Author Topic: Nats @ Astros (Read 9937 times)

Mr. Happy · « **on:** August 07, 2012, 04:06:40 pm »

Your lineups (welcome to Brandon Barnes and the question for the day is whether Lyles' ERA (5.95) will cross the 6 mark tonight-I'll take the over):

Nationals

2BSteve Lombardozzi
RFBryce Harper
3BRyan Zimmerman
1BAdam LaRoche
LFMike Morse
CFRoger Bernadina
SSDanny Espinosa
CJesus Flores
PRoss Detwiler

Astros

2B Jose Altuve
SS Marwin Gonzalez
LF Ben Francisco
RF Justin Maxwell
1B Steve Pearce
3B Matt Downs
CF Brandon Barnes
C Chris Snyder
P Jordan Lyles

Andyzipp · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:25:20 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on August 07, 2012, 04:06:40 pm

Astros

Lineup pending...

Does it matter?

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:30:05 pm »

Quote from: Andyzipp on August 07, 2012, 04:25:20 pm

Does it matter?

A good lawyer only asks questions to which he or she already knows the answer, so what say you? You may not be a lawyer, Zipp, but you have stayed at a Holiday Inn, so you're eligible.

Andyzipp · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:36:16 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on August 07, 2012, 04:30:05 pm

A good lawyer only asks questions to which he or she already knows the answer, so what say you? You may not be a lawyer, Zipp, but you have stayed at a Holiday Inn, so you're eligible.

Do I believe that there's some lineup combination a) that Mills hasn't tried and or b) would be more successful??

No. No, I do not.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:40:01 pm »

Quote from: Andyzipp on August 07, 2012, 04:36:16 pm

Do I believe that there's some lineup combination a) that Mills hasn't tried and or b) would be more successful??

No. No, I do not.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you. When you consider that Millsie has to fill out a lineup card everyday with this sorry group of players from which to choose, it's a damn wonder why he's not in the loony bin by now. Millsie has shown remarkable character through all of this. I'd be getting run almost every night if I had to manage this group of so-called "major league" ballplayers.

MusicMan · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:46:56 pm »

At the risk of sounding like a Harry Potter nerd, I'm reminded of a scene from the next-to-last film:

"What, did you think we were going to be staying in 5 star inns and finding a Horcrux every other day?"

This is the day of reckoning we all knew would come. Yes, they're bad. It was predictable, we all knew there was NOTHING of value on the farm.

Reuben · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:21:23 pm »

Francees-co!

Reuben · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:23:59 pm »

Well, Pearce swung at a fairly crappy 3-0 pitch there.

Foghorn · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:29:29 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 07, 2012, 05:46:56 pm

This is the day of reckoning we all knew would come. Yes, they're bad. It was predictable, we all knew there was NOTHING of value on the farm.

I am The Angel of Death. The Day of Purification is at hand.

Reuben · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:32:35 pm »

Espinosa jacks a 2-run homer and seems awfully pleased with himself. I'd like to see that smug cocksucker get drilled next time up. Does Jordan hit batters?

Matt · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:36:52 pm »

There were some pitches to Bernadina that looked pretty good.

austro · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:37:14 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on August 07, 2012, 07:32:35 pm

Espinosa jacks a 2-run homer and seems awfully pleased with himself. I'd like to see that smug cocksucker get drilled next time up. Does Jordan hit batters?

Jordan hits bats.

jbm · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:41:51 pm »

Lyles can quickly lose his focus, and when he does, it is uncanny how he almost always pays dearly for it. Sometimes, I wonder if his quick pace is too quick, as he seems unaware that he has lost focus.

Reuben · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:48:28 pm »

Greg Lucas reminds us that Randy Johnson made his Astros debut (with a dominant win, of course) on this date in 1998. Sigh.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:22:50 pm »

Quote from: jbm on August 07, 2012, 07:41:51 pm

Lyles can quickly lose his focus, and when he does, it is uncanny how he almost always pays dearly for it. Sometimes, I wonder if his quick pace is too quick, as he seems unaware that he has lost focus.

I am unsure about whether being a quick worker has anything to do with it. I think that while Lyles looks poised, calm, cool and collected out there, he's actually panicking inside and makes bad pitches in a panic.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:44:59 pm »

Lyles has thrown 92 pitches through six frames. He's facing Morse, Bernadina and Espinosa, who homered off of him. Hopefully, he won't fall apart and can get through seven innings unscathed. That is my fervent prayer.

jbm · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:54:29 pm »

Prayer answered. I assume he is done for the night. Probably his best outing.

Maybe Barnes can knock one out to Jordan a W.

Reuben · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:54:37 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on August 07, 2012, 08:44:59 pm

Lyles has thrown 92 pitches through six frames. He's facing Morse, Bernadina and Espinosa, who homered off of him. Hopefully, he won't fall apart and can get through seven innings unscathed. That is my fervent prayer.

Thy prayers have been answered. By the way, where the hell is everybody tonight?

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:55:23 pm »

Lyles pitches around a one out walk to Bernadina and goes seven, allowing only two hits, both for extra bases, and picking up six strikeouts. This was a sorely needed performance from him tonight. I wanted him to have some success to build on for next time out. It's no fun being run out there when all that happens is that you eventually get pounded every time. It gets old real fast.

Reuben · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:58:43 pm »

It'd be nice if the other team occasionally made stupid/sloppy errors.

jbm · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:58:53 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on August 07, 2012, 08:55:23 pm

Lyles pitches around a one out walk to Bernadina and goes seven, allowing only two hits, both for extra bases, and picking up six strikeouts. This was a sorely needed performance from him tonight. I wanted him to have some success to build on for next time out. It's no fun being run out there when all that happens is that you eventually get pounded every time. It gets old real fast.

I think he has more mental toughness than you give him credit for. If he didn't, he'd been beaten down a long time back cause god knows he has taken his beatings.

jbm · « **Reply #21 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:01:47 pm »

Wow, Lyles is back out there.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #22 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:05:10 pm »

I hope that Lyles doesn't fall apart here in the eighth. His pitch count is around 115, which is higher than he's been lasting. I hope that Millsie knows what he is doing. I'd have gotten him out of there after seven excellent frames.

jbm · « **Reply #23 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:05:55 pm »

Well, Lyles gives up a leadoff single. Up to the pen now.

austro · « **Reply #24 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:07:53 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on August 07, 2012, 08:58:43 pm

It'd be nice if the other team occasionally made stupid/sloppy errors.

I imagine that their minor league teams do.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #25 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:08:56 pm »

Quote from: jbm on August 07, 2012, 08:58:53 pm

I think he has more mental toughness than you give him credit for. If he didn't, he'd been beaten down a long time back cause god knows he has taken his beatings.

Oh, I don't doubt his mental fortitude and agree with you that lesser men, myself included, would have been reduced to the fetal position by the poundings that Lyles has taken this season. That 5.95 ERA coming into action tonight speaks volumes about that. I just wanted him to have a successful evening and know that he came out for reasons other than the old hook after getting pounded.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #26 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:14:21 pm »

WW has really turned the corner and has made me regret ever saying that he wouldn't or couldn't. I think that his secret was that he rediscovered his fastball so that he was not a one trick slider pony like he was a few seasons ago. In any event, I'm so happy for him in his success.

jbm · « **Reply #27 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:16:11 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on August 07, 2012, 09:14:21 pm

WW has really turned the corner and has made me regret ever saying that he wouldn't or couldn't. I think that his secret was that he rediscovered his fastball so that he was not a one trick slider pony like he was a few seasons ago. In any event, I'm so happy for him in his success.

Totally agree. One of the brightest spots on the club. Doing a hell of a job lately.

Reuben · « **Reply #28 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:17:59 pm »

Quote from: jbm on August 07, 2012, 09:16:11 pm

Totally agree. One of the brightest spots on the club. Doing a hell of a job lately.

That look he had after Harper ripped that pitch foul was hilarious.

austro · « **Reply #29 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:20:07 pm »

CJ hit two more HRs tonight?

jbm · « **Reply #30 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:21:48 pm »

Quote from: austro on August 07, 2012, 09:20:07 pm

CJ hit two more HRs tonight?

Damn, getting out of prison has been good for him.

Great job by the pen there.

Get some fucking runs.

juliogotay · « **Reply #31 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:21:55 pm »

Quote from: austro on August 07, 2012, 09:20:07 pm

CJ hit two more HRs tonight?

How do you explain that?

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #32 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:24:20 pm »

Quote from: austro on August 07, 2012, 09:20:07 pm

CJ hit two more HRs tonight?

He left here with eight, and zero on the road. I think that every home run he's hit since he left has been a road homer. I guess that it had to even out. I hope that the kid is successful.

Reuben · « **Reply #33 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:26:28 pm »

I see that Mike Gonzalez has dropped that ridiculous snakecharmer bullshit before each pitch.

Ebby Calvin · « **Reply #34 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:28:11 pm »

Astros relievers are 5-24. Thought it'd be worse.

juliogotay · « **Reply #35 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:31:27 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on August 07, 2012, 09:26:28 pm

I see that Mike Gonzalez has dropped that ridiculous snakecharmer bullshit before each pitch.

Gonzalez is from my old neck-of-the-woods, Robstown. Home of the Cotton Pickers.

Reuben · « **Reply #36 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:34:35 pm »

Quote from: Ebby Calvin on August 07, 2012, 09:28:11 pm

Astros relievers are 5-24. Thought it'd be worse.

And hey, if you take out the extra-inning games, it's 5-14!

jbm · « **Reply #37 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:41:40 pm »

Thank god the home plate ump didn't ask for Angel's opinion.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #38 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:51:03 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on August 07, 2012, 08:58:43 pm

It'd be nice if the other team occasionally made stupid/sloppy errors.

This isn't an intra-squad game.

Reuben · « **Reply #39 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:52:48 pm »

This pitcher's glove in front of the face thing is beyond ridiculous. It's a wonder none of the hitters have doubled over laughing at him.

Nate in IA · « **Reply #40 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:57:45 pm »

Isn't it time to give Bogey a chance to be CJ?

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #41 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:59:13 pm »

I'm sitting here laughing as I follow along on Gameday (I'm in Missoula, MN until tomorrow) because when Bogusevic was shown as pinch hitting for FeRod, I called a ground ball to 1B, which isn't any great prediction because Bogusevic is a ground ball to the right side machine, but that's exactly what he did. I've so seen enough of him.

jbm · « **Reply #42 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:10:40 pm »

So, is it just a matter of how long the Astro's pen can go without giving up a run, because I can't envision this team scoring.

moriartp · « **Reply #43 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:12:39 pm »

Fuck it, call me crazy, my hunch is we win tonight.

Reuben · « **Reply #44 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:17:14 pm »

Quote from: moriartp on August 07, 2012, 10:12:39 pm

Fuck it, call me crazy, my hunch is we win tonight.

You are a brave man. Or crazy.

NeilT · « **Reply #45 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:18:56 pm »

Mickey Storey gets an inning of his own!

NeilT · « **Reply #46 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:21:59 pm »

I'm with moriartp. We're going to win this game.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #47 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:22:51 pm »

Golden Sombrero for Mr. Zimmerman tonight.

austro · « **Reply #48 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:23:07 pm »

I'm trying to figure out where Missoula, Minnesota is.

NeilT · « **Reply #49 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:24:40 pm »

Quote from: austro on August 07, 2012, 10:23:07 pm

I'm trying to figure out where Missoula, Minnesota is.

Between Bozeman and Livingston.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #50 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:25:11 pm »

Quote from: austro on August 07, 2012, 10:23:07 pm

I'm trying to figure out where Missoula, Minnesota is.

I just realized that I typed "N" when I meant "T". I'm in Big Sky territory, the home of The University of Montana Grizzlies!

jbm · « **Reply #51 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:25:21 pm »

Quote from: austro on August 07, 2012, 09:20:07 pm

CJ hit two more HRs tonight?

On a tangentially related note, Happ started for Toronto and didn't make it through five.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #52 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:27:30 pm »

Nice 12 pitch efficient inning for Storey. I say run him back out there for another frame. The bully is down to slim pickins after Cedeno. Cruz and Fick have no business pitching in this game, or in any other for that matter.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #53 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:28:01 pm »

Quote from: moriartp on August 07, 2012, 10:12:39 pm

Fuck it, call me crazy, my hunch is we win tonight.

Me too, but it has to happen now.

Reuben · « **Reply #54 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:28:12 pm »

Nationals take Sloth out of the game.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #55 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:35:36 pm »

A comparison of what's left in the two bullpens doesn't bode well for us being able to stay in this ballgame. The way that I see it, Storey must get through this frame and then we win it in the bottom of the 12th, or we're going to stay perfect in extras.

NeilT · « **Reply #56 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:37:15 pm »

Mickey. The third famous mickey.

NeilT · « **Reply #57 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:40:12 pm »

Bunt defense: we're learning.

moriartp · « **Reply #58 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:42:31 pm »

Quote from: moriartp on August 07, 2012, 10:12:39 pm

Fuck it, call me crazy, my hunch is we win tonight.

Is it too late to change my vote?

NeilT · « **Reply #59 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:44:10 pm »

Quote from: moriartp on August 07, 2012, 10:42:31 pm

Is it too late to change my vote?

It's exactly time to change your vote.

Reuben · « **Reply #60 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:44:39 pm »

Quote from: moriartp on August 07, 2012, 10:42:31 pm

Is it too late to change my vote?

"Ha ha ha. What do you think?"

-the BBG's

NeilT · « **Reply #61 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:52:15 pm »

I think there must be 100s in the stands.

NeilT · « **Reply #62 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:54:57 pm »

Pearce!

moriartp · « **Reply #63 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:55:32 pm »

Quote from: NeilT on August 07, 2012, 10:52:15 pm

I think there must be 100s in the stands.

Nearly dozens!

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #64 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:56:09 pm »

Pearce: It ain't over!!!

moriartp · « **Reply #65 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:59:44 pm »

All our hopes now lie with Carlos Corporan.

moriartp · « **Reply #66 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:03:39 pm »

Quote from: moriartp on August 07, 2012, 10:59:44 pm

All our hopes now lie with ~~Carlos Corporan~~ Brett Wallace.

FIFM

Nate in IA · « **Reply #67 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:07:31 pm »

Wow... another heartbreaker..

That was crushed

cougar · « **Reply #68 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:07:39 pm »

Well.

Son of a whore.

NeilT · « **Reply #69 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:07:51 pm »

Fick.

moriartp · « **Reply #70 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:08:04 pm »

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #71 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:08:29 pm »

Quote from: Nate in IA on August 07, 2012, 11:07:31 pm

Wow... another heartbreaker..

Jilted at the altar again. We're still perfect in extras. Shitfuck.

chuck · « **Reply #72 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:15:40 pm »

I was once in a band with this crazy Israeli guy who concurrently was (and still is) in the most famous and most successful rock band in Israel. His girlfriend was this chick named Madeline from Missoula, Montana. She was gorgeous in a dopey sort of way. She waited tables at a place where my friend Jerry tended bar. I guess that's how we got to know Shak, the crazy Israeli guy.

Anyway, I was walking down the street one day with my girlfriend at the time telling her about crazy Shak and his girlfriend Madeline from Missoula. She stopped dead in her tracks and said WHAT?! It turns out that Madeline from Missoula was previously involved with my then girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. It all happened in California I guess, which in some manner must serve as an explanation.

My then girlfriend and Madeline from Missoula eventually met of course and exchanged notes on their shared ex-boyfriend. Much of the conversation apparently centered on some sort of issue the fellow had with vaginal sex. As in he couldn't have it. I don't know whether the issue was physical or mental or emotional or what, I just know that vaginal sex was out for this guy. Which is weird in a way because his brother is the infamous former congressman Anthony Weiner.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #73 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:25:18 pm »

Quote from: chuck on August 07, 2012, 11:15:40 pm

I was once in a band with this crazy Israeli guy who concurrently was (and still is) in the most famous and most successful rock band in Israel. His girlfriend was this chick named Madeline from Missoula, Montana. She was gorgeous in a dopey sort of way. She waited tables at a place where my friend Jerry tended bar. I guess that's how we got to know Shak, the crazy Israeli guy.

Anyway, I was walking down the street one day with my girlfriend at the time telling her about crazy Shak and his girlfriend Madeline from Missoula. She stopped dead in her tracks and said WHAT?! It turns out that Madeline from Missoula was previously involved with my then girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. It all happened in California I guess, which in some manner must serve as an explanation.

My then girlfriend and Madeline from Missoula eventually met of course and exchanged notes on their shared ex-boyfriend. Much of the conversation apparently centered on some sort of issue the fellow had with vaginal sex. As in he couldn't have it. I don't know whether the issue was physical or mental or emotional or what, I just know that vaginal sex was out for this guy. Which is weird in a way because his brother is the infamous former congressman Anthony Weiner.

It is stories like this that keep me reading the GameZone.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #74 on:** August 08, 2012, 08:10:41 am »

Didn't catch the end of the game, but apparently the Astros had a shot but for some nice defense from Bernadina... Video at Deadspin (SFW)

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #75 on:** August 08, 2012, 11:18:20 am »

Quote from: OregonStrosFan on August 08, 2012, 08:10:41 am

Didn't catch the end of the game, but apparently the Astros had a shot but for some nice defense from Bernadina... Video at Deadspin (SFW)

I didn't get to see the game at all, so thanks for the video link. That was some play with the tying run in scoring position. Clippard owes Bernadina an expensive dinner.

Reuben · « **Reply #76 on:** August 08, 2012, 02:59:41 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on August 08, 2012, 11:18:20 am

I didn't get to see the game at all, so thanks for the video link. That was some play with the tying run in scoring position. Clippard owes Bernadina an expensive dinner.

It was an incredible play. And the winning run was on first, and almost certainly would have scored, there being 2 outs, and the ball likely caroming off the wall and bouncing around for a while. Bernadina absolutely saved the game for them. That fucker.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #77 on:** August 08, 2012, 04:50:30 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on August 08, 2012, 02:59:41 pm

It was an incredible play. And the winning run was on first, and almost certainly would have scored, there being 2 outs, and the ball likely caroming off the wall and bouncing around for a while. Bernadina absolutely saved the game for them. That fucker.

Absolutely agreed.