Astros @ Athletics April 26, 2015

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for today's matinee:

Astros

2BJose Altuve (R)
RFGeorge Springer (R)
SSJed Lowrie (S)
DHEvan Gattis (R)
1BChris Carter (R)
LFColby Rasmus (L)
3BMarwin Gonzalez (S)
CJason Castro (L)
CFJake Marisnick (R)

HOU: Asher Wojciechowski (R)  (0-1, 6.00)

Athletics

CF Sam Fuld (L)
SS Marcus Semien (R)
C Stephen Vogt (L)
DH Billy Butler (R)
1B Ike Davis (L)
RF Josh Reddick (L)
3B Brett Lawrie (R)
2B Eric Sogard (L)
LF Craig Gentry (R)

OAK: Drew Pomeranz (L)  (1-2, 4.24)

[Navin R Johnson]

According to Drellich, the Astros have never swept the A's. 

They are due.

[subnuclear]

According to Drellich, the Astros have never swept the A's. 

They are due.

I like Wojciehowski and all, but I imagine the A's offense is going to wake up a bit today.

[Mr. Happy]

I like Wojciehowski and all, but I imagine the A's offense is going to wake up a bit today.

The Athletics are due for an eruption.

[Navin R Johnson]

Carter and Gattis are REALLY due for an eruption.  Carter had a couple really good swings in his last couple ABs yesterday, he is about ready to start hitting again (fingers crossed). 

[geezerdonk]

Good to see Marisnick back in the lineup.

[HudsonHawk]

Carter and Gattis are REALLY due for an eruption.  Carter had a couple really good swings in his last couple ABs yesterday, he is about ready to start hitting again (fingers crossed).

Carter's line out to 3B yesterday was absolutely blistered.  That was hard as he's hit any ball this year.

[Navin R Johnson]

Carter's line out to 3B yesterday was absolutely blistered.  That was hard as he's hit any ball this year.

Heck of a reaction from the A's 3rd baseman on that, it looked like the ball almost knocked the glove off his hand.

[Navin R Johnson]

Root doing its best to run the Keuchel beard spot they shot into the ground.

[Navin R Johnson]

Lead off single for Altuve, on a 0-2 count.  29 straight game hitting streak for Jose vs the A's.

[HudsonHawk]

Man Springer misses what should be really good pitches to hit

[HudsonHawk]

Btw...Springer Ks, Lowrie grounds into 4-6 FC and Gattis grounds back to the pitcher. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors and 1 LOB.

[HudsonHawk]

There's a ridiculous amount of foul ground at that park.

[HudsonHawk]

A's go down in order:

6-3
6-3
K

No score after 1 inning.

[Navin R Johnson]

I'm feeling a Chris Carter homer coming up.

[BudGirl]

I'm feeling a Chris Carter homer coming up.

I think that is gas.

[Navin R Johnson]

Rasmus is one odd looking dude.

[Mr. Happy]

There's a ridiculous amount of foul ground at that park.

God damn football configuration. That park is a fucking disgrace.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Carter grounds out 5-3
Rasmussen flies out F9
Marwin doubles down RF line
Castro strikes out

Still no score.

[Mr. Happy]

T2:

Carter grounds out 5-3
Rasmussen flies out F9
Marwin doubles down RF line
Castro strikes out

Still no score.

Castro still looking for his first hit off of a portsider. Platoon, anyone?

[HudsonHawk]

Walk and a double/triple (not sure go they scored it) give A's a 1-0 lead. Astros could have had him at 3b if their heads weren't ip their ass.

[HudsonHawk]

Poor fundamentals cost another run on a SAC fly

2-0 A's.

[HudsonHawk]

Astros end the inning, but A's get two runs on one hit.

End of 2nd: A's 2 Astros 0

[HudsonHawk]

Good grief, is there a worse possible 2-hole hitter imaginable than Springer?

[HudsonHawk]

Gattis!  With a 2-run single ties it up

[Mr. Happy]

Good grief, is there a worse possible 2-hole hitter imaginable than Springer?

Negative. Springer is an enigma.

[BudGirl]

Good grief, is there a worse possible 2-hole hitter imaginable than Springer?

Karter?

[doyce7]

Good grief, is there a worse possible 2-hole hitter imaginable than Springer?

With the guys in the lineup today Idk who else you put there. Marwin maybe?

[Mr. Happy]

With the guys in the lineup today Idk who else you put there. Marwin maybe?

I actually like Marwin in the two.

[Mr. Happy]

God damnit, Carter. Shitfuck.

[HudsonHawk]

Carter leaves runners at 2B and 3B with a popup to SS. The Astros cannot continue with him in the lineup much longer.

[Mr. Happy]

Rasmus puts the Good Guys up 3-2.

[HudsonHawk]

Negative. Springer is an enigma.

An enigma who swings and misses WAY too often to hit second. He's a 6th or 7th place hitter.

[HudsonHawk]

With the guys in the lineup today Idk who else you put there. Marwin maybe?

Lowrie. He's the obvious.

[doyce7]

Lowrie. He's the obvious.

Lowrie would ideally be number 2 but I love having him 3, especially against leftys

[HudsonHawk]

Wojo strikes out the side to end the 3rd

Astros 3 A's 2

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Big answer from Wojo, there.

[Mr. Happy]

Lowrie. He's the obvious.

In this lineup, I like Lowrie in the three. Marwin's your man.

[HudsonHawk]

Lowrie would ideally be number 2 but I love having him 3, especially against leftys

Only because Carter is a black hole at four. You just simply can't sustain the hole that is Springer in what needs to be a contact spot in the order. That's not a recipe for scoring runs.

[HudsonHawk]

Melvin trying to get run. Ump refuses.

[Mr. Happy]

Melvin trying to get run. Ump refuses.

Melvin gets the heave-ho for bellyaching on balls and strikes.

[HudsonHawk]

Marisnick with a big fly to make it 5-2 Astros!

[HudsonHawk]

Melvin gets the heave-ho for bellyaching on balls and strikes.

Missed the ejection. At the bar and no sound.

[doyce7]

Love marisnick

[Mr. Happy]

Love marisnick

Marisnick bucking to move up in the order.

[juliogotay]

Castro still looking for his first hit off of a portsider. Platoon, anyone?

I'm surprised Conger didn't get the start.

[doyce7]

Marisnick bucking to move up in the order.

I think he's pretty locked in at 9.

[HudsonHawk]

Springer with a 4-pitch walk, but then is picked off before the next pitch. So he kills the rally on a base on balls.

[Mr. Happy]

I think he's pretty locked in at 9.

I like him in the nine, but he's making noise to move up, especially if some of the guys in the top of the order don't start producing. We need traffic for the middle of the order.

[HudsonHawk]

I think he's pretty locked in at 9.

I'm liking having him hitting ahead of Altuve. He's a good man to start some 2-out rallies or turn the lineup over.

[subnuclear]

I'm surprised Conger didn't get the start.

He's actually worse against LHP.

[juliogotay]

I'm liking having him hitting ahead of Altuve. He's a good man to start some 2-out rallies or turn the lineup over.

yes

[BudGirl]

I like him in the nine, but he's making noise to move up, especially if some of the guys in the top of the order don't start producing. We need traffic for the middle of the order.

I'd agree if the middle of the order could plate him.

[Mr. Happy]

Springer with a 4-pitch walk, but then is picked off before the next pitch. So he kills the rally on a base on balls.

Springer is not only an enigma, he's a dumbass. Did he really think that Pomeranz, a portsider, was going to continue to let the Astros run on first move?

[doyce7]

I like him in the nine, but he's making noise to move up, especially if some of the guys in the top of the order don't start producing. We need traffic for the middle of the order.

I'm liking having him hitting ahead of Altuve. He's a good man to start some 2-out rallies or turn the lineup over.

I get the feeling that hinch is one of those guys who believe in the "double leadoff" line-up. Not sure I agree but marisnick and Altuve have done some good work in those spots

[HudsonHawk]

Nice play by Springer to save a run for the moment. That ball gets to the wall, Vogt scores.

[HudsonHawk]

Well fuck. Hanging curve makes it 5-4.

[HudsonHawk]

And is there a bigger douchebag in organized baseball than Brett Lawrie?

[HudsonHawk]

Tie game now. Wojo is throwing puss.

[HudsonHawk]

Finally the inning ends, but the A's tie it up with 3 runs, all after two outs. Wojo is done.

[HudsonHawk]

I don't see how Gattis ever gets a hit. He swings at everything. Bounces?  Swing. Over his head?  Swing.

[Navin R Johnson]

And he has one bizarre swing.

[Navin R Johnson]

Good news, Fernando Abad is up and throwing in the A's bullpen.

[HudsonHawk]

After 6 innings, still tied at 5.

[HudsonHawk]

Spurs lose to even up their series 2-2. Could be a good day.

[HudsonHawk]

A's take a 1-run lead. 6-5 with one out in the 7th.

[HudsonHawk]

Headed to the 8th. 6-5 bad guys.

[HudsonHawk]

Carter with a 1-out single. Gross man to punch run.  Surely he'll be stealing.

[HudsonHawk]

Grossman does not steal, so I'm not sure of the point of him running. Rasmus singles and Grossman to 3b. Had he taken second it would have tied the game. Which I thiught was the point of Grossman.

[HudsonHawk]

Marwin with a chance to tie it up...fails miserably, taking strike three.

[Navin R Johnson]

Feels like this just isn't the Astros day...

[doyce7]

Marwin with a chance to tie it up...fails miserably, taking strike three.

Was a ball. Bad call by ump

[doyce7]

Can't afford to not score there

[HudsonHawk]

Up to Castro...who flies out weakly to RF. Perfect chance to tie it and can't get it done.

[HudsonHawk]

Was a ball. Bad call by ump

Bad call?  It was belt high on the outer half. The pitch caught all white. It wasn't even particularly close.

[HudsonHawk]

Alright boys, gotta  put up a zero and give yourself a chance in the 9th

[HudsonHawk]

Alright...heading to the 9th. Astros still chasing a run.

[chuck]

Bad call?  It was belt high on the outer half. The pitch caught all white. It wasn't even particularly close.

The third strike on Marwin was eight inches off the plate.

[HudsonHawk]

Marisnivk with a single, Altuve reaches on FC. Runners at 1B and 2B. Springer up...double steal...runners at second and third now

[HudsonHawk]

The third strike on Marwin was eight inches off the plate.

It was all plate.

[doyce7]

I love Jake marisnick

[HudsonHawk]

Springer gotta come through here.

[HudsonHawk]

The Astros simply cannot continue with Springer hitting second.

[chuck]

It was all plate.

If you're Tom Glavin it was a perfect strike. For a mere mortal it was way off the plate and not close.

[doyce7]

Good job gattis

[HudsonHawk]

Lowrie draws the IBB to load the bases for Gattis...2-run double!!! Astros take the lead

[HudsonHawk]

Somehow a second out was made, but the local broadcast didn't show it. Rasmus takes strike three with two on to end the inning. But Gattis gives the Astros the lead. I assume Gregerson will try to nail it down.

[hostros7]

The gattis at bat was aweful


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[HudsonHawk]

The gattis at bat was aweful


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If you're the A's. You can't keep throwing the same pitch. After he fouled one straight back you've got to change his eye level.

[HudsonHawk]

Sweep!!!

[Reuben]

Hell fuckin' yeah.

[subnuclear]

No way they win any of these games with last years team.

[doyce7]

No way they win any of these games with last years team.

Agreed

[HudsonHawk]

Good win. Bullpen kept them in the game...aggressive base running and a timely hit gave them the win.

[Aussie Astro]

Nice fight back for the win, now if the Rockets close out it with a sweep it will be a pretty good day all round.

[chuck]

Valbuena pinch hit for Grossman and struck out swinging for the second out.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Great come back victory!

[Reuben]

Valbuena pinch hit for Grossman and struck out swinging for the second out.

Technically, I believe Val had been a defensive replacement. Grossman pinch-ran for Carter; Val came in at 3B and Marwin moved over to 1B to replace Carter in the field.

[Navin R Johnson]

Well this is fun.

[hostros7]

If you're the A's. You can't keep throwing the same pitch. After he fouled one straight back you've got to change his eye level.

The foul tip straight back is the universal sign to mix it up.  The combination of his willingness to swing at such terrible pitches and then to crush one like that was truly awful/aweful, even though that word is made up


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[HudsonHawk]

On a general note, I like the Astros are aggressive on the bases. I can live with a few caught stealings or being picked off if you make stuff happen like they did today.

[NeilT]

.611 winning percentage.  I know it's still April, but this is fun.

[Mr. Happy]

5-1 on this road trip, which guarantees a winning trip. Woo hoo!!! Last year's team doesn't win a road trip, especially in April.

[doyce7]

Angels lose too, Astros will be in first at least a few more days

[juliogotay]

Angels lose too, Astros will be in first at least a few more days

I think all playing MiL teams in first place too. I'm watching the Hooks and they are on their way to a four game sweep of the Rangers AA team in Frisco. Correa with a 3 run HR today and McCullers is racking up the Ks.

[juliogotay]

If you're Tom Glavin it was a perfect strike. For a mere mortal it was way off the plate and not close.

That's what I saw too.

[Navin R Johnson]

That's what I saw too.

The replay/pitch tracker showed it wasn't close to being a strike. 

[Navin R Johnson]

Let me clarify.  The pitch tracker showed the pitch well off the plate.  The replay looked with the naked eye looked much much closer, to me at least.

[austro]

Let me clarify.  The pitch tracker showed the pitch well off the plate.  The replay looked with the naked eye looked much much closer, to me at least.

I would have liked to have seen an overhead shot, but that's probably not possible in that stadium unless the NRO moves a satellite around.

[hostros7]

I would have liked to have seen an overhead shot, but that's probably not possible in that stadium unless the NRO moves a satellite around.

I give Marwin the benefit of the doubt because he was so locked in on that at bat.  However, it's not wise to leave that situation in the hands of the umpire when the margins of error are thin, even if the pitch is slightly off the plate


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[HudsonHawk]

I would have liked to have seen an overhead shot, but that's probably not possible in that stadium unless the NRO moves a satellite around.

An overhead shot was what I saw and it was all plate.

[austro]

With regard to Springer's awful AB in the 8th, on those nice hits yesterday it seemed like he kept his weight well-balanced and kept his head down well, really watching the ball all the way to the bat. Today, he was back on his heels again, and his head flew open really early. It's all the more frustrating because he's got plenty of power, even if he dials back just a bit. With his power and in today's situation, all he need to do was make contact, and he was golden. But NOOOoooooo....

[jbm]

With regard to Springer's awful AB in the 8th, on those nice hits yesterday it seemed like he kept his weight well-balanced and kept his head down well, really watching the ball all the way to the bat. Today, he was back on his heels again, and his head flew open really early. It's all the more frustrating because he's got plenty of power, even if he dials back just a bit. With his power and in today's situation, all he need to do was make contact, and he was golden. But NOOOoooooo....

Agreed. Watching him limit himself is depressing. His first two ABs were like he forgot everything from the previous days. The last AB, especially the last swing, was horrible. The opposite of team oriented.  Hopefully, he grows out of it.

[JimR]

When I saw the replay of Gattis' tomahawk double, HH, I thought of your earlier comment about his swinging at everything.
 

[austro]

When I saw the replay of Gattis' tomahawk double, HH, I thought of your earlier comment about his swinging at everything.
 

Did you see the first pitch (I think) of that AB? They threw the pitch at his beard and he still swung at it.