Author Topic: Astros vs. Rangers, 6/20/10 (Read 8599 times)

Ron Brand · « **on:** June 20, 2010, 01:18:15 pm »

Rangers

Borbon, CF
Young, 3B
Kinsler, 2B
Guerrero, RF
Hamilton, LF
Smoak, 1B
Ramirez, C
Blanco, SS
Wilson, P

Good Guys

Keppinger, 2B
Berkman, 1B
Pence, RF
Lee, LF
Michaels, CF
Feliz, 3B
Manzella, SS
Quintero, C
Paulino, P

Ron Brand · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:19:53 pm »

Paulino walks the first two, Kinsler sac bunts them to 2nd and third. Vlad pops out to Manzella. Hamilton is badly fooled by a curve for a swinging K to end the Rangers half of the first.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:23:56 pm »

The Mighty Jeff Keppinger hits a high hopper over second for a leadoff single. The first pitch to Puma is a wild pitch, moving Kepp to second.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:28:17 pm »

Puma doubles under Vlad's glove and scores Kepp, 1-0 Good Guys.

Is it me, or has Lance lost his power? Every hit I remember seeing for the last few months are liners that drop. Even pitches he should crush are to the track or juuuuuust into the stands.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:30:11 pm »

Pence grounds out to third but Lee drops a liner past first into right, scoring Puma. Vlad really isn't a right fielder any more, is he?

Ron Brand · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:31:37 pm »

Michaels hits into a broken-bat 5-4-3 to end the first. Good Guys up, 2-0.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:35:19 pm »

Smoak doubles off the wall behind Pence. Dammit. Ramirez up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:36:39 pm »

Ramirez hits a pop that replays show was foul by a few inches but was called fair, scoring Smoak. 2-1 Astros, Blanco up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:38:11 pm »

Blanco pops up to Feliz on a fastball in. So far Paulino is pounding the zone with fastballs and mixing in a pretty sharp curve.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:39:14 pm »

Wilson Ks swinging. Two down.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:41:37 pm »

Slow hopper by the bag to Kepp who can't get the throw to first in time. Runners on the corners, Young up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:42:49 pm »

Feliz with a diving stop of a smash by Young, throws to Kepp for the force to end the Rangers part of the second. 2-1 Astros.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:44:02 pm »

Ugh. A new TexMessage ad from Texaco. Countering the Goodson Honda ones. Never the rose without the thorn.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:45:20 pm »

Feliz snaps a hard single up the middle to lead off the 2nd for the Astros. Manzella up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:45:50 pm »

Manzella is hitting .378 versus lefthanders?

Ron Brand · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:48:55 pm »

Manzella singles to right and Vlad kicks it into the corner, scoring Feliz to make it 3-1. Manzella races to third.
Vlad in right these days is like Mays in center for the Mets.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:49:50 pm »

Hard grounder to second by Q fails to score Manzella. Paulino up, one out.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:51:43 pm »

Just when it looks like the Astros will fail to get Manzella home from third with no outs and an 0-2 count on the pitcher, a high fastball gets by Ramirez and Manzella is safe on the second passed ball in two innings. 4-1 Good Guys.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:51:53 pm »

After Manzella scores on a PB, JD states, "Charity is a beautiful thing."

Ron Brand · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:52:15 pm »

Paulino walks.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #20 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:52:49 pm »

Quote from: JaneDoe on June 20, 2010, 01:51:53 pm

After Manzella scores on a PB, JD states, "Charity is a beautiful thing."

This team needs all the charity it can get.

Maddux to the mound. No touching.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #21 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:54:41 pm »

Kepp smokes a hot one-hopper but it's right at the shortstop for the 6-4-3. End of two, Astros up 4-1.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #22 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:58:38 pm »

Paulino gets Kinsler on a nice slider on the outside corner. Vlad up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #23 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:59:16 pm »

Dang, nothing wrong with Vlad's bat speed.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #24 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:00:01 pm »

One hopper to Kepp, two down.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #25 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:01:28 pm »

Hamilton drops a dying quail to left for a single. Lee hustles in on it and needlessly tries to barehand it. Of course, he can't, and Hamilton scoots to second. Smoak up.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:01:35 pm »

Quote from: Ron Brand on June 20, 2010, 01:54:41 pm

End of two, Astros up 4-1.

Astros beating Rangers 4-1 after 2? Are you completely shit-faced drunk? Before 2:00? On Father's day? Shame, shame on you Ron Brand!

Ron Brand · « **Reply #27 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:02:50 pm »

Y'know, Smoak can hit a fastball.

Single to left scores Hamilton and it's 4-2. Two out.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #28 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:03:00 pm »

Carlos, that was a dumbass play.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #29 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:03:22 pm »

Quote from: OregonStrosFan on June 20, 2010, 02:01:35 pm

Astros beating Rangers 4-1 after 2? Are you completely shit-faced drunk? Before 2:00? On Father's day? Shame, shame on you Ron Brand!

It's just a Father's Day tease.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #30 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:04:10 pm »

Quote from: JaneDoe on June 20, 2010, 02:03:00 pm

Carlos, that was a dumbass play.

And it was guaranteed to result in a run. Guaranteed.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #31 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:05:04 pm »

Paulino Ks Ramirez to end their half. 4-2 Good Guys.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #32 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:05:43 pm »

Quote from: Ron Brand on June 20, 2010, 02:03:22 pm

It's just a Father's Day tease.

Holy crap, just turned on the game and it was in fact 4-1 Astros. Thought you had to be drunk to make that claim. My bad, but can you really blame me??

Ron Brand · « **Reply #33 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:06:44 pm »

Quote from: OregonStrosFan on June 20, 2010, 02:05:43 pm

Holy crap, just turned on the game and it was in fact 4-1 Astros. Thought you had to be drunk to make that claim. My bad, but can you really blame me??

Nope, but don't get used to it. It can't last.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #34 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:08:32 pm »

Lance grounds out to short. Thunder Pants up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #35 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:10:01 pm »

JD quoting Paul Revere and the Raiders while discussing Pence's Cherokee heritage. I love these guys.

Pence grounds out, two down.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #36 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:11:38 pm »

Ramirez is a real butcher behind the plate.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #37 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:14:14 pm »

Nine pitch AB to Lee. FoxTrax shows eight of those pitches as balls, but he finally walks on a 3-2 count. Two out, Michaels up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #38 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:15:57 pm »

Michaels goes down swinging on a curve to end the inning, still 4-2 Astros. On to the fourth!

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #39 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:17:23 pm »

Classic Brownie/JD exchange:

Brownie: There's that old saying about lefties, they can't throw the ball straight.
JD: I was the exception to that rule.
Brownie: I was about to say and the ones that do aren't pitching anymore.
JD: Yeah, they end up finding their way to the broadcast booth...

Ron Brand · « **Reply #40 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:18:29 pm »

FUCK. Q is DOWN, hit hard by the bat, he's cut. Shit.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #41 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:18:45 pm »

Quintero gets bashed in the head by Blanco's bat. Wow.

Blood. Not good.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #42 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:19:30 pm »

Blanco caught him square in the side of the head. For Jason Castro, opportunity knocks...

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #43 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:19:36 pm »

Damn, Q is just a human punching bag. Got hit hard with the follow through of the bat. There's some blood. Going to have to come out.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #44 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:20:37 pm »

Q sitting up. Good sign.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #45 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:21:10 pm »

Q is one tough bird. Glad to see him walking fine, even though he's pissed off. He's had a hell of a year.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #46 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:22:09 pm »

Q is one tough hombre. Up, walking back to the dugout with a scowl on his face...

Ron Brand · « **Reply #47 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:23:00 pm »

Blanco strikes out. Cash avoids the backswing.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #48 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:23:37 pm »

Wilson pops out to Michaels, two down. Borbon up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #49 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:25:00 pm »

Soft liner to LCF for a single. Young up.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #50 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:27:02 pm »

Young flies out to right and the Good Guys are coming to bat.

I've got to slink out for a bit so I'll have to relinquish the PBP reins. Take 'em home to a win, somebody.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #51 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:32:55 pm »

Quote from: Ron Brand on June 20, 2010, 02:27:02 pm

I've got to slink out for a bit so I'll have to relinquish the PBP reins. Take 'em home to a win, somebody.

I nominate JaneDoe. My PBP has been nothing but poison for the Good Guys so far...

matadorph · « **Reply #52 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:41:55 pm »

The sound of the bat hitting Q's head was sickening. What a tough sumbitch. Get well, Q!

cougar · « **Reply #53 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:44:05 pm »

Kepp grounds out to short, one away.

cougar · « **Reply #54 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:46:44 pm »

Berkman flies out to Bourbon err, Borbon just short of Tal's Folly, switch 'em up.

Man I shouldn't do PBP. Didn't even realize that was three away.

cougar · « **Reply #55 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:50:56 pm »

Top 6, Ramirez grounds out to Happy Pete, one away.

cougar · « **Reply #56 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:52:12 pm »

Blanco lines a single over Berkman, Spazz holds him at first.

cougar · « **Reply #57 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:52:54 pm »

Wilson sacrifices Blanco to second 1-4, two away.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #58 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:53:57 pm »

Quote from: OregonStrosFan on June 20, 2010, 02:32:55 pm

I nominate JaneDoe. My PBP has been nothing but poison for the Good Guys so far...

Thanks for the nomination, but I am up to my ears in homework, I just check in here occasionally when I am trying to gather my thoughts while I work on these reports.

cougar · « **Reply #59 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:54:10 pm »

Borbon doubles home Blanco after Michaels bobbles the ball in center, 4-3 Good Guys.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #60 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:54:25 pm »

Thanks, cougar for doing PBP!

cougar · « **Reply #61 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:54:45 pm »

Young flies out to right, 4-3 Astros mid 6th.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #62 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:55:38 pm »

Quote from: JaneDoe on June 20, 2010, 02:53:57 pm

Thanks for the nomination, but I am up to my ears in homework, I just check in here occasionally when I am trying to gather my thoughts while I work on these reports.

It was really just a passing the buck thingie... but you're welcome! Cougar's got your back in any event.

cougar · « **Reply #63 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:55:45 pm »

Quote from: JaneDoe on June 20, 2010, 02:54:25 pm

Thanks, cougar for doing PBP!

No problem. I cannot guarantee quality, but I will do what I can.

cougar · « **Reply #64 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:56:50 pm »

Spazz grounds out, 4-3. Fill in your scorecards now.

cougar · « **Reply #65 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:57:46 pm »

Carlos pops out to 2nd on an 0-2 count, 2 away.

cougar · « **Reply #66 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:00:06 pm »

Michaels triples off the wall to the right of Biggio's Boxes!

cougar · « **Reply #67 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:02:56 pm »

Happy Pete walks as the Ranger's bullpen starts to stir, Mike Maddox visits the mound. Jimmy D is apparently getting hungry since he's now all about the closest buffet.

cougar · « **Reply #68 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:04:43 pm »

Manzella flies out to left on an 0-1 count, 4-3 Astros end of 6.

cougar · « **Reply #69 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:06:58 pm »

Kinsler singles into short right center. Lopez coming in.

cougar · « **Reply #70 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:13:34 pm »

Wilton is really good at "starnd"ing runners according to FSN, and starts off by striking out Vlad on a full count. Kinsler steals 2nd on strike 3, leaving us with 1 out, runner on 2nd. The Byrd's the word as Tim Byrdak will come in to face Hamilton the lefty.

cougar · « **Reply #71 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:17:20 pm »

Hamilton beats out(?) the grounder to short, Kinsler advances. Runners on 1st and 3rd, one out.

cougar · « **Reply #72 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:18:36 pm »

Hamilton advances on a WP in the dirt that bounces away, runners on 2nd and 3rd.

ETA: Smoak K's swinging runners on 3nd and 3rd, 2 away. Double switch coming as B. Lyon coming in as well as a PPTBNL (position player to be named later).

ETAA: Bourn's coming in to play center, Michaels is out. David Murphy pinch hitting for Ramirez.

MRaup · « **Reply #73 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:24:31 pm »

Goddamn Joyce, thanks for the squeeze-job.

cougar · « **Reply #74 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:24:52 pm »

Murphy walks, loading the bases with 2 away. Elvis Andrus to pinch hit Blanco.

cougar · « **Reply #75 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:26:50 pm »

Andrus dribbles one to short, Manzella makes a nice running scoop and throw to first to strand three.

Middle of the 7th, 4-3 Astros.

cougar · « **Reply #76 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:32:02 pm »

Cash grounds out to short to start off the bottom of the 7th, 1 away.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #77 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:32:14 pm »

7 stitches, no concussion for Q.

cougar · « **Reply #78 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:33:29 pm »

You taking PBP back Ron? I'm kinda wandering in the dark.

cougar · « **Reply #79 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:33:59 pm »

Bourn K's swinging, two away.

cougar · « **Reply #80 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:35:24 pm »

Kepp flies out to left to finish the 1-2-3 inning, still 4-3 Astros after 7.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #81 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:36:04 pm »

No, I'm driving and can't keep up with it while doing that. Thanks for your help, though.

cougar · « **Reply #82 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:37:05 pm »

OK didn't know you were driving. No problem.

cougar · « **Reply #83 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:38:59 pm »

Joaquin Arias pinch hitting for the pitcher, and promptly K's swinging at the Biggio special (slider, low and away) for the first out.

cougar · « **Reply #84 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:40:03 pm »

Borbon drags a bunt down the first base line, but Lyon does a good job getting off the mound and just nips him at first with the throw. Two away.

cougar · « **Reply #85 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:42:25 pm »

Young K's swinging on a full count slider, and that'll do it for the top of the 8th. STILL 4-3 'Stros.

cougar · « **Reply #86 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:48:49 pm »

Frank Francisco in to pitch, and provide the FDA's daily recommended amount of alliteration.

Berkman lines a one hopper to 2nd after an 8 pitch AB, out at first. Good battle.

cougar · « **Reply #87 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:52:09 pm »

Spaz (is it one or two z's?) strikes out on a 1-2 slider in the dirt, two away.

cougar · « **Reply #88 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:53:41 pm »

Lee foul tips a rising fastball for the strikeout, 4-3 Astros end of 8.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #89 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:55:53 pm »

One Z for me. You're doing fine.

cougar · « **Reply #90 on:** June 20, 2010, 03:59:21 pm »

Lindstrom in for the 9th.

Kinsler grounds a single back up the middle on the 8th pitch of the AB to start the 9th.

cougar · « **Reply #91 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:01:44 pm »

Kinsler steals 2nd on Vlad's swinging strike, I clench a little bit more.

Vlad ground out to 2nd, Kep goes to 1st after taking a hard look at 3rd. One away, runner on third.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #92 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:02:58 pm »

Well, fuck.

cougar · « **Reply #93 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:02:58 pm »

Josh "I'm too big to be called Piss-Ant, but I am" Hamilton slaps a single back up the middle (his 4th hit of the day) on the first pitch to tie it up at 4.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #94 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:05:04 pm »

Chris Sampson is sorely missed.

cougar · « **Reply #95 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:05:35 pm »

Smoak walks, runners on 1st and 2nd 1 out. Trainor AB.

cougar · « **Reply #96 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:07:23 pm »

Tranor grounds to 2nd, Kep goes 4-6 at 2nd. Hit too slowly for Manzella to attempt the throw to first. Runners at the corners, 2 out.

cougar · « **Reply #97 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:09:51 pm »

Andrus walks to load the bases with two out, time for a conference.

cougar · « **Reply #98 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:12:21 pm »

Pinch hitter Gentry (last position player on the bench for the stRangers, I believe) fouls out to Berkman just short of the Astros dugout fence to strand three. Middle of the 9th, we're all square at 4.

cougar · « **Reply #99 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:14:13 pm »

Ray on to pitch the 9th, Sullivan (defensive replacement for Lee) leading off.

cougar · « **Reply #100 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:16:28 pm »

Sullivan K's swinging at a high fastball, one away.

cougar · « **Reply #101 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:18:53 pm »

Happy Pete fouls out to the catcher on a 2-2 count. Two away, Manzella coming to the plate.

austro · « **Reply #102 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:19:50 pm »

Ok, if Feliz can't punish that hanging slider in the middle of the plate, I don't know what he can hit.

cougar · « **Reply #103 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:20:50 pm »

Joyce has decided to expand his strike zone, but Manzella lines a single into right center on a 3-1 count.

cougar · « **Reply #104 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:23:56 pm »

Cash lines out just short or the track in right to send us to extras tied at 4.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #105 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:24:02 pm »

Damn, thought Cash had yanked that one out for a second... Free baseball!

cougar · « **Reply #106 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:26:30 pm »

Mr. Jenny Finch in to pitch the tenth, Borbon leading it off.

cougar · « **Reply #107 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:28:04 pm »

Borbon lines a single (his fourth hit of the day) past Berkman and into right to start the tenth.

cougar · « **Reply #108 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:29:31 pm »

Young hits a high chopper off the plate to the catcher on a hit and run, advancing the runner to 2nd. One away.

cougar · « **Reply #109 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:31:25 pm »

Kinsler pops up to Pence in short right for the second out, runner holds at second.

cougar · « **Reply #110 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:33:59 pm »

Vlad gets the intentional walk to put runners on first and 2nd, 2 away. Gustavo Chacin coming on to face Hamilton.

cougar · « **Reply #111 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:38:57 pm »

Hamilton lines a single to right, Pence's throw is off target. 5-4 Rangers, runners on the corner.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #112 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:39:51 pm »

Quote from: cougar on June 20, 2010, 04:33:59 pm

Vlad gets the intentional walk to put runners on first and 2nd, 2 away. Gustavo Chacin coming on to face Hamilton.

You walk a guy to get to a guy who's 4-5. Mills makes Cecil Cooper look like a fucking genius. Jeez.

austro · « **Reply #113 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:40:26 pm »

Quote from: cougar on June 20, 2010, 04:38:57 pm

Pence's throw is off target.

That's a charitable description.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #114 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:41:32 pm »

Quote from: austro on June 20, 2010, 04:40:26 pm

That's a charitable description.

A decent arm in RF and they have a shot at the plate.

cougar · « **Reply #115 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:42:09 pm »

Smoak grounds out, thrid to first. Going in to the bottom of the tenth with the Rangers up 5-4.

cougar · « **Reply #116 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:43:56 pm »

Quote from: austro on June 20, 2010, 04:40:26 pm

That's a charitable description.

I'm trying to type on the fly and keeping it short. I don't know how this gets done every game i'm tired already and I've only done a few innings.

cougar · « **Reply #117 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:45:22 pm »

Neftali Perez in to pitch. Bourn flies out to left center just short of the track. One down.

cougar · « **Reply #118 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:46:44 pm »

Kepp takes strike 3 (I'll be generous and say it MAY have been outside and pulled back in) looking. Two away.

cougar · « **Reply #119 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:48:26 pm »

Berkman foul tips a fastball for strike three. Well shee-it.

Your final score: 5-4 Rangers in 10.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #120 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:48:52 pm »

Thanks for the PBP!

cougar · « **Reply #121 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:50:41 pm »

No problem, glad to help. Now to go put a BB through the bouncy castle the little rug rats next door have set up. Way too much noise over there.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #122 on:** June 20, 2010, 05:36:06 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on June 20, 2010, 04:39:51 pm

You walk a guy to get to a guy who's 4-5. Mills makes Cecil Cooper look like a fucking genius. Jeez.

They asked Mills about it in the postgame and he said that he thought Chacin had more control of his pitches and decided to go that way after seeing Vlad smack a pitch several inches outside for an RBI earlier in the series. I doubt there was much difference in the poisons he was offered at that point.

ETA: Doesn't change anything about the outcome or your view of his hand at the tiller, but at least Mills will discuss his thought process publicly and not appear to be asleep at the switch.