Astros @ Athletics April 24, 2015

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's late show:

Astros

2BJose Altuve (R)
3BLuis Valbuena (L)
RFGeorge Springer (R)
SSJed Lowrie (S)
DHEvan Gattis (R)
1BChris Carter (R)
CFColby Rasmus (L)
CHank Conger (S)
LFRobbie Grossman (S)

HOU: Dallas Keuchel (L)  (2-0, 0.90)

Athletics

SS Marcus Semien (R)
LF Mark Canha (R)
DH Ben Zobrist (S)
1B Billy Butler (R)
RF Cody Ross (R)
3B Brett Lawrie (R)
C Josh Phegley (R)
CF Craig Gentry (R)
2B Eric Sogard (L)

OAK: Scott Kazmir (L)  (2-0, 1.33)

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Astros half of the first:
Altuve flys out to CF Gentry in left center.
Valbuena grounds out to second base.
Springer looks silly on a strike out.

[jbm]

Springer can't even maintain his balance when taking a pitch.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Semien strikes out
Canha grounds out short to first
Ben Zobrist takes a four pitch 2 out walk.
Butt-ler grounds out short to first.

Scoreless after 1 inning.

[jbm]

Is it really a "good hack" when you whiff on a fastball, dead center of the plate? 

[HudsonHawk]

This blows. I'm in the Oakland area, and the game is not on.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Lowrie flies out to shallow left filed.
Gattis with a single through the left side.
Carter works the count full, flies out to deep left field.
Rasmus works a walk, Gattis to second, two on and two out.
Hank Conger hits into a fielders choice, Rasmus out at second.

1.5 0-0

[jbm]

Helleva play by Lowrie, but it might get overturned.

[jbm]

Nope, call stands.

Get some runs for Keuchel.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Cody Ross grounded out shortstop to first.
Lawrie grounded out to first.
Phegley  grounded out short to first.

after 2 0-0

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Jose Altuve with a 27 game hitting streak against the A's.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Grossman flies out to center.
Altuve with a single through the left side.
Valbuena lined out to center
Springer fielder's choice to short, Altuve out at second.

2.5 0-0

[jbm]

Good defensive play on the bunt by Carter, but it is followed by a single where the runner doesn't challenge Springer's arm. Need a double play badly.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Keuchel struggling a bit with command. Needs a double play.

[jbm]

Absolute sweetness. Turn two to end the threat.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Gentry singles to right center.
Sogard sacrifice, Gentry to second.
Semien singles to right, Gentry to third.
Canha take a four pitch walk to fill the bases for Zobrist.
Zobeist grounds into a 4-6-3 double play and gets Keuchel out of a jam.

End of 3 0-0

[jbm]

I thought Gattis got one, but ball doesn't seem to be carrying well.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Jed opens the 4th with a single to right field.
Evan Gattis flies out to deep center field.
Chris Carter strikes out swingin' ...
Colby Rasmus swings through strike three.

3.5 0-0

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I thought Gattis got one, but ball doesn't seem to be carrying well.

It looked good off the bat but then the camera switched to the CF'r with a bead on it just short of the wall.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Butt-ler flied out to center,
Ross struck out swinging
Lawrie grounds out to Lowrie who throw to Carter for out three.

after 4 0-0

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Astros lead the league in stolen bases.

[jbm]

Astros lead the league in stolen bases.

It's a slow league.

[subnuclear]

Ashby needs to shut up.

[jbm]

Damn, Springer is in a major funk. Can't keep him in the middle of the lineup.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Conger with a Texas Leaguer single to shallow right field to lead off the 5th.
Grossman strikes out swingin'!!!
With Altuve at bat, Conger advances to second on a passed ball.
Altuve walks.
Valbuena pop out to center.
Springer fails to make contact and strikes out yet again.

4.5 0-0

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm abandoning the computer for the couch.

[jbm]

Keuchel with a 1,2,3 fifth. Still scoreless

[jbm]

Two hard hit outs sandwiched around a Gattis K. Still scoreless.

[jbm]

Damn, I turn to the Spurs game, and it's an asswhipping of the Clippers.  Looks like the I-10 series will be happening.

Fantastic barehand by Valbuena for out one.

[jbm]

Another nice play by Mr. Valbuena to end the inning.

Get some fucking runs, or at least one. Keuchel deserves it with his gem so far. 

[BudGirl]

Damn, I turn to the Spurs game, and it's an asswhipping of the Clippers.  Looks like the I-10 series will be happening.

Fantastic barehand by Valbuena for out one.

i hope you are right, but the clips aren't that bad of a team.  so i'm not assuming anything yet.

[jbm]

I haven't watched much of the series, but the Clippers, like the Rockets, are underachievers. Underachievers usually lose to the Spurs.

[jbm]

Another Altuve, or just two half-Altuves would really help this club.

[jbm]

A little traffic, a Conger walk and Altuve single, but Valbuena Ks to end the "threat."

[jbm]

The guy can't hit for shit, but Springer plays a damn fine right field.

[jbm]

Still scoreless after 7.

Heart of the order coming up.

[jbm]

Jesus, why pinch run for Gattis with Marwin and two outs?  He's almost as slow as Gattis and it reduces your options for later.

[chuck]

Heart of the order coming up.

Great news for the A's.

[subnuclear]

Jesus, why pinch run for Gattis with Marwin and two outs?  He's almost as slow as Gattis and it reduces your options for later.

About to type the same thing. Should have sent in Marwin in for Valbuena against LHP.

[jbm]

Fucking brutal. The pinch runner gets caught in a rundown on a pitch in the dirt.  Inning over.

[jbm]

Keuchel continues his domination. Scoreless after eight.

[BudGirl]

Keuchel's going to get screwed by his own team. 

[jbm]

Carter with a leadoff single, but no one can move him along. To the bottom of the ninth, still scoreless.

[NeilT]

Keuchel is Eric Clapton.

[BudGirl]

It would be nice if the Astros would start a new win streak tonight.

[BudGirl]

Let's pretend the Astros score a run in the top of the 10th, does Keuchel pitch the bottom?

[jbm]

I'd leave out there in that highly unlikely scenario, but I'd expect to see Gregerson.

[BudGirl]

.155 ??  Really George, just relax and swing the bat.

[BudGirl]

see what happens when they listen to me??

[BudGirl]

Marwin owes Keuchel for that baserunning error.

[NeilT]

Marwin!

[BudGirl]

nice hit but wtf on the baserunning.

[NeilT]

assuming that the ball was going to the plate.

[chuck]

Fucking Marwin, every time I turn around he's getting thrown out on the base paths.

[BudGirl]

Fucking Marwin, every time I turn around he's getting thrown out on the base paths.

could you stop turning around?

[chuck]

In all seriousness I really like him and always have. He is a total professional. That was a professional at bat.

[doyce7]

I think if it was me I would have left Dallas in and if he gets a baserunner of any kind then go to gregerson

[NeilT]

Butler has provided absolutely no points for my fantasy team tonight. 

[chuck]

Unbelievable pitch framing.

[doyce7]

Butler has provided absolutely no points for my fantasy team tonight.

Here's a free tip. If your player is going against Dallas, sit him

[doyce7]

Damnit

[BudGirl]

was that gregorson's first blown save?

[jbm]

I think so. Damn, the look on Keuchel's face. Sucks.

[doyce7]

Think it was the first runs he's allowed to this point

[chuck]

What a bunch of slapdicks. Carter, Altuve, just incredibly poor defense. Sorry bout that, Keuchie.

[BudGirl]

9 innings of shut out baseball and you can't get a win after your team finally scores some runs.  assholes.

[doyce7]

Strange that I'm more upset about keuchel not getting a win than I am about Astros possibly losing

[BudGirl]

0.62 era for keuchel and he is 2-0 assholes

[BudGirl]

What a bunch of slapdicks. Carter, Altuve, just incredibly poor defense. Sorry bout that, Keuchie.

i don't know that the outcome would have been different, but it would have been nice to have had Marisnick in CF for that play.

[BudGirl]

conger got the bunt down!!  woohoo!!

[BudGirl]

let's see if they can win it now.

[doyce7]

i don't know that the outcome would have been different, but it would have been nice to have had Marisnick in CF for that play.

Think they would have had the 2nd runner at the plate. But that runner may not have went. Never know. Lots of field to cover in oaktown

[HudsonHawk]

Strange that I'm more upset about keuchel not getting a win than I am about Astros possibly losing

Then your priorities are whacked.

[chuck]

Grossman with the green light on 3-0 and Chamito on deck. I did not see that coming. Apparently neither did the A's.

[NeilT]

I'm a huge Abad fan.

[doyce7]

Then your priorities are whacked.

As a former pitcher I guess I just feel for Dallas. Of course I'll be even more upset(especially now) if they lose. Just hate to see it happen to guys

[chuck]

Then your priorities are whacked.

I feel the same way in that I don't care if the team wins but I like to see good things happen to good guys.

[NeilT]

It's a real playoff atmosphere in that park.

[doyce7]

Bet that hurt

[chuck]

It's a real playoff atmosphere in that park.

Atlanta playoffs, sure.

[HudsonHawk]

I feel the same way in that I don't care if the team wins but I like to see good things happen to good guys.

Then your priorities are whacked too

[HudsonHawk]

As a former pitcher I guess I just feel for Dallas. Of course I'll be even more upset(especially now) if they lose. Just hate to see it happen to guys

We all hate to see it happen, but let's keep our eye on the ball.

[NeilT]

I really like this team.

[chuck]

Then your priorities are whacked too

Well, my priorities are different from yours, surely. But in my newly elevated state of consciousness I have discovered that in order to appreciate sport one does not have to seize upon a team's fortunes like a pit bull onto the tender thigh of an unfamiliar four year old.

[doyce7]

We all hate to see it happen, but let's keep our eye on the ball.

If it was any other pitcher it wouldn't have the same affect on me I think. Keuchel has become probably my favorite pitcher to watch.

Loving seeing the team continue to battle. Last 4+ years they wouldn't score again the rest of the game and it would be just a matter of time before the A's win.

[doyce7]

I really like this team.

So much fun to watch. Most of the time

[HudsonHawk]

Well, my priorities are different from yours, surely. But in my newly elevated state of consciousness I have discovered that in order to appreciate sport one does not have to seize upon a team's fortunes like a pit bull onto the tender thigh of an unfamiliar four year old.

That's quite the simile.

[Aussie Astro]

Well, my priorities are different from yours, surely. But in my newly elevated state of consciousness I have discovered that in order to appreciate sport one does not have to seize upon a team's fortunes like a pit bull onto the tender thigh of an unfamiliar four year old.

I am reminder of the quote that is something like, 'winning isn't everything but it sure beats what's next'... or something like that.

[NeilT]

I am reminder of the quote that is something like, 'winning isn't everything but it sure beats what's next'... or something like that.

It's sure better than a pit ball latching onto the tender thigh of a four-year old.


and fuck.

[doyce7]

I guess we were do for a bad bullpen game...

[doyce7]

Fuck. The. A's. Christ.

[chuck]

That's quite the simile.

It's deft and evocative like Caravaggio's chiaroscuro.

[HudsonHawk]

Can someone please get Neshek the fuck out of there?

[doyce7]

Seriously. The Fuck is the deal with o.co or whatever the Fuck its called

[chuck]

When are they going to close the roof on this shithole?

[doyce7]

Sipp on to pitch. More comfortable with that

[NeilT]

Sipperstar. 

[NeilT]

When are they going to close the roof on this shithole?

I don't think the Oakland Coliseum has a roof, only a patina of failed expectations.

[doyce7]

When are they going to close the roof on this shithole?

The roof? Burn the whole bastard down.

In all seriousness that place as a ballpark is a disgrace

[HudsonHawk]

The roof? Burn the whole bastard down.

In all seriousness that place as a ballpark is a disgrace

I understand they're building a new one

[doyce7]

I understand they're building a new one

Believe it when I see it.

[chuck]

I understand they're building a new one

For the Oakland A's of San Jose. Dot net.

[doyce7]

Goddamnit

[HudsonHawk]

For the Oakland A's of San Jose. Dot net.

I'm told it'll be in the same location. Two new stadiums, one for baseball, one for football, right next to each other. Not sure when.

[Nate Colbert]

Just a routine win.

[doyce7]

Bout Damn time. I'm out boys

[NeilT]

I am so glad that's over.

[HudsonHawk]

I am so glad that's over.

No shit. I should have been asleep 20 minutes ago.

[Aussie Astro]

I am so glad that's over.

Another half dozen innings or so would have been nice, now I have to figure out what to do till the footy starts.

[HudsonHawk]

Another half dozen innings or so would have been nice, now I have to figure out what to do till the footy starts.

Masturbate like a crazed weasel?

[Aussie Astro]

Masturbate like a crazed weasel?

Not really sure what that means, but I'll pass.  It actually sounds like something a cubs fan would do.

[Mr. Happy]

I thought Gattis got one, but ball doesn't seem to be carrying well.

Ball never carries well at the Shitaseum.

[Ron Brand]

It was a night to remember for NeilT.

[JimR]

that was a VERY clever recap!

[NeilT]

that was a VERY clever recap!

Thanks!