you can see the problem

[pravata]

In the 8th, Lance doubles, then they walk Lee, DoRay says, "if Pence is hitting 6th do they walk Lee?"  Do they?

[JimR]

In the 8th, Lance doubles, then they walk Lee, DoRay says, "if Pence is hitting 6th do they walk Lee?"  Do they?

yes. even if Pence is swinging the bat well, it sets up the DP. we are much, much stronger, though, with Pence in the 6 hole.

[Limey]

In the 8th, Lance doubles, then they walk Lee, DoRay says, "if Pence is hitting 6th do they walk Lee?"  Do they?

Ironically, the winning run scored when Wynn(?) caught a foul ball allowing the tag-up and score from 3rd by Chieto.  So all the machinations of the 8th were moot because the decision was made in the 7th to trade an out for a run.

Along these lines, that was a beautiful bunt by Aurelia in the 9th.  But WTF was he thinking?  They needed 4 runs, so he just abdicated his at-bat to Ray Durham.  I don't remember a change in the Astros' positioning as a result of him loading the bases.  Why would they?  He brought the tying run to the plate, but surely two guys hitting is better than one.

[JimR]

Ironically, the winning run scored when Wynn(?) caught a foul ball allowing the tag-up and score from 3rd by Chieto.  So all the machinations of the 8th were moot because the decision was made in the 7th to trade an out for a run.

Along these lines however, that was a beautiful bunt by Aurelia in the 9th.  But WTF was he thinking?  They needed 4 runs, so he just abdicated his at-bat to Ray Durham.  I don't remember a change in the Astros' positioning as a result of him loading the bases.  Why would they?

to me, it was a base hit so it was a good play. was he going to hit a 3 run homer? no different than a shap single to left that will not allow the runner to score from second.

[Limey]

to me, it was a base hit so it was a good play. was he going to hit a 3 run homer? no different than a shap single to left that will not allow the runner to score from second.

True, but isn't Aurelia one of their better hitters?  They needed back to back hits, at least, and as unlikely as it was for Aurelia to hit a 3-run dinger, it was even more unlikely that Durham would hit a granny.  Aurelia bunted for a hit, but it didn't change the Astros' approach a bit, which they would have done had he batted home a run or two.

[MusicMan]

True, but isn't Aurelia one of their better hitters? 

See: Faint praise, damning with.

[JimR]

Sorry, I think a bunt hit is just as good as a line drive.Valverde was in. What change of approach? He's just trying to get 1 out before they score 4.

[Astroholic]

Sorry, I think a bunt hit is just as good as a line drive.Valverde was in. What change of approach? He's just trying to get 1 out before they score 4.

The only thing I might have questioned (might) is having Oswalt swinging (or hitting) with a guy on 1st and 3rd with no outs in the top of the eighth.  He then proceeded to dominate the giants in the bottom of the eight, so what the hell do I know?

[JimR]

I wanted him pitching the 9th

[pravata]

The only thing I might have questioned (might) is having Oswalt swinging (or hitting) with a guy on 1st and 3rd with no outs in the top of the eighth.  He then proceeded to dominate the giants in the bottom of the eight, so what the hell do I know?

Because he stopped pitching to contact. Link He figured out if he didnt help them out, they wouldnt make contact.

[Limey]

Sorry, I think a bunt hit is just as good as a line drive.Valverde was in. What change of approach? He's just trying to get 1 out before they score 4.

Cool.  The paramount issue was not making an out, which he didn't.

[Limey]

Because he stopped pitching to contact. Link He figured out if he didnt help them out, they wouldnt make contact.

It's a feature of Roy's style that, when he knows he's out there for one more inning only, he dials up the heat and leaves the hitters with something to remember him by.

[Astroholic]

Because he stopped pitching to contact. Link He figured out if he didnt help them out, they wouldnt make contact.

Sorry I meant the seventh.  The innings begin to roll together that late at night.  I was okay with the eighth inning at bat due to the score at the time.

[Astroholic]

Sorry I meant the seventh.  The innings begin to roll together that late at night.  I was okay with the eighth inning at bat due to the score at the time.

BTW, hopefully that whole pitching to contact experiment goes away.

[Taras Bulba]

Because he stopped pitching to contact. Link He figured out if he didnt help them out, they wouldnt make contact.

I've been thinking about this since reading it this morning and wondering if I'm taking it out of context or has Sparky said, "Fuck this shit" and has decided he's down with Ks going forward?

[Andyzipp]

I've been thinking about this since reading it this morning and wondering if I'm taking it out of context or has Sparky said, "Fuck this shit" and has decided he's down with Ks going forward?

That's what he did the middle of last season.