Astros @ Giants, 5/14/2008

[mihoba]

Astros

M. Bourn cf    
K. Matsui 2b    
M. Tejada ss    
L. Berkman 1b    
C. Lee lf   
H. Pence rf    
M. Loretta 3b   
B. Ausmus c    
B. Moehler p

Gints

F. Lewis lf   
R. Durham 2b    
R. Winn rf   
B. Molina c   
A. Rowand cf    
J. Bowker 1b    
J. Castillo 3b   
E. Burriss ss   
P. Misch p

[JaneDoe]

Well, crap.  All that typing to be Cabrera'd. 

[mihoba]

Well, crap.  All that typing to be Cabrera'd. 

Sorry!

[JaneDoe]

Sorry!

Why? You beat me to it!

Anyone stuck at work needing PBP?

[mihoba]

Matsui with a single and a SB, Miggy brings him in with a single up the middle. 1-0 Good Guys

[JaneDoe]

Nice to see some early hitting and scoring!

Berkman 2 run HR!

[mihoba]

Damn, Berkman is blasting right handed, wow. Impressive 2 run bomb.

[T. J.]

That guy is fucking ridiculous.

[matadorph]

Who else knew that was coming?

That pitch was FAT.

[Amy]

Holy Shit Twinkie!

[matadorph]

I wonder what Joba Chamberlain thinks of Lance Berkman?

[Gleek]

I wonder what Joba Chamberlain thinks of Lance Berkman?

oh shit, I hope I never have to face him?

[matadorph]

Great play Loretta!

[legs_of_eggs]

No girl ever struck out Babe Ruth c'mon

[mihoba]

No girl ever struck out Babe Ruth c'mon

Lou Gehrig, too.

[Noe]

Damn, Berkman is blasting right handed, wow. Impressive 2 run bomb.

40 RBIs in what... 42 games?  AHHHH-MAZE-ING!

[Noe]

Anybody else surprised that Ausmus gets to catch Moehler again?  I'm not.

[Noe]

Why? You beat me to it!
Anyone stuck at work needing PBP?

[raises hand]

Here.  Hunkered down waiting out a tornado passing by.  Can't leave until another 30 minutes or so.  Just tell me how Moehler is looking?  He was sharp in LA... is he a little wild today?  Leaving the ball up... what?

[MRaup]

Leaving the ball up... a lot.

Not gonna last long the way this inning is going.

[mihoba]

Four consecutive knocks... no outs

[Ty in Tampa]

Leaving the ball up... a lot.

Not gonna last long the way this inning is going.

Be nice if he could like, get an out.

[Noe]

Leaving the ball up... a lot.

Not gonna last long the way this inning is going.

Bottom of the order, hopefully he can escape and get back to the dugout and regroup.

[Anit]

that was ugly

[mihoba]

WTF Brad??

[JaneDoe]

Brad shoulda caught that.

[Ty in Tampa]

He gator-armed it!

[Twoniner]

Ausmus has written off contact at this point in his career.

[Ty in Tampa]

He tried to lay the tag down before he got the ball.

[JimR]

How did he miss that?

[Anit]

thank god molina is as slow as molasses..saved at least a run there

[MusicMan]

How did he miss that?

Gator-armed is exactly right.

[JaneDoe]

thank god molina is as slow as molasses..saved at least a run there

Hey, molasses ain't THAT slow. 

[MusicMan]

Anyone else sense the Brad Ausmus One Out Squeeze (tm) coming up?

[JimR]

I wish

[JaneDoe]

How many texters even know who Aspromonte and Rader are?

[rifraft]

nice, quick inning for moehler.

[Ron Brand]

The sign behind Lance advertised a slumber party at the ballpark.  To me that's a pretty cool promotion, although it'll be pretty cold at night and I'm not sure it's worth the $180 they're charging for the privilege. http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/fan_forum/slumberparty_form.jsp

[JaneDoe]

Great job, Carlos.

[Ron Brand]

Time is clearly Ray Durham's enemy.

[T. J.]

Nice play by Lee, but I think Matsui missed the tag.  The call went the Astros way though.

[JimR]

Come on. He just put the glove down and let Durham slide into it.

[Ron Brand]

When the ball gets there THAT early, they're calling the runner out unless he disappears and reappears on the bag.

[Ron Brand]

That's it.  The guy on the Spec's commercial sounds like Crackers from Pink Flamingos.  No doubt about it.

[mihoba]

How many texters even know who Aspromonte and Rader are?

Evidently, not many. Caminiti was voted best, MoBerg #2.

Radar gets it in my world. Kind of a thin position for the good guys over the years.

[JimR]

Good grief, Ausmus.

[JimR]

Rader v. Cammy is a good discussion

[T. J.]

Brownie says "As certain as feeding a hog a piece of corn.  It's gonna get crushed." 

What the hell are they smoking in that booth tonight?

[T. J.]

Ouch.  That doesn't look good.  Oh shit.  That's a whole lotta force onto that wrist.

[matadorph]

Oh no.

[mihoba]

Rader v. Cammy is a good discussion

I agree. Strictly speaking of their Astros years, Rader had a bit more power and Cammy had the advantage of switch hitting and a rifle arm.

[Ron Brand]

He doesn't seem to be in pain though, that's a good sign.  Lead hand on the swing isn't the one you want to hurt the wrist on.

[T. J.]

I agree. Strictly speaking of their Astros years, Rader had a bit more power and Cammy had the advantage of switch hitting and a rifle arm.

I'm too young to remember Rader, but damn, Cammy could play some third base.  That arm was ridiculous.  What a waste.

[JimR]

Rader was great defensively

[Ron Brand]

I agree. Strictly speaking of their Astros years, Rader had a bit more power and Cammy had the advantage of switch hitting and a rifle arm.

I think Rader covered more ground but both of them were damn fine players.  Not sure if Cammy was as good a cake decorator.

[JimR]

No one better than Rader with cakes.

[OregonStrosFan]

A number of questionable calls from the SF scorekeeper this series.

On another note, nice article on Byrdak yesterday at Astros.Com.  LINK

[Ron Brand]

Anybody know what happened to their commemorative seats in the - what? purple? gold? - section in the Dome?

[JimR]

I like Byrdak. He will help.

[Ron Brand]

A number of questionable calls from the SF scorekeeper this series.

On another note, nice article on Byrdak yesterday at Astros.Com.  LINK

That was a really nice article.  Makes me pull for him even more.

[T. J.]

Anybody know what happened to their commemorative seats in the - what? purple? gold? - section in the Dome?

Probably still there. 

[T. J.]

A number of questionable calls from the SF scorekeeper this series.

On another note, nice article on Byrdak yesterday at Astros.Com.  LINK

Thanks.  Great story. 

[mihoba]

Anybody know what happened to their commemorative seats in the - what? purple? gold? - section in the Dome?

Dunno, but I've been to all of them. A damn long way from home plate.

[Ron Brand]

Dunno, but I've been to all of them. A damn long way from home plate.

Yeah, and to still be that far up.  Those were moon shots for sure.

[Ron Brand]

Base hit, Miggy.

[OregonStrosFan]

Thanks.  Great story.

You're welcome.  I'm a sucker for those types of stories... 

[Anit]

nice hit miggy

[Ron Brand]

Miggy!

[JaneDoe]

Nice hit by Tejada.

[T. J.]

Ok, they surely are going to stop that music for every Tejada hit at some point this season, aren't they?  Aren't they??!!

[mihoba]

Ok, they surely are going to stop that music for every Tejada hit at some point this season, aren't they?  Aren't they??!!

Not a chance, Brownie likes it.

[JimR]

I hope not. It is working.

[Ron Brand]

Ok, they surely are going to stop that music for every Tejada hit at some point this season, aren't they?  Aren't they??!!

What, you'd cut Samson's hair because he looks a little shaggy?

[JaneDoe]

Berkman is going to start seeing alot of IBB's.

[Ron Brand]

Berkman is going to start seeing alot of IBB's.

I'd rather pitch to Lee too, but it's not like El Caballo won't make those guys pay for making that choice.

[JimR]

Cooper has used up the pen. This better end in 9.

[DVauthrin]

I'd rather pitch to Lee too, but it's not like El Caballo won't make those guys pay for making that choice.

That's the beauty of having hitters like Lee and Pence batting 5th and 6th most nights.   You can't pitch around all of them.

[T. J.]

Wright is the youngest looking 23-year-old I've ever seen.  He could pass for 16 easily.

[JimR]

Wonder if Geary is rested.

[OregonStrosFan]

Lee is going to start making folks pay in a big way for the IBB to Berkman sooner or later.

[DVauthrin]

Wright is the youngest looking 23-year-old I've ever seen.  He could pass for 16 easily.

he can pass for younger than 16 as well.  

[DVauthrin]

Wonder if Geary is rested.

only thrown 26 pitches since sunday(with a night off yesterday).   I'd think he'd be available.

[Ron Brand]

Wonder if Geary is rested.

He should be, he went on the 11th and 12th, 1.2 innings total.

[JaneDoe]

Hope Coop isn't overmanaging here.

[JimR]

Man, Coop, that now leaves Brocail, Valverde and Bork.

[DVauthrin]

Man, Coop, that now leaves Brocail, Valverde and Bork.

brought in geary to face molina I presume?

[JaneDoe]

Oh, crap, Matsui.

[Ron Brand]

Well, hell.

[chuck]

Miguel Tejada is a certified badass. I'm a little late to the party today, but.

Let's see what Geary's made of after that error.

[T. J.]

Weird little hop there at the end, but jeez, you've got to make that play.  At least knock it down.

[JimR]

It is raining like a MF at my house.

[Ron Brand]

Whew.  Will Coop go straight to Brocail for the 8th?

[Ron Brand]

It is raining like a MF at my house.

We had it earlier, tracking the funnel cloud but ended up with just a few minutes of rain and no problems.  Good luck.

[JimR]

I bet he does. He and The Book are soulmates.

[DVauthrin]

I bet he does. He and The Book are soulmates.

nice one.

[BatGirl]

pence!!!

[jonbloozy]

Ole!

[petner]

Quick question: where did "Thunderpants" come from?  It's fucking beautiful, so I gotta think it's a JD-ism, but I'm up here in DC and don't get to hear the good guys behind the booth...

[JimR]

Gotta win in 9. no pitching left for extras.

[jonbloozy]

Gotta win in 9. no pitching left for extras.

C'mon, at this point, I'm pretty sure Berkman has a few pitches in 'em.

[subnuclear]

Holy Shit!

[BatGirl]

holy crap!
way to go brad!

[jonbloozy]

Cheeks!

[Anit]

ausmus goes deep

did i just type that?

[JaneDoe]

Ausmus hit that one a long, long way.

[OregonStrosFan]

Brad friggin' Ausmus.  BEAUTIFUL!

[Ron Brand]

NO WAY!!! BAD BRAD!!!

[pravata]

Quick question: where did "Thunderpants" come from?  It's fucking beautiful, so I gotta think it's a JD-ism, but I'm up here in DC and don't get to hear the good guys behind the booth...

My wife was walking by the TV one day, she half hears Pence announced to bat, she says, "did they say Thunderpants?"

[JimR]

Truly unbelievable

[astrojo]

ausmus go boom!

[chuck]

I swear, I had this bizarre premonition that Ausmus would hit a home run.

[T. J.]

Quick question: where did "Thunderpants" come from?  It's fucking beautiful, so I gotta think it's a JD-ism, but I'm up here in DC and don't get to hear the good guys behind the booth...

Pretty sure it was Noe. 

Woo Hoo Brad!

ETA:  Ok, must've been Pravata.  See above.

[pravata]

He's one up now, he owed one.

[mihoba]

Brad jumped on that! Made up for his missed toss.

[petner]

BadAssmus!!!

[pravata]

Pretty sure it was Noe. 

Woo Hoo Brad!

Noe had Underpants.

[mihoba]

Pretty sure it was Noe. 

Woo Hoo Brad!

Blum introduced him as Thunderpants one game this year. Lurking?

[Anit]

hahaha..brad gets the silent treatment going back into the dugout..i love seeing that every time it happens

[DVauthrin]

Truly unbelievable

guess that makes up for his gaffe behind the plate in the 2nd.

[jonbloozy]

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but I can't help thinking of the Thundercats theme song

Thunder, Thunder, Thunder, Thunder Pants!

[chuck]

Man, that's a tough strike three.

[JimR]

It was a ball

[JaneDoe]

http://www.spikesnstars.com/forums/index.php?topic=102004.0

A couple days ago, my wife called Gunther, Thunder Pants.

That's what I'm going with.  She jams the iPod headphones in her ears so the hearing is starting to go.  Not such a bad thing really, when you consider some of the things you overhear.  But, Pence comes up as she's passing through, and they announce "Hunter Pence" and she says "What? Thunder Pants?"  And I said, "Yes, of course, his mother named him Thunder Pants."

[OregonStrosFan]

Been wondering, who does the artwork for the SpikesNStars graphic at the top of the pages?  Very cool!

[chuck]

It was a ball

I thought so. Kaz's ball four - also a ball - was a much closer pitch.

[pravata]

Been wondering, who does the artwork for the SpikesNStars graphic at the top of the pages?  Very cool!

Ferrets.

[JaneDoe]

Been wondering, who does the artwork for the SpikesNStars graphic at the top of the pages?  Very cool!

Banthas.

[Ron Brand]

Bingo!  It's Brocail.

[T. J.]

Happy Thursday everybody.  I hate mid-week west-coast games.

[petner]

http://www.spikesnstars.com/forums/index.php?topic=102004.0

There will be a Thunderpants sign at Nationals stadium on July 11th...

[JaneDoe]

Happy Thursday everybody.  I hate mid-week west-coast games.

This is the last time we have one with a start time this late.  The Astros play in Colorado for some 8:05 or so start times, but none after 9 again this season (according to JD and Brownie before the game).

[JimR]

Bowker has a great swing

[DVauthrin]

This is the last time we have one with a start time this late.  The Astros play in Colorado for some 8:05 or so start times, but none after 9 again this season (according to JD and Brownie before the game).

the only start time later than 7:15 pm central the rest of the year is September 5th at Colorado.

[mihoba]

Hunter bailed on that first pitch, geez.

[jonbloozy]

Come on Joe

[Ron Brand]

Woo-hoooo!  Good Guys win!

[mihoba]

Sweet. Afternooner tomorrow, see ya.

[jonbloozy]

Greenvalley hushes 'em (with a finger to his lips)

[JaneDoe]

Dadgumit I'm tired.  Good win. 

[T. J.]

Night all. 

[JimR]

Damn, I am tired.

[DVauthrin]

With the win the team has guaranteed itself no worse than a .500 road trip. 

[Ron Brand]

Good night, everybody!

[Noe]

Pretty sure it was Noe. 

Woo Hoo Brad!

ETA:  Ok, must've been Pravata.  See above.

I posted a story about going to watch Hunter play at the Dell one night and sitting next to some guys who had this quite attractive woman with them.  She was having a blast, doing the dances (chicken dance) et. al.  Not much into paying attention to the game, but she was really into having fun with her friends.  Well, Derrick Grubbs announced "Hunter Pence" up to bat, except it sounded like this "unter Pance".  She immediately says "Underpants?!?!  Woooo... I love underpants!!!!"

That was it, all night long it was "underpants" this and "underpants" that.  I have to admit, the fun she was having was pretty cool to see.  A couple of weeks later, Pence gets his callup, then pravata's wife notices that they had a young man up to bat named "hunter pence" which of course she asked prav if they just said "Thunderpants".

Women, they're so much fun!

[Noe]

There will be a Thunderpants sign at Nationals stadium on July 11th...

Good man, see if you can get "Houston" and "das" to meet you at the park.