Astros @ Cubs, 4-5-08

[mihoba]

*The wind is blowing out*

Astros
Bourn CF
Pence RF
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Tejada SS
Wigginton 3B
Loretta 2B
Ausmus C
Oswalt P

Cubs
Soriano LF
Johnson CF
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Fukudome RF
DeRosa 2B
Soto C
TheRiot SS
Marquis P

[MusicMan]

*The wind is blowing out*

Astros
Oswalt P

Cubs
Marquis P

I think these are the 3 most relevant pieces of info.

[mihoba]

I think these are the 3 most relevant pieces of info.

I have this vision of a 18-16 Phillies win years and year ago when the wind was blowing out at Wrigley. Mike Schmidt hit 4 homers that day. Crazy game.

ETA: April 17th, 1976

[MusicMan]

I have this vision of a 18-16 Phillies win years and year ago when the wind was blowing out at Wrigley. Mike Schmidt hit 4 homers that day. Crazy game.

All the same, I'll take Roy over Marquis de Sade with the wind blowing out.

[mihoba]

All the same, I'll take Roy over Marquis de Sade with the wind blowing out.

Absolutely. Time to pound the ball.

[Bench]

Nice job by Pence laying off the first pitch.

[remy]

Well shit, I really thought they were gonna have a big inning there.

[MusicMan]

Give it time.

1st and 2nd, one run in, Ausmus up, nobody out.

[MusicMan]

Never mind.  Ausmus 1-6-3.

[Twoniner]

  Wind blowing out in Wrigley, and we are going to play the personal catcher game.   I guess it's fair enough, if Roy puts up zeroes.

[MusicMan]

  Wind blowing out in Wrigley, and we are going to play the personal catcher game.   I guess it's fair enough, if Roy puts up zeroes.

Should they have benched Berkman too?

[Twoniner]

Should they have benched Berkman too?

I'm guessing you failed those comparison tests on standardized tests.

[MusicMan]

Roy gives up the 2 out RBI to Marquis.

Memo to Roy: quick letting the damn pitchers beat you with the bat.

[matadorph]

Ah jeez Roy.

Another RBI from the opposing pitcher.

[remy]

Roy's ERA vs 1-8 hitters = very good.

vs #9 hitter = not so good.

[MusicMan]

Hell of a play by Tejada.

[legs_of_eggs]

I thought Tejada had no D? Sweet play.

[Anit]

this infield defense has had a great start to the year

[matadorph]

Adam who?

[MusicMan]

I'm guessing you failed those comparison tests on standardized tests.

You want to compare SAT scores, I'm game.

[drew corleone]

Nice play... No gripes about Miggy's D at all thus far.

[Bench]

Tejada's got a cannon for a arm. Hell of a throw.

[Twoniner]

Huge play by Tejada to get out of the inning.    

[pravata]

Wigginton made a less flashy, but just as encouraging play for the first out.  Sliding a few steps to his left and smoothly making the play. 

[legs_of_eggs]

Wigginton made a less flashy, but just as encouraging play for the first out.  Sliding a few steps to his left and smoothly making the play. 

Agreed, especially with how crappy the infield supposedly is there.

[otterjb]

Tejada's defensive demise seems to have been dead wrong. If he can hit and field like that...me likey.

[otterjb]

Good eye from Pence on the third ball, then chased a bad one for the out.

[MusicMan]

Tejada's defensive demise seems to have been dead wrong. If he can hit and field like that...me likey.

I'm thinking Mr. Tejada was losing his competitive juices in Baltimore.

[Bench]

Wigginton made a less flashy, but just as encouraging play for the first out.  Sliding a few steps to his left and smoothly making the play. 

Instantly charging the ball was the key there. He came in hard and then slid left to make the catch and throw in a fluid motion losing no momentum. Very nice.

[otterjb]

I'm thinking Mr. Tejada was losing his competitive juices in Baltimore.

Yeah, he seems to have fire in the belly back again.

[Bench]

Roy just hasn't gotten comfortable with his curve yet. He went through a stretch of that last year in July, before locking in over the final two months of the season.

[Bench]

Ka-bong.

[Twoniner]

  Nice prompt answer By Carlos!

[remy]

Hah! I was about to type, I'd love to see our Lee outdo their Lee.  Kabong!

[otterjb]

carlos!

[MusicMan]

Our Lee is bigger.

[Bench]

Marquis is living off the double play today. Nice day to have that with the wind blowing out. Let's hope it doesn't hold up.

[Bench]

Berkman's neck spasms = sunflower seed OD? I can just imagine it locking up once when he's pouring a sack full of 'em down his gullet in between pitches.

[remy]

Berkman's neck spasms = sunflower seed OD?

Great, mr .500 vs Marquis is out.  Hope it's not serious.

[Matt]

Great, mr .500 vs Marquis is out.  Hope it's not serious.

That might solve the who sits problem tomorrow.

[pravata]

OK, that was bad.

[MusicMan]

Why the hell was Marquis running?

Beauty of a throw, though.

[remy]

THANK you for that Jason.

[Bench]

OK, that was bad.

Marquis matched him.

[Towlie]

I love Bourn's defense so much.

[pravata]

That might solve the who sits problem tomorrow.

You mean change who sits, Pence may get a reprieve http://www.spikesnstars.com/

[legs_of_eggs]

I love Bourn's defense so much.

Does anyone notice how undisciplined/mistake prone this cubs team is? I thought Lou was supposed to be cleaning this team up yet they still look like the clumsy chokers Dusty managed.

[Matt]

You mean change who sits, Pence may get a reprieve http://www.spikesnstars.com/

Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking.

[mihoba]

Marquis matched him.

Nothing bad about what Marquis did. He challenged Bourn and lost. He didn't make the first or third out at third.

[pravata]

Spaz still cant slide

[MusicMan]

Spaz still cant slide

Keeping contact with the base is always a plus.

[Matt]

At least he didn't kill himself with that one.

[mihoba]

Erstad is a solid pro.

[Matt]

Beautiful AB

[MusicMan]

Wow... Erstad looks eerily similar to spaz when running.

[Bench]

This is the Marquis I was waiting for.

[OregonStrosFan]

Nothing bad about what Marquis did. He challenged Bourn and lost. He didn't make the first or third out at third.

I saw it more as a great throw by Bourn than a stupid decision by Marquis.  Good for the 'Stros either way.

[MusicMan]

Erstad is a solid pro.

Perfect role for him.

[Matt]

Uh oh Carlos is waking up

[MusicMan]

Looks like Theriot wants to appeal at 2b.

[Bench]

Wow. Nice range by Fukudome. I can't beleive he got to that.

[MusicMan]

Wow. Nice range by Fukudome. I can't beleive he got to that.

Good player.  Deserves better than Chicago.

[mihoba]

Hart has a good slider, crap.

[pravata]

Keeping contact with the base is always a plus.

Yeah but if he keeps scraping the ground like that, he's going to break his wrist again.  All that practice shot to hell.

[Matt]

Okay no Oswalt inning please.

[mihoba]

WTF Brad?? Passed ball.

[OregonStrosFan]

C'mon now Mr. personal catcher...

Fuku is starting to piss me off too...

Anyone get a glipse as to why the trainers came out to talk to Roy?

[Bench]

So Extra Innings doesn't broadcast Saturday afternoon games so as not to compete with Fox? That makes sense?

[mihoba]

C'mon now Mr. personal catcher...

Fuku is starting to piss me off too...

Anyone get a glipse as to why the trainers came out to talk to Roy?

His right arm is bothering him. He is shaking/stretching it after every pitch. This will be his last inning I'll bet.

[Anit]

yeah i think we can safely say that any knocks on tejadas defense might not be accurate

[drew corleone]

Another blue star for Tejada...

[Matt]

So Extra Innings doesn't broadcast Saturday afternoon games so as not to compete with Fox? That makes sense?

Yeah that's what I was thinking.  I figured after dropping $160 that Saturday games wouldn't be an issue.

[pravata]

"Big Daddy" Erstad saved that inning.  off target throws by Wigginton and Tejada could have been disasterous.

[chuck]

So Extra Innings doesn't broadcast Saturday afternoon games so as not to compete with Fox? That makes sense?

Yes and no.

[Ty in Tampa]

ummm...that was a stellar play.

[pravata]

His right arm is bothering him. He is shaking/stretching it after every pitch. This will be his last inning I'll bet.

When Lebossier was out there Roy pointed to the bicep

[mihoba]

When Lebossier was out there Roy pointed to the bicep

Must not be a concern, he is batting.

[mihoba]

Damn, what a shot in the arm Bourn has been for this team. Standup triple.

[Craig]

Yeah that's what I was thinking.  I figured after dropping $160 that Saturday games wouldn't be an issue.

Both Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon games are blacked out on MLBEI because of national broadcasts. Throw in travel days and games that aren't broadcast, and you end up with a lot of holes in the TV schedule.

[OregonStrosFan]

Must not be a concern, he is batting.

Anyone wish to enlighten me on what Oswalt meant when he said last week (I think) that he's had a 'dead arm' the last couple of starts?

[Bench]

Anyone wish to enlighten me on what Oswalt meant when he said last week (I think) that he's had a 'dead arm' the last couple of starts?

It happens to a lot of pitchers after they start back up again in the spring. The goal is to try to get it to happen - if at all - during the last couple weeks of spring training. It's something that they just have to push through early on.

[Bench]

What happened to Wigginton?

[mihoba]

What happened to Wigginton?

He got spiked on the thumb by Marquis on the slide into third.

[Anit]

oswalt inning

[remy]

Fuck the cubs.  Roy is out of gas.

[Bench]

Frustrating week for Roy.

[OregonStrosFan]

Both Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon games are blacked out on MLBEI because of national broadcasts. Throw in travel days and games that aren't broadcast, and you end up with a lot of holes in the TV schedule.

I'd guess that EI had between 145-150 Astros games last year.  Missed a couple the first 2 weeks of the season (sharing channels issues with Hockey channel), 4 or 5 on Saturday mornings and a couple of games in San Diego (no idea why those weren't shown).

BTW, thanks for the 'dead arm' explanation Bench.

[Anit]

wright coming in for some hot lefty on lefty action..

hes been solid so far, lets see if he can get a big out here

[remy]

Hey ump, it's not where the catcher catches the ball.  Fucktard.

[OregonStrosFan]

Hey ump, it's not where the catcher catches the ball.  Fucktard.

Ball 2 was a damn good pitch, and ball 3 wasn't very far behind it.  Shoulda got at least one of those 2... 

[mihoba]

Fuck.

[Bench]

Ugh. Fukudome is going to be a pain in the ass for a long time.

[remy]

My car needs washing.

Fuck the cubs.

[Reuben]

Ugh. Fukudome is going to be a pain in the ass for a long time.

double to left scores runner from 1B? can someone watching tell me how that's possible?

[mihoba]

Ugh. Fukudome is going to be a pain in the ass for a long time.

He looks like a more powerful Ichiro.

[mihoba]

double to left scores runner from 1B? can someone watching tell me how that's possible?

Should be an error on flapjack. He tried to shorthop it but it got away from him.

[pravata]

double to left scores runner from 1B? can someone watching tell me how that's possible?

runners moving on the pitch ball kicked high off Lee's sliding try for the slicing liner

[OregonStrosFan]

double to left scores runner from 1B? can someone watching tell me how that's possible?

Check out Gameday.  They've had "almost instantaneous" replays of 'highlights'.

[Reuben]

Should be an error on flapjack. He tried to shorthop it but it got away from him.

should've caught it error, or single and an error?

[Bench]

Should be an error on flapjack. He tried to shorthop it but it got away from him.

The official scorer at Wrigley is pretty lenient.

[mihoba]

should've caught it error, or single and an error?

single and error.

[Bench]

should've caught it error, or single and an error?

Single and error. Ball was lined hard.

[Bench]

The good news is that Kerry Wood might be coming into the game in the ninth.

[Twoniner]

  What happened to those nice sliding catches coming in that Lee was pulling off last season?

[Russ99]

Thankfully the Cubs pen blows chunks... and Wood is the closer.

I think Cub fans are bipolar. Never have I seen them so happy and so upset within a 5 minute period.

[matadorph]

I'm quickly learning to hate Fukudome.

Not so much about Fukudome as it is Cub Fan's embarrassing shaft slurping of him.

[OregonStrosFan]

I'm quickly learning to hate Fukudome.

He chose to be a Cub, screw him!

[mihoba]

Strong throw from Ausmus nailed Johnson trying to steal.

Rally time for this rollercoaster game.

[mihoba]

Did Pence hit the ball out of the infield today?

Ballgame.

[OregonStrosFan]

Screw the Cubs, and screw Fukudome.

[Russ99]

Are they gonna play that gay little song all year?!? 

Talk about showing up your opponent. We;ll get em tomorrow. This will be Zambozo's first start without caffeine. Should be interesting...

[mihoba]

You should have stayed a virgin.

[MikeyBoy]

Thanks for the warm welcome.  How nice.

What were you expecting? Your post was shit.

[mihoba]

Thanks for the warm welcome.  How nice.

You bring that weak shit on your first post, what the fuck did you expect?

Freshly registered, read more/post less.

[MikeyBoy]

Wow. What a cozy atmosphere you guys got going here.  How was my post, as you put it, "shit"?  

The bull pen has not sucked.
The offense was not good enough, they needed a few more runs.
Cooper and Garner's knowledge of baseball is shit compared to the beagle.
YOU didn't lose shit, asshat.

[mihoba]

Wow. What a cozy atmosphere you guys got going here.  How was my post, as you put it, "shit"? 

1) Second guessing the manager using hindsight is chicken shit
2) Are you a member of the Astros? Then cut the "we" crap
3) Bourn hit a triple with two outs in the seventh

I'm sure there are many more.

[mihoba]

Take care, guys.  I prefer diverse opinions, and intelligent conversation, which you folks frown on.  I'll find a less venomous, more open-minded place to post.  Good luck to you guys, and I hope you can work out your issues.  But above all, GO 'STROOOOOSS!!!!

The only issue I have is some twirp that registers and posts a weak ass take within a few minutes. You should have read up a little before popping your precious cherry. Assuming we frown on intelligent conversation is a fucking riot after reading your first post.

This place is not for the rah-rah type, so go fuck yourself.

[JimR]

Should be an error on flapjack. He tried to shorthop it but it got away from him.

hate to disagree with you, but i do.

[juliogotay]

1) Second guessing the manager using hindsight is chicken shit
2) Are you a member of the Astros? Then cut the "we" crap
3) Bourn hit a triple with two outs in the seventh

I'm sure there are many more.

Is there such a thing as second guessing that is not in hindsight? Just checking.

[pravata]

Is there such a thing as second guessing that is not in hindsight? Just checking.

Second guessing in foresight?  If these people are checking us out because of Ortiz's blog, this one didnt read the part about thick skin.   I suppose now is as good a time as any to remind everyone that the second rule of the SnS is "no whining".  That's the Spikes part.

[Noe]

Second guessing in foresight?  If these people are checking us out because of Ortiz's blog, this one didnt read the part about thick skin.   I suppose now is as good a time as any to remind everyone that the second rule of the SnS is "no whining".  That's the Spikes part.

And the GZ is going to be the place where the thickest of skins will be required.  It's raw, it's real time and really, it's not a recommended place for those who are sensitive.  Read the primer at the top of the forum page to get the idea that here, the GZ, more than any other forum, it's best to not take things personally because if someone screams that Roy Oswalt sucks, it's going to be met with some sort of "well, let's discuss this shall we?".  Nope, it's going to be pretty much a dogfight soon afterwards.  You wouldn't walk into a sports bar full of Houston Astros fans and scream the same without some fear of being met with some counter vitrol.