Astros @ Giants, 5/15/2008

[ValpoCory]

Houston
M. Bourn cf    .187    
K. Matsui 2b    .263    
H. Pence rf    .287    
L. Berkman 1b    .388    
C. Lee lf    .279    
G. Blum 3b    .217    
M. Loretta ss    .212    
J.R. Towles c    .157    
C. Sampson p    .077    
 
 San Francisco
     
F. Lewis lf    .287    
O. Vizquel ss       .385    
R. Winn rf        .283    
A. Rowand cf       .331    
J. Bowker 1b        .282    
R. Aurilia 3b    .245    
S. Holm c       .306    
E. Burriss 2b    .265    
T. Lincecum p    .286    

[mihoba]

Thunderpants batting third against Lincecum, Loretta at SS. Ooooooookay Coop.

[JaneDoe]

Thunderpants batting third against Lincecum, Loretta at SS. Ooooooookay Coop.

Hey I really questioned the lineup the other night when he sat Matsui and started Cruz Jr.  Worked out ok.

[ValpoCory]

Blum's .217 BA ranks 5th highest in our lineup.
Aurilia's .245 ranks last in theirs.

[T. J.]

Ahhh...outdoor game at a beautiful ballpark in stunning HDTV today. 

[remy]

95 degrees?  Jeez.

[T. J.]

95 degrees?  Jeez.

Freaky.  San Francisco in May?  This says it's currently 96.4:  http://www.wunderground.com/US/CA/San_Francisco.html

[petner]

Blum's .217 BA ranks 5th highest in our lineup.
Aurilia's .245 ranks last in theirs.

And yet, they're next to last in the NL in runs...I'll take our lineup any day.

[remy]

Gunther way, way, WAY overmatched.

[Rebel Jew]

Freaky.  San Francisco in May?  This says it's currently 96.4:  http://www.wunderground.com/US/CA/San_Francisco.html

it's hot as balls here right now.

(commence with gay jokes)

[Ty in Tampa]

Fuck.

[Gizzmonic]

Anyone want to do PBP?

I can do it if not, but I'm at work and won't be able to be too detailed.

[legs_of_eggs]

They couldn't play this one at Candlestick, the park woulda melted

[Noe]

True to form, Loretta botches a double play.  Mistake to have him at shortstop today.

[T. J.]

Loretta screws up an easy double-play chance and the obviously heatstroked home scorer rules it a hit.

[Ty in Tampa]

Can't do PBP but it's 2-0 Gints after Loretta booted an inning-ending DP ball.

[Twoniner]

 Yeah, 95 degrees and Lincecum won out over Sampson on the bump in the Tejada rest day logic.

[Ty in Tampa]

Mercy. Inning over. 2-0 Gints.

[Ty in Tampa]

Sucks for Sampson. Though rocky, he got the job done.

[Gizzmonic]

End 1st

Giants 2 runs on 3 hits (1 that should have been an inning-ending DP which would have gotten Sampson out with no runs), leaving 1.

Giants 2, Astros 0.

[MRaup]

Yeah, 95 degrees and Lincecum won out over Sampson on the bump in the Tejada rest day logic.

I tried to figure out what that meant... then woke up on the floor under my desk 3 minutes later crying.

[T. J.]

Scorer woke up and changed it to an error.  I can probably handle PBP if anybody needs it.  If not, I won't bother.

[Ty in Tampa]

I think they just showed Trum on the SF feed.

[BudGirl]

Scorer woke up and changed it to an error.  I can probably handle PBP if anybody needs it.  If not, I won't bother.

I would appreciate it.

[Gizzmonic]

Top 2nd

Berkman walks on 3-1 count.

Giants 2, Astros 0.

[T. J.]

Berkman walks

Lee Ks, Berkman steals 2nd on strike 3 (on a bad leg).

1 out.

[petner]

Berkman's still showcasing those wheels.

[Noe]

Berkman steals a bag as Lee strikes out.

[T. J.]

Blum flies out on first pitch.  2 down, Berkman on 2nd.

[Gizzmonic]

T.J., you're the man for PBP!

Maybe I won't have to stay later after all

[Noe]

Time for Loretta to get one back for Sampson.

[ValpoCory]

Come on Loretta

3-1 count

[ValpoCory]

dang

[T. J.]

Loretta up.

ball
ball
strike swinging
ball high
fly ball out to right center.

middle 2nd, no runs, no hits, one man LOB.

[T. J.]

Gonna be some sunburns today.

Catcher Steve Holm up

Strike swinging (foul tip)
Ball outside
Liner one-hops Lorretta, who bobbles it, but gets the out.

1 out.

[astrojo]

oh boy - what's that about the ball always finding the weak link in the defense?

[T. J.]

Burriss up.  Tejada looking pissed on the bench.

Strike looking
Ball low
(Tejada music playing as they show him in the dugout)
Strike looking
Strikeout on a good curveball. 

2 out.

[T. J.]

Lincecum batting.

Bouncer to Matsui on first pitch, 3 out.  On to the 3rd.

[T. J.]

Kids with some Ha-YUGE hot dogs in the stands.

Towles up.

Foul strike
Foul off his instep (ouch)
Strike three on a good inside pitch

1 out.

[T. J.]

Sampson batting (.077)

Strike one looking
Ball
Foul down the third base line
Bouncer to first, flip to the pitcher covering

2 out.

[T. J.]

Bourn up

Ball one (showing bunt)
Ball two low
(JD and Brownie don't know the name of the Rangers' field)
Ball three
Lincecum really sweating
Strike looking
Chopper up the middle, second baseman makes the play and....out by inches.

3 out.

[T. J.]

Mark Loretta likes U2, country, Alternative, and Classical music.

Fred Lewis up

Strike looking
Strike on a check swing appeal
Foul down the 1st base line (almost hits Miggy in the dugout)
Foul tip (Towles said he caught it, threw it to 3rd thinking K, but ump says it hit the ground, and it did)
Ball
Liner to left on a high curveball.  Base hit.

[T. J.]

Vizquel up, man on first.

Strike
Bouncer to Matsui's left....gets a glove on it, but can't make a play.

1st and 2nd, no outs.

[T. J.]

Randy Winn batting

Ball outside
Ball outside
Long fly to left, one-hops wall, double

1 run scores.  Nobody out.

[T. J.]

Runners at 2nd and 3rd, infielders in, nobody out.

Aaron Rowand batting.

Curveball high, ball
Fastball hit through the left side, one run scores

Nobody out.

[MusicMan]

Sampson's going to have to stay out there and take his lumps for the team.

[T. J.]

Runners at 1st and 3rd, nobody out.

Bowker up.

Ball CRANKED to dead center...Bourn runs, runs, runs, gets a glove on it, but no catch.  Double.

2 runs score

[MusicMan]

Off Bourn's glove, now 6-0.

First game that I can remember in quite a while that we're just not at all competitive.

[T. J.]

Runner at 2nd, nobody out.

Aurilla up

Strike
Fly to center, Bourn catches it, runner tags at second and makes it to third.  Good throw would've gotten him.

1 out.

[T. J.]

Runner at 3rd, one out

Appeal to 2nd that runner left early.  No dice.

Holm up.

Strike swinging
Foul into the 1st base stands
Sinker outside, ball
Ball inside (barely)
--Lots of good hats in the stands.  Looks HOT.
Ball
Strike 3 swinging.

2 outs.

[T. J.]

Runner at 3rd, 2 outs

Bouncer to short on 2nd pitch.  3 outs.  That was fun.

[T. J.]

Matsui batting

Screamer back through the box for a base hit.

[T. J.]

Thunderpants batting

Man on first.

ball in the dirt (Matsui can't advance)
Pence sends one DEEP to right (kept going, and going, and going)

Hits Winn in the face off the wall!  Double.  Matsui to third.

[Anit]

lance knocks a couple in..what else is new

[T. J.]

Bacon up with runners and 2nd and 3rd.

Strike swinging
Ball low (93 MPH)
SMOKED to right for a single.  2 runs score.

Nobody out.  That was a 97MPH fastball.

[SaltyParker]

Pence at .290 now with that hit.

[T. J.]

Lee up, Berkman on 1st, nobody out.

Strike
Strike looking
Strikeout on a big ol' curveball in the dirt in front of the plate, wild pitch, Berkman advances to 2nd.

1 out.

[T. J.]

Blum up, Berkman on 2nd, 1 out.

Strike swinging
ball low (Berkman fakes steal to 3rd)
54 foot curveball (blocked by the catcher)
--JD making plans to win the game against the bullpen after Lincecum dies in the heat
Blum check swing, 3rd base ump says strike
Foul down left field line, good effort by LF, but Blum still alive
Bouncer to short.  Out.  Berkman to 3rd

2 out.

[T. J.]

Berkman on 3rd, 2 outs.

AFLAC trivia: In the '54 Series, Dusty Rhodes had 3 pinch hits in 3 appearances batting for what future hall-of-famer?

Loretta up

Ball low
Ball WAY inside
Smacked to left on a high fastball, base hit, RBI.

Still 2 out.

[Ty in Tampa]

All right. They're showing up now.

[pravata]

If they can chase Lincecum this game isnt over.

[T. J.]

Loretta on 1st, 2 outs.

Towles up

Strike
Strike
Strike looking.  Damn.  That was unimpressive.

Middle 4, Astros 3, Giants 6.

[JimR]

you see, JR, the bat is to swing with.

[Anit]

nice job cutting the lead in half

JR looks lost at the plate

[sporadic]

way to saw that bitch in half, boys!

[pravata]

64 pitches for Lincecum

[T. J.]

Lincecum batting

Strike
Lifts a fly to left center, Bourn takes over.  1 out.

[astrojo]

jim edmonds now a cub

and,

that bobblehead looks nothing like oswalt

[T. J.]

Lewis batting

Curveball strike
Strike 2 looking
Ball outside in the dirt
Foul
Grounder to Matsui, flip to first.

2 out.

[astrojo]

towles 6 pitches = 2 K

[T. J.]

Vizquel batting

Low and outside, ball one
Low, ball 2
Strike at the knees
Low, ball 3
Bouncer down the line, Berkman bobbles, recovers, throws to Sampson....safe by inches.

1 on, 2 out.

[T. J.]

Winn batting, man on first.

Strike
nice curveball, strike 2.
(throw to first)
foul
--Brownie on a tangent about heart rate when throwing batting practice.  JD incredulous.
Smash down the right field line just past Berkman.  Double.  Runners and 2nd and 3rd.

[JaneDoe]

What is Coop gonna do now?

[Anit]

GOD DAMNIT

[JaneDoe]

Geez.... Loretta looks rough out there.

[T. J.]

Rowan batting, runners at 2nd and 3rd.

Easy grounder to Loretta, crappy throw up the line, pulls Berkman off the bag, one run scores.

[T. J.]

Bowker batting

Easy fly ball.  Out.

Gave 'em one there boys.  On to the 5th.

[T. J.]

AFLAC trivia: In the '54 Series, Dusty Rhodes had 3 pinch hits in 3 appearances batting for what future hall-of-famer?

Monte Irvin

[Astroholic]

Monte Irvin

Is Sampson done?  He spot is leading off correct.

[T. J.]

Sampson batting

Strike looking
Strike swinging
Ball low
strikeout swinging


1 out.

[JimR]

Lincecum looks borderline out of control when he throws. scary to stand in there, i'll bet.

[T. J.]

Bourn batting

ball outside
ball outside
Line drive to left, stays up too long.  Out.

2 out.

[OregonStrosFan]

***Easy grounder to Loretta, crappy throw up the line, pulls Berkman off the bag, one run scores.

Bet Tejada is fit to be tied/chomping at the bits to get out there.  Are the showing him on the bench in the Houston feed (haven't noticed them panning over to him on the SF feed). 

[T. J.]

Kaz

Strike swinging
ball low
ball high
ball outside
foul down the left side
--77 pitches
foul
ball inside.  Walk

[Anit]

lincecum looks like hes losing some control up there

might get to the bullpen sooner

[T. J.]

Spaz up, Kaz on 1st

Ball in the dirt, Matsui breaking on the pitch.  Easy steal.
--Showing fat dudes stinking in the stands
Wild pitch, Matsui to third
--JD says maybe we'll get a little league run here.
ball low
92MPH strike on the outside corner
ball outside, walk.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Was Loretta charged with an error for the throw to Berkman, or did the other shitty inning account for both errors?

[Anit]

Was Loretta charged with an error for the throw to Berkman, or did the other shitty inning account for both errors?

error

[JimR]

he has to rest some...i guess. he'll make errors too, though. the ball in the first would not have been a DP on Rowand after that high hop, but Loretta has given up 2 and knocked in 1.

[astrojo]

yes, that was a throwing error

[Ebby Calvin]

Damn, thought we'd get one out of that.

[T. J.]

PUMA.  Runners 1st/3rd.

ball inside
ball high
--JD says Lincecum has no clue where it's going now.
Strike swinging on a changeup
(Third to first fake that never works)
Strike swinging (96 MPH) (He's hit 100 today)
Ball in the dirt.  (Pence moving on the next pitch.)
Check swing strike in the dirt.  K.  Catcher throws to 1st for the out.

[Desperado]

Lance got himself out there.

Still 4 innings to go, though.

[T. J.]

Aurelia batting

Base hit through the hole on the left side.

[Noe]

Sampson's going to have to take one for the team today.

[T. J.]

Holm up, man on 1st

Grounder, tough play for Loretta, got him at 1st.  (Whew.)

1 out.

[T. J.]

Burriss batting, man on 2nd

Ball
Chopper to Kaz, 2 out.

[T. J.]

Lincecum batting, man on 3rd, 2 out.

Ball
Ball
Strike
bouncer to Loretta.  3 out (whew again)

Nice quick inning.

[Astroholic]

Lincecum batting, man on 3rd, 2 out.

Ball
Ball
Strike
bouncer to Loretta.  3 out (whew again)

Nice quick inning.

Loretta's getting a workout.

[pravata]

Loretta's getting a workout.

The ball always finds the new guy.

[JimR]

Loretta's getting a workout.

it never fails. try to sneak a guy in and hide him, and the other side finds him immediately.

ETA: great minds, pravata.

[T. J.]

Need a 1/2 inning break...no PBP for a while.

[Anit]

that has the be one of the longest singles i've ever seen

[Desperado]

SB for Lee. 1-2 on Blum.

[Desperado]

Blum flies to center, Lee can't move up. 2 out.

2-0, now 2-1 on Loretta. Lincecum is at 100 pitches.

[petner]

100+ pitches for Lincecum and their bullpen is warming up...

[Desperado]

Loretta K's swinging. 2 out.

[Anit]

ANOTHER 3 pitch strikeout for towles

[astrojo]

towles has no business in a major league lineup right now.

9 pitches = 3 K

[Astroholic]

towles has no business in a major league lineup right now.

9 pitches = 3 K

Kid is lost.

[petner]

3 K's for Towles on 9 pitches?

(sorry, I need to post faster)

[Desperado]

JR still looks completely lost. K's on 3 straight pitches. To the bottom of the 6th.

[astrojo]

3 K's for Towles on 9 pitches?

(sorry, I need to post faster)

sadly, yes

[pravata]

towles has no business in a major league lineup right now.

Then why is he?  Lincecum has 10Ks today.

[T. J.]

Ok, I'm back.

[kevwun]

A 12 pitch golden sombrero would be not good.

[moriartp]

Oh Humby Q, where are you?

[T. J.]

Lewis batting

Ball
Ball
Bouncer to Loretta again!  One out (he's gotten his practice today).

[astrojo]

Then why is he?  Lincecum has 10Ks today.

oh, please.

he needs time at AAA.  it's time to bring up quintero.

[moriartp]

Bouncer to Loretta again!  One out (he's gotten his practice today).

I just wish he'd gotten his practice in before the game.

[T. J.]

Vizquel batting (3 for 3 today), 1 out.

Ball
Strike
Foul off his ankle. 
74 MPH looping curve.  Foul
Another 75 MPH lollipop.  Swinging strikeout.

2 down.

[BudGirl]

Sampson's going to have to take one for the team today.

payback's a bitch.

How many times have the boys in the pen helped him?  At least 4.

[Noe]

Blum, Loretta and Towles fail to drive in Lee from second base.  Funny, Do-Ray were talking about something Cooper said about the lineup: When you *move* Pence up to the third spot of the lineup, you *need* someone to pick up the production in RBIs that Pence has been providing.  6, 7 and 8 did not do that just now.  Cooper is dead set that he will not move Berkman from cleanup, Tejada from #3, nor Lee from the five spot nor Matsui from #2.  The others will need to do a better job of performing in their spots.  Pence is getting closer (IMHO) to being a guy you don't want to move from the #6 spot given how well Berkman, Matsui, Tejada and Lee get on.

If you *move* Pence, then it's going to have to be Blum/Loretta/Wiggington, Towles and Bourn to drive in those runs.  Raise your hand if you like *THAT* idea!

[T. J.]

Winn batting (also 3 for 3 today).  2 out

Ball
Strike
Bouncer to 3rd, throw to 1st, yer outa there.

Nice easy inning.

Woo Hoo!  Work is over.  I'm opening a Dos Equis.  Can I get anybody else one?

[astrojo]

Winn batting (also 3 for 3 today).  2 out

Ball
Strike
Bouncer to 3rd, throw to 1st, yer outa there.

Nice easy inning.

Woo Hoo!  Work is over.  I'm opening a Dos Equis.  Can I get anybody else one?

you work from home?

[pravata]

oh, please.

he needs time at AAA.  it's time to bring up quintero.

Please?  Why isnt he in AAA, are the Astros blind?

[Noe]

Winn batting (also 3 for 3 today).  2 out

Ball
Strike
Bouncer to 3rd, throw to 1st, yer outa there.

Nice easy inning.

Woo Hoo!  Work is over.  I'm opening a Dos Equis.  Can I get anybody else one?

Aqui por favor!  Muchachas Garcias, mi amigo!

[T. J.]

That's it for Sampson.

IP     H     R     ER     BB     K     HR     Season ERA
C. Sampson    6.0    10    7    5    0    3    0    6.46    

Cruz PH.

1st pitch swinging.  DEEP to left, but caught.  Brownie thought it was out.

[JimR]

I just wish he'd gotten his practice in before the game.

what is that supposed to mean?

[Desperado]

Cruz Jr. with a 380' out.

[Noe]

... are the Astros blind?

Nope, just premature in promoting the young man from AA and hand him over a major league job.  That's not blind, that is painted oneself into a corner.

[T. J.]

Bourn up

Ball
Ball
Ball
Strike (taking all the way)
Lifts one to shallow left.  Vizuel takes it.  2 out.

[Desperado]

Bourn just popped up ball 4.

[Noe]

Bourn just popped up ball 4.

Frustration swinging.  Not a good thing.

[astrojo]

Please?  Why isnt he in AAA, are the Astros blind?

look prav, quit baiting me.  quintero's a better choice now.  i don't think the astros are blind. a change is gonna come.  the sooner, better.

[T. J.]

Kazuo up, 2 out.

Ball high
ball bounced in front of the plate
strike
Ball high
Fouled back right on his hands
Line shot to left.  Easy stand-up double.

[JimR]

Frustration swinging.  Not a good thing.

not accepting that his role is to get on base, not to hit .300.

[BudGirl]

Kazuo up, 2 out.

Ball high
ball bounced in front of the plate
strike
Ball high
Fouled back right on his hands
Line shot to left.  Easy stand-up double.

Damm, someone needs to be on base before he hits that!!!

[T. J.]

And...that gives us a pitching change with Spaz coming up.

Man, 96 degrees in San Fran.  Don't you know the whole bay area smells like stinky hippie?

[Desperado]

2 out rally time.

[T. J.]

Aqui por favor!  Muchachas Garcias, mi amigo!

You'll have to provide your own limes.  I'm out.

[pravata]

look prav, quit baiting me.  quintero's a better choice now.  i don't think the astros are blind. a change is gonna come.  the sooner, better.

Not baiting you.  Seriously, why havent the Astros sent him to AAA? There must be thousands, just like you, who make a special point every time he strikes out.  How can they miss that?

[Noe]

not accepting that his role is to get on base, not to hit .300.

Yup.  Trying too hard to prove he can hit... that is not his job per se... I don't care what Pallilo or anyone else says.  His job as leadoff is get on base.  Ball four works just as well, but hardly increases that batting average that Pallilo and others love to cite as a detriment to the team.  Now with Matsui's double, Bourn either scores or is sitting on third base with only one out and Pence/Berkman/Lee up to bat.

Get. On. Base.

That should be pinned to his clothing so he can get the message clearly.

[pravata]

Nope, just premature in promoting the young man from AA and hand him over a major league job.  That's not blind, that is painted oneself into a corner.

That is correct.  They still have Quintero, after cycling him through waivers twice, why isnt he called up?  (The answer is in the question)

[JimR]

Yup.  Trying too hard to prove he can hit... that is not his job per se... I don't care what Pallilo or anyone else says.  His job as leadoff is get on base.  Ball four works just as well, but hardly increases that batting average that Pallilo and others love to cite as a detriment to the team.  Now with Matsui's double, Bourn either scores or is sitting on third base with only one out and Pence/Berkman/Lee up to bat.

Get. On. Base.

That should be pin to his clothing so he can get the message clearly.

exactly. he accepts the walk and then scores. that's a good thing.

[Noe]

Not baiting you.  Seriously, why havent the Astros sent him to AAA? There must be thousands, just like you, who make a special point every time he strikes out.  How can they miss that?

Go ask Pam Gardner.  Second office door to the left.

[astrojo]

Not baiting you.  Seriously, why havent the Astros sent him to AAA? There must be thousands, just like you, who make a special point every time he strikes out.  How can they miss that?

we'll see.

oh, and one more thing...

fuck off.

[JimR]

Pence, the Saviour, is helpless on sliders.

[T. J.]

Tyler Walker pitching. 3.86 ERA

Pence (!) up, Kaz at 2nd.  2 out.

Slider swinging (of course)
Same thing (of course)
Spaz lays off one way outside
Another slider, Pence fouls this one off
Fastball up and in, ball
Yet ANOTHER slider, Pence (maybe) tips this one.  Ump calls it anyway.  Still alive.
Another slider.  Pence grounds it to short.  Easy play.  Yer out.

3 out. 

[Noe]

"Swing and a miss on a slider away" - Do-Ray calling Pence out prematurely.  Does he have to say "slider away"?  Isn't that a given?

[Desperado]

Reminds me of Craig. It's painful to watch such a talented player struggle with the same pitch day after day.

[pravata]

we'll see.

oh, and one more thing...

fuck off.

Nice, all I'm trying to do is get you to think.  Are you capable?

[T. J.]

Everybody stretch.

Bork in.

Rowan batting.

Strike looking
Ball low
Smash, up the middle for a hit.

[JimR]

all three in the dirt with him flailing away. "if you have to reach for it, it is not a strike" seems so simple to me.

[OregonStrosFan]

Reminds me of Craig. It's painful to watch such a talented player struggle with the same pitch day after day.

Thought he tried too hard to get out of the way of that inside pitch.  His mentor would have been very disappointed.

[Anit]

nice snag and double play from lance

[T. J.]

Bowker (1 for 2) up.  Man on 1st.  Nobody out

Ball (looked like a strike)
(throw to first)
Strike (looked like a ball.  Makeup call?)
(throw to first)

Liner to Berkman, catches it (snowcone) while standing on the bag, double play!

[JimR]

Bowker has a great swing.

[T. J.]

Aurilia up (1 for 3), 2 out, nobody on

Strike
smash to Loretta's backhand.  Nice play.  Got 'im.

3 out.  On to the 8th.

[Noe]

Reminds me of Craig. It's painful to watch such a talented player struggle with the same pitch day after day.

The key is to lay off the first two sliders.  That makes it an 0-2 count and Berkman standing in the on-deck circle.  The pitcher has to think really hard if the next pitch is a slider.  Pence then has all the advantages.  He'll get a fastball and he usually kills those pitches.

In such a case, it's called "knowing the situation".  "Who is hitting behind you?  What do you think he's going to try and throw to get ahead of you?  Can you afford to look at one?"  I'm sure Spaz has some sort of thought process when he's up to bat... but I'm not sure if it's what I'm describing here.  Maybe it's more like "How does that song go again?  Hmmmmm.... oh baby, baby I love your weights!  No, that's not it.... hmmmm... oh look, that's Matsui's cleat prints in the sand... AWESOME!... hmmmm... oh yeah, now I remember... oh baby, baby I love your... ahhh... no... oh, here comes the pitch!  SWING!!!!"

[T. J.]

you work from home?

I am today.

[T. J.]

BerkMAN

Ball
Ball
Strike on the outside corner
--JD with "Streets of San Francisco" quotes.
Ball high
Hard hit ball to 2nd, but right at him.  1 out.

[Noe]

Nice, all I'm trying to do is get you to think.  Are you capable?

Gamezone, we don't (or at least I don't want to) think here.  Read the primer son.

Warning, it is usually raw and the emotion of the moment, so never take anything said in the GZ as well thought out analysis, it is always reactionary and that is the way it should be. It is what makes it fun.

[T. J.]

Lee up

ball
BOOM  gone.

[pravata]

Gamezone, we don't (or at least I don't want to) think here.  Read the primer son.

Is it forbidden?

[matadorph]

Thanks for the PBP. I'm watching gamecast from a Starbucks because I still have no power at my house.

[Anit]

lee got all of that one

[Desperado]

Well, I felt like the game was slipping away after that Berkman ground out, but Lee puts up a homer. I'm not sure how much the bottom of the lineup can muster today, though.

[Noe]

Is it forbidden?

It is acceptable.  Quit 'yer bitchin!

[T. J.]

What is the deal with these guys and the 8th inning?!

Blum up.

Ball
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Blum strikes out, but ball gets to the backstop.  Safe at first!

1 on, 1 out.

[OregonStrosFan]

Nice, all I'm trying to do is get you to think.  Are you capable?

Bourn seems to be 'on the cusp' of getting it together.  As long as he seems to be making strides towards succeeding he certainly needs to be given every opportunity to do so (half season/ 300 ABs absolute minimum). 

Towles, on the other hand, seems to be completely and totally lost at the plate, and it his ABs are becoming increasingly worse.  IMO, the question isn't some much does he need to be sent down because he's 'hurting the team,' rather, can giving him an opportunity to work on issues and get his confidence back at AAA help make him into the player folks believe he is capable of becoming.

[T. J.]

Mark "Iron Glove" Loretta up, one on, one out.

strike
Base hit to left.

2 on, 1 out.

[pravata]

It is acceptable.  Quit 'yer bitchin!

I'll just wait for the parrot to pop out, "Towles struck out" on cue.

[Anit]

smart move, and a no brainer really here to pinch hit for towles

[pravata]

Bourn seems to be 'on the cusp' of getting it together.  As long as he seems to be making strides towards succeeding he certainly needs to be given every opportunity to do so (half season/ 300 ABs absolute minimum). 

Towles, on the other hand, seems to be completely and totally lost at the plate, and it his ABs are becoming increasingly worse.  IMO, the question isn't some much does he need to be sent down because he's 'hurting the team,' rather, can giving him an opportunity to work on issues and get his confidence back at AAA help make him into the player folks believe he is capable of becoming.

If they bring Q up again, Towles will be down for a long time.

[Desperado]

Blum on with a strikeout/wild pitch, Loretta on with a single to center. Erstad in to PH for JR.

[Noe]

Bourn seems to be 'on the cusp' of getting it together.  As long as he seems to be making strides towards succeeding he certainly needs to be given every opportunity to do so (half season/ 300 ABs absolute minimum). 

Towles, on the other hand, seems to be completely and totally lost at the plate, and it his ABs are becoming increasingly worse.  IMO, the question isn't some much does he need to be sent down because he's 'hurting the team,' rather, can giving him an opportunity to work on issues and get his confidence back at AAA help make him into the player folks believe he is capable of becoming.

Eggszactly.  It's not about punishing Towles.  It's about helping the guy.  If you like Towles... then help him for goodness sake.  He did not have any AAA experience and in talking to folks who know, AAA would've helped him tremendously.  Tree-Men-Dos-Lee!

Too late now (it seems), got to ride this one out because they (the Astros) made this bed, now they must sleep on it.

[Anit]

FUCKING ERSTAD!!!!

TIE GAME!!!

[loganck]

YES!

[T. J.]

Erstad comes in to PH for Towles, 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

Ball high
Woo Hoo.  Liner straight out to right field.  Man, that got out in a hurry!

Tie ballgame.

[Noe]

I'll just wait for the parrot to pop out, "Towles struck out" on cue.

Not going to get your chance.  How about that Ausmus homerun last night!

[mihoba]

Erstad!!!!

[Greg M]

Flippin' sweet!

[MRaup]

Blum on with a strikeout/wild pitch, Loretta on with a single to center. Erstad in to PH for JR.

Shit, I'dve pinch hit Sluggo Ausmus!

[Ty in Tampa]

FUCK YEAH!!!!

[Desperado]

Good lord. Erstad with a line drive that just clears the high right field wall. Tie game.

[Noe]

AWESOME!!!!

[T. J.]

Erstad comes in to PH for Towles, 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

Ball high
Woo Hoo.  Liner straight out to right field.  Man, that got out in a hurry!

Tie ballgame.

San Fran wanted to get a lefty in there to pitch, but couldn't get him ready in time.

[MusicMan]

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

[OregonStrosFan]

Un-friggin'-believable!!!

[matadorph]

HOLY FUCKING SHIT

I do not believe what I just didn't see.

[loganck]

San Fran wanted to get a lefty in there to pitch, but couldn't get him ready in time.

Maybe if the firstbaseman had dirt in his eye

[Noe]

Gotta take this game now... just gotta.  Why?  Because I said so!

[T. J.]

Ausmus PH.  Still one out.  Sampson off the hook.

ball
swinging strike (bad looking swing, but he's oh-so-cute)
ball
ball
strike (ball rolls into the picture from the bullpen, I guess.)
ball 4.

[BudGirl]

Not going to get your chance.  How about that Ausmus homerun last night!

i love him.  he makes me smile.

[Matt]

Maybe if the firstbaseman had dirt in his eye

I'm lost on this one...did I miss something?

[pravata]

Maybe if the firstbaseman had dirt in his eye

They aren't "wily"

[Ty in Tampa]

i love him.  he makes me smile.

Are you happy he's happy?

[OregonStrosFan]

MLB.com feed is 2-3 pitches behind FSN.  Gonna have to stop refreshing so quickly...

[ybbodeus]

FUCK YEAH!!!!

Team America...?

[BudGirl]

I'm lost on this one...did I miss something?

would give them time to get a pitcher to substitute.

[JimR]

I'm lost on this one...did I miss something?

stalling to get the pitcher ready.

[BudGirl]

Are you happy he's happy?

YES.  Aren't you happier when I'm happy?

[astrojo]

I'm lost on this one...did I miss something?

lance gets the trainer to give him visine drops to buy time for a pitcher to warm up.

[matadorph]

Suck my dick and lick my balls YEAH

This team is a joy to watch, even on gamecast.

[Matt]

lance gets the trainer to give him visine drops to buy time for a pitcher to warm up.

Ah okay, I understood what it would do but didn't know who did it.  That's funny though.

[T. J.]

Lefty Alex Hinshaw in to pitch for his major league debut (Gee, thanks skip!  How about an easier spot?!)

Bourn up, 1 on, 1 out.

Ball
Ball
Strike
Ball outside
Steerike swinging
Strikeout swinging

2 out.

[BudGirl]

Darn, wish I had time to drive home to catch the rest of this game.  Knew I should have called in sick today.

[pravata]

Ah okay, I understood what it would do but didn't know who did it.  That's funny though.

The funny part was the exaggerated blinking he did after they put the drops in, as if to say "yeah, that's better".

[BudGirl]

Lefty Alex Hinshaw in to pitch for his major league debut (Gee, thanks skip!  How about an easier spot?!)

Bourn up, 1 on, 1 out.

Ball
Ball
Strike
Ball outside
Steerike swinging
Strikeout swinging

2 out.

did he swing at strikes? or were they ball 4?

[Noe]

Ah okay, I understood what it would do but didn't know who did it.  That's funny though.

And the pitcher (Cassell?) came up to Lance after the inning and thanked him for doing it.  Smart baseball move, reminded everyone of Baggy.

[JimR]

Lefty Alex Hinshaw in to pitch for his major league debut (Gee, thanks skip!  How about an easier spot?!)

Bourn up, 1 on, 1 out.

Ball
Ball
Strike
Ball outside
Steerike swinging
Strikeout swinging

2 out.

strike 1 was ball 3. Bourn cannot get a break.

[Ty in Tampa]

YES.  Aren't you happier when I'm happy?

Everybody's happier when you're happy.

[mihoba]

The funny part was the exaggerated blinking he did after they put the drops in, as if to say "yeah, that's better".

Which is another stall tactic in itself. Wait...did you get it....wait....lemme see......oh okay.

[MusicMan]

did he swing at strikes? or were they ball 4?

Strikes.  Just couldn't catch up to the FB.

[BudGirl]

Everybody's happier when you're happy.

That is so much truer than you probably realize.

[Noe]

did he swing at strikes? or were they ball 4?

Do-Ray said good fastballs that he swung through.

[T. J.]

Kaz up (2 for 3 today).  Runner on 1st.  2 out.

(Throw to 1st)
Ball outside
Ball outside
Ausmus stealing, had a good jump, but ball was fouled back.
(throw to 1st)
--coming into this game, Astros outscoring opponents 32-16 in the 8th)
Basehit to left.

[mihoba]

Fore!

[OregonStrosFan]

did he swing at strikes? or were they ball 4?

Strike 2 and 3 were legit pitches (strikes).

[T. J.]

The Puma prowls to the plate.  1st and 2nd, 2 outs.

Double-switch coming up.

ETA:  Oops. Make that Spaz.

[BudGirl]

The Puma prowls to the plate. 

I like that.

[JimR]

Strikes.  Just couldn't catch up to the FB.

he was on them but under both.

[MusicMan]

The Puma prowls to the plate.  1st and 2nd, 2 outs.

Double-switch coming up.

Negative - spaz up, Puma on deck.

[mihoba]

The Puma prowls to the plate.  1st and 2nd, 2 outs.

Double-switch coming up.

Pence?

[JimR]

The Puma prowls to the plate.  1st and 2nd, 2 outs.

Double-switch coming up.

it is Pence, isn't it?

[astrojo]

If they bring Q up again, Towles will be down for a long time.

i realize this and i'm sure this is why the front office has been slow to correct their mistake.  but i still think (yes, i am capable) that towles will lose more and more PT to Ausmus, so AAA would be a better choice for him to get straightened out.  what is so bad about Q being up and towles being down for a long time?  

ETA i promise i am really not trying to be obtuse here, why would they not make this move eventually if it will simultaneously help towles AND the team?

[Noe]

Do-Ray said Berkman will tell anyone that will listen that Matsui is the team MVP.  Eggszaggeration I'm sure, but he is a good #2 hitter for sure.  Come on Pence... know this situation.  Come through baby!

[JaneDoe]

Bowker has a great swing.

Didn't you say this last night? 

[BudGirl]

Didn't you say this last night? 

Yeah, he did.  Must be a good swing.

[JimR]

Didn't you say this last night? 

and your point is?

[MusicMan]

Didn't you say this last night? 

Most of us were asleep last night.

[JimR]

please hit the slider to right.

shit. a little further than that.

[T. J.]

I'm an idiot.  Pence up.  2 on, 2 out.

Ball
Strike
Strike swinging on a slider
--JD says "he's pulling off that slider a little bit".  Ya think?
Bounced one in the dirt
Another slider.  Pence lifts a foul to the right side.  1B makes a nice play leaning over the rail

3 out.  The 8th inning rules.

[mihoba]

please hit the slider to right.

He tried.

That pitcher was really chulking in there.

[JaneDoe]

and your point is?

You didn't think he'd lose his swing overnight did ya?   

[pravata]

i realize this and i'm sure this is why the front office has been slow to correct their mistake.  but i still think (yes, i am capable) that towles will lose more and more PT to Ausmus, so AAA would be a better choice for him to get straightened out.  what is so bad about Q being up and towles being down for a long time?  

Noe highlighted the problem, it never was a baseball decision.  They've probably run out of lives with Quintero passing through waivers so they better be real sure of their timing.  They're not going to send Towles down because Lincecum struck him out, not even 3 times.  And, and this is significant too, the main reason Ausmus has a contract and Quintero is in the minors, is for Ausmus to coach Towles.  Can't coach him if he's in Round Rock.

[MusicMan]

You didn't think he'd lose his swing overnight did ya?   

Maybe he goes to the MoBerg school of hitting.  Could have changed 20 times in that span.

[Noe]

what is so bad about Q being up and towles being down for a long time? 

Q is not well liked by some teammates and especially some pitchers.  He's better defensively than Towles by a mile.  He can match whatever production Towles is giving right now as a hitter.  But Q isn't the best answer and neither is JR House.  Both have issues that make them somewhat suspect as solutions right now. 

Houston painted themselves into a corner.

[Ty in Tampa]

Noe highlighted the problem, it never was a baseball decision.  They've probably run out of lives with Quintero passing through waivers so they better be real sure of their timing.  They're not going to send Towles down because Lincecum struck him out, not even 3 times.  And, and this is significant too, the main reason Ausmus has a contract and Quintero is in the minors, is for Ausmus to coach Towles.  Can't coach him if he's in Round Rock.

Threads. Threads so thin, they're hard to see.

[T. J.]

We changed the battery:  Geary in to pitch, Ausmus stays in to catch. 

Holm up

Ball
Strike
Lifts an easy fly to Gunther.  Out.

[T. J.]

Ray Durham at bat

Strike looking
Smacks one hard to Kaz's left.  Dives.  Can't make the play.  Base hit.

[remy]

Holy sheeiit!  I fall asleep when it's 6-0 (west coast road trips = me behind on sleep)... wake up and it's 7-7!  I have some reading to do.

[pravata]

Q is not well liked by some teammates and especially some pitchers.  He's better defensively than Towles by a mile.  He can match whatever production Towles is giving right now as a hitter.  But Q isn't the best answer and neither is JR House.  Both have issues that make them somewhat suspect as solutions right now. 

Houston painted themselves into a corner.

So, point out all Towles' Ks if you like, you'll get your exercise if nothing else, but it's beside the point complaining that he's not ready for the Majors.  They know that.

[Noe]

So, point out all Towles' Ks if you like, you'll get your exercise if nothing else, but it's beside the point complaining that he's not ready for the Majors.  They know that.

Yep.   Which is sad for Towles because he should be in AAA and if they wanted Ausmus to tutor him, then make him part of Dave Clark's coaching staff or stop that silly idea.  That September 2007 did more harm for Towles than it should have.

[T. J.]

Jose Castillo at bat (PH).  Runner at 1st.  1 out.

(Throw to first)
Strike
(throw to first)
Ball low
Another ball low and outside.  Ausmus goes out to chat.
Ball low in the dirt.  C'mon....
Ball 4.  Ausmus had thrown out Durham by a mile, but no matter.

[T. J.]

Ausmus calls the trainer to the mound.  He saw something with Geary (and they take him out).  Byrdak to come in.

[MusicMan]

Ausmus pointed out an injury for Geary, Geary coming out.  And may I just say: shit.

[remy]

I shouldn't have woken up.

[BudGirl]

Uh-oh.

glad Sampson went a little longer than usual.

[BudGirl]

I shouldn't have woken up.

you can always go back to sleep.

[OregonStrosFan]

Ball 4.  Ausmus had thrown out Durham by a mile, but no matter.

Ball 4 looked a heck a lot like a strike...

[matadorph]

Ausmus pointed out an injury for Geary, Geary coming out.  And may I just say: shit.

Of what variety?

[Noe]

If you ever listen to Do-Ray, Ray of the duo is the worse one at providing Limey-ish type of BBG nose thumbing that I've ever heard.  In the first season they called, Raymond would say things like "They're facing the Pirates, so this should be an easy series to take..." and then the Astros would get swept by the Pirates, that sort of thing.

Any way, he's already calling this game a win or success for the Astros.  Bastards... they're tied, not ahead.  Now the pitcher is hurt and the Gints have two men on.  Damnit, the guy has no idea how bad he sounds when he makes these sort of pronouncements.  I know though, he'd probably say something like "I don't believe in that silly superstition stuff...".  I'd like him to mention that to a bunch of ballplayers and see if he doesn't wind up in a trash can in the clubhouse soon afterwards.

[BudGirl]

Who's coming in to pitch?

[remy]

Ball 4 looked a heck a lot like a strike...

No shit... has that really been a ball all day?

[loganck]

I love how JD keeps pointing out how slow Molina is

[BudGirl]

I love how JD keeps pointing out how slow Molina is

just wondering, is there anything about JD that we don't like?

[T. J.]

Nice looking rainbow gut in the stands.
Brocail warming up

Bengie Molina in to PH.  Runners at 1st and 2nd.  1 out.

HIGH foul to left.  Out of play.
Lazy fly to Spaz in left.  Nobody moves up.  2 outs.

It's now One Hundred Degrees in San Francisco on May 15.

[Noe]

Who's coming in to pitch?

Byrdak.

In to face Molina and Vizquel.  Do-Ray calling for a double play with Molina.  Watch him hit a homerun now!

[Noe]

Nice looking rainbow gut in the stands.
Brocail warming up

Bengie Molina in to PH.  Runners at 1st and 2nd.  1 out.

HIGH foul to left.  Out of play.
Lazy fly to Spaz in left.  Nobody moves up.  2 outs.

It's now One Hundred Degrees in San Francisco on May 15.

*phew*

[Desperado]

Still no word on Geary's injury.

[remy]

A little odd to think about flying back from SF to Arlington as a "break from the heat."

[OregonStrosFan]

***I'd like him to mention that to a bunch of ballplayers and see if he doesn't wind up in a trash can in the clubhouse soon afterwards.

From Biggio in McTaggart's blog today: "I have no problem watching it at all," he said. "And I can just talk about the game. What makes it easy is you know you're not going back out there and playing, so you can talk about stuff you wouldn't normally say because you didn't want the baseball gods to come back and get you."  LINK.

Looks like Pigpen is a believer.

[T. J.]

Vizquel up.  2 on.  2 out.

Steerike one.
ball high.
(Ausmus calls time.)
Foul back to the screen
Ball outside
Foul into the right field stands
Another foul out of play
Foul bouncing down the left field line to the old ball dude (must be 75 years old.  Wearing black.  Long sleeves.  Somebody get him a tank top or something!)
Foul
Foul
--Brownie says the old ball dude is the past president of the Int'l domino association.
Fly ball to Pence.  Out.

On to the 9th!

[Noe]

From Biggio in McTaggart's blog today: "I have no problem watching it at all," he said. "And I can just talk about the game. What makes it easy is you know you're not going back out there and playing, so you can talk about stuff you wouldn't normally say because you didn't want the baseball gods to come back and get you."  LINK.

Looks like Pigpen is a believer.

They all are.  Trust me.  People actually believe we're kidding when we talk about the BBGs around here.  We're not.

[Desperado]

Phew. Liner to RF, Pence makes the grab. To the ninth!

[remy]

/exhale

[matadorph]

goddamned gamecast made that look like a triple in the corner.


Whew.

[mihoba]

Brydak hung tough as Omar fouled off about 10 pitches.

[remy]

Now if Lance can just do what he did in this same park on 9/23/04, it will be a happy day.

[T. J.]

NOW, the Puma prowls to the plate.

Home run.  Ho hum.

[mihoba]

Splash!!!

[Noe]

Phew. Liner to RF, Pence makes the grab. To the ninth!

Did a lot of sacrificing to the BBGs on that AB... damn you Do-Ray.  Had to go find pictures of Birds in honor of Byrdak.  And weasels in homage to Vizquel so the BBGs would get a laugh.  We need a Puma pic... stat!

[Greg M]

Fucking a!

[Anit]

LANCE FUCKING BERKMAN

INTO THE WATER

[Desperado]

SPLASHDOWN, PUMA.

[Ty in Tampa]

Now if Lance can just do what he did in this same park on 9/23/04, it will be a happy day.

thank you, remy.

[remy]

AND HE DOES IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  KERSPLASH!

[OregonStrosFan]

SPLASHDOWN!!! OMG!!!

[Noe]

Did a lot of sacrificing to the BBGs on that AB... damn you Do-Ray.  Had to go find pictures of Birds in honor of Byrdak.  And weasels in homage to Vizquel so the BBGs would get a laugh.  We need a Puma pic... stat!

Ahum... nevermind... he hit it as I typed it!!! PUMAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

[T. J.]

Caballo

Somehow it's 3 and 2.  I'm still stunned by the HR.
Liner to left.  Base hit.

[remy]

Here's hoping Greenvalley has icewater in his veins on this hot afternoon.

[Anit]

strained groin for geary

[mihoba]

Groin injury for Geary. Geary groin.

groan.

[remy]

strained groin for geary

Seems to be contagious on this team.

NTTAWTT.

[T. J.]

Blum up.  Lee on 1st.  Nobody out.

Strike looking
ball outside
--Geary, strained groin, day-to-day (aren't we all)
(throw to first)
ball high
--JDs thinking Tejada is foaming at the mouth.
Smack!  Line drive out to right field.  One out.

[T. J.]

Lo-ret-ta.  Lee on 1st.  1 out.

(Throw to first)
Ball 1
--Tejada in the on-deck circle
Ooooh.  Nearly a hit over first base, but foul.
Ball in the dirt.
-- Do they count splash hits for the opponent too?  Surely not.
Runner going, fouled back.  Lee says "Stop making me run!  It's freaking hot!"
Same thing.  Same result.  Lee is going to have a heart attack.
--Orange Astros hat gets the foul ball
Liner to center.  Base hit.

[BudGirl]

so, is Brocail still warming up?

[Ty in Tampa]

Tejada on deck, sez the SF kooks.

[Rebel Jew]

Seems to be contagious on this team.

NTTAWTT.

it's not "strained penis," if that's what your comedic stylings are implying.

[JaneDoe]

Great AB by Loretta.

Cue the Tejada music.

[Anit]

cue the ridiculous music

miggy pinch hitting

[mihoba]

Seems to be contagious on this team.

NTTAWWT.

Electronic white out.

[Desperado]

Here comes Miggy, runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

[remy]

Electronic white out.

thank you.  I knew it looked wrong.

Do you think Miggy is interested in buying some insurance?  Let's watch and see.

[Rebel Jew]

Do you think Miggy is interested in buying some insurance?  Let's watch and see.

you are bubbling over with snappiness

[Noe]

Here comes Miggy, runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

Or "Mickey" as Cooper called him yesterday.

[BudGirl]

Wow, I didn't realize Bradley was hitting .240.  Good job young man.

[remy]

you are bubbling over with snappiness

Must have been that 2 hour nap, and the joy of waking up to a 6-run comeback!

[Snake]

On base three times with a homer and three RBI? Just a regular day at the office for Lance Berkman.

[mihoba]

That old man ball guy is nuts I tells ya! Just got drilled in the shins. JD is incredulous.

[BudGirl]

Jakes lost today.    But the Cubs won.

[Noe]

Wow, I didn't realize Bradley was hitting .240.  Good job young man.

He's not playing every day.  His production probably comes from having the legs to hit a bit better than he usually does when he plays every day.

[T. J.]

Cue the (annoying) music, Tejada's up to pinch hit.  1st and 2nd.  1 out.

Ball low
Ka-bloooie.  Hard foul ball to left.  Get out of the way of that one.
Foul to the first base side (just out of the 1Bs range)
(Pitcher steps off)
Bouncer foul.  Old ball dude took that one off the leg.  Ouch! 
--He's 85, by the way.  Engineering degree from Stanford.  Can somebody get him a white jersey at least?
Foul back.
Foul back.
-- Man, it is beautiful there.  What a spot for a ballpark.
Fly to left.  2 outs.

[BudGirl]

He's not playing every day.  His production probably comes from having the legs to hit a bit better than he usually does when he plays every day.

just seems like he Ks a lot when I watch.  glad to see i'm missing his hits.

[mihoba]

just seems like he Ks a lot when I watch.  glad to see i'm missing his hits.

Quit watching.

[T. J.]

Ausmus.  1st and 2nd.  2 out.

It's now 100.4 degrees, but the good news is it's only 18% humidity.

Strike
Strike looking
Strikeout swinging on a slider.

3 out.  Here we go!

[BudGirl]

just seems like he Ks a lot when I watch.  glad to see i'm missing his hits.

and his strike outs.

[BudGirl]

Quit watching.

you first.

[Noe]

just seems like he Ks a lot when I watch.  glad to see i'm missing his hits.

Right. On. Cue.

Nice!

[BudGirl]

Right. On. Cue.

Nice!

I'm not watching, he should have gotten a hit.

[BudGirl]

Is Valverde coming in to pitch?

[remy]

Is Valverde coming in to pitch?

yeppers

[mihoba]

you first.

I'm immune to his 'charms.'

[BudGirl]

I'm immune to his 'charms.'

impossible.

[T. J.]

Tejada at short, Valverde pitching.

Winn batting (3 for 4 today)

Ball outside
Strike swinging on a ball inside
Nice 91MPH strike on the outside black.
Pretty close to the same pitch, just outside
Bouncer to Berkman, toss to Valverde, one out.

[Noe]

impossible.

I'm suffering from the same fortune as mihoba... thank goodness.

[BudGirl]

I'm suffering from the same fortune as mihoba... thank goodness.

You guys aren't true fans then.

[T. J.]

Rowand batting (2 for 4 today).  1 out.

High, ball one.
--No position players left on either team.
Nice looking strike inside at the knees
Foul to the right
K!  98MPH.

[Noe]

You guys aren't true fans then.

Guilty!

[moriartp]

ponche!

[BudGirl]

ponche!

is that for rowand.

[Noe]

is that for rowand.

Si

[moriartp]

Delayed, but yes. And for Bowker now.

[T. J.]

Bowker (he of the nice swing) up to bat.

Ball
Ball bounces to the backstop
--Freaking gulls flying in front of the cameras.
Nice off-speed breaker for strike one.
Ball outside
High pitch, but Bowker swung.  Fouled back.  (Would've been ball 4)
Ponche!

Astros win!

[Anit]

greenvalley had some nice stuff out there today..

and very animated on the strikeout

[Noe]

Ponche for Bowker... game over.

[remy]

I love these guys.  Hope Geary is ok.

[BudGirl]

Yes!!!

[mihoba]

Sweet!!! So long west coast!

JD just said the Astros pen has not allowed a run the entire 4 games series. Wow.

On to Arlington.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Man. That was awesome!

[BudGirl]

I can go home now!!!

Thanks for the pbp.

Great job Astros!!!

[Noe]

I love these guys.  Hope Geary is ok.

Yup, that is a huge loss but if this happens, then another reliever must step up to take the job in the seventh that Geary will abandon for a while.  My hunch is that Villareal will be given that chance.  Either that of some of the starters have to give more IPs... I'm looking at you Brandon Backe!

[T. J.]

I'd like to thank the good people at Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma for brewing the golden nectar that served as the good luck charm for this game.  (And if that wasn't it, it was tasty anyway.)

[OregonStrosFan]

Nothing to say but WOW!!!

[mihoba]

I'd like to thank the good people at Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma for brewing the golden nectar that served as the good luck charm for this game.  (And if that wasn't it, it was tasty anyway.)

Good job on the PBP, gracias.

[Jacksonian]

Off Bourn's glove, now 6-0.

First game that I can remember in quite a while that we're just not at all competitive.

Nice MM.  This reaches Noe-an proportions.

[MRaup]

Rowand batting (2 for 4 today).  1 out.

High, ball one.
--No position players left on either team.
Nice looking strike inside at the knees
Foul to the right
K!  98MPH.

The strikeout pitch in this sequence was fucking FILTHY. Heat on the corner, not a goddamn thing Rowand could do with it. Papa Grande is a bad bad muchacho when he's on.

[pots]

Once you switch from tape delayed to live, it's tough.  I kept reaching for the remote to fast-forward.  I got used to skipping ahead to where the Astros cameback and won

Live, there is pacing, waiting, cursing, all the normal stuff do do between pitches.  Tape delay, it's fast-forward, play, pitch, fast forward,play pitch, etc.  1 hour and game over, Astros win, go to work.

Great comeback.  Hopes go to Geary being only day-to-day and pitching next week.

[JimR]

PONCHE, MF!

[ybbodeus]

just wondering, is there anything about JD that we don't like?

His new eyewear?

[pravata]

They all are.  Trust me.  People actually believe we're kidding when we talk about the BBGs around here.  We're not.

It's because of Baseball.  Erstad was on the post game and he said, the great thing about Lance is that you'd never know if he's 20 for 20 or 0 for 20, he has the same attitude.  Never too high, don't get too low.   That's what the BBG stuff is about.  Baseball requires concentration and attention to detail. Also, the ability to hit a curveball.  It doesnt go with rah rah or throwing water coolers.   

[Noe]

It's because of Baseball.  Erstad was on the post game and he said, the great thing about Lance is that you'd never know if he's 20 for 20 or 0 for 20, he has the same attitude.  Never too high, don't get too low.   That's what the BBG stuff is about.  Baseball requires concentration and attention to detail. Also, the ability to hit a curveball.  It doesnt go with rah rah or throwing water coolers.   

And also the day you decide to spider man a wall to give a fan a high five, then that will be the day you bust a kneecap or pull a hammy when you land and wind up on the DL for 30 days.  BBGs basically mean "don't do or say anything stupid, just watch or play the game".  That should be at the entrance of all major league ballparks and also the minor league parks too.  And also in the front page of all bloggs, fansites, ESPN scrolling marquees while their yuk-yuk fest anchors droll on and on about baseball and the FoxSports Game of the Week pre-game and post-game shows.

[pravata]

And also the day you decide to spider man a wall to give a fan a high five, then that will be the day you bust a kneecap or pull a hammy when you land and wind up on the DL for 30 days.  BBGs basically mean "don't do or say anything stupid, just watch or play the game".  That should be at the entrance of all major league ballparks and also the minor league parks too.  And also in the front page of all bloggs, fansites, ESPN scrolling marquees while their yuk-yuk fest anchors droll on and on about baseball and the FoxSports Game of the Week pre-game and post-game shows.

Dont make any predictions, don't brag, don't taunt the other players, don't boo, jump up and yell like a damn fool when Lance pops one in the Bay, but a knowing nod suffices after a bloop single to right too.  Take it in, it's not about the fans, it may not even be about the players, it's Baseball.  And it's a difficult game to follow.

[225Astro]

Very nice road trip going 6-1. Historically going out West hasn't been that kind though. This team is really fun to watch especially with the bats like we have. Need to take care us business this weekend before heading back home. Let's get that Boot back!

[Noe]

Very nice road trip going 6-1. Historically going out West hasn't been that kind though. This team is really fun to watch especially with the bats like we have. Need to take care us business this weekend before heading back home. Let's get that Boot back!

Certainly, boots are too expensive to leave them lying around in Arlington.   Only one boot though?  What kind of self-respectin' Texican thought of that?!?!

[ybbodeus]

What kind of self-respectin' Texican thought of that?!?!

Post Green Bay Texan Pam Gardner?

[BUWebguy]

--JD making plans to win the game against the bullpen after Lincecum dies in the heat

Good plans.

[otterjb]

I was en route to SA to watch the Spurs put the beatdown on the Hornets and missed the game completely. Just watched the recap on mlb.com. Wow.

The game of the year so far?

[pravata]

The game of the year so far?

I like the 8-6 win on May 4 for the sweep of the Brewers. Down 6-3 after 4 and Pence with the game winning homer in the 12th.