4/23/12 HOU @ MIL

[OregonStrosFan]

Lineups via Footer: LINK

1. Schafer - CF
2. Lowrie - SS
3. JD Martinez - LF
4. Carlos - 1B
5. Bogusevic - RF
6. CJ - 3B
7. Castros - C
8. Mr. The Altuve - 2B
9. Harrell - P

[Mr. Happy]

The Brewers counter with:

Weeks-4
Aoki-8
Peen-7
Errormiss-5
Hart-9
Gamel-3
Gonzalez-6
Lucroy-2
Greinke-1

[Mr. Happy]

Tough go for the Astros against Greinke tonight. Hopefully, he will throw the way that he did in his second start, when he got torched.

[pots]

Anybody's MLB.TV working?

[Mr. Happy]

Schreefer leads off by working the count full before striking out swinging.

[Mr. Happy]

Lowrie goes yard on a hanging slider.

[subnuclear]

Anybody's MLB.TV working?

Mine's working.

[Ron Brand]

Anybody's MLB.TV working?

I'm blacked out.

[Mr. Happy]

After getting Weeks 6-3, Harrell works the count full against Aoki before walking him. Now for the Peen.

[Mr. Happy]

Fuck, Castro. If the pitcher can't throw an 0-2 ball in the dirt, you're taking away a huge weapon. And that costs us a run, as Peen singles to CF.

[pots]

Mine's working.

Mine is not playing but it doesn't seem like I want to watch today anyways

[Mr. Happy]

Errormiss hits an RBI triple. 2-1 Brewers with one out.

[Matt]

Fuck, Castro. If the pitcher can't throw an 0-2 ball in the dirt, you're taking away a huge weapon. And that costs us a run, as Peen singles to CF.

Yep its becoming a pretty big issue.

[chuck]

Anybody's MLB.TV working?

Yes.

[Mr. Happy]

The Astros have a serious shift on for Hart. I bet Lee couldn't make it to 1B had Hart hit the ball on the ground, but he hit a bullet to RF that Bogusevic flagged down, driving home Errormiss. 3-1 Top 2

[Matt]

Was Harrell afraid to bury the breaking ball on some of those hitters?

[Mr. Happy]

Yep its becoming a pretty big issue.

JD and Brownie are trying to play it down by saying that Millsie said that they haven't worked Castro hard on blocking balls in the dirt because of his knee injury. I'm telling you that the pitchers are talking about it, and it is a huge issue for them.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm blacked out.

Dude, it's not even 8pm yet!

[Mr. Happy]

Was Harrell afraid to bury the breaking ball on some of those hitters?

I didn't get that impression. He just caught too much of the plate with too many pitches.

[Mr. Happy]

After Bogusevic strikes out on a nasty hook, he strikes out CJ too. That's three K's so far.

[Mr. Happy]

Castro singles to LF on the first offering.

[Matt]

Your feed is way ahead of mine.

[Mr. Happy]

The Piranha singles to CF. Now Harrell gets a shot.

[Ron Brand]

JD and Brownie are trying to play it down by saying that Millsie said that they haven't worked Castro hard on blocking balls in the dirt because of his knee injury. I'm telling you that the pitchers are talking about it, and it is a huge issue for them.

Well, yknow, his offense makes up for it.

[Mr. Happy]

Greinke tosses a 70 mph hook after a 93 mph heater. Harrell out 1-3. 3-1 Bottom 2

[Matt]

Well, yknow, his offense makes up for it.

That's AL thinking...oh..right.

[chuck]

Outstanding idea batting Altuve 8th.

[Matt]

From the crowd I'm gathering that Milwaukee isn't known for its women.

[Mr. Happy]

Well, yknow, his offense makes up for it.

Keep telling yourself that. As a former pitcher, I'd be grousing a lot about it. I had to have that split-finger in the dirt ahead in the count.

[Mr. Happy]

Outstanding idea batting Altuve 8th.

Other than moving him to three, which is what I'd do (Martinez to cleanup and Lee to the five), where else could he hit other than second. I prefer Lowrie in the two. And Schafer is really doing well in the one.

[Mr. Happy]

That's AL thinking...oh..right.

Right.

[Matt]

Other than moving him to three, which is what I'd do (Martinez to cleanup and Lee to the five), where else could he hit other than second. I prefer Lowrie in the two. And Schafer is really doing well in the one.

Maybe 7 to move some base runners? I dunno but it seems like he gets on and then gets stranded hitting 8th.

[pots]

Greinke tosses a 70 mph hook after a 93 mph heater. Harrell out 1-3. 3-1 Bottom 2

By the way, Paredes is 10 for his last 19 with 4 doubles and a hr  

[Ron Brand]

Keep telling yourself that. As a former pitcher, I'd be grousing a lot about it. I had to have that split-finger in the dirt ahead in the count.

You wouldn't trade that for a single every other game and a double every eight?

[Mr. Happy]

Lucroy singles after Harrell walks Gonzalez. Harrell is making a mess here. Runners on 1B and 2B with no one out. Greinke up.

[pots]

Other than moving him to three, which is what I'd do (Martinez to cleanup and Lee to the five),

I'm on this band wagon

[Mr. Happy]

Maybe 7 to move some base runners? I dunno but it seems like he gets on and then gets stranded hitting 8th.

Maybe the seven. That might work.

[chuck]

From the crowd I'm gathering that Milwaukee isn't known for its women.

Wisconsin in general is not an upper echelon area.

[Mr. Happy]

Greinke does his opponent a favor and grounds into the old 4-6-3.  Two down for Weeks. Don't fuck up here. Rickey Weeks was the best college hitter that I ever saw play. He was unreal at Southern (in Baton Rouge).

[Ron Brand]

Wisconsin in general is not an upper echelon area.

They tend to be a little beefy.

[Mr. Happy]

Weeks out 6-3 and Harrell escapes. 3-1 Top 3

[Matt]

They tend to be a little beefy.

I see a lot of blue ribbon winners.

[Mr. Happy]

Schafer tests Aoki's arm and stretches a single into a double.

[Mr. Happy]

Lowrie moves Schafer to 3B 4-3. One out for JD.

[Mr. Happy]

Greinke has a good feel for his curve ball tonight.

[Ron Brand]

Rickey Weeks was the best college hitter that I ever saw play. He was unreal at Southern (in Baton Rouge).

That Kieschnik guy was pretty fair.

[Mr. Happy]

While Greg Lucas slobbers over AT&T trivia, JD works the count full before walking. Here comes Lee.

[pots]

JD still having good ABs through his mini slump

[Mr. Happy]

That Kieschnik guy was pretty fair.

Maybe so, but Weeks hit something like .480 almost every year. And he played against LSU pitching at least twice a year.

[Mr. Happy]

Lee pops out P4. Thanks, big man. For nothing.

[pots]

Lee pops out P4. Thanks, big man. For nothing.

Lee's future replacement(Singleton) having another good night.  2 for 2 with a pair of doubles so far tonight.  

[Mr. Happy]

Bogusevic swings at a really good changeup to square the count at 1 before 4-3. That inning will come back to bite us. 3-1 Bottom 3.

[Matt]

I'm thoroughly happy with the ABs this year. 2nd in walks is a good place to be.

[chuck]

They tend to be a little beefy.

Beefy is the least of your worries with that bunch. I'm sure I've told this story before but a cousin of mine and I went up to Green Bay to see the Texans four years ago. (A trip to Lambeau is one I would recommend highly to any fan of the NFL.) The night before the game we went to the Stadium View Bar to watch some college games. The place was packed. PACKED. A lot of Texans fans had made the trip and quite a number had found their way to the bar. There was literally not a single woman I would have anything to do with in there. As I've mentioned my tastes are, erm, rather broad. Anyway, it was remarkable. I made my way to the men's room and as I'm standing there at the urinal a fellow settles in next to me. Suddenly he exclaims in a thick Texas accent THESE ARE THE UGLIEST WOMEN I HAVE EVER SEEN... IN MY LIFE!

I was laughing so fucking hard as I stumbled out of the restroom it took me five minutes to settle down enough to relate what had happened.

[Mr. Happy]

Throw strikes, Harrell.

[Mr. Happy]

Aoki F8.

[Ron Brand]

For a big metro area, I was surprised at the hideousness of Boston women.

[Ron Brand]

Sit down, Peen.

[Mr. Happy]

Harrell strikes out the Peen. Two out.

[Mr. Happy]

Harrell gets Errormiss 6-3. Harrell needed an inning like that. 3-1 Top 4

[Matt]

For a big metro area, I was surprised at the hideousness of Boston women.

But they're wicked smaht

[Mr. Happy]

Notice how Greinke has no problem throwing the hook in the dirt to Lucroy. Castro has to improve soon. 3-1 Bottom 4

[pots]

But they're wicked smaht

the hoppa!

[hostros7]

But they're wicked smaht

He said Boston, not Cambridge.  

[pots]

By the way, Paredes is 10 for his last 19 with 4 doubles and a hr  

11 for 20 with 5 doubles now

[Matt]

11 for 20 with 5 doubles now

Does he still remember to play third base?

[hostros7]

11 for 20 with 5 doubles now

I'd rather see CJ off the bench.  It's becoming more clear his future in the bigs is likely a bat off the bench or a platoon player

[Ron Brand]

I'd rather see CJ off the bench.  It's becoming more clear his future in the bigs is likely a bat off the bench or a platoon player

He's too streaky.

[pots]

I'd rather see CJ off the bench.  It's becoming more clear his future in the bigs is likely a bat off the bench or a platoon player

Wait for his next streak then trade him

[chuck]

He's too streaky.

Streaky like a wet fart on a pair of Fruit of the Looms.

[Matt]

If Altuve settles in and keeps playing like this, what do you do with Paredes?

[Ron Brand]

Streaky like a wet fart on a pair of Fruit of the Looms.

Gifted.

[Ron Brand]

If Altuve settles in and keeps playing like this, what do you do with Paredes?

Dare Paredes to get better.

[pots]

If Altuve settles in and keeps playing like this, what do you do with Paredes?

What a nice problem to have

[Mr. Happy]

If Altuve settles in and keeps playing like this, what do you do with Paredes?

I still think that the club sees Paredes as a 3B option. I think that they were hedging their bets on Altuve, who displayed a hole in his game last year, i.e., the inability to law off of the first pitch.

[Mr. Happy]

Harrell singles to LF.

[Matt]

I still think that the club sees Paredes as a 3B option. I think that they were hedging their bets on Altuve, who displayed a hole in his game last year, i.e., the inability to law off of the first pitch.

I hope so because CJ isn't going to cut it for very long.

[chuck]

I still think that the club sees Paredes as a 3B option.

I'm not so sure. I think Paredes is flat out better than CJ and has a much higher ceiling besides. If the club agreed they would have Paredes playing third now. Instead they moved him to second and rounded up anyone and everyone who looked like a third baseman and tried them over there in the spring.

[pots]

Okay JD, time to bust oout of the slump

[pots]

Okay JD, time to bust oout of the slump

nevermind

[hostros7]

No bunt in preparation for move to AL?  I guess lowrie had seen grienke well so far this game

[hostros7]

Stop being such a Clark, Clark.

[chuck]

Stop being such a Clark, Clark.

The guy makes Biggio look like Dave Parker and Clark holds him up. What a fucking idiot. Yes, I know, it was the pitcher. Who cares?

[Mr. Happy]

I'm not so sure. I think Paredes is flat out better than CJ and has a much higher ceiling besides. If the club agreed they would have Paredes playing third now. Instead they moved him to second and rounded up anyone and everyone who looked like a third baseman and tried them over there in the spring.

You may be right. I think that they got bushwhacked by CJ's good spring, together with the fact that Paredes was sick or hurt during part of ST and Paredes' age. I think that they still see Paredes as big league material.

[Matt]

You may be right. I think that they got bushwhacked by CJ's good spring, together with the fact that Paredes was sick or hurt during part of ST and Paredes' age. I think that they still see Paredes as big league material.

I guess the DH will provide a bit more flexibility as well.

[Mr. Happy]

The guy makes Biggio look like Dave Parker and Clark holds him up. What a fucking idiot. Yes, I know, it was the pitcher. Who cares?

I missed the play--wife was giving me a haircut. What happened? Clark held Harrell at 3B?

[Bench]

I missed the play--wife was giving me a haircut. What happened? Clark held Harrell at 3B?

I guess that's a pretty quick process.

[Mr. Happy]

At least we get into the Brewer bully in the seventh with Greinke at 115 pitches. We had Greinke on the ropes but couldn't deliver the knockout blow. 5-2 Bottom 6

[Mr. Happy]

I guess that's a pretty quick process.

What can I say? Unlike you, Bench, I'm follically challenged these days.

[Mr. Happy]

Lyon on to hurl, and pretty soon I will with him on the bump.

[hostros7]

Lyon auditioning for the bosox pen

[chuck]

If Mills wants to keep his job he will need to quit running Lyon out there and quit letting Castro catch at the major league level.

[roadrunner]

Ok Castro is getting annoying.

[Mr. Happy]

The wheels are falling off of the bus. Another very poor play by Castro costs us another run. Brownie and JD are making excuses for him, which is pathetic.

[hostros7]

Castro's play behind the dish certainly must affect the staff's confidence wit a man on 3rd

[Mr. Happy]

Lyon auditioning for the bosox pen

Well, he better get to work and get some meatballs flying out of the yard if he wants to pitch there.

[Mr. Happy]

If Mills wants to keep his job he will need to quit running Lyon out there and quit letting Castro catch at the major league level.

Millsie knows that he's toast. Lyon must be cut and soon.

[Mr. Happy]

Ok Castro is getting annoying.

Glad you could join us. Thanks for playing.

[hostros7]

Well, he better get to work and get some meatballs flying out of the yard if he wants to pitch there.

He's trying, but you know this is the NL central.  He would be serving em up at a more prolific rate if only the vaunted al east were there to help him out

[Mr. Happy]

Castro's play behind the dish certainly must affect the staff's confidence wit a man on 3rd

Absolutely. If you can't throw one in the dirt, you really take away a big weapon.

[Mr. Happy]

Weeks should be able to put Lyon out of our misery.

[Mr. Happy]

Hey, the old shillelagh. Castro comes up with a glove save.

[hostros7]

Holeeee shite

[roadrunner]

uh, nice

[Mr. Happy]

Weeks fouls out to Lee on a great play by Lee, who followed it up with an awesome throw to nail Gamel, who should be fined for a football tackle. He had his arms up and threw them into him. But whatever gets you through the night. We got away with only one run scoring. 6-2 Gamel has a dot coming in my book the next time he comes up. Gamel has to be fined for that.

[Mr. Happy]

Gamel lowered his shoulder into Castro. You have to dot Gamel the next time up, or the pitching staff has no nuts.

[hostros7]

Weeks fouls out to Lee on a great play by Lee, who followed it up with an awesome throw to nail Gamel, who should be fined for a football tackle. He had his arms up and threw them into him. But whatever gets you through the night. We got away with only one run scoring. 6-2 Gamel has a dot coming in my book the next time he comes up. Gamel has to be fined for that.

That's a 15 harder in the NFL.  What a play by the stros.  Lyon needs to buy Castro a Thai massage back at the hotel.

[chuck]

Gamel lowered his shoulder into Castro. You have to dot Gamel the next time up, or the pitching staff has no nuts.

Not going to happen.

[Mr. Happy]

Veras on to pitch. Gives up a single to Lowrie.

[Mr. Happy]

Not going to happen.

Chuck, if I'm out there, I fucking throw behind that asshole.

[chuck]

That's a 15 harder in the NFL.  What a play by the stros.  Lyon needs to buy Castro a Thai massage back at the hotel.

We went though this earlier in the game. You do NOT want a massage, Thai or otherwise, in Milwaukee.

[MusicMan]

Not going to happen.

It's true, your honor.  This man has no dick.

[Mr. Happy]

Come on, JD. The guy has no command, and you offer at that weak shit.

[chuck]

Chuck, if I'm out there, I fucking throw behind that asshole.

I'd throw at his kidney. But, like I said, not going to happen.

[hostros7]

We went though this earlier in the game. You do NOT want a massage, Thai or otherwise, in Milwaukee.

If nothing else, I'd think the women of Milwaukee have some strong hands.

[Mr. Happy]

Carlos singles off of the LF wall. Lowrie to 3B.

[Mr. Happy]

I'd throw at his kidney. But, like I said, not going to happen.

You're probably right. But we can't forget it.

[Mr. Happy]

Bogusevic gets a good look at Veras and drills a triple, scoring Lowrie and Lee. 6-4 One out.

[chuck]

If nothing else, I'd think the women of Milwaukee have some strong hands.

Fighting over that last cheese curd will toughen you up, no doubt. Any Thai massage I've ever had involved me getting contorted unimaginably and traipsed upon by some 90 pound twig. Not many 90 pound twigs in Milwaukee.

[Mr. Happy]

CJ!!! Here comes Castro with something to prove. 6-5 now.

[Bench]

Now something might be happening.  Way to go Stros.

[hostros7]

Altuve, please take a pitch.

[Mr. Happy]

It ought to be an interesting conversation at 1B between Gamel and Castro.

[Mr. Happy]

Veras has no clue right now.

[Mr. Happy]

Veras gets the Bronx cheer on the 2-0 strike.

[Mr. Happy]

Let's go, Piranha!!! Well, fuck.

[chuck]

Altuve, please take a pitch.

Happy now?

[Mr. Happy]

Downs up for Lyon, and Errormiss makes a play. 6-5 Bottom 7

[pots]

Astros would have this game easy if somebody didn't get away with failing a drug test

[Mr. Happy]

Cruz gets out unscathed after the stinging 2B from the Peen.

[Mr. Happy]

Astros would have this game easy if somebody didn't get away with failing a drug test

No shit.

[Mr. Happy]

Come on, Cruz. Let one fly into Gamel's back. I'd pay your fine for you just to see it.

[Mr. Happy]

Cruz does the next best thing and ties him up on the snake. Fuck you, Gamel.

[Mr. Happy]

WW on to face Kottaras, who is pinch hitting for Rodriguez.

[Mr. Happy]

Kottaras works the count full before walking. In fairness to WW, he got squeezed on the 2-1. Lopez on to pitch to Weeks.

[hostros7]

I'm goin to use "a question of blood flow" to henceforth excuse any physical or mental dysfunctions that may befall me

[Matt]

Castro not blocking balls looks pretty big now.

[Mr. Happy]

Castro not blocking balls looks pretty big now.

It will mean the ball game.

[Mr. Happy]

CJ with the golden sombrero on the road tonight.

[Mr. Happy]

Axford strikes out the side after the single to Lee. 6-5 BALLGAME

[chuck]

It's shocking what a talent bereft major league team this is.

[Mr. Happy]

It's shocking what a talent bereft major league team this is.

Lee is a serviceable 1B. I like Altuve at 2B. Lowrie is adequate to decent at SS. We have a big hole at 3B. JD is playing okay in LF. I like Schreefer in CF. Bogusevic is a work in progress in RF. Castro is another black hole to me.  So, we're not terrible this season, but we're not good.

[chuck]

Lee is a serviceable 1B. I like Altuve at 2B. Lowrie is adequate to decent at SS. We have a big hole at 3B. JD is playing okay in LF. I like Schreefer in CF. Bogusevic is a work in progress in RF. Castro is another black hole to me.  So, we're not terrible this season, but we're not good.

Three out of eight every day starters would not start on any other team. They might not MAKE any other team.

At least two, maybe three, maybe four more would not start on any average team.

[Reuben]

I hope Gamels gets dotted in the back with Norris' best fastball tomorrow. Too bad he was leading off the inning when Cruz faced him.

[jbm]

Three out of eight every day starters would not start on any other team. They might not MAKE any other team.

At least two, maybe three, maybe four more would not start on any average team.

The glass is partially full and you only see drops.  There are plenty of marginal rosters in the major leagues. This team probably won't even be in the bottom five; it is not some historically bad club.

[pots]

Three out of eight every day starters would not start on any other team. They might not MAKE any other team.

At least two, maybe three, maybe four more would not start on any average team.

Other than Johnson, I'm not buying what you are selling. 

[Mr. Happy]

The glass is partially full and you only see drops.  There are plenty of marginal rosters in the major leagues. This team probably won't even be in the bottom five; it is not some historically bad club.

+1 Chuck has a bee up his bonnet right now about the club, but it really is a hangover from the past regime.

[Mr. Happy]

Other than Johnson, I'm not buying what you are selling. 

Let's just say that I'm a cautious buyer who is not willing to commit to baseball hari kiri at this point.

[OregonStrosFan]

Gamel lowered his shoulder into Castro. You have to dot Gamel the next time up, or the pitching staff has no nuts.

For those of us that missed it the first time around...  LINK

I'm with Mr. Happy here...

[MRaup]

For those of us that missed it the first time around...  LINK

I'm with Mr. Happy here...

Dot that fucker.