Astros @ Cubs, 4-4-08

[mihoba]

Lineups:

Astros

Bourn CF
Pence RF
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Tejada SS
Wigginton 3B
Loretta 2B
Towles C
Sampson P

Cubs

Soriano LF
Theriot SS
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Fukudome RF
DeRosa 2B
Soto C
Pie CF
Hill P

[mihoba]

Hill on the hill

Bourn: called strike, curve strike, tapped to first, Lee scoops, casually jogs to first, Bourn almost beats it. Lee learned his lesson.

Pence: Pop to second. *yawn*

Berkman: ball, ball, ball high, called strike, shot to third, ARam fires to first, side retired.

Fuck the Cubs.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bourn: called strike, curve strike, tapped to first, Lee scoops, casually jogs to first, Bourn almost beats it. Lee learned his lesson.

Fuck the Cubs.

Damn Bourn is fast.  Missed reaching 1B safely inches.

[MusicMan]

Pinella's continued use of Soriano to lead off fascinates me.  In a morbid kind of way.

[mihoba]

Sampson on the bump

Soriano: fouled back, ball inside, ball outside, fouled back, grounded to short, routine, 1 down

Theriot: roller to second, Loretta easy play, two down

Lee: ball, ball outside, inside strike, fouled into the RF stands, inside out swing on an inside heater, pop to RF, side retired

Fuck the Cubs

[mihoba]

Pinella's continued use of Soriano to lead off fascinates me.  In a morbid kind of way.

JD is getting a kick out of Pinella's idea lasted a whole two games.

[JimR]

Pinella's continued use of Soriano to lead off fascinates me.  In a morbid kind of way.

i feel the same way about Pence batting 2nd and Loretta batting 6th.

[MusicMan]

i feel the same way about Pence batting 2nd and Loretta batting 6th.

True enough.  I think this gets resolved when Kaz mcomes back, but the change should be made sooner.

[remy]

Holy crap, that was the best reaction to a HBP I have ever seen.

[Anit]

nice finesse from towles

[OregonStrosFan]

Holy crap, that was the best reaction to a HBP I have ever seen.

Never seen a handstand on home plate before...

[mihoba]

Hill pitching

Lee: FB, pop to 2B, easy, 1 down

Tejada: curve bends in for a strike, curve for a ball, liner between Lee and the 1B bag into the RF corner, double

Wiggy: foul, FB low, curve in the dirt that bounces away from Soto but Tejada stays at 2nd. ball, ball for a walk

Loretta: curve drops in for a strike, FB popped behind first, Lee snatches it going back, 2 down

Towles: Nailed on the back thigh with a heater, bases loaded (Towles did a handstand, weird)

Sampson: fouled back, curve for a ball almost gets away, FB fouled back, missed a curve for strike three, side retired

Fuck the Cubs

[Greg M]

Encouraging to load the bases.  Hopefully Hill will continue to be wild.

[remy]

Never seen a handstand on home plate before...

He held it for like 2 seconds, and pivoted... that was beautiful.

[pravata]

JD is getting a kick out of Pinella's idea lasted a whole two games.

here's the Chicago angle
http://www.spikesnstars.com/forums/index.php?topic=105383.msg187495#new

[Matt]

A handstand?

[MusicMan]

Sampson provides Pinwheel another excuse to talk about the lack of "clutch hitting".

[BudGirl]

A handstand?

Yes, a handstand.

I have no doubt it will end up on every recap of this game.

[mihoba]

Sampson takes the ball

Ramirez: FB high, low FB popped to Pence, 1 down

Fukudome: lines a single to center

DeRosa: misses a good slider, slider outside, low FB grounded hard to Tejada right by the bag, flip to Loretta, easy DP, 3 down

Fuck the Cubs, someone else take over PBP?

[MusicMan]

The infield defense thus far this season is pleasing to me.

[Matt]

Yes, a handstand.

I have no doubt it will end up on every recap of this game.

The game is DVRing at home so I'll have to wait another 5 hours to check it out.  Sounds interesting anyways.

[JackAstro]

Thanks for the PBP, mihoba

[MusicMan]

TAKE A F***ING PITCH, SPAZ!!!

You're the damn 2 hitter!!!!!

[BudGirl]

beyond the fact that he doesn't give bourn a chance to steal, hill is not exactly masterig the strike zone.

[mihoba]

Thanks for the PBP, mihoba

You're welcome. Who's got it? I'll do three complete.

[mihoba]

Hill pitching

Bourn: ball, ball, ball, called strike, ball high for a walk

Pence: grounder to second, Bourn is forced, Pence safe at 1B, FC

Berkman: pitchout, fly to left, 2 down

Lee: strike, strike, long foul, roller to third, side retired.

Fuck the Cubs

[mihoba]

Sampson on the bump

Soto: first pitch swinging, long fly to RF, Pence near the track, 1 down

Pie: ball, grounder to Berkman, steps on the bag, 2 down

Hill: foul, foul, ball high, ball outside, high FB missed, side retired.

Fuck the Cubs

[Limey]

Do the Cubs really have someone called F. Pie?

[BudGirl]

yes, they really do

[MusicMan]

Do the Cubs really have someone called F. Pie?

In somewhat related news, WGN is on a 30 second delay for Santo's attempts to pronounce Kosuke Fukudome.

[Gizzmonic]

Do the Cubs really have someone called F. Pie?

After the McCartney album no doubt.

Once I get to my office I might be able to help with PBP, although it will be PBP filtered through Pat whats his name and Ron Santo from the XM radio feed.

[mihoba]

Felix Pie, prounced 'pee-a' of twisted testicle fame.

ETA spun nut

[Lefty]

Do the Cubs really have someone called F. Pie?

That's pee-eh to you.  Guess he's French.

[Bench]

The game is DVRing at home so I'll have to wait another 5 hours to check it out.  Sounds interesting anyways.

Holy crap. How did I forget to set the DVR two days in a row?

[Anit]

so is towles the first player in mlb history to both handstand and homer in the same game?

[Ebby Calvin]

Towles!

[remy]

Noe, is towles the first player in mlb history to both handstand and homer in the same game?

fify

[Matt]

Holy crap. How did I forget to set the DVR two days in a row?

Too much to drink?

[Matt]

Towles is kind of a goofy looking ginger kid but so far I like him.

[BudGirl]

tejada - ball, foul, bll, strike, foul, swinging strike - 1 out

wiggington - strike, foul, ball, swinging strike - 2 out

loretta - ball, ball, foul, ball,  ball - walk

towles - strike, HR (1) - 2 runs scored 

sampson - strike, swinging strike, 4-3 GO 3 out

middle of the 4th, 2-0 Astros

[pravata]

Towles is kind of a goofy looking ginger kid but so far I like him.

favorite person in the world right now.  Him and Sampson.

[BudGirl]

Trivia - who beat the cubs in the '45 world series?

[Matt]

favorite person in the world right now.  Him and Sampson.

Sounds like Sampson is pitching his ass off.

[das]

The infield defense thus far this season is pleasing to me.

Michael Bourn!  Sweet diving catch in left center to rob a doub from Soriano!

[MusicMan]

Gawd, I love having a center fielder again.

[BudGirl]

soriano - ball, ball, swinging strike, (his eye glare stuff looks stupid), bourne is a God.  Absolutely beautiful robbing catch.  1 out

theriot - strike, F8 - 2 out

lee - foul, F8, 3 out

End of 4, Astros 2, them none

trivia answer detroit, hal newhouse won game 7

[Bench]

Too much to drink?

I think I simply forgot the basic function of a DVR.

Likely they'll replay it tonight anyway. I always enjoy coming home from a bar and lying on the coach drifting off to the 2 am replay of that day's game.

[Jacksonian]

Sampson efficient through 4 with just 33 pitches thrown.

[MusicMan]

Berkman falls for the DeRosa deke on Lee's liner to LF.  So much for the new, improved baserunning.

1st and 2nd, 2 out.

[BatGirl]

I think I simply forgot the basic function of a DVR.

Likely they'll replay it tonight anyway. I always enjoy coming home from a bar and lying on the coach drifting off to the 2 am replay of that day's game.

nttawwt, but coop looks like he would be kinda lumpy to sleep on.

[JimR]

Berkman falls for the DeRosa deke on Lee's liner to LF.  So much for the new, improved baserunning.

1st and 2nd, 2 out.

not his fault on that.

[MusicMan]

Do-Ray right: Astro hitters are spitting on the curve right now.

[BudGirl]

bourn - ball, swinging strike, ball, strike, called strike - 1 out

pence - strike, ball, swinging strike, ball, foul, F8 - 2 out

berkman - ball, hit past the ss for a single

lee - foul, lee got a hit to lf, berkman was stealing 2b, has no idea what happened.  runners on 1 & 2 2 outs

tejada - strike, ball, ball, strike, ball, L3 - 3 out

middle of 5, Astros  2, them 0

[BudGirl]

Berkman was in total steal mode.  i'm glad it was a hit because i thought he might have gotten doubled off.

[Gleek]

nttawwt, but coop looks like he would be kinda lumpy to sleep on.

I think he ment Jim.

[Ebby Calvin]

Berkman was in total steal mode.  i'm glad it was a hit because i thought he might have gotten doubled off.

i think there were 2 outs at the time.

[Gleek]

i think there were 2 outs at the time.

yup

[JimR]

Tejada was not F3. Lee backhanded a hard liner headed to RF.

[MRaup]

Just in case y'all haven't checked it out yet... MLB.com's gameday scoreboard updates with clips of the big plays right after they happen. For example, I just watched the replay of Bourne's diving catch. Its actually pretty sweet.

[BudGirl]

ramirez - F3 - 1 out

fukedome - strike, ball, ball, (lieber warming up) 3U - 2 out (38th pitch for sampson)

derosa - ball, ball, lined into cf for a single

soto - strike, ball (good block by jr), foul (steve bartman territory), F8 - 3 out

end of 5 - Astros 2, them 0

[Tralfaz]

Anyone else with MLB gameday audio unable to log onto the game?

[Jacksonian]

Just in case y'all haven't checked it out yet... MLB.com's gameday scoreboard updates with clips of the big plays right after they happen. For example, I just watched the replay of Bourne's diving catch. Its actually pretty sweet.

It is very excellent.  Requires a download of Microsoft's Silverlight if you don't have it.  Wasn't a big deal to do either.

[BudGirl]

wiggington - 5-3 - 1 out

loretta - strike, ball, F7 - 2 out

towles - ball, ball, foul, F9 - 3 out

Middle 6 - Astros 2, them 0

[BudGirl]

Tejada was not F3. Lee backhanded a hard liner headed to RF.

how else would you score it?

[gwat]

Anyone else with MLB gameday audio unable to log onto the game?

I can't even get regular gameday at work right now. Just white boxes where the field and boxscore are supposed to be.

[MusicMan]

Just in case y'all haven't checked it out yet... MLB.com's gameday scoreboard updates with clips of the big plays right after they happen. For example, I just watched the replay of Bourne's diving catch. Its actually pretty sweet.

I thought it would be  agreat feature, but the video never stops buffering for me.

[MusicMan]

how else would you score it?

L3, or 3.

[Froback]

I can't even get regular gameday at work right now. Just white boxes where the field and boxscore are supposed to be.

I am getting it to work fine.

[MusicMan]

I can't even get regular gameday at work right now. Just white boxes where the field and boxscore are supposed to be.

Gameday and audio both working fine.

[BudGirl]

L3, or 3.

hmm, I've never used L like that, but I can now.

[Tralfaz]

Good to know, thanks!

[JimR]

how else would you score it?

L-3
line-3

my point was it was not a pop fly.

[BudGirl]

pie - bunt foul, ball, F9 - 1 out

johnson - pinch hitting for hill, ball, strike, high off the lf wall for a double

soriano - his eyes make him look like a clown, 3-1, johnson to 3rd,  2 out

theriot - strike, swinging strike, check swing foul, 5-3, good stretch by berkman, 3 out

end of 6, Astros 2, them 0

[BudGirl]

L-3
line-3

my point was it was not a pop fly.

i know, that is why i asked how you would score it.

[MusicMan]

Sampson hits for himself opening the 7th.  Lieber in for Hill.

[matadorph]

hoo boy, if Sampson keeps pitching like this, Alkie might return from his self-imposed exile.

[Matt]

hoo boy, if Sampson keeps pitching like this, Alkie might return from his self-imposed exile.

We'll see a return of the Sampson spreadsheet.

[JimR]

hoo boy, if Sampson keeps pitching like this, Alkie might return from his self-imposed exile.

we await breathlessly.

[BudGirl]

lieber pitching

sampson - strike, swinging strike, 1-3, 1 out,

bourn - foul, ball, foul, swinging strike, 2 out

pence - swinging strike, swinging strike, foul, roller in front of the plate, 2-3, 3 out

middle 7, astros  2, them 0

[Gleek]

hoo boy, if Sampson keeps pitching like this, Alkie might return from his self-imposed exile.

I miss the inning by inning Sampson ERA updates.

[MusicMan]

I miss the inning by inning Sampson ERA updates.

0.00, thru 6.

(Note to BBGs: I do this only to mock the concept, not to tempt thee...)

[Gleek]

Oops, Matt beat me to it.

[JimR]

0.00, thru 6.

(Note to BBGs: I do this only to mock the concept, not to tempt thee...)

living dangerously

dammit! see what you did.

[MusicMan]

living dangerously

You know us CPAs.

[Greg M]

Could have used Matsui there.

[JimR]

You know us CPAs.

2 hits and no outs since you popped off

[JimR]

great job, MM

[MusicMan]

I am banging my head against the desk.

[Gleek]

GODDAMMIT!  SHITFUCK!

[BudGirl]

wright coming in to pitch

[Duman]

I am banging my head against the desk.

Let us help you

[pravata]

I am banging my head against the desk.

There will be chicken!

[matadorph]

Tough play but Wigginton should've made it. Damnshitfuck.

[OregonStrosFan]

great job, MM

don't think gleek should get off scott-free either on this...

[MusicMan]

don't think gleek should get off scott-free either on this...

I took it too far, the fault is mine.

[JimR]

Tough play but Wigginton should've made it. Damnshitfuck.

bullshit! the ball was hit like a rocket two feet to his left.

you must have been one great player.

[Gleek]

don't think gleek should get off scott-free either on this...

I'll take my lumps.

[MusicMan]

4-6, Wright gets them out of it.

C'mon, bats.

[BudGirl]

lee - strike, 6-3 - 1 out

ramirez - strike, ball, ball, foul, ground ball to wiggington, unable to make the play, runner at 1st

fukedome - ball, (wesley wright warming up in the pen) ball past a diving loretta, runners on 1st and 2nd

derosa - ball, strike, foul, foul, 5-3, runners on the corners, 2 out

robinson visiting Sampson on the mound

soto - lined into lf for a single past a diving wiggington, runner on 1st , 2 out, 2 runs scored.

cooper removed sampson, wright coming in to pitch

pie - strike, ball, strike, ball, foul, foul, 4-6, 3 out

end of 7, Astros 2, them 2

[BudGirl]

Tough play but Wigginton should've made it. Damnshitfuck.

disagree.

[Gleek]

I hate the fucking Cubs.  Comon offense lets go back to work.

[matadorph]

bullshit! the ball was hit like a rocket two feet to his left.

you must have been one great player.

yes, i was.

[JimR]

yes, i was.

boy, i wish i had seen you. it must have been awesome.

[JimR]

I hate the fucking Cubs.  Comon offense lets go back to work.

you should hate Sampson's get ahead FB middle in to Soto.

[Gleek]

me likey, Twinkie on base.

[Gleek]

you should hate Sampson's get ahead FB middle in to Soto.

that too.

[MusicMan]

"Berkman - who, let's face it, has been a running machine..."

When did you think you'd hear that phrase?

[Anit]

nice play soriano..

tejada comes through

[mihoba]

Yes!! Soriano made a boo-boo

[Twoniner]

  It is nice to play the Cubs.

[drew corleone]

Oops.

[MusicMan]

Tejada doubles down the 2b line, Berkman all the way home when Soriano loses the ball in LF.

[Gleek]

HELL YEAH!

[Froback]

I love Soriano in the OF..... of the opposing team.

[matadorph]

awesome job, Alfonso!

Tejada is impressive.

[Holly]

"Berkman - who, let's face it, has been a running at the mouth machine..."

When did you think you'd hear that phrase?

FIFT?

[JimR]

Tejada plays hard. i like him a lot.

[drew corleone]

Forgive me if I'm a few pages (or years) late, but when did it become "pee-AY" instead of "pee-AIR"?

[MusicMan]

Tejada moved to 3b on the error, and comes home on Wigginton's SF.

4-2 Astros.

[pravata]

error on the 2b allowed Berkman to get on in the first place. 

[Froback]

The biggest inning of a game is the half inning after a team scores.


Astros answer back with another 2 spot!

SWEET!

[MusicMan]

Tejada plays hard. i like him a lot.

He is better at SS than I was led to believe.

[Bench]

Tejada moved to 3b on the error, and comes home on Wigginton's SF.

4-2 Astros.

Awesome.

[mihoba]

Tejada plays hard. i like him a lot.

I do too.

[MusicMan]

Geary warming to pitch the 8th.

[BudGirl]

lieber pitching

berkman - E4 (bobbled)

lee - strike, swinging strike, F8, runer on 1st, 1 out

tejada - ball, swinging strike, foul, fair into lf corner, goes past soriano to the wall, tejado to 3rd, berkman scores, pinella coming out to talk, no error scored, ruled a triple

wiggington, F8 (sac fly), tejada scores, 2 out

loretta - ball, ball, foul, 5-3, 3 out

middle of 8, astros 4, them 2

[drew corleone]

Nevermind. Disregard the previous question.

[Anit]

Tejada moved to 3b on the error, and comes home on Wigginton's SF.

4-2 Astros.

as of right now, official score has it as a triple..dont know about that one

[BudGirl]

Tejada moved to 3b on the error, and comes home on Wigginton's SF.

4-2 Astros.

it was not ruled an error.

[Bench]

He is better at SS than I was led to believe.

Me too.

[MusicMan]

My mistake; the official homer scorer ruled Tejada's hit a triple, not a double plus error.

[JimR]

lieber pitching

berkman - E4 (bobbled)

lee - strike, swinging strike, F8, runer on 1st, 1 out

tejada - ball, swinging strike, foul, fair into lf corner, goes past soriano to the wall, tejado to 3rd, berkman scores, pinella coming out to talk, no error scored, ruled a triple

wiggington, F8 (sac fly), tejada scores, 2 out

loretta - ball, ball, foul, 5-3, 3 out

middle of 8, astros 4, them 2

a triple? wow! Soriano must have a "no errors" clause in his contract.

[matadorph]

the official scorer is drunk.

[Gleek]

I do too.

Me three.

[Froback]

He is better at SS than I was led to believe.

I have not seen enough to judge that just yet, but I am pleased to learn that he gives 100% all the time.  And I have learned about his love for the game.

He might be one of those throw back kind of guys who used to make comments like, "I would have played for food money if it meant being able to play ball.."  

VERY nice to see that type of player still on the club after Biggio and Bagwell have moved on.

[BudGirl]

cedeno announced as the pinch hitter, wright pulled for brocail

[pravata]

a triple? wow! Soriano must have a "no errors" clause in his contract.

In the interest of accuracy, I dont think Lance is going to go up and argue with the scorer this time.  Put that one in your pocket Torpedo!

[BudGirl]

a triple? wow! Soriano must have a "no errors" clause in his contract.

i think he does

[BudGirl]

daryl ward now hitting

[Froback]

i think he does

Or the scorer does...

[MusicMan]

Wright comes to the mound, Cedeno announced as PH, Brocail now on?

Do-RAy went overboard praising the move, thinking Coop had avoided Ward, but Ward simply replaces Cedeno.

[JimR]

He is better at SS than I was led to believe.

ST is no place to evaluate fielding. he looks good enough to make the routine plays. i'll take that.

[MusicMan]

ST is no place to evaluate fielding. he looks good enough to make the routine plays. i'll take that.

I was also going on the supposed scouting that he was done as a SS.

[Gleek]

Wright comes to the mound, Cedeno announced as PH, Brocail now on?

Do-RAy went overboard praising the move,

I noticed that as well.  I guess Do-ray really likes him some coop.

[JimR]

I was also going on the supposed scouting that he was done as a SS.

yep. lots of folks apparently think so. maybe he heard that too.

[mihoba]

i think he does

I don't think you can have something like that, but he does have a $75,000 bonus for a gold glove.

[Froback]

ST is no place to evaluate fielding. he looks good enough to make the routine plays. i'll take that.

From what I have seen (very limited) he has average range, but a very strong arm.  So comparing to AE, he has less range but a better arm.  Not to diminish AEs defense, AE was a better defensive SS.

[JimR]

hold your breath, boys and girls.

[matadorph]

how long?

[pravata]

yep. lots of folks apparently think so. maybe he heard that too.

There's only two options for evaluations, either the player is a superstar, or he is a bum.   There are no other options.

[JimR]

i'll let you know

[Gleek]

hold your breath, boys and girls.

This game is getting a little to interesting for me.

[pravata]

From what I have seen (very limited) he has average range, but a very strong arm.  So comparing to AE, he has less range but a better arm.  Not to diminish AEs defense, AE was a better defensive SS.

The throw, esp. accuracy, in relative terms, is AE's weakest def. skill.

[JimR]

exhale!

[Anit]

huge K for brocail

[mihoba]

Nice slider!

[matadorph]

YESSS


Great K, Brocail.

[BudGirl]

ward - ball, strike (on the corner), 3-1, 1 out

soriano - ball, F9, 2 out

theriot - ball, strike, strike, lined into rf for a single

lee - strike, theriot running/stealing, single into cf, runners on the corners, still 2 out

robinson visiting Brocail

ramirez - ball, strike, foul, , ball, foul, ball, swinging strike out, 3 out

end of 8, Astros 4, them 2

[MusicMan]

OK, breathe.  Errormiss goes down swinging.

[pravata]

exhale!

pheewwww! I hate that guy.

[Lefty]

fuckin huge, brocail.  Did not want to see Fuku up with the bases loaded.

[Jacksonian]

I was also going on the supposed scouting that he was done as a SS.

There may very well have been something to the rumor that he was mailing it in in Baltimore.

[BudGirl]

I don't think you can have something like that, but he does have a $75,000 bonus for a gold glove.

you do know that was sarcasm, right?

[matadorph]

I won't lie. I was very worried about ARam. Bad memories from way back when.

[MusicMan]

"Way back when" as in "every fucking time he's played us"?

[mihoba]

you do know that was sarcasm, right?

From you? Never.

[Gizzmonic]

Top 9-

Pinella double switches

ErrorMiss comes out

Darryl Ward stays in to play LF

Soriano moves from LF to 2B

DeRosa moves from 3B to 2B

That's some fine defense, Lou.

[austro]

I'm sure glad Soriano isn't an Astro. He'd drive me nuts.

[JimR]

I'm sure glad Soriano isn't an Astro. He'd drive me nuts.

he almost was. Alou killed the Soriano and Lilly for Mo deal.

[JaneDoe]

Score, anyone?

Thanks.

[BudGirl]

derosa from 2nd to 3rd, soriano to 2nd, ward at lf

wuertz pitching

towles - ball, swinging strike, swinging strike, 4-3, 1 out (soriano took his time on the play)

erstad - ball, foul, ball, ball, F8, 2 out

bourn - swinging strike, strike, ball, foul, 4-3, 3 out

middle of the 9th, astros 4, them 2

[MusicMan]

4-2 Astros, mid 9.

[Guinness]

he almost was. Alou killed the Soriano and Lilly for Mo deal.

But didn't Cashman (or some Yankee official) offer Soriano for Ward back in 98 or 99, that sort of time frame?

[BudGirl]

From you? Never.

I like to mix it up every once in a while.

[mihoba]

I like to mix it up every once in a while.

I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Women, geez.

[JimR]

But didn't Cashman (or some Yankee official) offer Soriano for Ward back in 98 or 99, that sort of time frame?

Alou

he wanted to stay in Houston.

[Froback]

You know they are talking about how Coop wants to give Erstad a start, and I understand that, but on this team I am looking at where he would play....  and I don't want anyone at those spots missing too many games on the year, unless they need the breather...


1B: Berkman is the big cog that tends to keep the whole offensive machine running
LF: Lee did a huge part of carrying the offense last year
RF: Pence I like in the 2 spot in the order, and I have no idea about Erstad's arm
CF: Bourn has more then proven his worth defensively if nothing else.

Make me feel good to know there is a pretty good gap from starter to bench guys.  And not because the bench guys are bad either.

[JimR]

You know they are talking about how Coop wants to give Erstad a start, and I understand that, but on this team I am looking at where he would play....  and I don't want anyone at those spots missing too many games on the year, unless they need the breather...


1B: Berkman is the big cog that tends to keep the whole offensive machine running
LF: Lee did a huge part of carrying the offense last year
RF: Pence I like in the 2 spot in the order, and I have no idea about Erstad's arm
CF: Bourn has more then proven his worth defensively if nothing else.

Make me feel good to know there is a pretty good gap from starter to bench guys.  And not because the bench guys are bad either.

Pence is a terrible 2.

[MusicMan]

You know they are talking about how Coop wants to give Erstad a start, and I understand that, but on this team I am looking at where he would play....  and I don't want anyone at those spots missing too many games on the year, unless they need the breather...


1B: Berkman is the big cog that tends to keep the whole offensive machine running
LF: Lee did a huge part of carrying the offense last year
RF: Pence I like in the 2 spot in the order, and I have no idea about Erstad's arm
CF: Bourn has more then proven his worth defensively if nothing else.

Make me feel good to know there is a pretty good gap from starter to bench guys.  And not because the bench guys are bad either.

Everyone needs off days.  And Pence has no business in the 2 hole right now.

[Greg M]

bah

[MusicMan]

1 out, DeRosa sends one into the LF seats to make it 4-3 for Fukudome.

[JimR]

how did he hit that out? knee high

[Froback]

Ah crap!

[Froback]

Pence is a terrible 2.

I am not sure I would go THAT far, but I agree he is not what you want there.  I look forward to Matsui for that role.

ETA: My liking of Pence in that spot is more a matter of best current option.

[MusicMan]

The graceful, nimble Lee makes the play in LF.  2 out.

[Greg M]

Good game.

[BudGirl]

valverde in for the save.  shoes tied.

fukedome - foul, strike, F6, 1 out

derosa - ball, HR to LF, run scored

geovany soto - ball, ball, ball, strike (sweet pitch), L7, 2 out

pie - strike, F5 in foul territory

end of 9, astros 4, them 2

they lose

[Ty in Tampa]

Fuck the Cubs!

[MusicMan]

Papa Grande!

4-3, game over.  Nice pitching.

[Gleek]

Everyone needs off days.  And Pence has no business in the 2 hole right now.

Coming in I thought Pence would do fine in the 2 hole.  He has done everthing he can to change my mind.

[MusicMan]

Wright with his first big-league W.

[Froback]

Whew!   Excellent game.

Too bad Sampson doesn't get the win, he deserved it.

[Ebby Calvin]

A nice win for the Good Guys.  Too bad Sampson didn't figure into the decision, but I'll take a W any way it comes.

[Gizzmonic]

Give him some time.  He'll be fine.

Coming in I thought Pence would do fine in the 2 hole.  He has done everthing he can to change my mind.

[JimR]

Valverde is one scary looking person. quite a change from sweet Brad Lidge.

[Gleek]

ASTROS WIN!

FUCK.  THE.  CUBS.

[austro]

how did he hit that out? knee high

Perfect swing. Took about 1/2 second to get out.

[BudGirl]

Valverde is one scary looking person. quite a change from sweet Brad Lidge.

dude is crazy.  i think he'll be fun to watch.

[JimR]

Give him some time.  He'll be fine.

not at 2. he'll be fine somewhere that free-swinging is not a detriment. he is wasted at 2 if he is supposed to be a run-producer.

[pravata]

Valverde is one scary looking person. quite a change from sweet Brad Lidge.

He's going to age me though.

[matadorph]

the Stros pitching staff has been excellent thus far.

fuck the skeptics. i faithfully stand by my 114 RFTL submission.

[BudGirl]

He's going to age me though.

sbsolutely no doubt about that.  i have work to do now.

fun game today.

[Colt 45]

great game

[mihoba]

sbsolutely no doubt about that.  i have work to do now.

fun game today.

Always fun to punk the Cubs, especially at Wrigley.

[JimR]

Whew!   Excellent game.

Too bad Sampson doesn't get the win, he deserved it.

tell me why. he was pitching when they tied it up with base hits.

[Gleek]

the Stros pitching staff has been excellent thus far.

They have, it's been fun to watch... errr i mean listen to.

[mihoba]

Tejada interviewed by Lucas after the game.

Dude is a team player.

[JimR]

if the pitching can stay respectable....

why did Lieber want to go there to pitch relief?

[Greg M]

if the pitching can stay respectable....

why did Lieber want to go there to pitch relief?

Exactly what I was thinking when he came in.  Crazy to take a middle relief role over a starter position.  To each is own.

[mihoba]

if the pitching can stay respectable....

why did Lieber want to go there to pitch relief?

He got bested by Marquis for the 5th starter spot.

[OregonStrosFan]

tell me why. he was pitching when they tied it up with base hits.

Not his fault.  Base hits didn't start coming until a couple of folks here at SnS (who shall remain nameless) started taunting the BBGs.

[Bench]

He's going to age me though.

Brocail and Valverde will be responsible for more than a few grey hairs. They are nothing if not exciting.

As for Valverde's so called "antics", the strikeout celebration is bit over the top, but his much more private celebration when there is a put-out is curiously amusing.

[Froback]

tell me why. he was pitching when they tied it up with base hits.

True but I think he just ran out of gas.  He seemed to be pitching really well until then.

I figure his stamina will get better the more he starts.  After a few seasons of yo-yo-ing between starting and relieving has hurt him in that area.

[JimR]

True but I think he just ran out of gas.  He seemed to be pitching really well until then.

I figure his stamina will get better the more he starts.  After a few seasons of yo-yo-ing between starting and relieving has hurt him in that area.

i think he pitched great, but you do not "deserve to win" when you give up the lead, imo.

[JimR]

He got bested by Marquis for the 5th starter spot.

they would trade Marquis to you so i guess Lieber is waiting in the wings.

[Limey]

He got bested by Marquis for the 5th starter spot.

Ouch!

[mihoba]

Ouch!

Exactly.

[austro]

i think he pitched great, but you do not "deserve to win" when you give up the lead, imo.

He was a bit unlucky with the Ramirez ball up the 3b line, the ball under Loretta, and the not-hard-enough-to-be-a-double-play ball. But he had a chance to get out of the inning with Soto and he threw a meatball in there that got punished. It's his job to close the door in that situation. He didn't do it, so he doesn't get the win.