) in the Astros dugout.
Yesterday at the Taylor/Liberty Hill game, the 1B ump ran all the way over to the fence on the 3B side to run a fan before discovering that the people who were actually yelling were friends of the Taylor coach, were joking with him, and were another 50 yards behind the stands on a hill.
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And just came over a bit from home to yell at someone (Cooper?) in the Astros dugout.
Every fuckin' game Angel has to show his ass. I can't stand that twerp.
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Dissolving the umpires union.
Wasn't Hernandez a replacement ump in the first place?
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TOP 5, Padilla pitching
Ausmus looks at the third strike, 1 out
Pence! goes popping off to 2nd, 2 outs
Matsui looks, fouls, looks for a K, 3 outs
BOT 5, Roy-O pitching
Great play by Matsui, Young out at 1st, 1 out
Hamilton singles to CF (Boggs in to pinch run for Hamilton)
Monopoly Man nails a single over Matsui's head, Boggs to 2nd, Do Not Pass First, 1 out
Murphy out at 1st w/broken bat grounder, runners to 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs
Matsui makes another play to Twinkie, getting Laird out, 3 outs
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Dissolving the umpires union.
Can't we set him up with a bunch of hookers selling steroids?
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God damn Carlos... How about you stop swinging under everything?
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Berkman now hitting .401, 30 for his last 48.
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Top 6: Padilla pitching.
Tejada: flied out to the corner in right. 1 out, none on.
Berkman: singled into right between 1B and 2B. 1 out, Berkman on 1B.
Lee: high fly out into CF. 2 outs, Berkman on 1B.
Berkman to 2B on wild pitch. 2 outs, Berkman on 2B
Erstad: grounded out to SS on 3-2 pitch (1st swinging strike was on a 55 MPH curveball). 3 outs.
Middle 6: HOU 2, TEX 4
Padilla pitch count: 101 (67/34)
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I know you can say a team is fun to watch, but how 'bout an umpire? Angel Hernandez is a rollercoaster behind the plate.
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I know you can say a team is fun to watch, but how 'bout an umpire? Angel Hernandez is a rollercoaster behind the plate.
Angel Hernandez fun to watch? Huh? Dudes a total jackass.
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If blood-red rage is fun, then I fully concur.
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Angel Hernandez fun to watch? Huh? Dudes a total jackass.
He seems to make a game against the stRangers just that much worse.
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Berkman knew what happened immediately. Why am I always surprised when he knows a rule?
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Angel Hernandez fun to watch? Huh? Dudes a total jackass.
Agreed, your sarcasm meter is just a bit tweaked.
Nice heads up play by Berkman there catching Byrd.
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Bottom 6: Oswalt pitching.
Cantalanotto: flied out to Pence in deep right/center on 0-2 pitch. 1 out, none on.
Byrd: singled into left on 2-2 pitch. 1 out, runner on 1B.
Vazques: flied out to Pence (2 outs), Byrd was running on the play, passed 2B on his way to 3B, went back to 1B upon seeing Pence was going to catch the fly ball but missed 2B. Astros throw to 2B and Byrd is called out. 3 outs.
End 6: HOU 2, TEX 4
Oswalt pitch count: 103 (67/26)
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Berkman knew what happened immediately. Why am I always surprised when he knows a rule?
Byrd had a Twinkie in his back pocket
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Agreed, your sarcasm meter is just a bit tweaked.
Nice heads up play by Berkman there catching Byrd.
I blame split attention with PBP for my last DUMBASS statement...
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Angel Hernandez fun to watch? Huh? Dudes a total jackass.
His concept of the strike zone is embarassingly bad. Most high school umpires have a better grasp of the corners than he does.
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Top 7: Padilla pitching
Wigginton: flied out to left on 1st pitch. 1 out, none on.
Bourn: singled to left on 1st pitch. 1 out, Bourn on 1B.
Ausmus: Flied out to 2B on 1st pitch. 2 outs, Bourn on 1B.
Bourn caught stealing on 1st pitch ball to Pence. 3 outs.
Pence: b,
Middle 7: HOU 2, TEX 4
Padilla pitch count: 105 (70/35)
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The Rangers broadcast has missed the first pitch of just about every inning today. Many of them put inplay too.
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Pretty impressive that it was Bourn's first time CS.
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I just want to say that Hunter's arm is much stronger this year. More over the top too. Good to see. The league will take note.
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Bottom 7: Oswalt pitching
Kinsler: singles to right. None out, runner on 1B.
Young: singled into center. None out, runner on 1B and 2B.
Boggs (came in to pinch run for Hamilton in the 5th, who left with "general soreness"): b, b,
trainer to the mound, Oswalt out, Byrdak in,
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I just want to say that Hunter's arm is much stronger this year. More over the top too. Good to see. The league will take note.
He takes a while to load up though.
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Boggs (came in to pinch run for Hamilton in the 5th, who left with "general soreness")
Either JD or Brownie opined that it was planned, the way Boggs hustled out after Hamilton got the hit. Said they were probably saving him for the day game tomorrow.
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Anyone see (or hear) what the problem was with Roy?
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Anyone see (or hear) what the problem was with Roy?
I think JD speculated groin. Nothing definitive from what I heard, I'm only half-listening while I study though.
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Bottom 7: Oswalt pitching
Kinsler: singles to right. None out, runner on 1B.
Young: singled into center. None out, runner on 1B and 2B.
Boggs (came in to pinch run for Hamilton in the 5th, who left with "general soreness"): b, b,
trainer to the mound, Oswalt out, Byrdak in,
Bottom 7: Byrdak pitching with runners on 1B and 2B, none out and a 2-0 count on Boggs.
Double steal. Runners on 2B and 3B, none out.
Boggs: struck out. 1 out, runners on 2B and 3B.
Bradley: intentional walk. 1 out, bases juiced.
Murphy: fb, fb, (Nieve warming up in the pen), b, b, b, singled into center, 1 run scored. HOU 2, TEX 5. 1 out, bases juiced.
Nieve in to pitch for Byrdak
Bottom 7: 1 out, bases loaded, HOU 2, TEX 5
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I think JD speculated groin. Nothing definitive from what I heard, I'm only half-listening while I study though.
Nothing official, but JD and Brownie are speculating groin because Roy was tugging at his junk before the trainer got there.
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from the boxscore, sorry about the caps.
HOUSTON PITCHER ROY OSWALT LEFT THE GAME IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH INNING DUE TO A STRAINED RIGHT GROIN.
although maybe they are yelling.
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from the boxscore, sorry about the caps.
HOUSTON PITCHER ROY OSWALT LEFT THE GAME IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH INNING DUE TO A STRAINED RIGHT GROIN.
although maybe they are yelling.
Say it don't spray it.
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Bottom 7: Oswalt pitching
Kinsler: singles to right. None out, runner on 1B.
Young: singled into center. None out, runner on 1B and 2B.
Boggs (came in to pinch run for Hamilton in the 5th, who left with "general soreness"): b, b,
trainer to the mound, Oswalt out, Byrdak in,
Bottom 7: Byrdak pitching with runners on 1B and 2B, none out and a 2-0 count on Boggs.
Double steal. Runners on 2B and 3B, none out.
Boggs: struck out. 1 out, runners on 2B and 3B.
Bradley: intentional walk. 1 out, bases juiced.
Murphy: fb, fb, (Nieve warming up in the pen), b, b, b, singled into center, 1 run scored. HOU 2, TEX 5. 1 out, bases juiced.
Bottom 7: Nieve in to pitch for Byrdak. Bases loaded, 1 out
Laird: singled to left, 1 runner scores. HOU 2, TEX 6. 1 out, bases still loaded.
Catalanotto: hard liner back to Nieve (out #2), throws to 1B for out #3.
End 7: HOU 2, TEX 6
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Nieve humping it up there, 93, 94
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nice snag of a low liner by Nieve.
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from the boxscore, sorry about the caps.
HOUSTON PITCHER ROY OSWALT LEFT THE GAME IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH INNING DUE TO A STRAINED RIGHT GROIN.
although maybe they are yelling.
3 strained or tweaked groins this road trip. Hell, I'd be screaming... Matsui better start sharing his personal trainer or something...
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3 strained or tweaked groins this road trip. Hell, I'd be screaming... Matsui better start sharing his personal trainer/masseuse or something...
FIFY
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Top 8: Benoit pitching:
Pence: singles into center. None out, Pence on 1B.
Matsui: flied out to center on 3-1 pitch. 1 out, Pence on 1B.
Tejada: flied out to center. 2 outs, runner on 1B.
Berkman: flied out to 2B in shallow right. 3 outs.
Middle 8: HOU 2, TEX 6
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nice snag of a low liner by Nieve.
that woke him up.
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Top 8: Benoit pitching:
Pence: singles into center. None out, Pence on 1B.
Matsui: flied out to center on 3-1 pitch. 1 out, Pence on 1B.
Tejada: flied out to center. 2 outs, runner on 1B.
Berkman: flied out to 2B in shallow right. 3 outs.
Middle 8: HOU 2, TEX 6
boys are swinging at crap because they have no idea what's going to be called a strike.
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boys are swinging at crap because they have no idea what's going to be called a strike.
The called strike on the 2-0 pitch to Berkman was absolute shit.
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Come on Ferrrrnando
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Bottom 8: Nieve pitching (is hitting 96 on the radar gun)
Byrd: Flied out to Pence. 1 out, none on.
Vazquez: base hit past Matsui. 1 out, Vazquez on 1B.
Kinsler: went around for strike 3. 2 outs, Vazquez on 1B.
Young: grounded into 6-4 fielders choice. 3 outs.
End 8: HOU 2, TEX 6
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Top 9: Guardado pitching.
Lee: b, b, fb (back), fouled out to the 1B right at the stand wall. 1 out, none on.
Erstad: cs, ss, cs (outside by a bit). 2 outs, none on.
Wigginton: cs, cs, b, doubled into left center. 2 outs, runner on 2B.
Bourn: flied out on liner to center. 3 outs.
Ballgame: HOU 2, TEX 6.
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Dear god, what is going on with those eyebrows?
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It screws up the schedule, it cheapens the world series, and perhaps most importantly it costs the Astros an extra 15 losses or so every year, because they really really suck against the AL.
87-82 overall against the AL.
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87-82 overall against the AL.
thanks for looking that up because I was thinking the same thing
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87-82 overall against the AL.
What about the past 3 years? It just feels like they have been really bad in recent memory.
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87-82 overall against the AL.
You do understand that in half of those games, the AL has to come to Houston (and play NL rules)? Look up how well Houston has done playing by AL rules and you're not going to like what you see.
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You do understand that in half of those games, the AL has to come to Houston (and play NL rules)? Look up how well Houston has done playing by AL rules and you're not going to like what you see.
I'm not trying to make a statement here. The record is what it is. We may not win another game against the AL.
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I'm not trying to make a statement here.
Really? I thought you were posting it in reply to this: "...and perhaps most importantly it costs the Astros an extra 15 losses or so every year, because they really really suck against the AL."
The record is what it is. We may not win another game against the AL.
I guess you missed my point entirely.
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I'll admit I was exaggerating with my previous statement. However, they have been below .500 from '06 to present in interleague. That series last year in Anaheim was absolutely gut wrenching.
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I'll admit I was exaggerating with my previous statement. However, they have been below .500 from '06 to present in interleague. That series last year in Anaheim was absolutely gut wrenching.
When the Astros have to play in an AL park, they are just well over matched during interleague because: 1) AL rules, 2) they are built to play NL ball, 3) the intensity that you get from a team during the marathon season is different than during a World Series and 4) the unfamiliar surroundings makes for a huge advantage for the home teams in these interleague games. And I'll say it again, when the AL team has to come to an NL park and play NL rules, they struggle as well. The only success that I can remember Houston having in interleague at an AL park was playing in Kansas City one season. All my other recollections is Houston really struggling at Chicago, Boston, New York, Anaheim, Texas and Seattle. Interleague is not as easy to pull off as some folks may think, it goes contrary to what all teams build themselves up to play... there own leagues style of play. These are interruptions to the season, not part of the season IMHO.
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***Interleague is not as easy to pull off as some folks may think, it goes contrary to what all teams build themselves up to play... there own leagues style of play.***
Agreed, although IMO having a lineup with Tejada-Berkman-Lee-Pence and Erstad/Loretta coming off the bench (to allow one of the big boys to DH) makes this years team the first one in a while that can go head-to-head with an AL in an AL park with little (if any) drop-off resulting from the differences in league styles of play.
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These are interruptions to the season, not part of the season IMHO.
Exactly. They fucking mean nothing. At least with any other team in your own league, you're fighting for the wild card at the bare minimum, regardless of their division. Against AL teams, you're not fighting for the same goals. You can't "gain a game" in any kind of race. And it's been 11 years now since they introduced interleague, and I still don't see any real red-hot boiling rivalries taking place. And that was the whole point, wasn't it? I wish they'd just ditch this stupid experiment and get back to how baseball seasons were meant to be played.
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Exactly. They fucking mean nothing. At least with any other team in your own league, you're fighting for the wild card at the bare minimum, regardless of their division. Against AL teams, you're not fighting for the same goals. You can't "gain a game" in any kind of race. And it's been 11 years now since they introduced interleague, and I still don't see any real red-hot boiling rivalries taking place. And that was the whole point, wasn't it? I wish they'd just ditch this stupid experiment and get back to how baseball seasons were meant to be played.
I believe that most of the teams just pretty much care to split the series and usually they do. Win as many as you can at home (where you have a huge advantage) and try to maintain the damage to a minimum on the road where you're way out of your league (pun intended). So in the end, if that is what most teams try to do, what is the point? No one is *trying* to create a rivalry, not even the two New Yorks as far as I can see. The fans? It's for the fans some one says. Oh, okay... but this should be something to look forward to in the World Series and not some fake marketing ploy. Fans are making much more out of this and investing heavily into the teams success and failure... much more than the team's themselves. Not one team makes a big deal out of interleague, because it's just another series in the marathon season... only thing is, when you have to go play in a different league, different park than you're used to... you just want to get out of there without anybody getting hurt.