freaky game

[JimR]

Lincecum! wow!

2 Es on one play

no threats to score after Lee's RBI

Biggio's postage stamp range lets the winning run on

out 3 turns into the winning hit by hitting the bag

and the Old Reliable Ks to end it.

[Curly]

Oh yea and a host of others looking foolish at the plate.  That kid can put the mustard on it can't he!

[MikeyBoy]

Oh yea and a host of others looking foolish at the plate.  That kid can put the mustard on it can't he!

Yep, but introducing the change up the second time through the order really shut 'em down.

[HudsonHawk]

2 Es on one play

I know you have to give that error to Scott, but damn Lamb has to stop that ball.  You can't pull that ole shit with the tying run.

Post game, Lamb tried to blame the bad throw on Biggio, but it was bullshit.  He just slung the ball into RF.

[chuck]

Post game, Lamb tried to blame the bad throw on Biggio...

What, that Biggio's not fucking Gumby?

[HudsonHawk]

What, that Biggio's not fucking Gumby?

He said he was trying to lead Biggio, and that Biggio was late getting to the bag.  He said he should have waited on Biggio and just gotten the one out.  Only problem is, Biggio was fucking standing on the bag and Lamb just sailed it 10 feet wide.

[ValpoCory]

and the Old Reliable Ks to end it.

I loved Old Reliable doing his best Pudge Fisk impression on a ball 100 feet foul.

[geezerdonk]

Biggio's postage stamp range lets the winning run on

Not to mention a golden sombrero thrown in to cap off an O for the series performance.

[das]

I know you have to give that error to Scott, but damn Lamb has to stop that ball.  You can't pull that ole shit with the tying run.

Garner agrees
"You want to do everything you can to keep the ball from getting away," Garner said of the arrival of Scott's throw to third. "It's not a bad throw. You just have to do what you can to keep it from going away."
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070517&content_id=1971219&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

Post game, Lamb tried to blame the bad throw on Biggio, but it was bullshit.  He just slung the ball into RF.

I dunno.  He sounds like he knows who blew it:
"Going back in my mind, I should have been smart enough to wait until [Biggio] gets [to second base] and just take the one out, or just go ahead and throw to first," Lamb said. "I tried for the double play, and it didn't work out. I let everybody down. I let Roy down. It's a hard loss for Lidge. It should be mine."

What a fantastic game last night.  I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing except for that very last play in the top of the 12th but even that, I thought, "thems the breaks" and, of course, Ensberg's AB in the bottom of 12 just killed me.  I didn't even really need to watch it to see how it would unfold.  The only really dissapointing moment of the game for me.

I could watch a pitching matchup like that 162 games a year.  What a treat.

[Lefty]

What a fantastic game last night.  I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing except for that very last play in the top of the 12th but even that, I thought, "thems the breaks" and, of course, Ensberg's AB in the bottom of 12 just killed me.  I didn't even really need to watch it to see how it would unfold.  The only really dissapointing moment of the game for me.

I could watch a pitching matchup like that 162 games a year.  What a treat.[/b]

Pretty much sums it up.

[Houston]

I know you have to give that error to Scott, but damn Lamb has to stop that ball.  You can't pull that ole shit with the tying run.

Post game, Lamb tried to blame the bad throw on Biggio, but it was bullshit.  He just slung the ball into RF.

I know they always give the error on the throw on a play like that, but Lamb should have stopped it and should have gotten the "E." I was thinking that at the time. He came off the bag to short hop it instead of trying the catch the in-between hop. Still, the throw was right on line (unlike Lamb's throw to second) and it should have been at least knocked down.

[JimR]

I know you have to give that error to Scott, but damn Lamb has to stop that ball.  You can't pull that ole shit with the tying run.

Post game, Lamb tried to blame the bad throw on Biggio, but it was bullshit.  He just slung the ball into RF.

i do not think he was blaming Biggio at all. he blamed himself, both on judgment and execution.

[Taras Bulba]

I got a big case of Lincecum envy last night--"wow" is right.  Wish he was a 'stro.

Heard JD say something about hearing others say Lincecum's delivery might lead to problems.  He looked very fluid to me.  Any idea on that?

I like Lamb but damn it, he screwed the pooch big time.

[das]

I know they always give the error on the throw on a play like that, but Lamb should have stopped it and should have gotten the "E." I was thinking that at the time. He came off the bag to short hop it instead of trying the catch the in-between hop. Still, the throw was right on line (unlike Lamb's throw to second) and it should have been at least knocked down.

Hey, Melvin, send me an e-mail.  I have a new system and don't remember your address.  I have something I want to ask you.

[Houston]

Hey, Melvin, send me an e-mail.  I have a new system and don't remember your address.  I have something I want to ask you.

If this involves Strawberry Shortcake, I'm not interested!

[Lefty]

Heard JD say something about hearing others say Lincecum's delivery might lead to problems.  He looked very fluid to me.  Any idea on that?

I've heard people say the same, but remember reading an article where Sabean (I guess he's still the GM) had decreed that nobody in the org is to mess with his mechanics.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I've heard people say the same, but remember reading an article where Sabean (I guess he's still the GM) had decreed that nobody in the org is to mess with his mechanics.

Heres an link to an interesting article about Lincecum written a year ago befroe the draft. It gets interesting after the born to pitch bullet. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002951437_lincecum25.html

Appologies if I just recomfirmed that Caberrejerria was a Brave.

[Taras Bulba]

Heres an link to an interesting article about Lincecum written a year ago befroe the draft. It gets interesting after the born to pitch bullet. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002951437_lincecum25.html

Appologies if I just recomfirmed that Caberrejerria was a Brave.

That was a great read.  Interesting, too regarding his non-use of ice.

[Lefty]

Found it, from BA (sub only):

While he claims to have never felt soreness in his arm, some scouts believe he's a breakdown waiting to happen. San Francisco doesn't share those fears, believing he generates his power through leverage and not by overtaxing his arm. Their coaches are under strict orders not to tinker with Lincecum's mechanics.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/263376.html

[Houston]

That was a great read.  Interesting, too regarding his non-use of ice.

The Chronicle should hire that guy, but it is really a fair thing to ask one man to save an organization like that?

[JimR]

I got a big case of Lincecum envy last night--"wow" is right.  Wish he was a 'stro.

Heard JD say something about hearing others say Lincecum's delivery might lead to problems.  He looked very fluid to me.  Any idea on that?

I like Lamb but damn it, he screwed the pooch big time.

ah, errors are part of the game. i was more upset about the lack of offense against their pen and the damn ball hitting the bag.

[Taras Bulba]

The Chronicle should hire that guy, but it is really a fair thing to ask one man to save an organization like that?

We're so conditioned to the "reporting" we get from the Chronicle that it becomes notable when we see a writer who actually pens something that contains insight and information.

[HudsonHawk]

i do not think he was blaming Biggio at all. he blamed himself, both on judgment and execution.

I thought he was passing at least some blame off on Biggio.  He said several times that Biggio was late getting to the bag and that's what threw him off.  Biggio was on the bag, Lamb just made a terrible throw. 

[pravata]

ah, errors are part of the game. i was more upset about the lack of offense against their pen and the damn ball hitting the bag.

They are, but I've seen that throw from Lamb before.  He rushes.

[HudsonHawk]

They are, but I've seen that throw from Lamb before.  He rushes.

I agree.  But like Jim said, errors happen, and anytime your pitching staff holds the other team to one run through 11 innings and you don't win that game...shame on the offense.

[JimR]

I thought he was passing at least some blame off on Biggio.  He said several times that Biggio was late getting to the bag and that's what threw him off.  Biggio was on the bag, Lamb just made a terrible throw. 

he did not say he was late unless there is something other than the quote. that is your inference, isn't it?. he said he was not at the bag yet, which he was not. he tried to hit a moving target, and he threw sidearm. both are bad ideas.

Biggio was running to get to the bag when he threw. Lamb was in close, and he ball was hit hard directly to him. Biggio could not get there that quickly, but maybe he was not late. all i could see was that he was running to get there, and Lamb tried to hit him while he was moving. he definitely was not on the bag waiting for the throw. he was just arriving to cross the bag when the throw took its right turn into the OF, and Biggio was on the move.

[HudsonHawk]

he did not say he was late unless there is something other than the quote. that is your inference, isn't it?. he said he was not at the bag yet, which he was not. he tried to hit a moving target, and he threw sidearm. both are bad ideas.

He implied that Biggio somehow *caused* him to make a bad throw.  It just rubbed me the wrong way.  It sounded like "i'm not making excuses, but here's my excuse" to me.

[JimR]

He implied that Biggio somehow *caused* him to make a bad throw.  It just rubbed me the wrong way.  It sounded like "i'm not making excuses, but here's my excuse" to me.

i honestly do not think he implied that at all. i think he said "i tried to hit him while he was getting to the bag, and i should have waited on my throw." i agree with that or he could have thrown it over the bag. Biggio definitely was not there yet b/c the ball got to Lamb so fast.

[pravata]

I agree.  But like Jim said, errors happen, and anytime your pitching staff holds the other team to one run through 11 innings and you don't win that game...shame on the offense.

If it hadn't happened we'd be talking about Roy and how Berkman made a smart baserunning move taking the base to scrape a run in. 

[Jacksonian]

he did not say he was late unless there is something other than the quote. that is your inference, isn't it?. he said he was not at the bag yet, which he was not. he tried to hit a moving target, and he threw sidearm. both are bad ideas.

Biggio was running to get to the bag when he threw. Lamb was in close, and he ball was hit hard directly to him. Biggio could not get there that quickly, but maybe he was not late. all i could see was that he was running to get there, and Lamb tried to hit him while he was moving. he definitely was not on the bag waiting for the throw. he was just arriving to cross the bag when the throw took its right turn into the OF, and Biggio was on the move.

Replay at astros.com is very clear.  Biggio was 1 step from the bag and had the bag between himself and Lamb.  If Lamb throws to the bag as if Biggio is standing there it's an easy DP.  He didn't have to try to hit a moving target since it was a straightline from Lamb to second to Biggio.

[JimR]

If it hadn't happened we'd be talking about Roy and how Berkman made a smart baserunning move taking the base to scrape a run in. 

maybe.

maybe if Biggio could cover more than 6 inches in either direction, the game would still be going.

if the offense does anything against the pen, we would be doing talking about Roy for sure. i am anyway.

the only guys who do not make errors are the guys who do not play.

[pravata]

maybe.

maybe if Biggio could cover more than 6 inches in either direction, the game would still be going.

if the offense does anything against the pen, we would be doing talking about Roy for sure. i am anyway.

the only guys who do not make errors are the guys who do not play.

Hard to win scoring only 1 run.  Not easy with 2 runs neither.  The problem with Lamb is that the error he made is more indicative of a flaw in his game.  It's not a new thing, Link

[Mr. Happy]

Last night's game was fun even though we lost. Linecum was terrific, as was the Wizard. Them's the breaks. We still won the series, and we need to win series.

[Noe]

I got a big case of Lincecum envy last night--"wow" is right.  Wish he was a 'stro.

Heard JD say something about hearing others say Lincecum's delivery might lead to problems.  He looked very fluid to me.  Any idea on that?

I like Lamb but damn it, he screwed the pooch big time.

I only saw the first two innings and then I had to leave for an appointment.  WOW!  But you know, all I could think when I saw him deliver the pitch is "why does he let his arm drag behind his legs like that... he's going to develop some serious arm ouchy like that".  It looks fluid enough, but looks like he isn't using the traditional leg drive you see from a Nolan Ryan or Tom Seaver (or even the young Roger Clemens).

Mark Prior was said to have great mechanics but the overuse caused some of his problems (also a collison with Marcus Giles).  But Prior also was more arm than legs in this delivery.  I think the scouts, IMHO of course, are concerned that this kid doesn't use enough of his legs to make his delivery less taxing on the arm.

[davek]

Hard to win scoring only 1 run.  Not easy with 2 runs neither.  The problem with Lamb is that the error he made is more indicative of a flaw in his game.  It's not a new thing, Link

Also, it wasn't just the error he made, it was the error he didn't prevent... He should have kept Scott's throw in front of him...

[JimR]

Also, it wasn't just the error he made, it was the error he didn't prevent... He should have kept Scott's throw in front of him...

playing every day will make him better.

physical errors generally are no big deal to me.

[mihoba]

maybe.

maybe if Biggio could cover more than 6 inches in either direction, the game would still be going.

if the offense does anything against the pen, we would be doing talking about Roy for sure. i am anyway.

the only guys who do not make errors are the guys who do not play.

I assume you are referring to the Feliz single to start the winning rally. Was Bidge playing him up the middle? I do not remember, but isn't Feliz a dead pull hitter? I guess I'm just not convinced that the only other 2b on the team right now has more range than Biggio.

I miss Bruntlett.

[Mr. Happy]

playing every day will make him better.

physical errors generally are no big deal to me.

That's why I wish that Garner would make a 3B decision and let someone get comfortable on a daily basis there. I think that the hot corner is tough enough everyday without making it tougher every third day or so.

[JimR]

I assume you are referring to the Feliz single to start the winning rally. Was Bidge playing him up the middle? I do not remember, but isn't Feliz a dead pull hitter? I guess I'm just not convinced that the only other 2b on the team right now has more range than Biggio.

I miss Bruntlett.

no, you love Biggio.

[mihoba]

no, you love Biggio.

Yeah, but I do realize his range is nada. Is Loretta really that much better?

[Noe]

Yeah, but I do realize his range is nada. Is Loretta really that much better?

Yes.  (the play last night was horrible).

[davek]

Yeah, but I do realize his range is nada. Is Loretta really that much better?

Yes

[mihoba]

Yes.  (the play last night was horrible).

I dozed off and missed it, that's why I'm asking.

[Randy Watson]

Loretta's range is appreciably better.  So is his arm.

[mihoba]

Loretta has started only 4 games at second base this year, so I haven't had much of a chance to compare. I did notice his range at short wasn't anything to write home about, however that is skewed by watching AE out there most of the time.

I also find it interesting that Garner never has a problem sitting Bidge for a defensive replacement in the late innings with a lead. He could have had Loretta for at least two innings but he chose not to last night.

[Noe]

I dozed off and missed it, that's why I'm asking.

Biggio went into a full out slide to get to the ball that any other major league second baseman, including Loretta, definitely Burke and most assuredly Burntlett will make standing up.  Even with the slide, he picked up his glove at the last moment and the ball bounced underneath for a gift single.

Biggio has no range and you live with it (I guess) in order to allow him to play.

[Noe]

Loretta has started only 4 games at second base this year, so I haven't had much of a chance to compare.

Compare something to nothing and you have your answer.

[ian]

I loved Old Reliable doing his best Pudge Fisk impression on a ball 100 feet foul.

heh. to be fair, when he hit it i thought it was gone too. and so did everyone sitting behind home plate around me. what a heartbreaker, man.

[JimR]

heh. to be fair, when he hit it i thought it was gone too. and so did everyone sitting behind home plate around me. what a heartbreaker, man.

well, you must have been drunk. it took a hard left early on.

[MRaup]

well, you must have been drunk. it took a hard left early on.

Even Waveberg stopped flailing at it pretty fast after he hit it. He knew no amount of willing was going to keep it close to fair.

[Noe]

Even Waveberg stopped flailing at it pretty fast after he hit it. He knew no amount of willing was going to keep it close to fair.

Easily the most prime example in baseball of buttered bread strapped to a cat who is dropped from a window.  What will fall right side up... the bread or the cat?  In this case, who will lose: Benitez or Ensberg.  Looked like Benitez tried to give it up with that fat frisbee slider, but lucky for him that was MoBerg taking a swing at it.

[Bench]

buttered bread strapped to a cat who is dropped from a window.  What will fall right side up... the bread or the cat? 

I've never heard that expression before. Frankly, I'm not sure I even understand what it means, but I guarantee I will be using it from here on out if only for the fantastic image which precedes the inevitable confusion.

[Noe]

I've never heard that expression before. Frankly, I'm not sure I even understand what it means, but I guarantee I will be using it from here on out if only for the fantastic image which precedes the inevitable confusion.

I'm pretty sure I misstated the actual expression, but it's pretty close enough for me!

[HudsonHawk]

I've never heard that expression before. Frankly, I'm not sure I even understand what it means, but I guarantee I will be using it from here on out if only for the fantastic image which precedes the inevitable confusion.

Meant to state two reasonable certainties that oppose one another.  Which will win out.  Bread always falls butter side down, cats always land on their feet.  It's similar to the "irresistable force meeting the imovable object". 

[LonghornCDR]

Easily the most prime example in baseball of buttered bread strapped to a cat who is dropped from a window.  What will fall right side up... the bread or the cat? 

Possible answers here:

My favorite is the "buttered-cat turbine."

[EmirOfSchmoe]

I know you have to give that error to Scott, but damn Lamb has to stop that ball.  You can't pull that ole shit with the tying run.

Post game, Lamb tried to blame the bad throw on Biggio, but it was bullshit.  He just slung the ball into RF.

just goes to show why Lamb has never made a starting job.  The shitty part is that MoBerg cant hit.

[Limey]

Even Waveberg stopped flailing at it pretty fast after he hit it. He knew no amount of willing was going to keep it close to fair.

Don't you think there's something very wrong when you get that excited about a foul ball?

[Limey]

just goes to show why Lamb has never made a starting job.  The shitty part is that MoBerg cant hit.

Loretta can hit and play 3rd.

[davek]

Loretta can hit and play 3rd.

You looking for partial credit here?...

[VirtualBob]

just goes to show why Lamb has never made a starting job.  The shitty part is that MoBerg cant hit.

Not true, actually.  He can hit ... he just won't hit (or even swing most times).

[Limey]

You looking for partial credit here?...

Just chiming in late.  It just seems to me that the option of starting Loretta at 3rd is often overlooked in hot corner-related discussions.  I'm sure it's been considered and dismissed by Garner, but I don't know why.  He has plenty of arm and is more reliable than Clank.  Perhaps Gar just wants Lamb's bigger stick in there (NTTAWWT).

[Limey]

Not true, actually.  He can hit ... he just won't hit (or even swing most times).

Right now he can't hit.  He's so fucked up that he swings ill-advisedly at pitches that he should take, and takes pitches he should swing at.  Occasionally, he gets a fat pitch to hit and will actually swing, but then his timing is so off that he hooks or pushes it foul.

Basically the worst parts of the bible...