astros at reds 5.26.09

[BatGirl]

starting lineups

ASTROS
bourn, cf
tejada, ss
berkman, 1b
lee, lf
pence, rf
rodriguez, c
keppinger, 3b
maysonet, 2b
oswalt, p

reds
dickerson, cf
hairston, 2b
votto, 1b
hernandez, c
bruce, rf
nix, lf
gonsales, ss
rosales, 3b
owings, p

[OregonStrosFan]

Tarps on the field.  Hoping to be able to remove them at 6:15 (central) and start the game at 6:30, but all depends on when the cell moves through.

[BudGirl]

get a roof

[BatGirl]

mlb gameday has it out of rain delay
status - warmup

[BatGirl]

set to start at 6:50 cst

[Reuben]

set to start at 6:50 cst

cool, thanks for the info. mlb.tv doesn't give you much to go on...

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 1: Owings on the hill, Bourn at the plate.

Strike, ball, strike, struck out swinging on a foul tip.

And with that its 1 out, none on.

[OregonStrosFan]

Miggy, batting .522 the past week, fouls the first offering back, 0-1.  Second pitch comes toward his head, Miggy ducks out of the way, 1-1.  Strike on the nect pitch followed by a fly to (center? right center?).  2 outs, Puma up.

[OregonStrosFan]

Berkman, with 21 homers at Great American ballpark, takes the first two pitches for ball.  Ball outside, 3-0.  Swinging on the 3-0 pitch bounces it past 1B and down the right field line, Bruce has trouble getting a hand on the ball (looks like it got slowed down in some water in the right field corner) and Berkman dives headfirst into 3B.  Relay throw not made.  2 outs, Puma at 3B.  Lee up.

[OregonStrosFan]

Lee, with Puma on 3B, fouls 2 away and takes a ball, 1-2.  Half-assed swing and a ball up and in a bit makes it strike 3.

Middle 1: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 1: HOU 0, CIN 0

Roy on the hill, Dickerson at the dish.  Lines the first pitch to Maysonet at 2B.  1 out.

Hairston Jr: Lifts the 1-0 pitch down the left field line behind 3B, Miggy over to make the catch.  3 pitches, 2 outs.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 1: 2 outs. 

League leading hitter and OBP Joey Votto a the plate.  Fouls the first 2 away and the third back into Pudge, 0-2.  Swing and a miss makes it out number 3. 

Roy takes 'em down in order in the bottom of the 1st in 7 pitches.

End 1: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 2:  Owings on the hill to pitch to Pence.

Misses the outside corner for ball 1, 1-0.  Takes a called strike to even it at 1-1.  Ball low makes it 2-1.  Owings working quickly.  Called strike at the low and outside corner makes it 2-2.  Fly ball to Bruce in right.  1 out.

Pudge at the plate.

Top 2, 1 out, none on:HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 2, 1 out, none on:HOU 0, CIN 0

Pudge: called strike, fouled back, swung at the high heat (strikeout).  KEPP up.

Top 2, 2 out, none on:HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 2, 2 out, none on:HOU 0, CIN 0

Kepp: takes the first 2 for strikes, 0-2.  Ball just misses the outside corner, 1-2.  Shoots one back at Owings feet, Owings knocks it down and fumbles with it a bit before throwing over to 1B for the out.  3 outs.

Middle 2:HOU 0, CIN 0

[Reuben]

I think Pudge has been drinking the same triple-espresso that Hunter was drinking last year. He looks jumpy as hell in the batter's box.

[OregonStrosFan]

I think Pudge has been drinking the same triple-espresso that Hunter was drinking last year. He looks jumpy as hell in the batter's box.

Seems to be loving himself some o-that high heat this year for sure.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 2: HOU 0, CIN 0

Roy pitching to Hernandez: swing and a miss for strike 1, 0-1.  Ball just misses the inside corner, 1-1.  Finds the inside corner this time for a called strike, 1-2.  (Looks like Roy is battling some sun directly in his eyes right now).  Ball makes it 2-2.  Fly ball to right center, Hunter calls for it, Bourn about on top of him, but Hanter manages to make the catch.  1 out, Bruce up.

Bottom 2, none on, 1 out: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 2, none on, 1 out: HOU 0, CIN 0

Bruce: fouled back, 0-1. fouled back, 0-2. scalds one to 2B, Maysonet there to make the catch.  2 outs, Nix up.

Bottom 2, none on, 2 out: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 2, none on, 2 out: HOU 0, CIN 0

Nix: watches the first 1 for a ball, 1-0.  Fouled back, 1-1, flairs one to left to become the Reds first baserunner of the night.

Bottom 2, runner on 1B, 2 out: HOU 0, CIN 0

[Reuben]

Seems to be loving himself some o-that high heat this year for sure.

Well, and strike 2 started out low and away and only got low and away-er.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 2, runner on 1B, 2 out: HOU 0, CIN 0

Gonzales (.429 lifetime against Roy) fouls the 1st one back, 0-1.  Fouls back some high heat, 0-2.  Sends a shot back at Roys head, he ducks, Maysonet dives for it but the ball gets into center.  2 outs, runners at 1B and 2B.

Bottom 2, 2 out, runners at 1B and 2B: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 2, 2 out, runners at 1B and 2B: HOU 0, CIN 0

Rosales: ball, strike, fouled away, 1-2.  Nasty curveball makes Rosales look silly on the swing.  3 outs.

End 2: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 3: HOU 0, CIN 0

Owings pitching to Maysonet: Takes the first pitch in his first MLB start for a strike, 0-1.  Takes the next one for a strike on the outside corner, 0-2.  Fly ball hanging up into left center, 2B back to make the catch.  1 out, Roy up/

Top 3, 1 out, none on: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 3, 1 out, none on: HOU 0, CIN 0

Roy takes the first for a strike and the 2nd pitch up for a ball, 1-1.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Fouled away, 1-2.  (JD didn't ingest skyline chili last night, Brownie must really be pleased about that), fouled away back, 1-2.  (JD Notes the Astros had a clubhouse meeting today).  Ball inside, 2-2.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Roller fouled down 3B line, 2-2. Fouled back, 2-2.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Bounces the 11th pitch at the AB towards 3B, Rosales to his left makes the play.  2 outs.

Top 3, 2 out, none on: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Nice 11 pitch AB there ROY!

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 3, 2 out, none on: HOU 0, CIN 0

Bourn: takes the first pitch for a strike, 0-1.  Ball, 1-1.  Tight slider is low, 2-1.  Bouncer foul on the first base side, 2-2.  Shoots a grounder straight to the SS.  3 outs.

Middle 3: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 3: Roy on the hill, Babe friggin' Ruth (Owings, pitcher) at the plate.

Laces the 1st pitch into left, Carlos catches it in between hops, falls down in so doing, and throws it in to limit Owings to a single. 

Dickerson smacks the 1st pitch into center, Owings to 2B.


Bottom 3, 0 out, runners at 1B and 2B: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 3, 0 out, runners at 1B and 2B: HOU 0, CIN 0

Hairston Jr bunts the 1st pitch towards Kepp at 3B, throw to 1B in time, runners advance.  1 out.

Bottom 3, 1 out, runners at 2B and 3B: HOU 0, CIN 0

[Noe]

This is how Oswalt will either be stubborn and challenge folks to get out of the inning (and get hurt because they're swining at every first pitch he offers) or he uses a pitchers mentality and clean up the inning.

Oswalt Inning or the improved Oswalt this inning for sure.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 3, 1 out, runners at 2B and 3B: HOU 0, CIN 0

Votto up with 1B open takes the 1st pitch for strike 1.  Pitch in the dirt makes it 1-1.  Swing at a riding fastball up and outside a bit makes it 1-2.  Pudge looking for the pitch inside, Roy instead throws a riding fastball up and outside.  Votto can't get to it, swinging for the strikeout.  2 outs.

Bottom 3, 2 out, runners at 2B and 3B: HOU 0, CIN 0

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 3, 2 out, runners at 2B and 3B: HOU 0, CIN 0

Hernandez looks at the 1st 2 pitches for balls, 2-0.  Ball inside makes it 3-0.  (Jay Bruce on deck).  Called strike on the inside corner, 3-1.  Called strike catching the top edge of the strikezone brings the count full.  Grounder up the middle scores 2, Hernandez to 1B.  HOU 0, CIN 2

Bottom 3, 2 out, runner at 1B: HOU 0, CIN 2

[austro]

Jesus, talk about putting a pitch right in the middle of the happy zone.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 3, 2 out, runner at 1B: HOU 0, CIN 2

Bruce sends a fly ball to left on the first pitch, Miggy going back for it and Bourn trying to get towards it, both break off for Lee who makes a nice sliding catch to get there. 

Damage done though.  End 3: HOU 0, CIN 2

[Noe]

So... did anyone see anything other than hard stuff in that sequence to Hernandez?  He should not be afraid to pitch, but no... he has to challenge people.  "You beat me or I beat you" approach to pitching.  I would've loved to see him pitch that AB, but realized that once he got Votto out with hard stuff that he convinced himself to go hard after Hernandez too.

Oswalt needs to mature as a pitcher some day.  He needs to.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 4: Owings hurling, Miggy batting.

Called strike, 0-1.  Ball, 1-1, laces a line shot into the left field corner for the double.  0 out, runner at 2B.

[JimR]

Ain't gonna happen

[austro]

He probably could have beat him with hard stuff if he had put it up in the zone. But he threw a perfectly straight fastball right down the middle. It's a miracle it was only a ground ball up the middle.

[austro]

Ain't gonna happen

Yeah, he seems pretty set in his ways. He's going to have to get smacked around some more before he admits that he no longer has the stuff to do what he used to do.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 4, runner on 2B: fouls the 2nd pitch back to go down in the count 0-2.  Ball high, 1-2.  Ball in the dirt, 2-2.  Ball low and away brings the count full, 3-2.  Ball outside, WALK.  0 out, runners at 1B and 2B.

[OregonStrosFan]

So... did anyone see anything other than hard stuff in that sequence to Hernandez?
Oswalt needs to mature as a pitcher some day.  He needs to.

Nope, didn't see anything but.  Considering Hernandez hits him well and 1B was open, I had hoped he'd have used his head a bit more when pitching to him, geez.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 4: 0 out, runners at 1B and 2B

Lee looks at ball 1, 1-0.  Ball away makes it 2-0.  Ball high, 3-0.  Sends a low line drive towards Owings, hits Owings in the right hip/thy and stays in front of him.  Owings, limping around, can't find the ball and Carlos gets the infield single.  Bases juiced, none out.

Top 4, Bases juiced, none out: HOU 0, CIN 2

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 4, Bases juiced, none out: HOU 0, CIN 2

Baker to the mound, Owings throws a couple of pitches and stays in.

Pence: ball low, 1-0.  Lined shot straight at the 2B. 1 out, bases juiced.

Top 4, Bases juiced, 1 out: HOU 0, CIN 2

[austro]

Lee hit the hell out of that ball. Owings is lucky that it didn't appear to hit any bones directly.

Bad luck on the Pence liner.

[Noe]

Wow, Micah Owings is really not throwing well at all.  That was a BP pitch.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 4, Bases juiced, 1 out: HOU 0, CIN 2

Pudge at the plate: Swings at crap way up and in, 0-1.  Swinging strike, 1-2. (Austro's expresso analogy holding), Fouled back, 0-2.  Laces a liner to the wall in left center for a double,  Miggy and Puma score, Lee to 3B.  HOU 2, CIN 2

Top 4, 1 out, runners at 2B and 3B: HOU 2, CIN 2

[austro]

Wow, Micah Owings is really not throwing well at all.  That was a BP pitch.

Especially after Pudge had shown that he was willing to swing at damn near anything.

[Noe]

He looks to me like he's pushing the ball towards home.  That tells me that something is barking and he's trying to compensate.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 4, 1 out, runners at 2B and 3B: HOU 2, CIN 2

Keppinger takes the 1st pitch for a ball, 1-0.  Takes a ball low and inside, 2-0.  (Maysonet on deck).  Ball away, 3-0.  IBB for the walk.

Top 4, 1 out, bases juiced: HOU 2, CIN 2

[Noe]

Viva Puerto Rico!  Pudge is happy for his fellow countryman.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 4, 1 out, bases juiced: HOU 2, CIN 2

Maysonet singles into right, Lee scores (1st MLB RBI). 

Top 4, 1 out, bases juiced: HOU 3, CIN 2

[BatGirl]

nice job, maysonet!

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 4, 1 out, bases juiced: HOU 3, CIN 2

Roy hits a soft grounder up the middle for the easy DP.

Middle 4: HOU 3, CIN 2

[Noe]

Jimmy D just said that Owings has been pitching this way all game long.  Hmmmm... wonder why it took this long to get to him.  He really looked like he didn't have any idea where his pitch was going and really after getting hit in the hip, looked like he was pushing the ball to try and control it.

[BudGirl]

I confess, I didn't think the Astros would score with the bases loaded.   Glad they did.

[Filo]

Yeah, he seems pretty set in his ways. He's going to have to get smacked around some more before he admits that he no longer has the stuff to do what he used to do.

He's hitting 95 on the gun and the curve is breaking.  Its location not stuff.

[Noe]

Ain't gonna happen

It was interesting to see him attack Hernandez.  Nothing but hard stuff.  BTW - the Reds are swinging at every first pitch he offers.  And Roy has been throwing first pitch fastballs too.  I know Roy thinks he can just dominate like he used to, maybe he can, but the reality is he isn't the same pitcher he used to be.

Now Nix takes him deep.  Go figure.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 4: HOU 3, CIN 2

Roy on the hill pitching to Nix, who takes the first pitch low for a ball, 1-0.  Bunt goes foul, 1-1.  Liner into the seats in right.  HOU 3, CIN 3

Bottom 4, 0 out, 0 on: HOU 3, CIN 3

[BudGirl]

The Astros taketh then Roy giveth back.

[JimR]

Fuck off, fido

[Noe]

He's hitting 95 on the gun and the curve is breaking.  Its location not stuff.

It's throwing, not pitching.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 4, 0 out, 0 on: HOU 3, CIN 3

Gonzales: Roller to 2B, Maysonet with the throw to 1B for the out.  1 out.

Rosales: takes ball 1, 1-0.  Ball away, 2-0.  (JD says its time to throw one inside to push folks off the plate).  Ball, 3-0 (no go on the appeal). called strike, 3-1. Called strike, 3-2.  Swing and miss for the strikeout. 

Bottom 4, 2 out, 0 on: HOU 3, CIN 3

[BudGirl]

holy carp that was a great catch by bourn

[BatGirl]

bourn!

[Savage]

I really do love having Bourn on this team.

[moriartp]

Wow. Hell of a catch.

[pravata]

The Astros need a fielder that can take hits away.  Bourn does that in the outfield, that don't have a stopper in the infield.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 4, 2 out, 0 on: HOU 3, CIN 3

Owings: ball, 1-0, cranks one to left center, Bourn runs a long way to make a reaching grab on the run at the warning track (check it out on the highlight videos this eve, it was AWESOME).  3 outs.

End 4: HOU 3, CIN 3

[Noe]

I agree with what Jimmy D is saying about Roy's four seamer.  To have that pitch work, Roy has to set up the hitter, not just throw it all the time.  But Roy challenges with the two seamer way too much trying to hit corners.  That pitch has no movement any more, it stays true and gets whacked hard.  Nice observation from Jimmy D.

[Filo]

It's throwing, not pitching.

Exactly, he's not locating.

[Noe]

Exactly, he's not locating.

You have no idea what I said if this is your response.

[JimR]

No lead is safe with Roy

[MusicMan]

pitching is more than location.  you dont get it, and by all indications, you never will.

[Noe]

Wow. Hell of a catch.

That was awesome to watch.  A guy that basically outran the ball!  NICE!

[BudGirl]

and then he leads off with a hit.

what's next?  a stolen base?

[JimR]

Fido, go away.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 5: Owings back on the hill, Bourn at the plate.

Corner infielder in on the grass, shows bunt and takes the 1st pitch for a strike, 0-1.  Fouls off the next pitch to make it 0-2.  Fouls an inside corner pitch off, 0-2 still.  Takes a ball, 1-2.  Fouls another away, 1-2.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Lines the 7th pitch of the AB over the shortstop for a single.

Top 5, 0 out, runner on 1B: HOU 3, CIN 3

[OregonStrosFan]

Tejada: Runner going, ball hit behind him, Bourn to 2B, Miggy out at 1B.

Top 5, 1 out, runner on 2B: HOU 3, CIN 3

[OregonStrosFan]

what's next?  a stolen base?

See what happens when you start getting greedy in advance??

[BudGirl]

See what happens when you start getting greedy in advance??

he gets to second?

[Noe]

pitching is more than location.  you dont get it, and by all indications, you never will.

Roy seems to pitch backwards, using his fastball to setup the curveball.  Two things about this: 1) the fastball is a two seamer that he in times past relied on movement (to get groundball outs) and 2) the curveball in the past was really more like a changeup for Roy.  So what is happening is that the two seamer is not moving so it stays true in the zone and gets hit really hard.  Doesn't matter if it's 94, it's going to get crushed.  And the curveball is recognizable, meaning the hitters tend to spit on that pitch now that they recognize how Roy pitches.  Spit on the curveball, look for fastball.

So Roy has to have an approach that is different to get guys out.  Jimmy D astutely noticed that the four seamer could be an effective weapon for Roy.  Mix in a slider or cutter and Roy can get some guys out more than just rarin' back and firing.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 5, 1 out, runner on 2B: HOU 3, CIN 3

Puma: Ball, 1-0.  Fouls one away (throwing his bat towards the camera well in the process), 1-1.  Ball inside, 2-1.  Ball way outside, 3-1.  Ball away, walk.  Lee up.

Top 5, 1 out, runner on 1B and 2B: HOU 3, CIN 3

[OregonStrosFan]

he gets to second?

And the Good Guys get an out in the process.  Get your head in the came there BG...

[BudGirl]

And the Good Guys get an out in the process.  Get your head in the came there BG...

i'm just glad tejada didn't double him off.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 5, 1 out, runner on 1B and 2B: HOU 3, CIN 3

Lee: Rolls it up the 1B line foul, 0-1.  Fouls an inside'ish pitch away, 0-2.  Flaired the high fastball out of play, 0-2. Catcher calling for the high heat and gets it, but Carlos lays off, 1-2.  Fouls a top of the zone inside pitch away, 1-2.  Inside pitch, Carlos fouls it down on the 1/4 swing, 1-2.  Flies out to center on the 7th pitch of the AB, runners stay put.

Top 5, 2 out, runner on 1B and 2B: HOU 3, CIN 3

[Noe]

Lee got under that one.  Jimmy D just said that Owings is "heaving the fastball up there".  That is what I'm seeing too... he's pushing it trying to get control of it.

[Noe]

One thing I like about Pence now is his reluctance to just wail at anything thrown at him.  Pitchers have to pitch against him and Pence is winning so many of them now.  Let's see what he does now... oops, just as I said that, he walks.  That is why Pence is so impressive nowadays.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 5, 2 out, runner on 1B and 2B: HOU 3, CIN 3

Pence: ball in the dirt, 1-0.  (JD said earlier Owings seems to be just hurling the ball right now).  Manages to lay off the low inside pitch, 2-0.  Foul, 2-1.  Ball low and away, 3-1.  Walks, bases juiced.

Dick Pole sighting as he comes to the mound.

Top 5, 2 out, bases juiced: HOU 3, CIN 3

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 5, 2 out, bases juiced: HOU 3, CIN 3

Pudge: Takes the 1st pitch away, 1-0.  Pops up to center for out #3. 

No runs, a hit, 3 men stranded.  Middle 5: HOU 3, CIN 3

[matadorph]

Sometimes Brownie just kills me. Only in Cincinnati could a "Dick Pole is on his way to the mound" comment be prefaced by Brownie describing at length his experience watching two chefs tossing salads.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 5, locked up at 3 apiece.  Roy on the hill to face Dickerson.

Ball, 1-0.  Swinging strike, 1-1.  Strike, 1-2.  Breaking ball low and inside, 2-2.  Shattered bat roller to Berkman, 1 out.

Bottom 5, 1 out, none on: HOU 3, CIN 3

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 5, 1 out, none on: HOU 3, CIN 3

Hairston: easy grounder to Roy for out #2.

Bottom 5, 2 out, none on: HOU 3, CIN 3

Votto: ball, 1-0.  Fouled back, 1-1, ball 2-1.  Comebacker at Roy who knocks it down and throws to 1B for the 3rd out.

Brownie says he was flexing his right hand afterwards

End 5: HOU 3, CIN 3

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 6: Lincoln in for Owings

KEPP takes the first pitch into the seats in left center.  HOU 4, CIN 3

[Savage]

Hey OSF - are you still in Portland?  Weighing a job / relocation there.

[OregonStrosFan]

Maysonet with a liner into right for his 2nd hit of the night.

[OregonStrosFan]

Hey OSF - are you still in Portland?  Weighing a job / relocation there.

Will be back there in July.  PM me if you have questions, happy to answer them.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 6:

Roy at the plate and fouls the 1st pitch back with the runner going, 0-1.  Throw over, throw over, Roy sacrifices Maysonet to 2B.

Pitching change

Top 6, 1 out, runner at 2B: HOU 4, CIN 3

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 6, 1 out, runner at 2B: HOU 4, CIN 3

5'6" lefty Daniel Ray Herrera (Odessa Permian grad with an assortment of pitches) in for Lincoln.

Bourn: strike, 0-1.  Ball away, 1-1.  Ball away, 2-1.  Called strike, 2-2.  (Massett warming up in the pen).  Bourn calls time.  Ball low brings the count full.  Strikes out swinging on the screwball.  2outs.

Top 6, 2 out, runner at 2B: HOU 4, CIN 3

[BudGirl]

i absolutely love JD.  We are blessed to have him.

[Savage]

God damn this team makes stupid fucking mistakes sometimes.

[roadrunner]

Ugh, this team's baserunning is getting to me

[austro]

What is Miggy thinking? We wouldn't want Lance coming up with men on base, would we?

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 6, 2 out, runner at 2B: HOU 4, CIN 3

Miggy: strike, 0-1. Herrera turns around and checks Maysonet at 2B.  Ball low inside, 1-1.  Chopped foul, 1-2.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Tapps the strike on the outside corner away, 1-2.  (Nice demonstration of arm / hand movement on a screwball).  Fouled away, 1-2.  Lines shot hooking foul in the left field corner, 1-2.  Ball away and low, 2-2.  Lined shot into right, Maysonet holds at 3B, Miggy runs towards 2B, gets in a rundown trying to get Maysonet to go home (or thinking he was on his way and trying to buy time for him to score), Maysonet stays at 3B and Miggy is tagged out for the 3rd out.

Middle 6: HOU 4, CIN 3

[Noe]

What in the heck is Tejada thinking?  You have the play right in front of you!  *sigh*

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 6: Roy still on the hill.

Hernandez: goes down 0-2 on a called strike and a singing strike, flies out to Pence in right.  1 out, none on.

Bottom 6, 1 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 3

[JimR]

Maybe Maysonet made the mistake. Hitters often are coached to keep running with two out to draw a throw so the lead runner can score. I have no idea what happened here, but that is a common play.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 6, 1 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 3

Bruce goes to 1-1.  Fouled back, 1-2.  Bouncer past a diving Puma (playing tight to the line) into right.

Bottom 6, 1 out, runner on 1B: HOU 4, CIN 3

[BudGirl]

Maybe Maysonet made the mistake. Hitters often are coached to keep running with two out to draw a throw so the lead runner can score. I have no idea what happened here, but that is a common play.

clark put up a stop sign

[OregonStrosFan]

Maybe Maysonet made the mistake. Hitters often are coached to keep running with two out to draw a throw so the lead runner can score. I have no idea what happened here, but that is a common play.

JD wasn't buying what Tejada was trying to sell there...

[austro]

Maybe Maysonet made the mistake. Hitters often are coached to keep running with two out to draw a throw so the lead runner can score. I have no idea what happened here, but that is a common play.

I'm pretty sure Clark threw up a stop sign for Maysonet. It seemed like Miggy just assumed that the throw was going through.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 6, 1 out, runner on 1B: HOU 4, CIN 3

Nix: swings at the high'ish heat for strike 1, 0-1.  Ball high and away, 1-1.  Swinging strike at a heater, 1-2.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Pudge visits the mound.  Got beat with an outside fastball for the K. 

Bottom 6, 2 out, runner on 1B: HOU 4, CIN 3

[pravata]

Whatever else there is about Roy's fastball, he feels comfortable throwing it.  No leg whip or falling off like he sometimes does when he's trying to hump it.

[Noe]

That whole sequece with Nix was setup by a really good four seamer.  In fact two of them.  Nix was now looking for a curveball (Oswalt's tendency) or some sort of breaking pitch.  Roy threw a really good fastball, may of been a four seamer, more than likely a two seamer well located.  Either way, throwing a four seamer early setup Nix on that sequence.

[pravata]

I'm pretty sure Clark threw up a stop sign for Maysonet. It seemed like Miggy just assumed that the throw was going through.

Yeah dont blame the rook, coach says stop, he stops.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 6, 2 out, runner on 1B: HOU 4, CIN 3

Gonzalez (1-2): ball, 1-0.  Ball inside pops out of Pudges mitt, runner advances to 2B, 2-0.  Breaking ball in the dirt, 3-0.  Ball low and away, walk.
Bottom 6, 2 out, runners on 1B and 2B: HOU 4, CIN 3

[Noe]

Whatever else there is about Roy's fastball, he feels comfortable throwing it.  No leg whip or falling off like he sometimes does when he's trying to hump it.

It's the type of fastball he's throwing too.  His four seamer is working tonight, his two seamer if they're sitting on it, gets hit hard.

[MusicMan]

Maybe Maysonet made the mistake. Hitters often are coached to keep running with two out to draw a throw so the lead runner can score. I have no idea what happened here, but that is a common play.

That was my thought - perhaps Cheo didn't know that the stop sign was up, otherwise he'd have signaled Miggy, too?

Either way, not nearly as boneheaded as other mistakes this year.

[pravata]

It's the type of fastball he's throwing too.  His four seamer is working tonight, his two seamer if they're sitting on it, gets hit hard.

Still though, in spite of getting whacked he feels comfortable throwing it.  Good or bad.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 6, 2 out, runners on 1B and 2B: HOU 4, CIN 3

Rosales at the dish (pitcher spot up next): fouled back, 0-1.  Ball inside clips him (barely) to load the bases.

Gomes up.

Bottom 6, 2 out, bases juiced: HOU 4, CIN 3

[Noe]

That time, his four seamer really move hard into the hitter.  Roy shouldn't give up on that pitch, it's working.

[BudGirl]

ah hell.

[OregonStrosFan]

It's the type of fastball he's throwing too.  His four seamer is working tonight, his two seamer if they're sitting on it, gets hit hard.

What the difference between the 2?

[Noe]

2-0 count... this is going to get interesting now.  Let's see what Roy does.

[BudGirl]

2-0 count... this is going to get interesting now.  Let's see what Roy does.

walks in a run, let's see what he does now.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 6, 2 out, bases juiced: HOU 4, CIN 3

Gomes up (PH for pitcher): ball inside, 1-0.  Ball inside (almost got him), 2-0. Dewey visits the mound.  Ball low and away, 3-0. Ball up and in, walks in a run to tie it up. HOU 4, CIN 4

Bottom 6, 2 out, bases juiced: HOU 4, CIN 4

[Noe]

Damn, all this with two outs too.  Man, Roy sure isn't the same guy he was before, that's for sure.

[austro]

It's the Roy-ler coaster! Whee!

[Lurch]

That was my thought - perhaps Cheo didn't know that the stop sign was up, otherwise he'd have signaled Miggy, too?

Either way, not nearly as boneheaded as other mistakes this year.

Cheo didnt seem to do much of anything on the play.  I didnt see a sign either way on the replay.

[MRaup]

FiLoE in the GZ is a sure sign of shitty stuff happening in the game. You can take it to the bank.

[BudGirl]

come on roy. 

[JimR]

BB, HBP, BB

Wow

[BudGirl]

BB, HBP, BB

Wow

impressive, isn't it?

[MusicMan]

I'd like a moment of silence for Roy Oswalt, Staff Ace.   It was a helluva run.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 6, 2 out, bases juiced: HOU 4, CIN 4

Bases juiced, Dickerson up: called strike at the knees on the outside corner, 0-1.  Ball low and inside, 1-1.  Fastball riding well outside, 2-1.  (Byrdak warming up in the pen).  Fouled back a fastball up in the zone, 2-2.  Flaired foul outside the left field line, 2-2.  (Dickerson backs away from the plate twice).  Bouncer to 2B, Maysonet in for the catch and flips it to 1B for THE THIRD OUT!!!

End 6: HOU 4, CIN 4

[Noe]

What the difference between the 2?

A four seamer is intended to stay on a level plane instead of downward as most pitches coming off the mound would tend to do.  In some cases, it is called a riser because of the illusion that it is actually moving upwards coming out of the hand.  In actuality, it stays up and fast.  So to a hitter who is conditioned to hitting a fastball traveling downward it acts like a riser.  They swing level and it actually never travels downward.   Roy just threw one to Dickerson and then followed it with a two seamer.

The two seamer is opposite in that it travels downward following the natural movement provided with the arm action.  With a two seamer, the ball comes out of your hand naturally and is going to go where you throw it.  The best two seamers are those with movement, meaning they have break in the strikezone.  A variation of the two seamers is a sinker, meaning it keeps very true to the downward movement and keeps sinking downward, forcing more groundball outs.

[pravata]

2-0 count... this is going to get interesting now.  Let's see what Roy does.

tried to hump it, really twisting at the end of his motion v. Gomes. 

[MRaup]

Roy Oswalt, the anti-stopper.

[Mr. Happy]

What the difference between the 2?

The four seamer is how everyone is supposed to grip a baseball. It usually is the fastest pitch, but it usually has less movement. The two seamer is usually a couple of miles an hour slower, but it should have more movement.

[OregonStrosFan]

A four seamer is intended to stay on a level plane instead of downward as most pitches coming off the mound would tend to do.  In some cases, it is called a riser because of the illusion that it is actually moving upwards coming out of the hand.  In actuality, it stays up and fast.  So to a hitter who is conditioned to hitting a fastball traveling downward it acts like a riser.  They swing level and it actually never travels downward.   Roy just threw one to Dickerson and then followed it with a two seamer.

The two seamer is opposite in that it travels downward following the natural movement provided with the arm action.  With a two seamer, the ball comes out of your hand naturally and is going to go where you throw it.  The best two seamers are those with movement, meaning they have break in the strikezone.  A variation of the two seamers is a sinker, meaning it keeps very true to the downward movement and keeps sinking downward, forcing more groundball outs.

Excellent description, I might actually understand... Is the 4 seamer what looks to be (or is oft described as) a riding fastball?

[Noe]

That's a fast gun in GAB.  No way that was a 96mph heater from Masset.  But he does throw a very nice sinker.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 7: Massett in to pitch.

Puma goes to 1-1 on the count.  Swinging strike at a sinker in.  1-2.  Ball inside, 2-2.  Struck out swinging (at a 2 seamer, Noe?) away.  1 out.

Top 7, 1 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 4

[JimR]

No

[OregonStrosFan]

op 7, 1 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 4

Singles on a liner to left.  1 out, runner at 1B.

[Mr. Happy]

A four seamer is intended to stay on a level plane instead of downward as most pitches coming off the mound would tend to do.  In some cases, it is called a riser because of the illusion that it is actually moving upwards coming out of the hand.  In actuality, it stays up and fast.  So to a hitter who is conditioned to hitting a fastball traveling downward it acts like a riser.  They swing level and it actually never travels downward.   Roy just threw one to Dickerson and then followed it with a two seamer.

The two seamer is opposite in that it travels downward following the natural movement provided with the arm action.  With a two seamer, the ball comes out of your hand naturally and is going to go where you throw it.  The best two seamers are those with movement, meaning they have break in the strikezone.  A variation of the two seamers is a sinker, meaning it keeps very true to the downward movement and keeps sinking downward, forcing more groundball outs.

Another variation on the two seamer is the cutter.

[Noe]

Excellent description, I might actually understand... Is the 4 seamer what looks to be (or is oft described as) a riding fastball?

Yes, some of the time.  It's actually called a riser in some circles.  A riding fastball is more of a description of a fastball with movement.  Fastballs do not tend to move early, like a curveball might.  Fastballs move very late in the zone.  A slider moves late too, but not as late as a riding fastball.  It's also called an exploding fastball because to some folks, they see it and then it explodes (meaning it moves away or seems to pick up speed, but in reality it is only the movement that makes the illusion).

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 7, 1 out, runner at 1B: HOU 4, CIN 4

Pence: ball, 1-0.  Ball just inside, 2-0.  Ball in the dirt makes it 3-0.  Called strike on the outside corner, 3-1.  Flaired foul into the seats down the 1B line, 3-2.  Reaches for one and pokes it to 2B, throw to 1B in time.

Top 7, 2 out, runner at 2B: HOU 4, CIN 4

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 7, 2 out, runner at 2B: HOU 4, CIN 4

Pudge: bouncer to 2B for the 3rd out.

7th inning stretch time: HOU 4, CIN 4

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 7: Byrdak in for Roy

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 7: Byrdak in for Roy

Hairston Jr: ball, 1-0.  Fouled back, 1-1.  Ball low and away, 2-1.  (LH Votto up next).  Called strike on the inside corner, 2-2.  On the appeal, checked his swing at the ball away, 3-2.  Ball low for the leadoff walk.

Bottom 7, o out, runner on 1B: HOU 4, CIN 4

[Andyzipp]

boofuckinghoo, Oswalt gets another no-decision.  Stop giving up 4 runs, ass.

[Andyzipp]

goddammit

[MusicMan]

Shit.  Not a bad pitch by Byrdak.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 7, 0 out, runner on 1B: HOU 4, CIN 4

Votto: ball outside, 1-0.  Throw over.  Opposite field 2 run (damn leadoff walk) homer...  HOU 4, CIN 6

Bottom 7, 0 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

[MRaup]

Bottom 8 in Round Rock, Express Starter Bazardo has a 3 hitter going. Not sure they're going to let him come out for the 9th though, he's at 110+ pitches.

And mid at-bat, the lights went out. Like a fuse blew or something.
 

[Andyzipp]

fucking clusterfuck of a bullpen

[Navin R Johnson]

It looks like Joey Votto stole Luke Scott's face

[OregonStrosFan]

Byrdak drives me crazy sometimes with all the friggin' nibbling...

[BudGirl]

still no outs.  come on boys

[Noe]

Two very all too commonplace occurances that accent your 2009 Houston Astros.  Spotty starting pitching, even worse bullpen pitching.  The offense in on the hook to get wins for this club by outslugging other teams.  The thing is, in the NL, you're not going to get the same type of spotty bullpen work you find in the AL.  The other teams usually shut you down in the NL after seven innings.

Nice going again bullpen.  Really nice.

[BudGirl]

only one out so far

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 7, 0 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

Hernandez: 1-1 count, ball 2-1.  Ball low and away, 3-1. Fouled back, 3-2.  Struck out swinging through a back-door slider.  1 out.

Bottom 7, 1 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 7, 1 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

Bruce: Fouled bunt, 0-1.  Swinging strike, 0-2.  Ball high, 1-2. Fouled away, 1-2. Struck out swinging.  2 outs.

Bottom 7, 2 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

[Andyzipp]

fucking bunch of cuntbag underachieving pieces of dried up shit.  Can't fucking field, can't fucking run the fucking bases, can't fucking pitch and can't fuckin hit for shit

Back up the fucking truck.  No one should be fucking untouchable on this ducked up example of a baseball team

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 7, 2 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

Nix: ball, 1-0.  ball 2-0. Reaches out and taps 1 to 2B, Maysonet for the out.  3 away.

End 7: HOU 4, CIN 6

[MusicMan]

Nice going again bullpen.  Really nice.

Sorry Noe, not buying.  Roy gives up 4 in 6 innings, and we're really going to hang this on Byrdak for a nice job of hitting by Votto?

Nope.  Roy failed, again, to do his job.

[austro]

Their ERA is expanding faster than the universe.
They once held a lead, just to see what it felt like.

They are... the most frustrating staff in the world.

[Navin R Johnson]

fucking bunch of cuntbag underachieving pieces of dried up shit.  Can't fucking field, can't fucking run the fucking bases, can't fucking pitch and can't fuckin hit for shit

Back up the fucking truck.  No one should be fucking untouchable on this ducked up example of a baseball team

I think that makes them lollygaggers.

[Noe]

Anyone notice that Maysonet has a weird arm action throwing to first.  As if it's unnatural or something.  Looks like a shortstop trying hard not throw a b-b over to Lance and have him have to protect himself.  He's babying the throw a little.

[Noe]

Sorry Noe, not buying.  Roy gives up 4 in 6 innings, and we're really going to hang this on Byrdak for a nice job of hitting by Votto?

Nope.  Roy failed, again, to do his job.

Read what I said again.

[OregonStrosFan]

Sorry Noe, not buying.  Roy gives up 4 in 6 innings, and we're really going to hang this on Byrdak for a nice job of hitting by Votto?

Nope.  Roy failed, again, to do his job.

Byrdak comes in and faces back-to-back lefties, going walk, homer? Nope, Burdak gets plenty of freaking credit for that screwup!

[Andyzipp]

I think that makes them lollygaggers.

They'd have to fucking play up to get to lollygagging.  Right now, it's just cock gagging.  Turn in tommorrow.  Maybe you'll see a circle jerk.  Whatever it is it won't be fucking baseball

[hostros7]

Their ERA is expanding faster than the universe.
They once held a lead, just to see what it felt like.

They are... the most frustrating staff in the world.

Nominated.  It cheered me up a bit until I realized it also made me sad.... because it's painstakingly true.

[pravata]

Byrdak comes in and faces back-to-back lefties, going walk, homer? Nope, Burdak gets plenty of freaking credit for that screwup!

He had help on the homer, but the walk didnt have to be.

[pravata]

Nominated.  It cheered me up a bit until I realized it also made me sad.... because it's painstakingly true.

Stay thirsty my friends.  Truer words were never spoken.

[BudGirl]

jason smith is going to round rock.

[Andyzipp]

Fucking Jason Smith. Fuck him.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 8: Weathers

Keppinger: ball, 1-0. Just got under a pitch and hit it about 2 feet from the wall in left for the out.  1 away.

Maysonet: called strike, ball, foul, ball, liner to right, Bruce there for the play.  2 outs.

Erstad to PH for Byrdak.

Top 8, 2 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

[MusicMan]

Fucking Jason Smith. Fuck him.

Get Andy on 1560, and I mean rightfuckingnow.

[Navin R Johnson]

JD is about the only thing that makes the game enjoyable, sans all his Salad tossing references this evening.

[austro]

Get Andy on 1560, and I mean rightfuckingnow.

They don't have enough cash to cover the fines.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 8, 2 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

Erstad (PH for Byrdak): ball, 1-0. Called strike, 1-1.  Swinging strike, 1-2.  Ball, 2-2.  Ball brings the count full.  Fouled back, 3-2.  Soft bouncer to 1B, Votto tosses to Weathers for the out.

Middle 8: HOU 4, CIN 6

[hostros7]

Anyone notice that Maysonet has a weird arm action throwing to first.  As if it's unnatural or something.  Looks like a shortstop trying hard not throw a b-b over to Lance and have him have to protect himself.  He's babying the throw a little.

Noticed this as well.  Definitely looked like he's aiming it.  Like him going with the pitches at the plate though.

[Noe]

There was a day when starters in Houston knew all they had to do (for the most part) was pitch six innings.  The seventh, eight and ninth were lock-down innings.  Lidge, Dotel and Wagner, those were the days.  Made for a better starting staff.  I'm not saying the starting staff now needs to say they've done their jobs, they have not.  But in terms of what is wrong with Houston as the bigger issue, it's a really awful pen.  It's not even serviceable enough to help this team in any shape right now.

I remember the series between the Nationals.  It was the series of whose pen sucked the most.  Houston lost that series so what does that tell you.

[OregonStrosFan]

Shitty factoid de jour from Brownie (JD?): Astros have not won a game this year when trailing after 7.

[Savage]

JD is about the only thing that makes the game enjoyable, sans all his Salad tossing references this evening.

And Bourn.  He's my one bright spot this season.  I think about him and it makes me happy.

[pravata]

Shitty factoid de jour from Brownie (JD?): Astros have not won a game this year when trailing after 7.

And damn few trailing before that as well.

[Andyzipp]

JD is about the only thing that makes the game enjoyable, sans all his Salad tossing references this evening.

Let JD manage this shitdick baseball team then.

On second thought, fucking Cooper needs to choke on this redshirted pile of vaginas.

[JimR]

Why is Byrdak in? Because the fucking "ace" barely staggered through 6 and coughed up a lead at least twice. I am more than a little sick of his whiny, excuse-making ass.

[Mr. Happy]

Anyone notice that Maysonet has a weird arm action throwing to first.  As if it's unnatural or something.  Looks like a shortstop trying hard not throw a b-b over to Lance and have him have to protect himself.  He's babying the throw a little.

I noticed that, but, heck, Hairston is throwing underhand.

[MusicMan]

Why is Byrdak in? Because the fucking "ace" barely staggered through 6 and coughed up a lead at least twice. I am more than a little sick of his whiny, excuse-making ass.

This.  This is what I was trying to say.

[austro]

And Bourn.  He's my one bright spot this season.  I think about him and it makes me happy.

And Wandy. If you can forget about yesterday. Keppinger looks interesting, but that may just be because he's the latest shiny toy. Pence is improving.

Not everything is awful, but if ever there were a team that was less than the sum of its parts, this is it.

[Noe]

Noticed this as well.  Definitely looked like he's aiming it.  Like him going with the pitches at the plate though.

Agreed, he has a nice little approach at the plate going right now.  Back to the throwing though, it's funny... like he wants to uncork a throw as if he's a shortstop and then realizes he's a lot closer now at second base.  I bet Lance skips a little bit of heart beat when he sees Maysonet start to rare back to throw, only to short arm it.  It's kind of funny.

[Mr. Happy]

Why is Byrdak in? Because the fucking "ace" barely staggered through 6 and coughed up a lead at least twice. I am more than a little sick of his whiny, excuse-making ass.

If your ace can't pitch seven, he ain't an ace any more.

[Savage]

...but if ever there were a team that was less than the sum of its parts, this is it.

That is a perfect description.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 8: Hawkins now on the mound.

Gonzalez: Called strike, 0-1.  (Cordero warming up in the pen, hasn't blown a save all year).  Fouled away, 1-2.  Ball in the dirt away, 2-2.  Pops up the high fastball, Berkman coming n hard, Pudge makes the catch in foul territory. 

Rosales: Fly into right center, Spaz running towards it and then reaches out and makes the catch on the edge of his glove (JD says the ball must have died on him).  2 outs.

Bottom 8: 2 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

[Andyzipp]

And Wandy. If you can forget about yesterday. Keppinger looks interesting, but that may just be because he's the latest shiny toy. Pence is improving.

Not everything is awful, but if ever there were a team that was less than the sum of its parts, this is it.

Stop trying to see sunshine at Hitler's Bar Mitzva.  This is the worst Astros team in 20 fucking years

[MusicMan]

Nobody's made Drayton understand in 15+ years that pitching and defense win.  Hence, Berkman, Lee, Tejada... and Hampton, Moehler, and Ortiz.

[OregonStrosFan]

Bottom 8: 2 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

Taveras (PH for Weathers): grounder to Miggy who throws to 1B for the out.  3 outs.

End 8: HOU 4, CIN 6

[MusicMan]

Stop trying to see sunshine at Hitler's Bar Mitzva.  This is the worst Astros team in 20 fucking years

They have a long way to go to match 2000.

[BudGirl]

Nobody's made Drayton understand in 15+ years that pitching and defense win.  Hence, Berkman, Lee, Tejada... and Hampton, Moehler, and Ortiz.

Thanks, Gerry.

[Noe]

This.  This is what I was trying to say.

Yeah, but nobody is excusing him at all.  But if we use this logic, had he not given up a 3-2 lead and then a 4-3 lead, they'd be tied right now.  Whose bullpen do you trust in a tie game?

[Andyzipp]

They have a long way to go to match 2000.

Watching this collection of bumbledicks led by fucking Captain Clusterfuck is going to make us long for the glory days of Hildalgo and Valdes.

[pravata]

Yeah, but nobody is excusing him at all.  But if we use this logic, had he not given up a 3-2 lead and then a 4-3 lead, they'd be tied right now.  Whose bullpen do you trust in a tie game?

Brewers

[Noe]

Stop trying to see sunshine at Hitler's Bar Mitzva.  This is the worst Astros team in 20 fucking years

Andy is right... come on people, let's show some real hate around here... quit holding back on this bunch of losers.  Let them have it!!!

[MusicMan]

Brewers

Trevor Fucking Hoffman was out there for anyone who wanted to sign him.  Instead, they keep Valverde and let Wolf walk.

[BudGirl]

Yeah, but nobody is excusing him at all.  But if we use this logic, had he not given up a 3-2 lead and then a 4-3 lead, they'd be tied right now.  Whose bullpen do you trust in a tie game?

dodgers

[Lurch]

There was a day when starters in Houston knew all they had to do (for the most part) was pitch six innings.  The seventh, eight and ninth were lock-down innings.  Lidge, Dotel and Wagner, those were the days.  Made for a better starting staff.  I'm not saying the starting staff now needs to say they've done their jobs, they have not.  But in terms of what is wrong with Houston as the bigger issue, it's a really awful pen.  It's not even serviceable enough to help this team in any shape right now.

I remember the series between the Nationals.  It was the series of whose pen sucked the most.  Houston lost that series so what does that tell you.

June 11, 2003.

[MRaup]

Bazardo out after 8, and so are we. Express winning 8-0 aftrr 8. Bazardo can throw! He's got a filthy hook.

[BudGirl]

Andy is right... come on people, let's show some real hate around here... quit holding back on this bunch of losers.  Let them have it!!!

forget Andy, these guys just need some encouragement.

[Noe]

Brewers

If it were Nationals and Astros, I'd pick the Nationals!

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 9: Cordero in, hasn't blown a save all year.  Astros up, haven't come back to win a game when trailing after 7.  Shitfuck!

Bourn: takes a ball to make it 1-0.  Called strike, 1-1.  Takes a ball high, 2-1.  Fouled away a strike on the outside corner, 2-2.  Fouled away, 2-2.  Tapped a pretty nasty pitch there foul between the catchers leg, 2-2.  Bounces it foul towards the Reds dugout, 2-2.  Hard grounder to Votto for the 1st out.

Top 9, 1 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

[Andyzipp]

Andy is right... come on people, let's show some real hate around here... quit holding back on this bunch of losers.  Let them have it!!!

Go write a 5000 word essay, and the cram it up Cooper's ass.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 9, 1 out, none on: HOU 4, CIN 6

Miggy: gets a fastball blown by him for a swinging strike, 0-1.  Lined single into right.

Top 9, 1 out, runner on 1B: HOU 4, CIN 6

[Filo]

June 11, 2003.

They only needed one inning from the SP that night.

[Noe]

Bazardo out after 8, and so are we. Express winning 8-0 aftrr 8. Bazardo can throw! He's got a filthy hook.

Superman's alter ego pitches for the Express!  Cool!

[Noe]

forget Andy, these guys just need some encouragement.

Daggumit BG, don't you understand?  *sigh*

[austro]

Why did Miggy stop at first?

[Noe]

Go write a 5000 word essay, and the cram it up Cooper's ass.

Screw them, they are unworthy of my tomes!

[OregonStrosFan]

forget Andy, these guys just need some encouragement.

In the form of a size 16 silver boot up their collective asses!!!

[Mr. Happy]

They have a long way to go to match 2000.

1991 was pretty bad too.

[BudGirl]

would you expect this game to end any other way?

not me

[hostros7]

Ok, starting to agree this team may find revolutionary new ways to suck.

[Navin R Johnson]

Tejada was safe.   The umps hate us.

[Mr. Happy]

would you expect this game to end any other way?

not me

Me either. This sucks.

[OregonStrosFan]

Top 9, 1 out, runner on 1B: HOU 4, CIN 6

Puma: ball low and away, 1-0.  Ball inside, 2-0.  Ball away, 3-0.  Called strike, 3-1.  Reaches for the 3-1 splitter and fouls it.  Bullet to 3B, gunned it to 2B (with Miggy running on the play) for the (questionable) out, throw to 1B completes the DP. 

What a shitty way to end a shitty ballgame. 

Reds win 6-4.

[Noe]

Don't blame the umpire, Tejada was out because he's an Astro and right now, they don't deserve any breaks!

[Andyzipp]

They're still shifty

[Noe]

Tejada was safe.   The umps hate us.

The curse of CB Buckner?  I don't think so... they don't need CB to suck in order for them to lose.  In fact, when have you ever seen the Astros lose a game with CB on the field and not have him involved in some form or fashion.  Tonight was classic, no CB to be seen or heard from and the Astros choke it up all by themselves.

[Andyzipp]

The curse of CB Buckner?  I don't think so... they don't need CB to suck in order for them to lose.  In fact, when have you ever seen the Astros lose a game with CB on the field and not have him involved in some form or fashion.  Tonight was classic, no CB to be seen or heard from and the Astros choke it up all by themselves.

The fucking Astros have need for fucking CB Bucknoid to fuck up anything.  They're doing just fine on their own

[OregonStrosFan]

Postgame shitty factoid #1: Lefties are 10-30 against Byrdak, and better still against Wright so far this year.

[Mr. Happy]

Postgame shitty factoid #1: Lefties are 10-30 against Byrdak, and better still against Wright so far this year.

Wright should be in Round Rock.

[Noe]

Wright should be in Round Rock.

Just Wright?  (cue Andy... in 4, 3, 2....)

[Andyzipp]

Just Wright?  (cue Andy... in 4, 3, 2....)

Fuck the whole fucking team needs to be sent to Coco fucking Beach.  Start the whole fucking thing over.

[BatGirl]

ed wade sighting in round rock tonight
according to footer

[Noe]

ed wade sighting in round rock tonight
according to footer

Looking for relievers I suppose.  (cue Andy in 3, 2....)

[austro]

ed wade sighting in round rock tonight
according to footer

He was there last night, too, according to the Austin paper.

[Andyzipp]

Looking for relievers I suppose.  (cue Andy in 3, 2....)

Hope Wade is looking for a fucking apartment in a goddamn state capital so it's easier for him to fucking collect his fucking unemployment check.

[Andyzipp]

He was there last night, too, according to the Austin paper.

Looking for movers.  Fucking relievers in fucking Round Rock should be lining up their second goddamn careers working for 3 Cocksuckers and a Truck.

[austro]

Hope Wade is looking for a fucking apartment in a goddamn state capital so it's easier for him to fucking collect his fucking unemployment check.

How is this Wade's fault? He inherited a bunch of contracts, a more-or-less fixed budget, and a thin free agent market. Everybody knew what this year's team would look like when last season ended. This is where he gets to play Mr. Fixit: now he should have the green light to be involved in every trade discussion that happens this year. Let's see if he can turn some of these under-performing parts into prospects.

[Andyzipp]

How is this Wade's fault? He inherited a bunch of contracts, a more-or-less fixed budget, and a thin free agent market. Everybody knew what this year's team would look like when last season ended. This is where he gets to play Mr. Fixit: now he should have the green light to be involved in every trade discussion that happens this year. Let's see if he can turn some of these under-performing parts into prospects.

Fuck Ed Wade with Ed Romero's dick

[OregonStrosFan]

Roy saying the comebacker into his hand was causing him problems in the 6th.

[Noe]

Cooper is angry!  They just showed his presser after the game and he was not a happy man.  The highlights:

1. He threw Oswalt under the bus, said he should hold the leads when given to him (said losing two leads is not good)
2. He threw Byrdak under the bus, said he shoud not have walked the lead off hitter
3. Thought Maysonet and Keppinger had good games (only nice thing he had to say)
4. When asked by JdJO if he could think of anything he could do to help these guys win ballgames, he was noticeably angry with the question and said "I've done what I can, changed the lineup, tried to motivate them to play better... but that's all you can do.  If *YOU* have any suggestion that I can try, I'll listen".
5. Footer asked if Matsui was injured and Cooper said "yes"
6. Footer followed up with "what's his status", Cooper said "day to day".  Footer asked "so just to be clear, he'll be in there tomorrow?"  Cooper said kind of frustratedly "I said day to day, that's what I mean... he's day to day".  Footer "yes, I'm just asking if he'll be back tomorrow or if he's injury is too serious... I mean, it will mean that you're down two players (Blum and Matsui)?"  Cooper said "I'm not going to play guys who are unhealthy..."

Jimmy D said that before the game, Cooper called a team meeting to try and straighten some things out.  In Jimmy D's opinion, it was in order to get them pumped that Roy was pitching tonight in Cincy and it always fires guys up if they know they have a great chance for a win.  Didn't work out I suppose.

[MikeyBoy]

Holy shit. Andy is hitting for the hate cycle.

[Noe]

Holy shit. Andy is hitting for the hate cycle.

I'm guessing his brother is house sitting for Andy tonight and we're seeing what happens when you stay logged in.  It is fun though, lots of fun!

[hostros7]

4. When asked by JdJO if he could think of anything he could do to help these guys win ballgames, he was noticeably angry with the question and said "I've done what I can, changed the lineup, tried to motivate them to play better... but that's all you can do.  If *YOU* have any suggestion that I can try, I'll listen".

Reason number 1,347 that we may or may not be fucked and growing my concerns that Coop may have had my left testicle surgically implanted for a brain.  And I miss that thing, it was much more well suited in its previous vocation.

[pravata]

4. When asked by JdJO if he could think of anything he could do to help these guys win ballgames, he was noticeably angry with the question and said "I've done what I can, changed the lineup, tried to motivate them to play better... but that's all you can do.  If *YOU* have any suggestion that I can try, I'll listen".

Ohz noez, Manager Cooper is gettin angered.  Sure J, I could hit for em, bet your ass I dont miss a hanger.  Pitching? No I never pitched.  Didya?  If you have a fastball/slider I could use you.

[Noe]

Ohz noez, Manager Cooper is gettin angered.  Sure J, I could hit for em, bet your ass I dont miss a hanger.  Pitching? No I never pitched.  Didya?  If you have a fastball/slider I could use you.

Ahum... huh?

[pravata]

Ahum... huh?

Asking the manager why he can't help the players play the game is ignorant.  Go back and check your description of Oswalt's pitching.  How could the manager have affected that sequence of events?  How could the manager have stopped Tejada coming around second and getting picked off?  At what point when Byrdak is walking the leadoff batter does Cooper change pitchers? There's a lot of things going on, but once the manager puts the team on the field how can he affect their performance? It's an ignorant question which suggests telekinisic abilities.

[Noe]

Asking the manager why he can't help the players play the game is ignorant.  Go back and check your description of Oswalt's pitching.  How could the manager have affected that sequence of events?  How could the manager have stopped Tejada coming around second and getting picked off?  At what point when Byrdak is walking the leadoff batter does Cooper change pitchers? There's a lot of things going on, but once the manager puts the team on the field how can he affect their performance? It's an ignorant question which suggests telekinisic abilities.

Well, he didn't ask him that (why?  where did you get a "why" out of that?).  He asked him if he could think of anything he could do to help the team win.  See Homer's post on the TZ for a frame of reference.  Cooper's answer was basically "no, can't do anything else than what I've already done."  I would think that you of anyone else would find it interesting since you like to hear what the Astros are thinking (as I do).  Cooper said that nothing more can be done.

That to me is interesting.  Right or wrong is not mine to say, but it's interesting that Cooper said he has nothing left to do to help them win.

[pravata]

Well, he didn't ask him that (why?  where did you get a "why" out of that?).  He asked him if he could think of anything he could do to help the team win.  See Homer's post on the TZ for a frame of reference.  Cooper's answer was basically "no, can't do anything else than what he's already done."  I would think that you of anyone else would find it interesting since you like to hear what the Astros are thinking.  Cooper said that nothing more can be done.

That to me is interesting.  Right or wrong is not mine to say, but it's interesting that Cooper said he has nothing left to do to help them win.

Is it interesting? Because I'd be interested to know how Cecil Cooper could get Roy Oswalt to pitch better, Miguel Tejada to run the bases better and Tim Byrdak not to give up a homerun.  To me it's a dumbass question from someone who has nothing better to add.  ARE WE COOL WITH THAT?

[Noe]

Is it interesting? Because I'd be interested to know how Cecil Cooper could get Roy Oswalt to pitch better, Miguel Tejada to run the bases better and Tim Byrdak not to give up a homerun.  To me it's a dumbass question from someone who has nothing better to add.  ARE WE COOL WITH THAT?

Sure.  No problem.  Thanks.