Astros at Dickities - 5/9/07

[homer]

Houston

Biggio
Ensberg
Berkman
Lee
Scott
Pence
Everett
Quintero
Williams

Cincinnati

Hatteberg
Phillips
Griffey
Dunn
Gonzalez
Hamilton
Encarnacion
Ross
Belisle
 

[MRaup]

Houston

Biggio
Ensberg
Berkman
Lee
Scott
Pence
Everett
Quintero
Williams

Cincinnati

Hatteberg
Phillips
Griffey
Dunn
Gonzalez
Hamilton
Encarnacion
Ross
Belisle
 

Go Astros!

Go Matty!

[Limey]

Nothing unusual in the line ups, save Freel missing from the Reds (thank fuck).

[MRaup]

Nothing unusual in the line ups, save Freel missing from the Reds (thank fuck).

Astro Killah Card Carrying Member Brandon Phillips still starting today... Fuck.

[MusicMan]

Astro Killah Card Carrying Member Brandon Phillips still starting today... Fuck.

I'm still waiting for him to get put on his ass.  The dancing around the bases has got to stop.

[homer]

I'm still waiting for him to get put on his ass.  The dancing around the bases has got to stop.

The one shoulder down trot?

[MusicMan]

That, and the hand-jive, and the "look-I'm-an-airplane" shit as he crosses the plate.

[homer]

That, and the hand-jive, and the "look-I'm-an-airplane" shit as he crosses the plate.

Wow, haven't noticed that. I usually look away in disgust long before he gets to the plate.

The jump up and ass bump also seems to be sweeping the league... I even saw the Marlins doing it. What happened to an old fashioned high five?

[Alkie]

No, no.  Now you kiss in the dugout.

Look, I'm as open minded as it gets.  Ballplayers kissing in the dugout, however......I'm not ready for.

[MRaup]

No, no.  Now you kiss in the dugout.

Look, I'm as open minded as it gets.  Ballplayers kissing in the dugout, however......I'm not ready for.

Is this the part where I say something obnoxious?

[Alkie]

Is this the part where I say something obnoxious?

Dammit, son, I can't do everything for you.

[MRaup]

Dammit, son, I can't do everything for you.

Go Belislestros!

[Alkie]

Griffey just broke his wrist and filled his vagina back up with sand.

[Amy]

Mo finally decides to swing the bat and that's the crap he swings at???  Good god.

[MRaup]

DoRay are going on and on about MattyB right now... Pretty cool.

No mention of his friendly/amazing first baseman/tutor.

[Alkie]

DoRay are going on and on about MattyB right now... Pretty cool.

No mention of his friendly/amazing first baseman/tutor.

Jeff Conine?

[MRaup]

Jeff Conine?

Shut-uppa yo face!

[Alkie]

Is this pretty bizarre for you or what?

[MRaup]

ATTABOY MATT/GOD DAMNIT LANCE...

In answer to your question, yes... Its pretty awful.

[Lefty]

Certainly pounded the strike zone that inning.

I'm stuck at work on gameday...mark, what's he throw?  Seemed to be a lot up in the zone.

[MRaup]

Heater, curve, change, and maybe a cutter/slider occasionally.

[homer]

Certainly pounded the strike zone that inning.

I'm stuck at work on gameday...mark, what's he throw?  Seemed to be a lot up in the zone.

Did not pound the zone. Astros chased fastballs up.

[Alkie]

ATTABOY MATT/GOD DAMNIT LANCE...

In answer to your question, yes... Its pretty awful.

I don't envy you.

Go Astros.

[Lefty]

Thanks guys.

The ball Ensberg K'd on looked to be shoulder high on gameday, which means it was up in his eyes I'd guess.

Can they send Woody down when White comes back?

[Alkie]

Can they send Woody down when White comes back?

Not only can we not do that, didn't we inexplicably sign him to a multiyear deal?

I was all for signing him for a year.  More than that was just crazy.

[Lefty]

Not only can we not do that, didn't we inexplicably sign him to a multiyear deal?

I was all for signing him for a year.  More than that was just crazy.

Yeah, I know.  And yeah, I can't explain the 2nd year either.  Not even an option, guaranfreakinteed money.

[homer]

Woody havening problems throwing the full 60 feet. Good thing AE plays shortstop for the Astros.

[Alkie]

How much does Drayton owe Woody when he gets released in August?

[homer]

How much does Drayton owe Woody when he gets released in August?

6.25 next year, 6.75 club option for 09.

[otterjb]

6.25 next year, 6.75 club option for 09.

So he'll make his ERA, exactly.

[Alkie]

6.25 next year, 6.75 club option for 09.

HOLY SHIT.  Are you serious???  People will look back at this past offseason and see what pitchers made and die.  Laughing.

[ybbodeus]

The one shoulder down trot?

You mean some dumb punk ass kid was moved by the Jeffrey Leonard "Hum THIS, baby one-flap down" bullshit from '87?  I am depressed.

Following the announcement of the trade of Leonard to the Brewers...
Reporter:  "Hey, Jeffrey; where ya' goin'?"
Leonard:  "Milwaukee, wherever the hell THAT is."

[matadorph]

The ball Ensberg K'd on looked to be shoulder high on gameday, which means it was up in his eyes I'd guess.

Just an ugly, ugly swingandamiss by Mo. That pitch was up near his shoulders and he missed it by quite a few inches.

[MRaup]

HOLY SHIT.  Are you serious???  People will look back at this past offseason and see what pitchers made and die.  Laughing.

Either that or be shocked that pitchers were so cheap.

[otterjb]

True, some of those contracts were/are nuts.

[Alkie]

Either that or be shocked that pitchers were so cheap.

Yeah, that's probably right.  I remember being at the 98 Winter Meetings when they announced the Kevin Brown deal and people (baseball people) thought it was the most batshit nutso contract ever.

Looking back at it almost 10 years later.....it was.

ETA:  Wow.  $105m over 7 years for a guy that averaged 9 wins a season. 

[otterjb]

Depends if the economics keep, going up, up, up. They might, who knows. 

[JimR]

Matty has two of the seven shutout innings i want.

[homer]

Hatteberg is Iceberg's idol.

[matadorph]

HOLY SHIT.  Are you serious???  People will look back at this past offseason and see what pitchers made and die. Laughing. At us fans who subsidize those salaries by paying for radio/tv feeds over the internet.

[Alkie]

...paying...

Stop doing that.

[Alkie]

Anyone have a clue where to find a list of the longest MLB contracts ever signed?

[Ty in Tampa]

You guys care if I write tonight's recap after missing the first 2 innings? (fuckin' clients)

[JaneDoe]

Matty has two of the seven shutout innings i want.

If he has 7 shutout innings, do you really think they would hand the ball to the bullpen?

[Alkie]

You guys care if I write tonight's recap

Nope.

[Alkie]

Did Belisle's stuff move like this in HS?  How did he lose a game?

[matadorph]

Did Belisle's stuff move like this in HS?  How did he lose a game?

He didn't pitch to Astro hitters.

[homer]

Berkman is a bad man.

[Alkie]

FUCK!!  WHY DO WE PITCH TO THIS FUCKER???

I love it.

Sorry Raups.

[Phil_in_CS]

is lance starting to bust out? Two nights in a row

[otterjb]

Anyone have a clue where to find a list of the longest MLB contracts ever signed?

Not sure where to find the list, but wasn't it Hampton's 8-year-deal with the Rockies?

Berkman is heating up, bigtime. 2-0 Astros.

[Ty in Tampa]

Why do they pitch to him?

[JaneDoe]

Thank goodness Berkman is showing some power.  His swing is looking lots better.

[Alkie]

Anyone know a good Reds board?  I want to lurk and see what they say about Lance.

[matadorph]

Berkman is back.

[MRaup]

FUCK!!  WHY DO WE PITCH TO THIS FUCKER???

I love it.

Sorry Raups.

2 unearned runs thanks to Encarnacion... Those don't hurt Matty's ERA.

[Lefty]

Belisle hang one, or Berk just hit a good pitch?

I think it's safe to say Lance is out of his slump.

[Alkie]

Typical Lance hits it off the end of the bat, would have been a lazy line out for anyone else, leaves the park oppo.

[Ty in Tampa]

It was up in the zone. Berkman looked like he thought he didn't get enough of it.

[JimR]

Belisle hang one, or Berk just hit a good pitch?

I think it's safe to say Lance is out of his slump.

good pitch
FB running away
Lance special to LF

[JaneDoe]

Darn Brandon Phillips.  Pence has to catch that or play the carom better.

[Alkie]

Well played there by PENCE!!!  Don't they teach physics at that fancy college in Arlington?

[JimR]

Did Belisle's stuff move like this in HS?  How did he lose a game?

yes.

he gave up way too many hits in HS for the stuff he had. he tried to be too fine sometimes. i told him when he was a soph that he was pitching like a 40 year old on the way down.

[Lefty]

good pitch
FB running away
Lance special to LF

No shame in that.

Good lord do I hate Brandon Phillips.

[Limey]

2 unearned runs thanks to Encarnacion... Those don't hurt Matty's ERA.

Prolly the only way you want to see runs put up tonight.  Thank you Not Ryan Freel.

[homer]

Berkman gives some jazz to Timmonds on the play over in the stands. Shows him his empty glove and wants the out... ball landed about 10 rows in. Everyone has a good laugh.

[Alkie]

yes.

he gave up way too many hits in HS for the stuff he had. he tried to be too fine sometimes. i told him when he was a soph that he was pitching like a 40 year old on the way down.

How the hell did HS kids hit that kind of movement?

[remy]

Anyone have a stopwatch on that lead?

[Alkie]

I'm not sure Woody Williams should still be pitching.

In the majors.

[Lefty]

Isn't that the 3rd or so time this year Woody's gotten a lead & given it right back?

[JaneDoe]

I'm not sure Woody Williams should still be pitching.

In the majors.

Can't we send him to RR?

[EasTexAstro]

Anyone have a stopwatch on that lead?

It's the Reds. The only thing that matters is how soon the pen comes in.

[otterjb]

Woody's pitching reminds me of Eddie Harris from the movie Major League. He needs to put some Crisco/Bardol/Vagisil/Snot under the bill of his cap.

[remy]

Apparently Pence!!! still hasn't mastered the quick yet graceful exit from the box on a batted ball.

[JaneDoe]

Apparently Pence!!! still hasn't mastered the quick yet graceful exit from the batter's box.

Just a little youthful enthusiasm.  But it did get a little giggle.

[otterjb]

Belisle looks like he's got a really good chance to start in the majors for awhile.

PENCE!!! with the stumble, almost faceplant, a few feet from the plate. Nice.

[loganck]

safe?   
i'll take it

[remy]

Oody helps himself with an RBI knock!

[MRaup]

Oody helps himself with an RBI knock!

We keeping Ws away from Woody?

[Alkie]

The Reds board isn't as much fun as I thought it would be.

They do PBP like we do and they have mostly the same characters, but they're not nearly as entertaining.

[JaneDoe]

The Reds board isn't as much fun as I thought it would be.

They do PBP like we do and they have mostly the same characters, but they're not nearly as entertaining.

Which one?

[JaneDoe]

Dadgumit Biggio.  Get your hits with people on base.

[remy]

We keeping Ws away from Woody?

Pregame on FSN doing the "keys to the game," one of JD's was Oody Illiams.  Because he's still trying to find a W,  hyuk hyuk.

[Alkie]

I like the sign in the restaurant when they run out of "S"s.


PLEASE  EAT YOUR ELF.

[EasTexAstro]

Dadgumit Biggio.  Get your hits with people on base.

He didn't want to get Matt's ERA up and an error wouldn't add to the totals....

He's saving energy and keeping Matt in the game.

[JimR]

Isn't that the 3rd or so time this year Woody's gotten a lead & given it right back?

he hit a HR on a ball at about his neck. not a bad pitch.

[homer]

I've noticed that Scott has found a hat that actually fits his head. Hasn't blown off in the last few games.

[JimR]

How the hell did HS kids hit that kind of movement?

we played some good teams, i guess. he was 90-92 his junior year, maybe a little more overhand but not much.

[Alkie]

Alrightee then.

I just posted on the Reds board that Narron isn't their problem, since he isn't the one committing the errors or blowing up in the 7th-9th innings and was given "by that logic, the manager is never responsible, since he never plays."

[matadorph]

Phillips flies out to Luuuke
Uncle Junyah hits a screaming one-hopper to Lance, Twinkie takes it to the bag.
Dunn walks. Woody wanted nothing of him.
Gonzalez hits a soft doink in front of the plate, Quintero grabs and throws to first for the third out.

[remy]

Gotta love that hustle!

Glad he didn't fall down that time.   

[EasTexAstro]

Doray just mentioned the great job Brian McTaggard does covering the Astros minors leagues....

[Lefty]

he hit a HR on a ball at about his neck. not a bad pitch.

Gotcha.  Haven't seen any of this game, but it's uncanny how Woody can look like he's really struggling, and then you look up and he's gone ~ 6IP/3R.  Not pretty, but pretty functional.

[remy]

Holy mother of god, some of these Reds are awful fielders.  They're calling it a single for AE though.  Runners on the corners, 1 out for Q.

[otterjb]

Reds SS = very good fielder
Reds 3B = not so much

[EasTexAstro]

Gotcha.  Haven't seen any of this game, but it's uncanny how Woody can look like he's really struggling, and then you look up and he's gone ~ 6IP/3R.  Not pretty, but pretty functional.

That is what he is paid for. Just eat innings respectably and hand it over with a chance to win.

[Navin R Johnson]

they got the astros signs

[remy]

Damn it, that really sucked.... on multiple levels.  Didn't get the run home, and have to lead off with Oody next inning.

[JaneDoe]

They must know our "run" sign. 

Sorry, did not mean to echo you. 

[otterjb]

So, anyone got an in-game Belisle, '07 ERA spreadsheet running?

[Lefty]

they got the astros signs

Pitch out?

[JaneDoe]

Pitch out?

Yep.  Can you not watch or hear the game?

[matadorph]

Scott grounds out weakly to first
Pence taps a soft one down the first base line, outhustles a hustling Belisle and beats the underhanded toss to first.
AE bounces a hard chopper off the heel of Encarnacion's glove into RF, Pence to third, AE at first.
Adam attempts to steal, gets nailed on a pitchout.
Q Ks swinging.

[JimR]

observations:

Encarnacion is awful. should have been three errors

Pence is pulling off the ball so much it is a wonder he is making any contact

how about Ensberg for Belisle and ? they need a 3B.

[Lefty]

That is what he is paid for. Just eat innings respectably and hand it over with a chance to win.

Not sure he eats them as much as gums 'em.

[Lefty]

Yep.  Can you not watch or hear the game?

Double yep.  Stuck in the office supervising a sack of retards.

Can't get a lot of the little stuff with gameday.

[Alkie]

Double yep.  Stuck in the office supervising a sack of retards.

I sincerely hope you don't mean "children with disabilities" and more "middle managers."

[Alkie]

homer, how long do you think it'll take the Reds fans to figure out we're not Reds fans?

[Navin R Johnson]

Not sure he eats them as much as gums 'em.

this is his fourth good start in a row

6IP two runs. 

The Yankees are paying twenty-eight mil for that.   

[Lefty]

I sincerely hope you don't mean "children with disabilities" and more "middle managers."

Uh, more the latter.  With a couple of gophers thrown in for good measure.

[homer]

homer, how long do you think it'll take the Reds fans to figure out we're not Reds fans?

Uh, you made it obvious for yourself. I can't even get a conversation going.

[matadorph]

Hamilton flies out to Lee
Encarnacion hits a deep fly to Pence in right center, two down.
Ross battles Woody, fouls off a bucket of pitches, finally hits a lazy fly to Pence for the third out.

Good job WW.

[Alkie]

Uh, you made it obvious for yourself. I can't even get a conversation going.

SEE.  That's what I was trying to TELL you.

[remy]

Great reaction time by the kid there.

[JaneDoe]

Great play by Matt Belisle.  Ok, the 7th is over.  We want the PEN. We want the PEN.

[Alkie]

Reds PEN.  Reds PEN.  Reds PEN.

[Alkie]

We want the PEN. We want the PEN.

Creepy.

[Lefty]

Think Woody would have appreciated a bit more than a 4 pitch inning right there.

[matadorph]

Woody flies out to left
Biggio rips one up the middle that Belisle stabs for the second out.
Ensberg swings at the first pitch he sees and hits a lazy fly to right.

[JaneDoe]

Creepy.

Yep, you're stalking my posts.  Should I get a restraining order?

[Alkie]

Yep, you're stalking my posts.  Should I get a restraining order?

Odds are good.

Or did you mean for me?

[remy]

Garner going to the pen.

What a great outing from Oody.  Hopefully he'll be dropping that nickname after tonight.

[Navin R Johnson]

nice outing for woody.

[otterjb]

That's a great, grinding start for woody, oody, oody.

[JimR]

he can still pitch in the big leagues.

who is in?

[Alkie]

he can still pitch in the big leagues.

Yep.  When he threw 40 not so happy pitches over the first 2 innings, he didn't looked good.

He settled down and did a hell of a job.

[Bench]

Big applause for Woody. Another very solid outing.

[remy]

Seems like that's been the trend with him... start weak, finish strong.

[homer]

he can still pitch in the big leagues.

who is in?

lidge

[matadorph]

Freel pinch hits for Belisle, fouls out to B erkman
Hatteberg hits a meek grounder to Biggio, two down
Garner calls on Lidge to pitch to current Astro-killah Brandon Phillips
Lidge induces Phillips to chase one on the outside black, grounder gobbled up by Biggio, side retired.

[Savage]

My favorite Reds relief pitcher!

[Navin R Johnson]

Yes, the Reds bullpen.

[remy]

BULLY! BULLY!

[otterjb]

My favorite Reds relief pitcher!

The question is if he gets a visit from the Reds pitching coach, Mr. DP.

[remy]

Speaking of DP.  Well, the other DP...

Lee was safe as hell there.

[loganck]

I was amazed Lee beat out the double play. 
And then he was called out anyway.

[Ty in Tampa]

That was a bad, bad call.

[remy]

I'm so sick of back fucking umpiring.  It seems epidemic the last couple years.

[Navin R Johnson]

they never showed a real good replay, but the one they showed sure made it look like Lee was safe.  Good to see him bust it down the line.

[matadorph]

Lefty Coutlangus in to turn Berkman around

Berkman walks
Lee hits into a lame 1-6-3 double play, doesn't like the call at first.
Luke smashes a single to the left of a diving Phillips
Pence gets jammed, flies out to Gonzalez in shallow LF.

[Lurch]

Good test for Motel Lidge

[remy]

Very big test for Lidge here this inning.

And he almost just blew it.  Whew.



get out of my brain josh!

[Navin R Johnson]

exhale

[homer]

man, griffey just missed that one.

[remy]

just made dunn his County Strong bitch.

i freaking LOVE the 8th inning Brad Lidge.  Gonzales groundout, 3 up 3 down.

[otterjb]

Nasty, nasty, nasty stuff from Lidge to Dunn, there.

[Lurch]

just made dunn his County Strong bitch.

i freaking LOVE the 8th inning Brad Lidge.  Gonzales groundout, 3 up 3 down.

96-97 on the gun, too.  Wasnt he hovering in the low 90s while struggling?

[Ty in Tampa]

96-97 on the gun, too.  Wasnt he hovering in the low 90s while struggling?

He's obviously trusting his stuff.

[JimR]

Very big test for Lidge here this inning.

And he almost just blew it.  Whew.

almost just blew it? that did not get to the track. WTF?

[matadorph]

Lidge still in

Griffey hits a towering, cacophonous out to Luke in deep right center that causes Brad to grimace. Whew.
Dunn gets fooled badly, Ks swinging
Gonzalez bites at the first offering from Lidge, grounds out to AE.

FUCK YEAH Lidge.

[homer]

He's obviously trusting his stuff.

His 12-6 slider is pretty unhittable.

[remy]

96-97 on the gun, too.  Wasnt he hovering in the low 90s while struggling?

From what I recall, the only way he could get the fastball where he wanted was to slow it down to 93-94.  When he'd try to fire it in there at 97+, he'd be wild.

[remy]

almost just blew it? that did not get to the track. WTF?

The crowd's gasp was a lot more dramatic than the fly itself, I'll give you that.  But I'm still in cringe mode anytime I see a ball with that trajectory hit off of lidge.

[loganck]

holy shit.  is that Chavez?
what's with these fat catchers trying to bunt for a hit?

[JimR]

The crowd's gasp was a lot more dramatic than the fly itself, I'll give you that.  But I'm still in cringe mode anytime I see a ball with that trajectory hit off of lidge.

oh, bullshit. go read another Justice blog.

[Ty in Tampa]

Koo Kah's again.

[otterjb]

Two more outs for Wheels...

[matadorph]

Saarloos on to pitch

AE pops up to Encarnacion, crowd cheers derisively as he squeezes it for the out.
Q Ks looking at a beauty of a pitch on the outside corner
Lamb PH for Lidge, spanks one past Phillips for his fourth pinch-hit single.
Burke pinch-runs for Lamb
Biggio hits a grounder to Gonzalez who flips to Phillips for the force at second.

[homer]

Two hanging sliders to Encarnacion.

[Ty in Tampa]

Oooooo-kay.

[utastro]

And WW gets the W.

[otterjb]

Very nice win for the good guys.

[matadorph]

Wheels on

Hamilton hits a screamer right at Pence, one down
Encarnacion gets a big mistake from Wheeler in the form of a hanging slider, doesn't make him pay, lines out to Lee in left.
Valentin walks on four pitches
Conine Ks swinging on a nasty pitch from Wheeler

Astros win.

[HudsonHawk]

Attaway to get 'em boys...pound the ol' Budweiser!

[Bench]

Is there someway it could be arranged that for every game against the Pirates, the Reds show up instead?

Another great game. Pitching and defense... those are important things? I wonder what Encarnacion has to say on the subject.

[JimR]

Attaway to get 'em boys...pound the ol' Budweiser!

day off for Wheels tomorrow...please!

Bradley Lidge is not far away from a return to his spot, imo. he has been nasty.

[Limey]

Up the Central league we go!

[chuck]

Sadly I was unable to watch tonight's game. This was a thread that was a lot of fun to scroll through for a number of different reasons.

The one thing that stood out as I looked at the box score was Lidge:

IP: 1.1
BB: 0

I gather that Junior sent a ball out to the warning track. OK. How was Lidge's fastball? Did he have good location?

[JimR]

Sadly I was unable to watch tonight's game. This was a thread that was a lot of fun to scroll through for a number of different reasons.

The one thing that stood out as I looked at the box score was Lidge:

IP: 1.1
BB: 0

I gather that Junior sent a ball out to the warning track. OK. How was Lidge's fastball? Did he have good location?

10 feet short of the track. the FB was on him too quick to get the bat head out. humongous uppercut swing, as usual, but a high fly ball was all.

[Noe]

10 feet short of the track. the FB was on him too quick to get the bat head out. humongous uppercut swing, as usual, but a high fly ball was all.

The Griffey swing gave everyone rise to think he actually got it all.  It was a mirage, he was late on the ball and didn't get it at all.  His beautiful swing actually made the ball travel as far out to deep right field as it did (two feet short of the warning track), any other mortal man's swing either hits that ball weakly to left or foul backwards.  Lidge was aggressive going after the hitters last night, he knew what he was doing and just basically went out and did it.

From what I saw, he was never in trouble nor unsure of what he wanted to do no matter who was in the batters box.

[Ty in Tampa]

From what I saw, he was never in trouble nor unsure of what he wanted to do no matter who was in the batters box.

This is what I saw, too. I felt strangely calm when Junyah swung.

[WulawHorn]

The Griffey swing gave everyone rise to think he actually got it all.  It was a mirage, he was late on the ball and didn't get it at all.  His beautiful swing actually made the ball travel as far out to deep right field as it did (two feet short of the warning track), any other mortal man's swing either hits that ball weakly to left or foul backwards.  Lidge was aggressive going after the hitters last night, he knew what he was doing and just basically went out and did it.

From what I saw, he was never in trouble nor unsure of what he wanted to do no matter who was in the batters box.

I thought it was gone off the bat- It wasn't really all that close in reality- but it was a breathless second waiting for the camera to pan out to RF.