Astros @ Cubs 7-19

[Lurch]

Whhhhheeeeeeee!

5 runs for the good guys before the cubbies make the first out

[Lurch]

11 batters.  7 Hits, 2 Walks.  Bagwell smiling.  Final out just inches from being a two run double.

[believin]

And some people thought a new hitting coach wouldn't make any difference for this offense....

[Lurch]

And some people thought a new hitting coach wouldn't make any difference for this offense....

Right.  Everyone knows it takes 3 full games before a coaching change 'takes'

[believin]

Right.  Everyone knows it takes 3 full games before a coaching change 'takes'

Exactly. 
Patience.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Hahahahaha!  Fuck the Cubs.

I was adjusting my fantasy roster (which was rotting on the vine), and saw a beautiful thing next to Soriano's name on my roster: Bot 1, 0-5.

[Lurch]

Holy shit!  This team is on fire

[Ron Brand]

Jason Castro with the 3-run shibby!

[austro]

More fuckage ensues: Castro goes deep for a 3-run dinger.

[Lurch]

Not to be lost in this, Kepp's first to third was beautiful

[Ron Brand]

JD: "It puts the ball in the basket."

Greatness.

[Ron Brand]

Not to be lost in this, Kepp's first to third was beautiful

Exactly. Kepp plays the game right.

Is Starlin Castro the Hunter Pence of shortstops?

[Ron Brand]

That was a sad little bunny hop in LF. Fuck the Cubs!

[austro]

Exactly. Kepp plays the game right.

Is Starlin Castro the Hunter Pence of shortstops?

Because of his curious routes to balls, or because of his interesting throwing delivery?

[Ron Brand]

Because of his curious routes to balls, or because of his interesting throwing delivery?

I was thinking more of how he'll look great one minute and goofily clueless the next, while possessing all the raw talent in the world. Of course, Pence!!! is six or seven years older so maybe Castro will shake off the rookiness.

[Alkie]

Anyone got a score in this here baseballin' competition?

[Ron Brand]

Yes. New Goodson Honda Commercials 2, TexxMessage Commercials 0.

To the Arabs, I say.

[Ron Brand]

8-1 Astros, bottom of the 4th.

[Lurch]

Yes. New Goodson Honda Commercials 2, TexxMessage Commercials 0.

I've got another one for the mute button.  The Capitol Kia asshole with his "If I can't beat a Kia deal in Texas, I'm just going to give it to you" shtick, has taken saying nothing as if it was something to a whole new level with his latest.

"Have you been told that you're underwater or have no equity with your trade in?  Well, eliminate it with a new Kia from Capitol Kia!"

WHAT THE FUCK??

[chuck]

Anybody else watching this jernt on mlb.tv?

[Ron Brand]

Anybody else watching this jernt on mlb.tv?

Not here, I gots FSN HD.

Fuck the Cubs in 1080p.

8-2 now, two down in the bottom of the 4th.

[OregonStrosFan]

8-2 Astros? Holy Cow!  Picked the wrong game to turn on late...

Oh yeah, and FTC!

[OregonStrosFan]

Anybody else watching this jernt on mlb.tv?

Yep, just tuned in.

[Gleek]

Not to be lost in this, Kepp's first to third was beautiful

That's because Bagwell taught him how to run the bases.  In three days no less.

[Ron Brand]

Two deep shots to the track, one to the wall, but both caught by Bourn to end the 4th. Wandy's going right at them with the six run lead.

[austro]

Wandy's going right at them with the six run lead.

I guess that's one way to look at it.

[Ron Brand]

I guess that's one way to look at it.

He's sure as hell not nibbling at the corners. He's throwing more fastballs than usual too, it seems.

[Ron Brand]

Wandy with a single and a double tonight.

[Lurch]

Wandy can hit a bit.

[Lurch]

JD on his 0 career doubles to Wandy's 6:  "I had an excuse.  Weak and slow."

[OregonStrosFan]

And to get back to HHs razor rant... Though not likely to buy the high-dollar shit myself, even if I was I would NEVER, EVER buy a Gillette Fusion Pro Glide. EVER. For whatever reason MLB.TV is difficult to hear, forcing me to turn on the sound full-blast. The dumbass Fusion commercial, however, is a good 10X louder than the standard broadcast forcing me to scramble to turn down the sound every time it comes on. Screw you Gillette. SCREW. YOU.

[chuck]

Yep, just tuned in.

For some reason I'm not getting the graphics, the score and inning and so on. Of course I can pull up the box score but mlb.tv doesn't seem to be pulling the graphics overlay. Is it the same for you?

[Ron Brand]

8-2 Astros, middle 5.

[OregonStrosFan]

For some reason I'm not getting the graphics, the score and inning and so on. Of course I can pull up the box score but mlb.tv doesn't seem to be pulling the graphics overlay. Is it the same for you?

Yep, same.

[chuck]

Yep, same.

OK, thanks. I use a Gillette Atra II that I've used for damn near 20 years. You certainly can't buy the shaver any longer and I'm frankly shocked that those fucks still let me buy the replacement blades. I had a moment of extreme panic earlier this year when I noticed that the aluminum or whatever the material is of my shaver had cracked. I managed to superglue the thing together and fingers crossed it's fine. I once had to buy a packet of the three-blade razors, the ones that are upside down. I didn't HATE it but I certainly didn't like it at all. Another time I had to buy a packet of four-blade razors. Now that is just fucking stupid. I can't tell what the hell I'm doing.

[Alkie]

Anyone ever been struck by lightning in here?

I'm sitting outside, 17 floors up in an electrical storm.  My wife seems to think I'm an "idiot" but I want more proof.   

[Ron Brand]

Nice to see that pouch of Red Man next to Mills in the dugout.

[Alkie]

Nice to see that pouch of Red Man next to Mills in the dugout.

You like your manager to have throat cancer?

[Ron Brand]

Anyone ever been struck by lightning in here?

I'm sitting outside, 17 floors up in an electrical storm.  My wife seems to think I'm an "idiot" but I want more proof.  

As long as the antennas are taller than you are, you'll be fine. Take the change out of your pocket.

[Ron Brand]

You like your manager to have throat cancer?

I don't think he was USING it, it was just on the shelf behind him.

[Alkie]

We fear change.

[Alkie]

I don't think he was USING it, it was just on the shelf behind him.

And that makes you feel better?

[Ron Brand]

Nice 6-4-3 started by Sanchez ends the fifth, still 8-2 Astros.

[MusicMan]

My wife seems to think I'm an "idiot" but I want more proof.   

There's only about 10,000 posts worth.

[austro]

As long as the antennas are taller than you are, you'll be fine. Take the change out of your pocket.

I'm confused by the thought that his wife would need further proof.

[Alkie]

I'm confused by the thought that his wife would need further proof.

My wife is fully convinced.  I need more proof.

10,000 posts here doesn't prove shit.

[Ron Brand]

I'm confused by the thought that his wife would need further proof.

I'm confused that there is a wife involved.

[Ron Brand]

Castros muffs an easy hopper and Sanchez is on to lead off.

[Lurch]

Anyone ever been struck by lightning in here?

I'm sitting outside, 17 floors up in an electrical storm.  My wife seems to think I'm an "idiot" but I want more proof.   

You'll be fine.  Hey, got a kite?

[Ron Brand]

We fear change.

Singles for a five?

[Lurch]

Hunter thinks Castro sucks.

[Gleek]

Singles for a five?

no the jingly kind. duh.

[Ron Brand]

no the jingly kind. duh.

You got a little ways to catch up, rook.

[Gleek]

You got a little ways to catch up, rook.

story of my life.

[Ron Brand]

Colvin cranks one to deep right and it's 8-3 at the start of the bottom of the sixth.

[Ron Brand]

Tough night for the phenom Castro. Lee doubles past a reaching Bourn.

[chuck]

Your only motherfucking job is to keep the ball in the ballpark, Eny.

[Lurch]

Well, fuck.

[Ron Brand]

And Ramirez hits one almost out of the park, it's 8-5. Wandy on borrowed time now at about 85 pitches. JD said earlier that muggy nights can hurt curveball pitchers, making it hard for them to grip the ball.

[austro]

I'm still pissed at the Pirates for just giving Ramirez to the Cubs.

[Ron Brand]

Damn that was an awkward looking catch by Pence. Two down though.

[Ron Brand]

Wow. Drop shot falls in between Puma, Kepp and Pence but then Berkman throws out the runner at second to end the inning. Whew.

[Lurch]

Wow. Drop shot falls in between Puma, Kepp and Pence but then Berkman throws out the runner at second to end the inning. Whew.

Out uglied there.

[MusicMan]

And Ramirez hits one almost out of the park, it's 8-5. Wandy on borrowed time now at about 85 pitches. JD said earlier that muggy nights can hurt curveball pitchers, making it hard for them to grip the ball.

Muggy nights, dry days, road games, games against teams ending in "s", they'er all a problem for Wandy.

[austro]

Damn that was an awkward looking catch by Pence. Two down though.

That had to be difficult, because he caught it just as he was headed into the shadow in the corner.

That third out was just a little bit more excitement than we need. Pence almost got that ball in the ear.

[Lurch]

BIG JOHNSON!

[MusicMan]

It puts the ball in the basket.

[Ron Brand]

Cool. Johnson with a two-run jack to right and it's 10-5 now.

[austro]

Man, that was a beautiful swing: thigh-high, outer-third pitch, and he goes with the pitch to RCF and pummels it.

[Ron Brand]

It puts the ball in the basket.

There's no other MLB crew that would make that great remark. We're lucky as hell to have them.

[Lurch]

The caps are off in the dugout because Lance is eating Twinkies on the bench.

[Gleek]

When did the Astros and Cubs join th AL again?

[Ron Brand]

If it hops three times, Bourn is safe.

[Ron Brand]

Middle 7, Astros up 10-5.

[austro]

If it hops three times, Bourn is safe.

I had to go answer the damn phone. What happened?

[Ron Brand]

I had to go answer the damn phone. What happened?

Bourn hit a slow medium hopper that went under Berg's glove, then bounced twice before the 2B picked it up and SBB beat the throw to first.

[Ron Brand]

I wonder if Alkie is a twitching half-cinder on a roof in Manhattan.

End of the 7th, 10-5 Good Guys.

[Gleek]

good inning birthday boy.

[MusicMan]

I wonder if Alkie is a twitching half-cinder on a roof in Manhattan.

Why, did someone show him lesiban porn?

[Ron Brand]

Why, did someone show him lesiban porn?

He was taking the air during an electrical storm. And now he's gone.

[Gleek]

Why, did someone show him lesiban porn?

I think I like lesiban porn, but i'm not sure.

To hell with it it's porn, lesiban or not it's got to be good.

[Alkie]

Why, did someone show him lesiban porn?

Me rikes lesibans.  Not in pron.

[Ron Brand]

CJ goes the other way AGAIN and comes up with a triple down the right field line that scores Kepp and it's 11-5.

[Lurch]

Good swings all night long

[Ron Brand]

Me rikes lesibans.  Not in pron.

Alkie rives!

[Gleek]

now we just need a double Johnson.

[Lurch]

Me rikes lesibans.  Not in pron.

Racist.

[Ron Brand]

Yeek. Byrdak's in.

[austro]

He was taking the air during an electrical storm. And now he's gone.

Maybe he went back to 1955.

ETA: Oh, now I see that he's back. 1955 porn probably wasn't up to his standards.

[Ron Brand]

Maybe he went back to 1955.

ETA: Oh, now I see that he's back. 1955 porn probably wasn't up to his standards.

Big fins.

[Gleek]

Maybe he went back to 1955.

ETA: Oh, now I see that he's back. 1955 porn probably wasn't up to his standards.

1.21 GIGAWATS!!!!

that's the good porn.

[Alkie]

Maybe he went back to 1955.

ETA: Oh, now I see that he's back. 1955 porn probably wasn't up to his standards.

Mostly guys in purple underwear.

[Ron Brand]

After eight, it's 11-5 Astros.

[austro]

Wow, the Devils signed Kovalchuk to a 17-year contract. That's crazy.

[Lurch]

Wow, the Devils signed Kovalchuk to a 17-year contract. That's crazy.

Did you see why? A big fuck-you to the CBA

[S.P. Rodriguez]

So, just a drive by comment.  Who's the catcher for the cubs and what's w/ the Power Rangers outfit he's wearing in place of a chest protector?

[austro]

So, just a drive by comment.  Who's the catcher for the cubs and what's w/ the Power Rangers outfit he's wearing in place of a chest protector?

Soto's catching. No idea abut the get-up.

[Ron Brand]

So, just a drive by comment.  Who's the catcher for the cubs and what's w/ the Power Rangers outfit he's wearing in place of a chest protector?

Probably a high contrast background so the pitcher can see the glove better.

[Ron Brand]

Or he really is a Power Ranger.

[austro]

Did you see why? A big fuck-you to the CBA

No, I didn't get that. What's the scoop?

[Ron Brand]

Hell of a game for Sanchez tonight.

[Gleek]

Someone just called my phone and asked to talk to Re-re.  No shit, when I told them they must have the wrong number she asked to talk to Da-da (long A) instead.

If Re-re's not at this number, WTF makes you think that Da-da will be?  Unbelievable.

[Ron Brand]

Nice relay by JD from McTaggart: "Who's playing short for the Cubs? Edward Scissorhands?"

[Gleek]

Hell of a game for Sanchez tonight.

Think Manzella's sweating it a bit?

[Ron Brand]

Think Manzella's sweating it a bit?

No.

[Lurch]

No, I didn't get that. What's the scoop?

Thanks to the CBA, annual NHL salary cap is calculated by averaging the salary over the entire contract.  So, it's crazy front loaded (the last "7 years" he gets $550k should he continue to play hockey... as a 40+ year old 100+MM-aire, which he wont) and the impact to their salary cap is minimalized during the years he actually does play.  Hole exploited.

[Ron Brand]

Gary Majewski in to pitch the 9th.

[Gleek]

No.

I don't either, really.  It is interesting that Mills had enough faith in him to bat him second though.

[JimR]

Gary Majewski in to pitch the 9th.

Capps said he was throwing great in RR.

[Bench]

Sanchez is such a show-off.

[austro]

That looked like the kid in the World Cup commercial who does the foot-around-the-ball trick.

[austro]

Thanks to the CBA, annual NHL salary cap is calculated by averaging the salary over the entire contract.  So, it's crazy front loaded (the last "7 years" he gets $550k should he continue to play hockey... as a 40+ year old 100+MM-aire, which he wont) and the impact to their salary cap is minimalized during the years he actually does play.  Hole exploited.

Interesting. The article I skimmed didn't seem to say anything about that at all. Seems like an important point to gloss over.

[Andyzipp]

Capps said he was throwing great in RR.

Rooting for the SPX kid to do well.

[Ron Brand]

Nice play on the comebacker! Astros win 11-5!

[MRaup]

Did anyone else notice that Gleek, after 2 years and a few months off, just randomly just reappeared in the GameZone?

[Ty in Tampa]

Thanks to the CBA, annual NHL salary cap is calculated by averaging the salary over the entire contract.  So, it's crazy front loaded (the last "7 years" he gets $550k should he continue to play hockey... as a 40+ year old 100+MM-aire, which he wont) and the impact to their salary cap is minimalized during the years he actually does play.  Hole exploited.

You can't get anything past the NHL. I wonder what tipped them off.

[austro]

You can't get anything past the NHL. I wonder what tipped them off.

Gleek is really Gary Bettman.