Astros vs. Pirates: 4/24

[OregonStrosFan]

Sit your lazy ass down, Carlos. LINK

Astros lineup

CF Michael Bourn
2B Jeff Keppinger
3B Pedro Feliz
1B Lance Berkman
RF Hunter Pence
LF Cory Sullivan
SS Tommy Manzella
C Humberto Quintero
P Wandy Rodriguez

Pirates lineup

2B Aki Iwamura
1B Bobby Crosby
CF Andrew McCutchen
RF Garrett Jones
LF Ryan Church
LF Lastings Milledge
3B Andy LaRoche
C Jason Jaramillo
P Chris Jakubauskas

Roof open.  Go 'Stros!

[JaneDoe]

No Kaz either. 

[OregonStrosFan]

Bagwell back in the booth.

[Mr. Happy]

Sit your lazy ass down, Carlos. LINK

Astros lineup

CF Michael Bourn
2B Jeff Keppinger
3B Pedro Feliz
1B Lance Berkman
RF Hunter Pence
LF Cory Sullivan
SS Tommy Manzella
C Humberto Quintero
P Wandy Rodriguez

Pirates lineup

2B Aki Iwamura
1B Bobby Crosby
CF Andrew McCutchen
RF Garrett Jones
LF Ryan Church
LF Lastings Milledge
3B Andy LaRoche
C Jason Jaramillo
P Chris Jakubauskas

Roof open.  Go 'Stros!

There's something wrong with the Pirate lineup-has two left fielders and no SS.

[JaneDoe]

Wandy starts out sharp

Iwamura K's swinging.
Crosby K's swinging.
Kepp snags a low liner from McCutchen to end the top of the 1st.

[JaneDoe]

Sit your lazy ass down, Carlos. LINK

Astros lineup

CF Michael Bourn
2B Jeff Keppinger
3B Pedro Feliz
1B Lance Berkman
RF Hunter Pence
LF Cory Sullivan
SS Tommy Manzella
C Humberto Quintero
P Wandy Rodriguez

Pirates lineup

2B Aki Iwamura
1B Bobby Crosby
CF Andrew McCutchen
RF Garrett Jones
LF Ryan Church
LF Lastings Milledge
3B Andy LaRoche
C Jason Jaramillo
P Chris Jakubauskas
SS Cedeno

Roof open.  Go 'Stros!

According to Gameday

[OregonStrosFan]

There's something wrong with the Pirate lineup-has two left fielders and no SS.

You mean my cut-and-paste of chron reporting wasn't correct?  Bite your tongue!

[Mr. Happy]

Bourn with a leadoff single. Keppinger broken bat pop out to SS. OSF, that'll show you for relying upon the Comical.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Ouch. Hope his okay.

[Kissimmee yips]

holy fk! berkman line drives the pitcher in the side of the head!

[JaneDoe]

Sweet Baby Bourn starts the game with a single to LF.
Kepp pops to short
Feliz flies to center.
Berkman lines one into the pitchers head, he goes down the ball bounced back past the catcher, Jakubauskas down.

[Kissimmee yips]

...bounced all the way back past the catcher on the fly

[JaneDoe]

Could you guys hear the pop when the ball hit him in the head? 

[Ron Brand]

Could you guys hear the pop when the ball hit him in the head? 

Yeah. Ugh. Looks like it was in his mouth or his nose but he's sitting up and spitting. Tough son of a bitch.

[Ron Brand]

Amazing to see him stand up and walk. Groggy and ropy for sure, but he's up and more or less ok. Good to see that.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It looks like he got hit square in the kisser. Looks like he's not terribly injured. Getting up, walking a little woozy.

[JaneDoe]

Yeah. Ugh. Looks like it was in his mouth or his nose but he's sitting up and spitting. Tough son of a bitch.

Spitting some blood. 

He's standing now.

[Ron Brand]

Watching those legs and feet kicking like that was horrible. I'm glad he's up and around, hope he's ok.

[JaneDoe]

Watching those legs and feet kicking like that was horrible. I'm glad he's up and around, hope he's ok.

It was. 

[Ron Brand]

Brownie just said it hit him on the back of the head.

[Kissimmee yips]

jeez.  good to see him relatively ok.  

DJ Carrasco warming up

[JaneDoe]

Ok, other than being the decent thing to do--why did the runners stop at 1st and 2nd instead of advancing to 2nd and 3rd?

[Ron Brand]

Ump probably called the play.

[Kissimmee yips]

catch also had the ball at that point

[Ron Brand]

All right Spaz, bring 'em home.

[JaneDoe]

Ump probably called the play.

Well, someone at my house was screaming and yelling for them to go (not me) and asked me why they weren't running.

[Ron Brand]

Nice rope into the corner by Spaz!

[94CougarGrad]

jeez.  good to see him relatively ok.  

DJ Carrasco warming up

Turned it on as Carrasco was warming up and didn't know why, so I ran right here to find out. Hope the guy's okay.

[Ron Brand]

Well, someone at my house was screaming and yelling for them to go (not me) and asked me why they weren't running.

I'm just guessing but when the injury is as scary as that one is the ump is probably ready to stop play and get help out there.

[Ty in Tampa]

Ump probably called the play.

He did. Berkman was waving towards the Astros dugout as soon as he left the batter's box.

[Ron Brand]

Carrasco does not appear to be ready to pitch just yet.

[Ty in Tampa]

First time I've heard Bags in the booth. Sounds good.

[JaneDoe]

Carrasco in to pitch

Bourn on 2nd, Berkman at 1st.

Pence doubles to deep LF, ball dies in the corner, Bourn and Berkman score Pirates 0, Astros 2

Cory Sullivan walks.  After Brownie says "Berkman returns and we start to walk", Bagwell remarks that now that Lance is back the pressure is off and they are taking pitches.

Manzella grounds out to LaRoche.

End 1, Pirates 0, Astros 2

[Ron Brand]

First time I've heard Bags in the booth. Sounds good.

He's FANTASTIC. I have to leave in a few minutes and that sucks, because listening to him on the broadcast is the best part of the season so far.

Well, that and Roy's changeup. And Bourn's nightly highlight reel.

[JaneDoe]

First time I've heard Bags in the booth. Sounds good freakin' fantastic.

Same here.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

First time I've heard Bags in the booth. Sounds good.

Yes, he is a great addition.

[JaneDoe]

Jones lines out to Pence.

Milledge grounds out to a diving Keppinger who gets up and tosses to Lance for the second out.

LaRoche singles to RF

Jaramillo flies out to RF.

Pence getting a workout tonight.

Mid 2, Pirates 0, Astros 2

[Ron Brand]

Pirate hitters aren't wasting any time taking pitches.

[JaneDoe]

Q grounds out 4-3.

WRod watches 2 strikes then hacks for strike 3.

Bourn Ks.

End 2, Pirates 0, Astros 2

[Mr. Happy]

Fuck Wandy.

[moriartp]

Nice throw from Bourn to save a run. Also, bad call by the Pirates' 3B coach.

[Mr. Happy]

Nice throw from Bourn to save a run. Also, bad call by the Pirates' 3B coach.

No shit on both scores. Bagwell said that it was a product of not scoring many runs, which makes sense. Otherwise, it made no sense to send the runner.

[JaneDoe]

Carrasco Ks swinging.

Cedeno grounds to third and it ties up Feliz, bounces to LF.  Error on Feliz.

Iwamura works a base on balls.  Men at first and second for Crosby.

Crosby singles.  Bases juiced with one out for McCutchen.

McCutchen singles to CF.  Cedeno scores  Bourn makes an on target on hop throw, and Q just stands there waiting to tag out Iwamura. Pirates 1, Astros 2

Jones called out on strikes.

Mid 3, Pirates 1, Astros 2

[Ron Brand]

Kepp gets the Baggy Seal of Approval, says he gets a good AB every time.

[JaneDoe]

Kepp rolls one over to 3rd.  1 out.

On the first pitch,Feliz flies out to Milledge.

Puma pops out to La Roche (also on the first pitch).

Quick half inning for Carrasco.

End 3, Pirates 1, Astros 2

[JaneDoe]

Milledge smacks one back up the middle, great play by Wandy. 1 out.

LaRoche strikes out swinging.

Jaramillo grounds out 6-3.

Mid 4, Pirates 1, Astros 2

[JaneDoe]

Anybody needing PBP? 

[Ron Brand]

Anybody needing PBP? 

I'll appreciate it about 8:30 but I'll get the enjoyment of DoRay pretty soon.

[Ron Brand]

By the way, Norm Miller's book is pretty good. An enjoyable read for sure.

[Ron Brand]

Go get 'em Q. Be the dagger.

[94CougarGrad]

Q!

[Ron Brand]

Got one in anyway. 3-1 Good Guys.

[94CougarGrad]

That's what happens when you oil your glove with Wesson.

[Ron Brand]

Oh man. Pirate baseball.

Wandy dumps a bunt in front of the mound, pitcher and third baseman tangle up but Carrasco comes up with it, throws to first to beat Wandy by a step except the first baseman is off the bag. New pitcher time.

[Mr. Happy]

When you have a team on the ropes with no outs, why send the runner?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Had to step away for a while, has Bagwell said anything about Lee's non-help with the Kepp play st the plate last night?

[Ron Brand]

I haven't heard anything. I doubt they'd bring it up and that he'd say anything about it at all.

[JaneDoe]

Pence starts off the inning and smashes one up the middle for a leadoff single.

Sullivan bloops one the the right of Milledge for a single.  Pence to 2nd.

Manzella singles to RF.  Pence gets the stop sign after rounding 3rd.  Bases juiced with no outs for Q.

Coaching visit to the mound. Carrasco stays in.

Q singles up the middle, Pence scores.  Sullivan is sent and doesn't really try to avoid the tag.  Called out at the plate.  Good throw by McCutchen.

Wandy lays down a sac bunt, but is called safe on a throw by Carrasco to first where the first baseman is off the bag.  Bases loaded.

Pitching change: Javier Lopez replaces Carrasco

Bourn promptly hits into a DP (first pitch).  Crapola, wasted an opportunity there guys.

End 4, Pirates 1, Astros 3

[Ron Brand]

When you have a team on the ropes with no outs, why send the runner?

Dunno. Third base coach is a tough position.

[Ron Brand]

Wow, Pirates already pinch-hitting for a pitcher who threw one pitch? After getting shredded the last few days?

[believin]

Anybody needing PBP? 

Yes, I do, if you don't mind.

[JaneDoe]

Raynor PH for Lopez.  Raynor grounds out 4-3.

SS Cedeno pops to Berkman.  2 outs.

Iwamura strikes out swinging.  Six K's in 5 innings for Wandy.

Mid 5, Pirates 1, Astros 3

[94CougarGrad]

If I can get Mr.94CG to quit flipping between the game and other stuff, I'll pick up for you, Jane, but we'll have to see how this works out over here...

[JaneDoe]

Wow, Pirates already pinch-hitting for a pitcher who threw one pitch? After getting shredded the last few days?

Frustration setting in.

[Ron Brand]

Frustration setting in.

It's a way of life in Pittsburgh.

[JaneDoe]

If I can get Mr.94CG to quit flipping between the game and other stuff, I'll pick up for you, Jane, but we'll have to see how this works out over here...

No biggie.  Just didn't want to be posting if no one was reading. 

[Ron Brand]

I would really like to see Jeff Keppinger be the Michael Bourn of 2010.

[Ron Brand]

Yow. Pedro Feliz likes the high fastball.

[Ron Brand]

Gotta hit the road. I'll give your regards to DoRay. You'll probably be able to hear me scream from wherever you are.

[Lurch]

Had to step away for a while, has Bagwell said anything about Lee's non-help with the Kepp play st the plate last night?

Not directly, but after one of the Astros runs, they did talk about what the responsibility of the guy on deck was and Bagwell explained that he is to tell the runner if he should slide and on what side.

[JaneDoe]

Pitching change: Taschner in.

Keppinger leads off with a double down the line into the LF corner.

Pedro Feliz hits his first HR as an Astro.  A first pitch towering shot to LCF off the facade.  Keppinger and Feliz score. Pirates 1, Astros 5

Berkman grounds out 5-3 and Pence follows him with a weak grounder to the pitcher. Both on the first pitch.

Sullivan Ks swinging.

End 5th, Pirates 1, Astros 5

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It's a way of life in Pittsburgh.

At least they got a good hockey club.

[Lurch]

Carrasco Ks swinging.

Cedeno grounds to third and it ties up Feliz, bounces to LF.  Error on Feliz.

Iwamura works a base on balls.  Men at first and second for Crosby.

Crosby singles.  Bases juiced with one out for McCutchen.

McCutchen singles to CF.  Cedeno scores  Bourn makes an on target on hop throw, and Q just stands there waiting to tag out Iwamura. Pirates 1, Astros 2

Jones called out on strikes.

Mid 3, Pirates 1, Astros 2

Just caught up on DVR.  Iwamura should have been a strike out looking to end the inning.  The ump called a ball on what was clearly strike three, and Fox had their pitch tracker running which confirmed it wasnt even close to a ball.  The booth was talking about something else so they didnt mention it, but Wandy was clearly pissed.  He let it get to him

[Lurch]

First time I've heard Bags in the booth. Sounds good.

He seems much more comfortable tonight than his first appearance when he was probably a bit too quiet.  Tonight he has hardly stopped to catch his breath.  Really fun to listen to.

[JaneDoe]

Feliz snags a grounder by Crosby. 1 out.

McCutchen swings and misses for strike 3.

Jones pops out in foul territory to Feliz.

Mid 6th, Pirates 1, Astros 5

[Lurch]

One more catch up comment and then I'll shut up...

In the pregame Bagwell acknowledged the Astros' reputation for struggling with pitchers they had never seen before

[JaneDoe]

One more catch up comment and then I'll shut up...

In the pregame Bagwell acknowledged the Astros' reputation for struggling with pitchers they had never seen before

Yeah, that was pretty comical.

[JaneDoe]

Manzella, Quintero and Rodriguez due up

Tommy lines out to RF.

Q grounds out to a diving Taschner.

Wandy singles to RF.  Our pitchers are out hitting LF for the season.

SBB works a walk.

Keppinger flies out to Jones in RF.

End of 6, 5-1 Astros

[JaneDoe]

Milledge breaks his bat as he grounds out to short.  Bagwell starts a really interesting discussion of the maple bat problem.  He says that a MLB guy has an inspector come in and check bats before the game now and they look at the grain and will not allow certain bats to be used.  He (Bags) says that the quality of the maple bats has really gone down since they first came out.

LaRoche flies out to CF.

Jaramillo knocks a high homer. Pirates 2, Astros 5

Clement PH for Taschner.  He sends one to LCF and Bourn can't find the ball, Sullivan sees it and reels it in for the third out.

Mid 7th, Pirates 2, Astros 5

[JaneDoe]

Pitching change: Daniel McCutchen replaces Taschner.

Feliz greets him with a double that bounces off the base of the scoreboard in LF.

Berkman pissed, called out on strikes.

Pence loses his grip and sends the bat flying into the stands.  A couple of pitches later, McCutchen throws one wide to Jaramillo and Feliz advances to 3rd.  Pence K's. 

Sullivan bunts (WTF?? 2 outs dude) and is out at first.

End 7th, Pirates 2, Astros 5

[Ron Brand]

Milo and Footer reporting that the Pirate pitcher will be held overnight and they're waiting for results from the radiologist.

[JaneDoe]

Wandy takes the hill again.

Cedeno hits one back up the middle, Wandy misses it and it rolls on to Bourn.  I think he should have had that one.  

Iwamura pops up to Manzella who was breaking behind Feliz in foul territory outside of 3B.

Mills makes a visit to the mound. Wandy out, Lyon in.

With Crosby batting, Cedeno steals 2nd, then Crosby Ks swinging.

McCutchen strikes out swinging to end the inning and strand Cedeno.

Mid 8th, Pirates 2, Astros 5

[Lurch]

Lyon really looks good.

[JaneDoe]

Milo and Footer reporting that the Pirate pitcher will be held overnight and they're waiting for results from the radiologist.

Brown said that too.

[JaneDoe]

Pitching change: Brendan Donnelly replaces McCutchen.

Manzella sends one up the middle for a leadoff single.

Quintero grounds into a 6U-3 DP.

Matsui pinch hits for Lyon. Kaz slaps one up the middle for a single.

Bourn slaps one down the 1b line, snagged by Crosby before it hits foul territory, who steps on 1st for the out.

End 8th, Pirates 2, Astros 5

[Lurch]

Every Astro has a hit tonight

[JaneDoe]

Did Bags just poke at Hunter Pence about the slider?  Wowza.

[Lurch]

Did Bags just poke at Hunter Pence about the slider?  Wowza.

Interesting comment.  You're not supposed to hit a good slider.  You want to hit the bad slider.

[JaneDoe]

Every Astro has a hit tonight

Except Lyon.

[JaneDoe]

Interesting comment.  You're not supposed to hit a good slider.  You want to hit the bad slider.

Prefaced by: I've been trying to get this across to Hunter-----

[T. J.]

Baggy:  "Aw, Kevin Brown, that's a nightmare all in its own right there."

You could hear it in his voice.

[Phil_in_CS]

Thanks for all the PBP - I got it late and it made catching up on the game pretty quick.

[Lurch]

Out of the cellar!

Good game.  Let's keep this lineup tomorrow...

[T. J.]

Made it exciting anyway.  6 out of the last 7. 

[JaneDoe]

Lindstrom in for the Good Guys.

Jones Ks swinging.

Ryan Church pinch hits for Milledge and grounds out 3-1.

LaRoche singles to LF in front of Sullivan.

Doumit pinch hits for Jaramillo.  Damnit.  The train operator blows the whistle on a foul tip in the dirt, thinking the game was over. Better not jinx us.  Well, shit.  Doumit promptly sends it to the wall for a long single to RF.  Pence gets the ball in and LaRoche is held at 3rd.

Delwyn Young PH for Donnelly.  Works a walk, Lindstrom looks a little discombobulated.  Bases LOADED. 2 outs.

Cedeno hits the first pitch high to RF.  Pence camps under it and makes the catch.  Ballgame.

Final score   Pirates 2, Astros 5

[Greg M]

Thank Jane.

[T. J.]

Tough night for Jakubauskas.  Knocked in the head AND he gets the loss.

That was scary as hell.  Hope he's ok.

[JaneDoe]

Thank Jane.

You are quite welcome.  It was really nice to get to watch an entire game.  Listening to Bagwell was just the icing on the cake.

[SaltyParker]

Milo and Footer reporting that the Pirate pitcher will be held overnight and they're waiting for results from the radiologist.

I just heard on the nightly MLB rundown that the catscan came back negitive at the hospital and he will be held overnight pending additional tests. Sounds good so far.