Dodgers @ Astros 07/03/07

[JaneDoe]

Dodgers

Kemp, CF
Ethier, RF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
DeWitt, 3B
Young, LF
Maza, SS
Billingsley, P

Astros

Bourn, CF
Loretta, 2B
Berkman, 1B
Lee, LF
Tejada, SS
Blum, 3B
Pence, RF
Towles, C
Backe, P

Gameday

[JaneDoe]

Who forgot to hang the fake 2008 playoff banners in the clubhouse and tell Backe this was a "big game"?

[austro]

It's just not an Astros game if they don't spot the other team a few runs in the 1st.

[JaneDoe]

GameDay is so frustrating.

[JimR]

how did they score?

[Ty in Tampa]

how did they score?

With 2 out, Martin 1B, Kent BB, Loney RBI 2B, DeWitt 2 RBI 1B.

[austro]

Kemp strikes out.
Ethier grounds out.
Martin singles.
Kent walks.
Loney doubles to left (ground rule double, apparently), Martin scores.
DeWitt singles, Kent and Loney score.
Young strikes out.

So everything happened with 2 outs.

[austro]

GameDay is so frustrating.

You don't like waiting five minutes for an update and then getting 7 pitches all at once?  My favorite is getting "In play; run(s) scored" and then waiting several minutes to find out exactly how many scored.

[MRaup]

Kemp strikes out.
Ethier grounds out.
Martin singles.
Kent walks.
Loney doubles to left (ground rule double, apparently), Martin scores.
DeWitt singles, Kent and Loney score.
Young strikes out.

So everything happened with 2 outs.

Backe needs to stop sucking with 2 outs and nobody on.

That is fucking horrible.

[JimR]

Backe has serious problems with 2 out and nobody on.

[OregonStrosFan]

GameDay is so frustrating.

It has sucked in a huge way lately.  I think they've been putting the trainees on Astros games hoping no one would notice... 

[austro]

Anybody know who is starting for Round Rock tonight?

[JimR]

whoever he is, he's nobody.

[JaneDoe]

Backe gave up another long ball?

[austro]

Fuck me, when did Ethier turn into Superman?

[JimR]

yup.

[Ty in Tampa]

Backe gave up another long ball?

A fucking moonshot to left.

[JimR]

Fuck me, when did Ethier turn into Superman?

after Kent did

[Ty in Tampa]

Whatever Backe ever has, he doesn't today.

[Andyzipp]

The suck is strong in Backe this afternoon..

[Rebel Jew]

what's her name doing tandem interview with Towles' dad and Chris Sampson's dad.  Towles dad has a biker mustache.  Says that Sampson coached Towles during the period when he was out of baseball and working at that community college.

[Rebel Jew]

The suck is strong in Backe this afternoon..

backe just made a very athletic play on a short hopper to third, but the throw pulled berkman slightly off the bag.  loney running.  then another good play covering first on a grounder to berkman.

[Ty in Tampa]

backe just made a very athletic play on a short hopper to third, but the throw pulled berkman slightly off the bag.

This was scored a hit initially then an E.

[austro]

Thank heaven for Delwyn Young.

[JimR]

yes, clearly an E.

[JaneDoe]

what's her name

I don't know.

[Ty in Tampa]

I don't know.

Patti Smith.

[mihoba]

backe just made a very athletic play on a short hopper to third, but the throw pulled berkman slightly off the bag.  loney running.  then another good play covering first on a grounder to berkman.

There was never any doubt he was a good athlete. I prefer, however, a pitcher that can hit the fuckin' black and not throw a steady diet of meatballs.

[Rebel Jew]

Thank heaven for Delwyn Young.

backe struck him out with a nice low slider in the zone.

[JimR]

Pence irritates me. down four, hacking at first pitch, pulls off and pops up.

ditto Towles

Mr. I and Mr. Me.

[Andyzipp]

Evidently Biilingsley is throwing magical shit today.  So pretty everyone has to swing on the first pitch.

[austro]

So there are 2 down already? GameDay hasn't even switched innings for me yet.

[JaneDoe]

So there are 2 down already? GameDay hasn't even switched innings for me yet.

me either.

[mihoba]

I'll pick up the PBP

Maza can-o-corn to Pence, 1 out

[Noe]

I don't know.

I don't know is on camera.  Who is on mic.

[Andyzipp]

And Backe is throwing meatballs.  Only bad hitting is keeping the score close at this point.

[mihoba]

Billingsley hit a weak something somewhere, missed it, 2 down

[mihoba]

Kemp gets to a 2-2 count, whiffs, side retired

[Noe]

Towles dad has a biker mustache.

Papa Towles was a regular in the Bus Ride.  Couldn't handle the criticism of sonny boy.

[Rebel Jew]

And Backe is throwing meatballs.  Only bad hitting is keeping the score close at this point.

five strikeouts through 4, though maybe that proves your point.

[mihoba]

Chad "Cy" Billingsley is ready

Bourn steps in, slaps a one-hopper to third, right to him, 1 down.

[Ty in Tampa]

five strikeouts through 4, though maybe that proves your point.

3 to Kemp. 2 to Young.

[mihoba]

Loretta takes a strike inside, lines a low FB over the 2B, base hit.

[mihoba]

Berkman takes a ball, knocks it up the middle, Maza dives and grabs it, flip to second, on to first, DP. Side retired.

[Rebel Jew]

Chad "Cy" Billingsley is ready

Bourn steps in, slaps a one-hopper to third, right to him, 1 down.

JD noted that Billingsley has thrown 35 pitches to get 10 outs.  also noted, as he has the last few games, how bourn is making a conscious effort to hit the ball the other way.

[Rebel Jew]

Berkman takes a ball, knocks it up the middle, Maza dives and grabs it, flip to second, on to first, DP. Side retired.

38 pitches for Billingsley through 4 innings.  one hit, faced the minimum.  perhaps a new strategy should be in order.

[Andyzipp]

I'm sitting here watching him.  Backe has fooled one hitter.  He's overthrowing his slider.

[Ty in Tampa]

Are we sure the mail room intern circulated Coop's memo about 'playing baseball'?

[Jacksonian]

Papa Towles was a regular in the Bus Ride.  Couldn't handle the criticism of sonny boy.

Oh, geez.  Let's not go there.

[JaneDoe]

Who is on mic.

As long as its not Milo and Do-Ray.

ETA: or Jack Buck.

[mihoba]

Backe on the hill

Ethier takes a ball, takes a strike, ball, ball inside, ball way outside, walk.

[jonbloozy]

Anybody know who is starting for Round Rock tonight?

Josh Muecke

Muecke is the lone Round Rock player to make the PCL All-Star Team

Game televised tonight at 7PM on FSN SW.  Should be fun, as the last time Muecke faced the Isotopes he was thrown out (along with Dave Clark) for hitting a batter.  The benches then cleared for the second time between the two clubs.

[JaneDoe]

JD noted that Billingsley has thrown 35 pitches to get 10 outs. 

Hence. a little over an hour into the game, and it is in the 5th inning.

[mihoba]

Martin takes a ball low and outside, runner breaks, Towles guns him out as Loretta jumps over the runner and slaps the tag, 1 down. Ball, high pop to Miggy, 2 down.

[mihoba]

Bluebonnet takes a bender for a strike, another curve lined to third near the line, nice grab, side retired.

[BudGirl]

Are we sure the mail room intern circulated Coop's memo about 'playing baseball'?

that bitch hasn't circulated any of his memos.

[austro]

Josh Muecke

Muecke is the lone Round Rock player to make the PCL All-Star Team

Game televised tonight at 7PM on FSN SW.  Should be fun, as the last time Muecke faced the Isotopes he was thrown out (along with Dave Clark) for hitting a batter.  The benches then cleared for the second time between the two clubs.

Excellent, I haven't watched him yet. Thanks for the info.

We went to Monday's game, and it was bizarrely slow. There was no base traffic to speak of, and the pitchers weren't obviously dogging it, but the first six innings still took more than 2 hours. It was weird.

[Andyzipp]

I guarantee you that he'll never not circulate a memo again.

[Noe]

I guarantee you that he'll never not circulate a memo again.

IOW, he won't choke again?  (or be choked!)

[Andyzipp]

Kent's done for the day.

[mihoba]

Chad "Three-Finger" Billingsley set to go

The Dodger trainer out to look at Kent, Torre follows, no word if Kent rode his motorcycle out to his position. He leaves, Maza moves to second, Angel Berroa in at SS batting cleanup.

Lee takes a strike, weak chop up the 3B line, infield single.

[Andyzipp]

That's something you don't see everyday...

[mihoba]

Tejada takes a ball low, hard roller right to Maza, easy DP. 2 down.

[BudGirl]

that seems to be something you do see everyday.

[mihoba]

Blum takes a strike, and another, ball low, chopper to 2B, easy play, Maza boots it for an E.

[mihoba]

Pence hard shot just past Maza, Blum to second. single.

[austro]

Man, without the E, they could have ended the entire half inning before GameDay ever woke up. It probably would have exploded when it got the update.

[mihoba]

Towles slams an inside FB off the big wall, 2-run double!

[Anit]

well would you look at that

[JimR]

Towles slams an inside FB off the big wall, 2-run double!

slams? hardly but it went for 2.

[BudGirl]

at least it was a hit past the infield

i hate not having good radio reception for this game.

[Noe]

well would you look at that

The inning where you don't see things that you don't see every day?

[mihoba]

Both runs unearned. Backe with the bat, takes an inside FB for a strike, ball outside, ball inside, ball outside and low, ball low, walk

[JimR]

at least it was a hit past the infield

i hate not having good radio reception for this game.

high lazy fly halfway up the scoreboard.

[Andyzipp]

Peter Billingsley is a bit unraveled.

[mihoba]

Towles on second, Backe on first, Bourn steps in. Hanger for a strike, bouncer to 2B, easy, side retired.

[Ty in Tampa]

I guarantee you that he'll never not circulate a memo again.

Imbecile. Failure to deliver a Blue Letter is grounds for dismissal.

[mihoba]

slams? hardly but it went for 2.

Jammed him, but he got enough.

[mihoba]

Backe back on the bump.

Loney the hitter, offspeed pitch low, offspeed inside, FB sails outside, FB taken for a strike, high FB punched to left, drifts over the wall into the Biggio Boxes.

[OregonStrosFan]

Towles on second, Backe on first, Bourn steps in. Hanger for a strike, bouncer to 2B, easy, side retired.

Born's average with RISP is .133 in 45 ABs...

[BudGirl]

Born's average with RISP is .133 in 45 ABs...

time to move him back down in the lineup.

[mihoba]

DeWitt takes a ball, takes a strike, ball low, FB sails high, meatball fly to Pence, just missed it, 1 down

[Noe]

Born's average with RISP is .133 in 45 ABs...

Good thing he's not cleanup, that would suck!

[JaneDoe]

Backe's working hard to chase down Myers as the HR king this year. 

Someone tell him this is not an honor.

[BudGirl]

Backe's working hard to chase down Myers as the HR king this year. 

Someone tell him this is not an honor.

send him a memo, i'm sure he'll get it.

[mihoba]

Kent with back stiffness

Young, strike, strike, foul, curve bounces inside, ball inside, tapped foul on a low curve, another foul on a low inside curve, FB just misses high, full count: swing and a miss on a heater right down broadway, 2 down.

[mihoba]

Maza strike, ball, floater bends in for a strike, offspeed misses low and outside, tapper to Tejada, on to first, side retired.

[mihoba]

Billingsley

Loretta strike, pop behind 1st, RF comes in, easy, 1 down.

[mihoba]

Berkman high infield pop, 2 down. Pathetic.

[JimR]

a couple of weeks ago, i got an email from a dad about his son that said: "Conor has perfected the fucking popup."

so have the Astros.

[mihoba]

Lee strike, ball in the dirt, inside heater lined past third into the corner, double.

[OregonStrosFan]

Good thing he's not cleanup, that would suck!

You're right, my bad.  Now I clearly see that my obviously unreasonable expectation that Bourn should get more than 6 hits every 45 ABs with RISP is a legitimate basis for smartass retorts in the GZ.  What could I possibly have been thinking.

[JaneDoe]

a couple of weeks ago, i got an email from a dad about his son that said: "Conor has perfected the fucking popup."

so have the Astros.

What would you tell the kid to correct that?

[mihoba]

Tejada takes a strike, heater inside for a ball, inside out swing popped to shallow RF, just foul but easy catch, side bleeping retired.

[JimR]

Tejada's ABs do not look like the same player he was in May.

Carlos needs some help.

[JimR]

What would you tell the kid to correct that?

"quit popping the fucking ball up, Conor."

[mihoba]

Backe still out there

Billingsley hitting, strike, curve for a strike, swing and a miss, 1 down.

[mihoba]

Kemp takes a ball, curve tapped foul, FB just misses low and outside, curve tapped foul, lined over short, base hit.

[Outlawscotty]

"quit popping the fucking ball up, Conor."

Would that be Mr. Jackson?

[JaneDoe]

"quit popping the fucking ball up, Conor."

Yeah, Coach, that's alot of help. 

[JimR]

Would that be Mr. Jackson?

yes.

[JimR]

Yeah, Coach, that's alot of help. 

he has more help that i can be where he is. that advice is as good as any. folks know what causes popups.

[MRaup]

Yeah, Coach, that's alot of help. 

Well, its not exactly rocket surgery if you're popping the ball up. You're swinging under it. "Take a level goddamn swing, Conor" or "Stop dropping your back fucking shoulder, Conor" works too.

[Outlawscotty]

He had a hit just as you spoke.

[mihoba]

Ethier check swing strike on a curve, slider bounces past Towles who trips over his own feet. Runner to second, ruled a WP. ball, pickoff at second base not close, hanger pulled foul, high slider pulled foul, foul off his shin, rolls around in pain, walks away. Steps back in and misses a low slider in the dirt. 2 down.

102 pitches for Backe, Coop on the way out to get him.

[JaneDoe]

Well, its not exactly rocket surgery if you're popping the ball up. You're swinging under it. "Take a level goddamn swing, Conor" or "Stop dropping your back fucking shoulder, Conor" works too.

ok, I was talking in general, and to a much younger age group.  I can tell them that, but they just don't get it.  Was wondering if there was some advice to explain to a kid in the 10 year old age range.

[mihoba]

Geoff Geary takes over.

Martin takes a ball, short hop to Blum easy, fire to first, side retired.

[MRaup]

ok, I was talking in general, and to a much younger age group.  I can tell them that, but they just don't get it.  Was wondering if there was some advice to explain to a kid in the 10 year old age range.

Chopping wood is the easiest comparison for taking a level swing, thinks I.

[mihoba]

ok, I was talking in general, and to a much younger age group.  I can tell them that, but they just don't get it.  Was wondering if there was some advice to explain to a kid in the 10 year old age range.

Have fun.

[Noe]

a couple of weeks ago, i got an email from a dad about his son that said: "Conor has perfected the fucking popup."

so have the Astros.

"I can coach that!" - Jason Lane

[Outlawscotty]

Chopping wood is the easiest comparison for taking a level swing, thinks I.

As opposed to spliting....or watermelon.

[mihoba]

Billingsley

Blum takes a ball, another ball, bleeping popped up to 1B, 1 down.

[austro]

You're right, my bad.  Now I clearly see that my obviously unreasonable expectation that Bourn should get more than 6 hits every 45 ABs with RISP is a legitimate basis for smartass retorts in the GZ.  What could I possibly have been thinking.

Obviously, those aren't good numbers. But Bourn's failures with RISP are not the reason that this offense is so impotent right now. Tejada is problem #1, and Pence is problem #2. Berkman hasn't been helping a whole lot recently, either. Lee is warming up, but everybody around him is still pretty cold.

[mihoba]

Pence takes a ball, fouled back, ball low, high FB tapped foul past 3B, FB in the zone fouled back, whiffs on a slider. 2 down.

[Noe]

You're right, my bad.  Now I clearly see that my obviously unreasonable expectation that Bourn should get more than 6 hits every 45 ABs with RISP is a legitimate basis for smartass retorts in the GZ.  What could I possibly have been thinking.

No, I was serious, it sucks for any player to have that sort of prowess... but at least the bright side is that he's not the cleanup man.  The solution, of course, is to have no men in scoring position when Bourn comes up to hit.

IOW - have some one *else* drive them in!  Like earlier, you know, like the middle to bottom of the lineup.

[Noe]

Pence takes a ball, fouled back, ball low, high FB tapped foul past 3B, FB in the zone fouled back, whiffs on a slider. 2 down.

 I chuckle when the radio guys say "Pence swings and misses, slider!"  They can leave out the last part, I can reasonably guess that was the pitch that got him.

[mihoba]

Towles takes a strike, ball, strike, whiff. Side bleeping retired. Wimpy.

[OregonStrosFan]

No, I was serious, it sucks for any player to have that sort of prowess... but at least the bright side is that he's not the cleanup man.

I get it now.  My bad.

Obviously, those aren't good numbers. But Bourn's failures with RISP are not the reason that this offense is so impotent right now. Tejada is problem #1, and Pence is problem #2. Berkman hasn't been helping a whole lot recently, either. Lee is warming up, but everybody around him is still pretty cold.

Agreed.

[mihoba]

Geary still out there

Berroa ball, swinging strike, ball, ball, hard sht up the middle, single.

[Noe]

My bad for real then...

Agreed.

Bourn has been a disappointment this year.  He may be facing the reality of being an everyday MLB'er and that has him frustrated.  It's a tough job but he's the option they went with and he has to be confident enough to do the job.  But overall, the offense problems are hinging on Tejada and Pence going AWOL for some nights.  The lineup breaks up when those two aren't doing what they reasonably can do.

[mihoba]

Loney ball, ball, called strike, ball sails outside, ball four, bleeping walk. Berroa to second.

[mihoba]

DeWitt takes a ball, ball low, Geary frustrated for not hitting his spots, Dewey to the mound to console him. 2-0 count, another ball low, Whoa! A strike! called strike inside (close to ball 4), foul, full count but DeWitt needs a new stick. Liner to Lee, runner broke for third, fire to second, on to first for the attempted triple play. Runner back to second, ump said the throw drew Loretta off the bag, only 1 out recorded.

[mihoba]

Runners on first and second
Young strike, ball, foul, fouled back, ball low, liner to left right at Lee, 2 down.

[mihoba]

Maza the headbanger

foul, foul, foul, foul, ball high, shot up the middle snagged by Loretta, side retired. Brownie was excited for that good play by the veteran second sacker.

[JimR]

ok, I was talking in general, and to a much younger age group.  I can tell them that, but they just don't get it.  Was wondering if there was some advice to explain to a kid in the 10 year old age range.

Mark told you.

swing down on the ball is the easiest thing to say. t-ball creates nothing but bad habits, and popping up is chief among them.

[MRaup]

Mark told you.

swing down on the ball is the easiest thing to say. t-ball creates nothing but bad habits, and popping up is chief among them.

Your milage on the curse-words may vary.

Personally, I think few things influence the 10 and under crowd more than a properly emphasized F bomb.

[mihoba]

Billingsley on the hill, Repko in left

Erstad PH: ball, strike, ball, foul, waited on the curve, tapped to short, 1 down.

[mihoba]

Bourn tapped to short, easy, 2 down.

[mihoba]

Loretta also swings at the first pitch, but singles to right.

[mihoba]

Berkman takes a strike, ball, foul, ball w/ snap throw to first, Loretta got back. 2-2 count, popped foul, low FB called strike looking. Side retired.

Good Gawd.

[mihoba]

Brocail takes over

Mark Sweeney PH for Cy Billingsley

takes a ball, swing anna miss, curve floats way high, FB rides in, 2-2 count. Inside FB swing anna miss, 1 down.

[MRaup]

Nice of the offense and starting pitching to piss away two outstanding days out of the pen.

[JimR]

someone please tell me why we should use overworked Brocail in this game?

[BudGirl]

I believe Astros.  I believe.

[mihoba]

Kemp

Ball high, ball, ball outside, ball inside, walk. Brocail screams at himself, HP ump Tim Timmons ejects him.

[Anit]

so brocail yells SHIT! to himself, and gets tossed..

[BudGirl]

well, at least he had a fast inning.

[JimR]

umpires suck. all of them. thin-skinned babies.

[mihoba]

someone please tell me why we should use overworked Brocail in this game?

Designated ejector?

[MRaup]

Kemp

Ball high, ball, ball outside, ball inside, walk. Brocail screams at himself, HP ump Tim Timmons ejects him.

Did Coop at least come out and get a sympathy toss?

[JimR]

Did Coop at least come out and get a sympathy toss?

he came out but was disguised as The Voice of Reason.

[mihoba]

Byrdak replaces redass.

Ethier steps in, pickoff almost got'em at first, ball, ball (where was that, blue? crowd boos), ball low and outside, called strike, ball four, runners on 1 & 2, 1 down.

[MRaup]

he came out but was disguised as The Voice of Reason.

Reason number five million I could never been a major league coach... If some thin skinned umpire tossed one of my guys for being pissed at himself, I'd be joining him shortly in the locker room after going ballisitic.

[mihoba]

Martin

ball, ball, Towles and Dewey to the mound. Swing anna miss, grounder to third, Blum to second, 2 down. Run ner broke up the DP by making Loretta tumble.

[mihoba]

Berroa

ball, called strike, liner to Pence, flinches from the lights but makes the catch, side retired.

[mihoba]

This is it for the hometown nine. Closer Takashi Saito gets the ball.

Lee leads it off. FB taken for a strike right down the pipe. swing anna miss on a slider, slider tapped to short in the hole, backhand, strong throw, just got'em at first, 1 down.

[Savage]

I got laid off two weeks ago and the silver lining was supposed to be spending my 60 days of garden leave watching astros baseball.  These regular shit burgers are really starting to make me wish i had a job.

[mihoba]

Tejada lined foul, ball, grounder in the hole, backhand, throw gets away. Infield single, to second on the throwing error.

[mihoba]

Blum: strike, ball, foul, foul, line single to right, Miggy stops at third.

[MRaup]

I think its time to move Tejada down in the lineup to take some of the pressure off him.

[mihoba]

Pence is the tying run at the plate.

Popped to right on a slider, 2 down.

[JimR]

fuck. Pence slaps a first pitch slider. moron.

[MRaup]

Pence is the tying run at the plate.

Popped to right on a slider, 2 down.

Fucking shocking.

Another quality at bat by Pence with RISP.

[austro]

I think its time to move Tejada down in the lineup to take some of the pressure off him.

Flip him with Blum/Wiggy?

[JimR]

Fucking shocking.

Another quality at bat by Pence with RISP.

his baseball IQ is negative numbers.

[JimR]

ditto Towles.

here comes the slider

[BudGirl]

why not pinch hit?  no one available?

[MRaup]

why not pinch hit?  no one available?

Towles was having a good game at the plate. Why PH for him?

[OregonStrosFan]

Have a great 4th folks!

[mihoba]

Towles, also representing the tying run, steps in.

Check swing ball on a slider, high FB taken for a strike, FB low, Blum eases into 2nd base on fielders indifference. FB grooved in there, 2-2 count. Soft liner over short, berroa back and grabs it easily, Ball game.

Dodgers take 3 out of 4 from the home team. Bleeping aweful.

Goodbye.

[JimR]

4th what? i have not had the first 3 yet. are you buying?

[BudGirl]

Towles was having a good game at the plate. Why PH for him?

i don't know.  i just wanted them to score some runs.  Plus, Jim didn't seem to have much confidence he'd get a hit.

I just wanted them to score some runs.  that's all.

[austro]

why not pinch hit?  no one available?

No lefties, certainly (Erstad was used earlier, Blum's already in the game). He got a hit earlier, maybe he'll get another here. It would be a big confidence booster if he did. Unfortunately, he didn't.

[JimR]

i don't know.  i just wanted them to score some runs.  Plus, Jim didn't seem to have much confidence he'd get a hit.

I just wanted them to score some runs.  that's all.

you are not going to hit much taking fastballs and swinging at sliders.

[MRaup]

i don't know.  i just wanted them to score some runs.  Plus, Jim didn't seem to have much confidence he'd get a hit.

I just wanted them to score some runs.  that's all.

Towles had supplied all the runs the Astros had... Hard to argue with that.

[BudGirl]

Towles had supplied all the runs the Astros had... Hard to argue with that.

well, when you put it that way it is hard to argue with it

[MRaup]

you are not going to hit much taking fastballs and swinging at sliders.

The ball he put in play looked like it was hit with a rolled up newspaper.

What the hell was he waiting for on 2-1? An engraved invitation?

[JimR]

well, when you put it that way it is hard to argue with it

his approach to the AB was terrible. i wonder if these guys ever think about what they are doing or if they ever listen to a hitting coach/mgr.

[JimR]

The ball he put in play looked like it was hit with a rolled up newspaper.

What the hell was he waiting for on 2-1? An engraved invitation?

weak swing.

the 1-0 fastball was a meatball. he took it and the 2-1 fastball.