Spring Training: Astros vs Rays 3/5/08

[Froback]

I am disappointed nobody has been covering this before now.

I am just getting on, so give me a min to get myself settled.

Quick update is Astros up 2 - 1 bottom of 3rd, but Rays have them loaded and Randolph is pitching at the moment.

[Froback]

Trying to give what has occurred to this point:

Astros brought Bourn, Pence and Wigginton because each team has to have some regulars in each game to make MLB happy.

Cruz is DHing and is 2-2 with a run and an RBI (involved in both Astros' runs).

Elvys pitched the first 2, Randolph pitched the 3rd.

Rays have left 8 on in 3 innings, but only managed 1 run.

Astros up 2 - 1 after 3.

[Froback]

Wheeler pitching (first inning for him)

Wigginton batting: ground out to Aybar (3B)
Diaz: Drives ball to CF, goes to the wall for a stand-up double.  Ball got over Upton's head.  Ball was hit right at him and he had a tough time.
Newhan batting: stroked it to CF, but caught, for 2nd out.  Newhan was in for Neikro who left with a bruised foot.  Blum moved from 2B to 1B.
Perez batting: Bad pick-off throw to 2B, bounced between Zobrist and Cannizaro, but someone was able to flag it down before Wigginton could move.  Pop-up to Navarro (the catcher).

Astros 2 Rays 1 - Middle of 4th.

[remy]

Damn... Carl Crawford just bowled over Q at the plate, forcing the ball out and (apparently) injuring Q.  ................. Guess he's staying in there, though.  Radio guys made it sound like he was hurt. 

[Bench]

Astros brought Bourn, Pence and Wigginton because each team has to have some regulars in each game to make MLB happy.

I have a feeling that those three, and especially Bourn and Pence, will be on just about every trip longer than 2 hours.

[OregonStrosFan]

I'm with the announcers (can't remember which one) on Randolph.  Caught some of his RR appearances on MiLBTV last year and seemed like he had filthy stuff, yet comes to the show and looks awful.  And it hasn't gotten any better this spring.  First 4 pitches today, for example, comes in and throws 4 straight balls (2 walks total in .2 innings).  The rest of his ST line isn't pretty either. 

Doesn't make a ton of sense to me...

[Froback]

Correction, seems Elvys was lifted in the 3rd for Randolph who got the final 2 outs, but not before he walked two.

Not sure why Hernandez was pulled with 1 out in the 3rd with only one getting on, but none scoring since 1st.  Will update if DoRay tell me what happend.

Jack Castle pitching

Zobrist batting: b(down and out)-ss-chopper up 1B line, but goes foul-f(back over screen on 3B side)-dribbler up 1B line, 3-1 for the out.  Castle did a good job covering.
Crawford batting: roller to 1B, Blum made nice pick, but quick flick couldn't be fielded by Castle cleanly, safe at 1B.  Charged as an error on Blum, wild throw was apparently way off 1B.
Upton batting:  s-b(Q snap throws to 1B and Crawford barely makes it back in)-b(up and in)-sc(good breakingball)-f(pop-up back toward DoRay booth, Crawford was moving)-stroke to LF, over Diaz's head to the fence.  Crawford knocks Q over and ball rolls to dug out, Upton scores as well.  Crawford gave Q a big shot, Q might be hurt.  Seems also Crawford was in the way between Castle who grabbed the ball and Q who was still covering home after Crawford scored.

All seems to be getting back to normal, so maybe Q not hurt.  Ruled Double and error.

Floyd batting: b-s-b-b-f-hard smash down 1B line, Blum makes the play unassisted.  2 outs
Gomes batting: fly ball to CF, Bourn makes the routine catch, for final out.

Seems there are a ton of seagulls landing on the field from time to time.  DoRay making lots of comments about it.

Astros 2 Rays 3  - End of 3

[OregonStrosFan]

Not sure why Hernandez was pulled with 1 out in the 3rd with only one getting on, but none scoring since 1st.  Will update if DoRay tell me what happend.

I thought I heard them say he'd reached his 'set pitch limit'.  Not swearin' to nothing though...

[Froback]

Couple of changes for Rays.
Gary Glover pitching
Justin Rusiano (definately spelled wrong by me) in LF

Ok, another correction it is Jack Cassel, I should at least get the Astros players names right, huh?

Q batting: b-f(back)-b(way up)-b(way high)-b walked him
Bourn batting: DoRay making comments about how Bourn is going to lead the Grapefruit league in ABs (according to Cooper) b-b(up and outside)-pop-up mile high, 3B makes play at railing (Q was running).
Cruz batting: tomahawked a hit to RF. 3-3 so far now.  Looks like someone is making the case for the 25-man roster.
Pence batting: s-b(down and out)-b(low and away)-ripped high to CF, makes the catch just shy of track, Q advances to 3rd.
Blum batting: f(back behind plate)-groudball sharply hit to 2B, makes the play for the final out.

Astros 2 Rays 3  middle of 5th.

[Froback]

I thought I heard them say he'd reached his 'set pitch limit'.  Not swearin' to nothing though...

Wait, you were listening before I was and wasn't PBPing?  WTF?

[Ty in Tampa]

Seems there are a ton of seagulls landing on the field from time to time.  DoRay making lots of comments about it.

It's a great stadium. Right on the water.

I heard Carlos got his Rodeo pass for today. The Tampa radio dook said it's written in his contract.

[Froback]

Cassel still pitching

Aybar batting: sc(big breaker)-sc(outside corner)-b(in the dirt)-b(down and in)-grounder to Wigginton, makes the play, 1 out.
Navarro batting: b-grounder to the hole, Perez makes the routine play. 2 outs
Richard batting: ss(big swing and a miss at a change-up)-ss(another big swing and a miss), guess it was a K, missed the other pitches.

Astros 2 Rays 3 After 5.

[Froback]

It's a great stadium. Right on the water.

I heard Carlos got his Rodeo pass for today. The Tampa radio dook said it's written in his contract.

Ty this seems like it would have been the perfect opportunity for you to be at the game with your Wifi to give us real PBP from the stands.

[Ty in Tampa]

Ty this seems like it would have been the perfect opportunity for you to be at the game with your Wifi to give us real PBP from the stands.

I tend to agree with you. My boss, however...

[Jacksonian]

I tend to agree with you. My boss, however...

is a fuckwit without the proper perspective on life and in need of an educational adjustment?

[Ty in Tampa]

The location of this stadium is where the Rays want to put the new ballpark. The orientation would be rotated around to face NNE and they'll have to build into the bay a bit to make it fit. Strong local opposition to the plan is building and will likely derail it.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=27.768374,-82.632836&spn=0.002345,0.005021&t=k&z=18

[Ty in Tampa]

is a fuckwit without the proper perspective on life and in need of an educational adjustment?

Something like that. I am, however, taking tomorrow and Friday off to be at the CLE and NYY games. Don't plan on PBP.

[Duman]

Heard Neikro left game with bruised foot

[Froback]

Scott Dohmann (?) pitching

Brignat at SS, Guzman at 3B, Zobrist moved to 1B, someone else at 2B they said. Perez in CF, DiFelice catching.

Wigginton: blistered down the LF line, to the wall, stand-up double.
Diaz: stroked to RF, drops in (probably shouldn't have) Diaz pushes it to 2B, and barely makes it. as the RF trapped it. Wigginton only makes it to 3B.
Newhan: b(just missed in)-infield single, scores Wigginton, Diaz stayed at 2B.
Perez: bunt up 3B line, sac allows both runners to advance.
Q: f(back to screen)-ss(chased one down and out)-b-line drive to LCF, drops in, scores Diaz.  RBI Single.
Bourn: b-b(low and inside, Bourn had to avoid being hit)-b(high)-b, walked him
Cruz looking for 4th hit: ss(tried to check)-chopper up 1B side, just foul-Chopper to right side, tried for 2, but Bourn gave a hard slide to break it up allowing Cruz to reach 1B and Newhan to score.  Q to 3rd.
Pence: b(skips away from catcher(WP), Q scores, Cruz was stealing and reached 2B)-skies it to RF, easy play for 3rd out.

Q is having a good day, almost threw out runner at 2B(Q thought he got him), took the hard shot for the error, but having good day at plate and being agressive on the bases.

Astros 6 Rays 3  Middle of 6th

[Froback]

Heard Neikro left game with bruised foot

Uhmmm

Newhan batting: stroked it to CF, but caught, for 2nd out.  Newhan was in for Neikro who left with a bruised foot.  Blum moved from 2B to 1B.

Nice to see people are enjoying my PBP.

[OregonStrosFan]

Wait, you were listening before I was and wasn't PBPing?  WTF?

Listening sporadically (starting when Randolf came it) and will step up when able to see it through (or on left coast games as needed).  Ain't labeled a 'disappointing rookie' for nothing...

[austro]

Nice to see people are enjoying my PBP.

PBP is a thankless task. Thanks.

[Duman]

Uhmmm
Nice to see people are enjoying my PBP.

Now you know why I wasn't doing play by play, I can't even keep up reading it!

[Froback]

Wright pitching

Johnson: Grounder off Wigginton, Perez grabbed it and almost got him.  Probably an error.
Zobrist: line-drive to RF, base hit.  Johnson to 2nd.
Ruggiano: b-b(down and away)-f(out of play to right side)-b(outside, runner steals 3rd, stolen off Wright, Q almost got him anyway)-grounder to Perez, who starts the DP, Johnson scores, but 2 out now.
Guzman: b(in dirt, kicks away)-b-s-b(low)-b(low) walks Guzman
Longoria: s-s-b-b(bounced infront of plate, Q knocks it down)-b(down)-f(into Astros dugout)-b(runner was moving), now 1st and 2nd
Perez: sc(fastball at knees)-ss(up and out that was chased)-f(back over roof to parking lot)-ripped hard down LF line, but foul-pop up behind plate, Q makes the play to end the inning.

DoRay talking about the potential new stadium, and questioning where the parking would be.
http://majorleaguedowntown.com is the website for TB projected stadium. according to DoRay.
Seems stadium would only seat 34,000.  Would cost $450 Mil, DoRay doubting it would pass vote.

Astros 6 Rays 4  After 6

[JimR]

i'm rooting for Cruz Jr.

[Ty in Tampa]

DoRay talking about the potential new stadium, and questioning where the parking would be.
http://majorleaguedowntown.com is the website for TB projected stadium. according to DoRay.
Seems stadium would only seat 34,000.  Would cost $450 Mil, DoRay doubting it would pass vote.

The parking would be in satellite lots on the fringes of downtown St. Pete with shuttles bringing those who wouldn't or couldn't walk to the stadium. It couldn't be in a worse part of the city from a traffic access standpoint. That alone keeps it from being a viable plan. DoRay is probably right.

[Froback]

New pitcher Scott Munter

Blum: b(fastball away)-ss(in dirt)-pop up to shallow LF, drops in for a single.  DoRay made it sound like it should have been caught.
Wigginton: b(hard fastball, low)-hit hard to CF, scores Blum, stand up RBI double.  DoRay figure it was about the hardest hit ball of day.
Abercrombie batting for Diaz: b(fastball in on hands)-ss(Wigginton taking huge leads)-b(up and in)-sc(fastball on outside corner)-f(back)-b-b, walk.  Men 1st and 2nd now.
Newhan: b(high)-b(way inside, skips to backstop as Newhan dropped to knees to avoid it, runners advance)-sc-b-fly out, Abercrombie gets caught in run-down and eventually is tagged out.  Runs scores during run-down.
Perez: b-f-hit to RF, catch made easily for 3rd out.

Now talking about Hitchcock's "The Birds" with all the seagulls around.

Astros 8 Rays 4  Middle of 7th

[Froback]

i'm rooting for Cruz Jr.

Me too.  But getting close to being a numbers game, because I like Abercrombie too.

[Froback]

GREAT tons of changes.  I will try to get them all.

Perez to 3B, Manzella in at SS.  Castillo catching, Abercrombie to LF, Gorneault to RF, Ramirez to CF, Moehler pitching.

Rodriguez: grounder to Blum, unassisted put out.
DiFelice: b(low)-b-sc(inside corner)-b(outside)-hit hard down LF line, bangs high off fence, Abercrombie throw into 2B, just misses him.  Double.
Brignac: b(inside)-b(in the dirt)-b(inside)-sc(inside corner)-high fly to LF, Abercrombie makes to play.  Runner holds at 2B.
Johnson: (Brett makes joke how every team needs a Johnson) b(breaker inside)-hard grounder to 1B, Blum snares it and tosses it to Moehler, Brett thinks Astros get a gift call of the out on a close play.

Astros 8 Rays 4 After 7

[MusicMan]

The Rays may be talented, but DoRAy were making it sound like they have severe fielding issues.

[Froback]

Kurt Birkins pitching

For those who don't know, Castillo is the friend of Tejada that Wade met when visiting Tejada in DR.

Castillo: b(low)-b(low)-b(low)-sc-b(wildly outside), walk
Ramirez: sc-grounder to 2b, setting them up for easy 6-4-3 DP.
Cruz(as DH, leaving him in to get ABs from both sides of plate): b(low)-b(low)-f(behind plate,beyond screen)-ss-b(breaker away)-rips one, foul-ss, ked to end inning.

Astros 8 Rays 4, Middle of 8th.

[Froback]

"Bottom of the 8th inning and that can only mean one thing..... The seagulls are back."
Moehler still pitching

Zobrist: s-f(back to screen)-f(back into stands)-b(low)-liner to 1B, Blum makes the play.  Brett talking about how Blum has been really good at 1B today.
Ruggiano: b-fly ball to CF, long run, drops right at fence, hustled back in, but Ramirez has no chance, double.
Guzman: s-plunked by Moehler
Hinske PH for Longoria: f(roller down 1B line)-sc(outside corner)-b(low)-b(in dirt, good block by Castillo)-b(inside)-roller to 1B, Moehler grabs it and flips to Blum, 2nd out, but runners advance to 2nd and 3rd.
Perez: sc-sc-ss(dropped by Castillo, who throws to 1B to complete the K).  Side retired.

DoRay speculating if there are more fans or seagulls there now.

Astros 8 Rays 4  After 8.

[MusicMan]

Castillo: b(low)-b(low)-b(low)-

He's going to get a reputation this way.

[Froback]

Talbot pitching.  Guess all former Astros farm hands being used.


Manzella: Ked on a devistating breaker(and only 3 pitches).  Missed most of AB, but DoRay said Talbot was dominating.
Blum: ss-ss-b-ss, Ked.  Very impressive, same breaker that Ked Manzella.
Gorneault: lined into RCF, single (5-8 on the spring)
Abercrombie: hard drive, Perez catches it on dead run for 3rd out.

Astros 8 Rays 4 heading to bottom of 9th.

[Froback]

DeJean pitching

Rodriguez: makes out, sorry missed AB.
DiFelice: fly out, missed most of AB too.
Brignac: b(inside)-f(to left side out of play)-b(outside)-grounder to 2B, throw to 1st, to end the game.


Astros WIN!

Astros 8 Rays 4

LOB: Astros 8, Rays 13.

[pravata]

Another big day for Cruz Jr.

[Froback]

Another big day for Cruz Jr.

Ok, let's put this in perspective.

Starting 8 plus 12 pitchers (assuming).  Leave 5 bench spots.
Ausmus
Blum
Loretta
These seem to be locks.  That leave 2 spots.
Erstad - Closest to a lock, IMO
Abercrombie - Already on 40-man
Cruz - Doing well in ST, previous 30-30 and glove glove winner, son of coach
Quintero - 3rd catcher, out of options

My guess is Erstad makes it and Abercrombie and Cruz are fighting for last spot, unless team really serious about Q's chances.  If so, the 3-man race.

Could it be that Erstad is odd-man out?

[pravata]

Ok, let's put this in perspective.

Starting 8 plus 12 pitchers (assuming).  Leave 5 bench spots.
Ausmus
Blum
Loretta
These seem to be locks.  That leave 2 spots.
Erstad - Closest to a lock, IMO
Abercrombie - Already on 40-man
Cruz - Doing well in ST, previous 30-30 and glove glove winner, son of coach
Quintero - 3rd catcher, out of options

My guess is Erstad makes it and Abercrombie and Cruz are fighting for last spot, unless team really serious about Q's chances.  If so, the 3-man race.

Could it be that Erstad is odd-man out?

I doubt it.  Erstad was signed to help Pence.

[Froback]

I doubt it.  Erstad was signed to help Pence.

My feeling is Erstad is a lock, too.  But then that means one of 4 things:

1) Abercrombie, Cruz are out
2) Cruz, Q are out
3) Abercrombie, Q are out
4) Only 11 Pitchers taken and 1 of the above 3 is out.

At this point you can make a good case for any of the 4.

[Duman]

I vote for option #3

BTW, I expect the first group of guys to be sent to minor league camp will happen after the game on Thursday (Minor League camp opens on Friday).