Astros @ Giants 06/12/12

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's tilt, which will be after the bedtimes of some of you and which is loaded with right handed hitters except for Castro:

Astros

BJose Altuve
RFBrian Bixler
SSJed Lowrie
LFJ.D. Martinez
CFJustin Maxwell
3BChris Johnson
1BMatt Downs
CJason Castro
PBud Norris

Giants

CF Gregor Blanco 
2B Ryan Theriot 
LF Melky Cabrera 
C Buster Posey 
3B Pablo Sandoval 
RF Nate Schierholtz 
1B Brandon Belt 
SS Brandon Crawford 
P Madison Bumgarner 

[juliogotay]

Who are those guys?

[Mr. Happy]

Who are those guys?

Well, we'll need to get used to less than household names for the foreseeable future.

[Mr. Happy]

I am going to the thursday game, which is convenient since I am responsible for the SnS game wrapup that day.

[Matt]

I am going to the thursday game, which is convenient since I am responsible for the SnS game wrapup that day.

I have still not gone to a game at that park and it upsets me.

[Mr. Happy]

I have still not gone to a game at that park and it upsets me.

Don't you live in SoCal? I live in Napa.

[Mr. Happy]

Bumgarner strikes out the side in the top of the first frame.

[Matt]

Don't you live in SoCal? I live in Napa.

Yeah and every time I'm in the Bay Area its not baseball season.

[Mr. Happy]

Yeah and every time I'm in the Bay Area its not baseball season.

You need to come up. Awesome yard.

[Matt]

You need to come up. Awesome yard.

I'm hoping to get up there this summer some time. I love the area already.

[Mr. Happy]

I'm hoping to get up there this summer some time. I love the area already.

The area is great, but the yard is spectacular.

[Ron Brand]

Bon fucking soir, ya'll.

[Ron Brand]

The area is great, but the yard is spectacular.

Yes and yes and yes and yes...

[Ron Brand]

Base hit! We win!

[Ron Brand]

FoxTrax says it's three inches inside, HPU says it's a strike. Ok.

[Ron Brand]

I'm surprised Castro's playing tonight.

[Ron Brand]

Yes, when my wife is hopping around the house the first thing I do is a faky head shake, then I reach for the Cialis.

[Ron Brand]

What is this, an oil painting?

[Ron Brand]

Sandoval appears to be hitting his weight.

[Ron Brand]

Caw! Caw!

[Ron Brand]

Way to try to get out of the way, Schierholtz.

[Ebby Calvin]

Third base line, even with bullpen pitcher's rubber, 6 rows up. Really really really good looking dude with a brown sweater and black Astros hat. That's me.

What an amazing ballpark.

[Ron Brand]

Third base line, even with bullpen pitcher's rubber, 6 rows up. Really really really good looking dude with a brown sweater and black Astros hat. That's me.

What an amazing ballpark.

You lucky bastard!

Garlic fries. Do not fail.

[Ron Brand]

Look alive over there.

[Ron Brand]

Oh yeah. They just showed you.

You and about 3000 of your buddies.

[Ron Brand]

I'll take that Cubana Americana, please.

[Ron Brand]

Talk to yourself often?

No, of course not. Do you?

I don't think I do. I mean, I'd notice that sort of thing, wouldn't I?

I'd think so, yeah.

Hm.

[austro]

SS intimidated by the little man going to 1B.

[OregonStrosFan]

Third base line, even with bullpen pitcher's rubber, 6 rows up. Really really really good looking dude with a brown sweater and black Astros hat. That's me.

What an amazing ballpark.

WHEN Altuve splashes one into McCovey Cove, I EXPECT you to go diving in after it. And give it to me.

BTW, very cool!!! Love that park!

[Ron Brand]

Estragon: Who are we waiting for?

Vladimir: We're waiting for...Godot.

Estragon: That cocksucker. Always late.

[austro]

Stealing 3rd with 2 out? Hmmm.

[Ron Brand]

So he could score on that bloop by Bixler.

[austro]

And now we've got our power up.

[Ron Brand]

As long as Bumgarner is to the plate, you've got to figure if Altuve is going to steal third with two out they're going to try to run like hell on him.

[Ron Brand]

1-0 Good Guys, middle 3.

[Ron Brand]

Yeah, your Camaro boils over in the desert. That 1-liter bottled water oughta fix it right up.

[Ron Brand]

Oh come on. Serve one up to the pitcher? Fuck.

[Ron Brand]

Was that one with the wind or into the wind?

[Matt]

Come on Bud!

[Ron Brand]

1-1 through 3.

[Mr. Happy]

Come on Bud!

HE DID Bumgarner a favor.

[juliogotay]

Great ball park but that Coke bottle and glove look as silly as the train in Houston.

[Ron Brand]

Great ball park but that Coke bottle and glove look as silly as the train in Houston.

I thought they looked pretty cool. I like how the Coke bottle lights up at night.

[Ron Brand]

San Francisco is so fantastic.

[Matt]

San Francisco is so fantastic.

I agree. I'm considering moving to that area when I get back from Korea.

[Ron Brand]

I agree. I'm considering moving to that area when I get back from Korea.

All you need is cash.

[Matt]

All you need is cash.

Yeah that is the one con that I see. But there's good work up there.

[Ron Brand]

Whatever happened to Rebel Jew?

[Ron Brand]

Yeah that is the one con that I see. But there's good work up there.

Yeah, and Korean experience might help you.

[Ron Brand]

Ebby, stop squealing every time Panda hits a foul pop.

[Ron Brand]

Bud's getting shaky.

[Ron Brand]

He's either wild way high or he's down around the shoes.

[Matt]

Is this the Norris inning?

[Ron Brand]

Another couple of innings and the fog will roll in.

[Ron Brand]

God dammit. Third walk loads em up.

[Bench]

The fog has already rolled in on Bud.

[Ron Brand]

Fuck me. 3-1 now.

[Ron Brand]

Fucking Norris. One step forward, two steps back.

[Ron Brand]

Still throwing hard, but he has no command at all. Maybe it's still the hip, but you'd think if it was it'd affect the velocity too.

Nice fucking misplay of the foul pop. Clowns.

[Ron Brand]

That's gonna be it for him, now he's hurt.

[Reuben]

When it rains, it monsoons.

[Bench]

That's gonna be it for him, now he's hurt.

He definitely seemed uncomfortable out there all inning. Kind of jerking and overthrowing his pitches.

[Ron Brand]

So, who comes up to take his next couple of turns?

[Matt]

Shit hopefully this isn't serious.

[Ron Brand]

Matt Downs is a badass.

[Mr. Happy]

Great ball park but that Coke bottle and glove look as silly as the train in Houston.

At least it looks like an old coke bottle.

[Bench]

Downs with a Bagwellian charge! Way to go Trig!

[Mr. Happy]

REALLY NICE PLAY BY DOWNS.

[Ron Brand]

Look at that gazelle in CF.

[Mr. Happy]

Maxwell out in CF is an adventure.

[Reuben]

REALLY NICE PLAY BY DOWNS.

Really bad call by the HP ump though.

[Bench]

Maxwell out in CF is an adventure.

At least he is positioned well.

[gundy315]

Thought I'd jump in to the TZ and shoot the shit for a while.  Should be reading TX Pre-Trial Procedure, but, well... fuck it.

Way to go Trig!

nicely done, sir.

[Ron Brand]

Welcome, shit shooter!

[Bench]

Mad Bum has 8 k's already?

[Ron Brand]

Bumgarner's good, but these guys just can't hit.

[Bench]

Thought I'd jump in to the TZ and shoot the shit for a while.  Should be reading TX Pre-Trial Procedure, but, well... fuck it.

nicely done, sir.

Thanks.  Rule 11 and don't sweat the deemed admissions.

[Ron Brand]

Christ. Take a walk on the douche side.

[gundy315]

thanks.

Judging from the way he was limping in the dugout, I'm guessing Norris re-aggravated that hip flexor.  

[Mr. Happy]

At least he is positioned well.

Thank the good lord for that.

[Ron Brand]

Here comes da fog.

[Mr. Happy]

Runge must have post-game dinner plans. I like his zone.

[Ron Brand]

It's not like the bars won't be open.

[Mr. Happy]

They just ran the following quote on the Giants TV broadcast: It took me 17 years to get 3000 hits. I got that many in one afternoon on the golf course. Henry Aaron.

[Ron Brand]

Left knee sprain for Norris.

[Ron Brand]

They just ran the following quote on the Giants TV broadcast: It took me 17 years to get 3000 hits. I got that many in one afternoon on the golf course. Henry Aaron.

Nice!

[Mr. Happy]

Knee sprain and a hip flexor. That's a recipe for mechanics problems. Wonder if they'll DL him.

[Ron Brand]

Knee sprain and a hip flexor. That's a recipe for mechanics problems. Wonder if they'll DL him.

Makes good sense to, but the cupboard is bare for replacement starters.

[Mr. Happy]

Kung Foo Panda is now 1-10 since returning from the DL.

[jbm]

Left knee sprain for Norris.

Where did you hear that?  That twitter thing?

I'll be curious who they bring up. Gallaraga, Enerio, Kuechel?

[Ron Brand]

Brownie just said it.

[Ron Brand]

None of them are nearly ready.

[OregonStrosFan]

RUN EBBY RUN!!!

[Ron Brand]

So, is Sandusky, Ohio going to change its name?

[jbm]

Ebby run out there to give offerings to Lord Altuve?

[Ron Brand]

Ebby run out there to give offerings to Lord Altuve?

Somebody spiked his Yoo-Hoo.

[Mr. Happy]

Makes good sense to, but the cupboard is bare for replacement starters.

It can't make that much sense if I said it,  But from what I know about pitching mechanics, hips and plant knees are critica to proper mechanics.l

[Ron Brand]

I don't see how he can pitch through it. He's a power guy, he's just going to make the injury worse if he keeps on throwing.

[Mr. Happy]

Bumgarner's slow and deliberate motion ot the plate is a dual-edged sword: good for deception to the hitter but lousy to hold on a runner.

[Ron Brand]

So instead of two #3/4s and three #5s, the Astros will have one 3/4, three #5s and a #7 to run out there.

[Ron Brand]

I'd say something smarmy about Martinez' rollout, but Bumgarner is a good pitcher so I'll just shut up.

[Reuben]

So instead of two #3/4s and three #5s, the Astros will have one 3/4, three #5s and a #7 to run out there.

Wandy's only a 3/4 to you??

[Mr. Happy]

Bumgarner is very tough. Tip of the cap to the 22 year old.

[Ron Brand]

Wandy's only a 3/4 to you??

Yep.

[gundy315]

JD's swing looks so disjointed.  That pre-load, front-foot shuffle b.s. needs to stop.

[Mr. Happy]

So, is Sandusky, Ohio going to change its name?

Did they convict the guy?

[jbm]

The staff might be bad, but not definitely.  I can easily see Lyles and Harrell pitching well.  Possibly even Happ.  Bud's replacement gets the Rangers.  Could be real ugly.

[Ron Brand]

Did they convict the guy?

I don't think they have yet, but the last headline I saw yesterday was some guy saying that he was Sandusky's 'girlfriend.' Blecch.

[Ron Brand]

The staff might be bad, but not definitely.  I can easily see Lyles and Harrell pitching well.  Possibly even Happ.  Bud's replacement gets the Rangers.  Could be real ugly.

Pitching well, like right now? Or in a couple of years?

[jbm]

Yep.

Those numbers are meaningless if Wandy can be seen as a 4.

[Mr. Happy]

Carpenter saving the bully a little by going into his third frame.

[jbm]

Pitching well, like right now? Or in a couple of years?

This year. That's not a stretch to me at all. 

[Ron Brand]

Those numbers are meaningless if Wandy can be seen as a 4.

I'd say he's been a 3 this year. He's had that history of inconsistency, but ok, I'll call him a #3.

[Ron Brand]

This year. That's not a stretch to me at all. 

Lyles can't get out of the fifth yet. Harrell's doing ok but he's still hit-and-miss. His last outing was good.

[Mr. Happy]

Whatever happened to Rebel Jew?

That's weird. I was thinking about Joey today when I found out that I'm  going to sit in the club section for thursday's afternoon game.

[jbm]

Lyles can't get out of the fifth yet. Harrell's doing ok but he's still hit-and-miss. His last outing was good.

They can get you a mid four ERA from here out and that is what they are getting from Bud.  I don't think they will be stars, but hardly scrubs sent out for beatings every fifth day.

[Ebby Calvin]

Shorts were a bad idea.

[Mr. Happy]

Bumgarner's cutter in is brutal to righties.

[jbm]

Bumgarner's cutter in is brutal to righties.

It is.  This guy almost does it on pure command.  Really impressive. 

[Mr. Happy]

Shorts were a bad idea.

Dude. You're a lawyer. You should have known better. Shorts to a Giants' night game?

[Ron Brand]

They can get you a mid four ERA from here out and that is what they are getting from Bud.  I don't think they will be stars, but hardly scrubs sent out for beatings every fifth day.

Maybe we define starters differently. For me, a #4 has some consistency, will give you six innings 3/4 of the time, will give you a quality start most of the time. A #5 will do that some of the time, but probably not half the time and is much more inconsistent. I don't see that as a scrub being sent out for a beating, but it's a pitcher who won't work deep into a game and you'll need your relievers ready for their starts.

I sure don't see Lyles giving you a mid-4 ERA the rest of the way. I think it's a stretch for Harrell, but it could happen.

[Mr. Happy]

BUMGARNER IS ABUSING CASTRO.

[jbm]

Maybe we define starters differently. For me, a #4 has some consistency, will give you six innings 3/4 of the time, will give you a quality start most of the time. A #5 will do that some of the time, but probably not half the time and is much more inconsistent. I don't see that as a scrub being sent out for a beating, but it's a pitcher who won't work deep into a game and you'll need your relievers ready for their starts.

Fair enough.

[Mr. Happy]

12 K's for Bumgarner through seven innings and only two were looking.

[gundy315]

12 K's for Bumgarner through seven innings and only two were looking.

He's dirty.

[MRaup]

12 K's for Bumgarner through seven innings and only two were looking.

The second looking K was 4 inches outside.

[Reuben]

The second looking K was 4 inches outside.

CJ was rightly pissed about that one.

[gundy315]

Altuve's gotta pick that.

[Bench]

I don't think they have yet, but the last headline I saw yesterday was some guy saying that he was Sandusky's 'girlfriend.' Blecch.

That testimony was gut wrenching. The full quote was along the lines of "in public he treated me like his son but in private he treated me like his girlfriend."

[MRaup]

Altuve's gotta pick that.

Or, Castro has to make a better throw...

[Bench]

Dude. You're a lawyer. You should have known better. Shorts to a Giants' night game?

Ebby is far too dignified to be a lawyer.

[gundy315]

Or, Castro has to make a better throw...

that would be good as well.

[MRaup]

Ebby is far too dignified to be a lawyer.

So he's a haberdasher?

[gundy315]

Though, with Altuve covering, I'd prefer Castro miss low--If he must miss.

[jbm]

The longest bat ever

[Ron Brand]

JD doesn't have a chance.

[jbm]

JD doesn't have a chance.

one can't hit off a freakin leprechaun

[Ron Brand]

Stars...moons...hearts...clover...

[Mr. Happy]

JD doesn't have a chance.

Romo is brutal on right handed hitters. He had a 0.53 ERA coming in

[Ron Brand]

Belt's waking up.

[Mr. Happy]

Well, fuck. That one bounced into McCovey Cove. Goodnight Irene.

[Mr. Happy]

Casilla just sat down. I guess that another rightie comes out of the bully to finish us off.

[Ron Brand]

Zzzzzzzzz...

[Ron Brand]

Pinkeye!

[Mr. Happy]

Pinkeye!

And Hensley walked him. That'll concern Bochy.

[MRaup]

JD doesn't have a chance.

That wild miss inside pitch that Runge called a strike was pretty fucking horseshit, too.

[Mr. Happy]

That wild miss inside pitch that Runge called a strike was pretty fucking horseshit, too.

Runge's had a wide zone all night.

[Mr. Happy]

Here comes Casilla to face Wallace.

[Ron Brand]

Fuckshit.

[Mr. Happy]

Wallace out F7. 6-3 BALLGAME

[Ron Brand]

Well, that blew. Good night.

[Ebby Calvin]

A few observations:

Beautiful park, absolutely gorgeous. Not a big fan of the glove/Coke bottle, but they hardly take away from the experience.

The place was fucking packed. It's amazing to see a fullish house for a Tuesday game against a no-draw opponent in June. The fans were really into the game, but not very baseball-smart (at least around me). Kinda like the Hunter Pences of fans.  The place went apeshit when Belt dropped one in the cove. I put up my horns.

I really thought I could outrun those security guys. The jail has a wine bar.

I'll say it - the garlic fries are waaaaaay too garlicky and soggy. I didn't get thru a quarter of mine. The crab sandwich on sourdough is the way to go.

And I'm not a lawyer, but I do make money off of them.  Next time I'm leaving the shorts at home.

[OregonStrosFan]

I really thought I could outrun those security guys. The jail has a wine bar.

Thank you. I was really proud of the 'RUN EBBY RUN' post, and glad it finally received at least some acknowledgment... 

And thanks for the firsthand observations.  I too had to have some of the garlic fries when I was at the park, and my assessment of them was very similar to yours...

[Mr. Happy]

A few observations:

Beautiful park, absolutely gorgeous. Not a big fan of the glove/Coke bottle, but they hardly take away from the experience.

The place was fucking packed. It's amazing to see a fullish house for a Tuesday game against a no-draw opponent in June. The fans were really into the game, but not very baseball-smart (at least around me). Kinda like the Hunter Pences of fans.  The place went apeshit when Belt dropped one in the cove. I put up my horns.

I really thought I could outrun those security guys. The jail has a wine bar.

I'll say it - the garlic fries are waaaaaay too garlicky and soggy. I didn't get thru a quarter of mine. The crab sandwich on sourdough is the way to go.

And I'm not a lawyer, but I do make money off of them.  Next time I'm leaving the shorts at home.

I'm sorry that you got what sounds like a bad batch of garlic fries, because they really can be very good. You weren't in the cooler long enough to be shown the "vapor room," where marijuana card totin' criminals can enjoy da herb? Pity. And you had me fooled about being a lawyer. My impression of you just went up even higher than it already was. How long are you in SFO, because I'm definitely going to tomorrow's game and might even drive over tonight to see my favorite Astros pitcher toil against an absolute ace.

[BudGirl]

I'm sorry that you got what sounds like a bad batch of garlic fries, because they really can be very good. You weren't in the cooler long enough to be shown the "vapor room," where marijuana card totin' criminals can enjoy da herb? Pity. And you had me fooled about being a lawyer. My impression of you just went up even higher than it already was. How long are you in SFO, because I'm definitely going to tomorrow's game and might even drive over tonight to see my favorite Astros pitcher toil against an absolute ace.

I'll put some money on Happ pitching a good game.  I won't put money on the Astros offense though.

[Ebby Calvin]

How long are you in SFO, because I'm definitely going to tomorrow's game and might even drive over tonight to see my favorite Astros pitcher toil against an absolute ace.

I'm actually in Palo Alto, but I leave tomorrow. I pm'ed Biz last week to ask for good eating spots, completely unaware the Astros were in town. When I eventually found out, I cleared the expenses and bought the tickets. Good thing, too, because the cab fare was outrageous. Arrived SFO at 5:15, cab to Palo Alto to drop off bags, cab to game, then cab back. Over $400 in taxis alone. I wouldn't have gone if I was on the hook for the expenses.

[hostros7]

I'm actually in Palo Alto, but I leave tomorrow. I pm'ed Biz last week to ask for good eating spots, completely unaware the Astros were in town. When I eventually found out, I cleared the expenses and bought the tickets. Good thing, too, because the cab fare was outrageous. Arrived SFO at 5:15, cab to Palo Alto to drop off bags, cab to game, then cab back. Over $400 in taxis alone. I wouldn't have gone if I was on the hook for the expenses.

Whatever the above ground train to palo alto is called is actually pretty convenient.  I have never taken a cab from SFO to palo alto, so not if it saves time or not.