Rays @ Astros August 19, 2015

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's tilt (no Gomez-yahoo!!!:

Rays

CFBrandon Guyer (R)
LFD. Jennings (R)
3BEvan Longoria (R)
2BLogan Forsythe (R)
DHA. Cabrera (S)
SSTim Beckham (R)
1BJames Loney (L)
RFDaniel Nava (S)
CCurt Casali (R)

TB: Nate Karns (R)  (7-5, 3.53)

Astros

2B Jose Altuve (R)
LF Marwin Gonzalez (S)
SS Carlos Correa (R)
3B Jed Lowrie (S)
RF Preston Tucker (L)
DH Evan Gattis (R)
1B Luis Valbuena (L)
C Hank Conger (S)
CF Jake Marisnick (R)

HOU: Dallas Keuchel (L)  (14-6, 2.36)

[MRaup]

Good Lord, Rob Drake is the picture of inconsistency. Why has the home plate umpiring been so horrific this season?

[MRaup]

Country Joe needs to fucking retire.

[Tom Servo]

Country Joe needs to fucking retire.

I love the fact that Country Joe can't tell the guys back in New York to go fuck themselves. 

[MRaup]

I love the fact that Country Joe can't tell the guys back in New York to go fuck themselves.

He can, but they don't really care.

I just imagine the pimply faced teen from The Simpsons on the other end.

[Tom Servo]

He can, but they don't really care.

I just imagine the pimply faced teen from The Simpsons on the other end.

Or Kenneth Parcell from 30 Rock.

[MRaup]

Or Kenneth Parcell from 30 Rock.

Joe West: Fuck off!

Kenneth: Yes sir, Mr. West!

[Tom Servo]

Joe West: Fuck off!

Kenneth: Yes sir, Mr. West!

With a big smile on his face.

[Tom Servo]

Anyway, Keuchel did a great job escaping that jam.

[subnuclear]

Correa with a solo, 2-out HR. Astros 1-0.

[Tom Servo]

Carlos!  HR!  1-0 Astros.

[MRaup]

Brownie has some kind of electric robot eyes. He knew that ball was out well before I was convinced.

[MRaup]

Keuchel makes quick work of the Rays in the second, 3 ground outs.

[MRaup]

Rob Drake's magical floating strike zone strikes again. 

[HudsonHawk]

Gattis sees five pitches and doesn't swing at any of them. It's the apocalypse I tells ya.

[Jacksonian]

Brownie has some kind of electric robot eyes. He knew that ball was out well before I was convinced.

That's why he is where he is.

[MRaup]

Drake is having an awful game.

[Reuben]

Gattis sees five pitches and doesn't swing at any of them. It's the apocalypse I tells ya.

Shades of 2006 Moberg.

[chuck]

Lowrie has not exactly set the world on fire since returning.

[Bench]

I lived in New England for a long time, but haven't spent much time in the area in the last 12 years.  Now hanging out in Windsor, CT, and am reassured that Connecticut (and much of the entire region) is still as redneck as ever.  After being warned about Jade Helm all day, I enjoyed the following comment from the guy next to me at a bar while having dinner:

"What's next?  They gonna be marrying fuckin' donkeys and horses? The queers and they fuckin' cats? There used to be good laws around here... like, no buyin' booze on Sundays.  Now I never was religious, but at least I used to show up to work on Mondays without a hangover.  This fuckin' countree. Nobody works hard anymore. "

[Bench]

Marisnick beats the pitch out for a stolen base.  Always one of my favorite plays.

[HudsonHawk]

I lived in New England for a long time, but haven't spent much time in the area in the last 12 years.  Now hanging out in Windsor, CT, and am reassured that Connecticut (and much of the entire region) is still as redneck as ever.  After being warned about Jade Helm all day, I enjoyed the following comment from the guy next to me at a bar while having dinner:

"What's next?  They gonna be marrying fuckin' donkeys and horses? The queers and they fuckin' cats? There used to be good laws around here... like, no buyin' booze on Sundays.  Now I never was religious, but at least I used to show up to work on Mondays without a hangover.  This fuckin' countree. Nobody works hard anymore. "

You should say "oh I'm not gonna marry my horse, I just plan to keep getting a little on the side."

[Bench]

You should say "oh I'm not gonna marry my horse, I just plan to keep getting a little on the side."

He already left.  When the bartender went to give him his check enclosed in the typical leather folder, he responded "just gimmme da paypah.  I don't need no fuckin' book." 

[Bench]

Lowrie with a walk.  Tucker up, one on, one out.

[Reuben]

I hate to agree with Ashby, but I am kinda surprised they overturned that.

[HudsonHawk]

So that's, what, 0 for 7 with RISP tonight ?

[Bench]

I hate to agree with Ashby, but I am kinda surprised they overturned that.

Hinch is the anti-Kubiak when it comes to challenges.

Lowrie on 2nd, Tucker on 1st after the successful challenge by AJ.  One out.

[austro]

I can't remember the rules: is Hinch now out of challenges? Two successful ones?

[homer]

Not a high bar.

[Bench]

5-4-3 inning ending double play.  Ouch.

[austro]

5-4-3 inning ending double play.  Ouch.

Just 5-3, wasn't it? Either way, it's two outs and the inning over.

[homer]

Holy shit. I am disappoint.

[austro]

Stupid fucks! I hope they're happy now. They would have gotten the ball either way, morons.

[hostros7]

Terrible hometown fan. 


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[Reuben]

Stupid fucks! I hope they're happy now. They would have gotten the ball either way, morons.

This.

[jbm]

They are stupid fucks, but why would they get the ball?

[HudsonHawk]

I can't remember the rules: is Hinch now out of challenges? Two successful ones?

You get one unsuccessful one. As long as the calls are overturned, you can keep challenging.

[BudGirl]

Keuchel should kick their ass.

And Asshby thinks it was ok. I abhor him.

[austro]

They are stupid fucks, but why would they get the ball?

I'm sure Valbuena would have just handed/flipped it to somebody after making the catch.

[HudsonHawk]

Thanks assholes.

[austro]

You get one unsuccessful one. As long as the calls are overturned, you can keep challenging.

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

[homer]

What a pile of fuck.

[Bench]

Just 5-3, wasn't it? Either way, it's two outs and the inning over.

I don't know.  Listening to Sparky take the play by play.  He's much better on color.

[HudsonHawk]

I don't know.  Listening to Sparky take the play by play.  He's much better on color.

It was 5u-3

[hostros7]

Conger, sigh.  Dipshit fan cost is two runs. 


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[chuck]

They should start doing the wave. Maybe then those necks would be too distracted to interfere with balls in play.

And Conger never fails to delight.

[HudsonHawk]

Conger is to catchers what Chris Carter is to hitters. Fucking worthless behind the dish.

[austro]

What a depressing inning.

[hostros7]

What a depressing inning.

Less depressing, more stabby. 


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[Reuben]

Conger is to catchers what Chris Carter is to hitters. Fucking worthless behind the dish.

Shitty throw by Tucker, shitty non-catch by Conger.

[hostros7]

 Those slack jaws are certainly hemming and hawing and clapping to "deep in the heart of Texas" while slamming a bud light limearita


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[HudsonHawk]

Shitty throw by Tucker, shitty non-catch by Conger.

Tucker's noodle arm doesn't help, but Conger's gotta field that.

[MRaup]

Tucker's noodle arm doesn't help, but Conger's gotta field that.

That was brutal to watch.

[juliogotay]

Karns was drafted by Astros out of HS. 

*Tonight's Rays starter is Arlington's Nate Karns, who signed as the Nationals' 12th Round pick in 2009...three years after the Astros drafted him out of high school in the 10th Round. Karns told Marc Topkin that not signing with the Astros was a pretty easy decision:
They didn't offer anything. Communication was very limited. I just kind of moved on from that situation and got ready for college. It was really that easy for me...(Getting drafted) was something that I wanted, but at the same time I wasn't going to sell myself short. So I thought the best route at that time was college.

[chuck]

The Conger deal and the Gomez deal, well, neither has borne succulent fruit at the major league level.

[Reuben]

What the fuck? Xavier Cedeno is awesome now? What is it with formerly shitty Astro lefties turning awesome with another team? First it was Abad, now X. Even Wesley Wright had his lowest ERA ever with the Cubs last year.

[HudsonHawk]

The Conger deal and the Gomez deal, well, neither has borne succulent fruit at the major league level.

As long as I live, I'll never understand why you'd give a bag of balls for Conger. That Luhnow actually gave up another player is mindboggling. He's the worst professional catcher I've ever seen.

[MRaup]

The Conger deal and the Gomez deal, well, neither has borne succulent fruit at the major league level.

I think Fyres/Fires/Feirs/Fears/Whatever has looked pretty decent so far.

[austro]

I think Fyres/Fires/Feirs/Fears/Whatever has looked pretty decent so far.

Yeah, I'm not ready to write off the Gomez/Fiers deal yet, but the Conger deal is a real head-scratcher.

[hostros7]

Ashby:  "really nice positioning by Forsyth despite the strike out."

WTF.  So many levels. WTF.


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[austro]

Great job by Qualls.

[HudsonHawk]

That was fucking nails by Qualls.

[jbm]

Yeah, I'm not ready to write off the Gomez/Fiers deal yet, but the Conger deal is a real head-scratcher.

I'm continually amazed at how few people have tried to steal on him.  Only 30?  Should be almost every player with a pulse.

[BudGirl]

he definitely has been better since coming off the dl

[Jacksonian]

That was fucking nails by Qualls.

Who'd have thought you'd be writing that in mid-August.

[HudsonHawk]

Good thing Colome doesn't get many strikeouts.

[MRaup]

for FUCK'S SAKE. PUT SOME FUCKING BALLS IN PLAY, YOU SCHLUBS!

[juliogotay]

Good thing Colome doesn't get many strikeouts.

Yea, three is all they will let you get in an inning.

[chuck]

One, two, three yield one foul tip and eight swings and misses. That is not great.

[austro]

Yea, three is all they will let you get in an inning.

Not if you're clever.

[austro]

You know, I used to like the Rays. But these fuckers are really starting to piss me off.

[MRaup]

You know, I used to like the Rays. But these fuckers are really starting to piss me off.

Don't blame the Rays for the Astros offensive ineptitude.

[The Spleen]

It's too bad. This pitching staff is awesome. A legit World Series staff.
But watching these pitchers try to carry this offense is like watching some idiot use his Ferrari to tow his bass boat to the lake. And then not catch a single fish.

[HudsonHawk]

Yea, three is all they will let you get in an inning.

Actually, you can get more than three in an inning.

[austro]

It's too bad. This pitching staff is awesome. A legit World Series staff.
But watching these pitchers try to carry this offense is like watching some idiot use his Ferrari to tow his bass boat to the lake. And then not catch a single fish.

And then the boat trailer slides down the ramp and pulls the Ferrari underwater.

[austro]

Actually, you can get more than three in an inning.

With Conger behind the plate, five or six is a distinct possibility.

[HudsonHawk]

So the idiot fans, in pursuit of a $3 baseball, ensure the Astros bat in the 9th a run down.

[MRaup]

FUCK YOU, ASHBY! God, I hate that stupid cocksucker SO much.

[austro]

So the idiot fans, in pursuit of a $3 baseball, ensure the Astros bat in the 9th a run down.

Some education is definitely in order.

[HudsonHawk]

Lowrie leads off the 9th with a double.

[MRaup]

Come on Boxberger, groove one to Tucker...

ETF player name.

[MRaup]

The Rays play their catcher deep to prevent wild pitches like that, but this time it cost them the wild pitch.

[HudsonHawk]

Lowrie moves to 3b on a wild pitch, and Tucker strikes out.

[chuck]

Some education is definitely in order.

Look who these mouthbreathers vote for. Good luck with that.

[austro]

RISPonite. Renders them powerless.

[MRaup]

I swear to god, some big league hitters stubborn inability to change their approach with 2 strikes is the stupidest fucking thing in the universe.

[austro]

And then they watch things like the 1-0 pitch to Gattis.

[Bench]

Man, listening to the game on the XM app I am so far behind all of you.  I had such hope until I refreshed this page.

[MRaup]

And then the watch things like the 1-0 pitch to Gattis.

I'd rather you take a change up you can't do anything with because you weren't looking for it than wildly flail at a high strike with your homerun swing like Tucker.

CAPTAIN CAAAAAAAAAVEMAN!

[HudsonHawk]

Gattis with a seeing eye single with the infield in. Tie game

Valbuena then grounds into double play on the next pitch.

Extras again

[MRaup]

FUCK YOU, VALBUENA.

That pitch was about 3 inches away from bouncing. DON'T SWING AT BULLSHIT.


FUCK!

[Jacksonian]

I'd rather you take a change up you can't do anything with because you weren't looking for it than wildly flail at a high strike with your homerun swing like Tucker.

CAPTAIN CAAAAAAAAAVEMAN!

Audio files should be allowed.

[chuck]

Man, listening to the game on the XM app I am so far behind all of you.  I had such hope until I refreshed this page.

Gattis hits into a double play.

[Reuben]

Thank God for infield in.

[Tom Servo]

I'd rather you take a change up you can't do anything with because you weren't looking for it than wildly flail at a high strike with your homerun swing like Tucker.

CAPTAIN CAAAAAAAAAVEMAN!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD36ZhpHPpE

[MRaup]

Audio files should be allowed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD36ZhpHPpE

[MRaup]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD36ZhpHPpE

Well, that was eerie.

[Bench]

Gattis hits into a double play.

4-3-6 from what I can tell.

[Tom Servo]

Well, that was eerie.

Yes.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I finally got home and just tuned in. All I got to say is: YES MOTHERFUCKER! YES!

[MRaup]

I finally got home and just tuned in. All I got to say is: YES MOTHERFUCKER! YES!

Nope.

There were about 150 NO MOTHERFUCKER! NO!s before the yeses.

[Tom Servo]

Well, that was eerie.

https://youtu.be/d2BMsHppIKM?t=32s

[pots]

Tyler White with a 2-RBI single in the first, batting an even 400 now

[MRaup]

https://youtu.be/d2BMsHppIKM?t=32s

Love the Lucas Brothers. Saw them at Moontower a few years ago when they were just hitting the scene. They were a riot.

[Bench]

We're going to be going in and out, just feeling good all over the place.

So much for locally owned franchises. 

[MRaup]

Thanks for fucking nothing tonight Conger. What a dogshit at bat.

[MRaup]

This team swings through/takes more hittable pitches than the Travelling Morgan Ensbergs.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Nope.

There were about 150 NO MOTHERFUCKER! NO!s before the yeses.

I know I had been listening to the Robert and Steve version of the game for the first 8.5 innings. That was why I was so emphatic.

[austro]

I finally got home and just tuned in. All I got to say is: YES MOTHERFUCKER! YES!

You obviously didn't see the mouthbreathers down near Pinhead Point.

[Bench]

You obviously didn't see the mouthbreathers down near Pinhead Point.

What exactly happened there?

[austro]

Foul pop-up down the right side, right at the wall. Three (at least) dumbasses tried to catch the ball with their caps while Valbuena was trying to catch it. Ball goes uncaught. Next pitch turns into a single, so instead of nobody on with two outs, there's one on with one out. Followed by a fucking triple, Followed by a sac fly.

No runs if the foul ball is caught.

[Bench]

Foul pop-up down the right side, right at the wall. Three (at least) dumbasses tried to catch the ball with their caps while Valbuena was trying to catch it. Ball goes uncaught. Next pitch turns into a single, so instead of nobody on with two outs, there's one on with one out. Followed by a fucking triple, Followed by a sac fly.

No runs if the foul ball is caught.

Moises Alou would have turned them all into pariahs.

[Jacksonian]

I think yesterday wore Marwin out.

[austro]

What do suppose the over/under will be on strikeouts against Kershaw?

[BudGirl]

What do suppose the over/under will be on strikeouts against Kershaw?

13

[MRaup]

I'm going to put my first through my TV if I have to keep watching these putrid fucking at bats.

Hey guys, you can watch what the pitcher is doing before your at bat, too. Believe it or not, he's throwing the SAME FUCKING PITCH as his strikeout pitch over and over again.

[Bench]

13

Over.

[OregonStrosFan]

Yeah, I'm not ready to write off the Gomez/Fiers deal yet, but the Conger deal is a real head-scratcher.

Was and the time, and remains so today. Ugh...


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It would be nice if one of you cool guys (or lazy assholes) did some PBP.

[The Spleen]

Over.

Way over. For Kerry Wood values of over.

[Bench]

It would be nice if one of you cool guys (or lazy assholes) did some PBP.

Strikeout.  Inning over.  Repeat.

[austro]

It would be nice if one of you cool guys (or lazy assholes) did some PBP.

Somebody stuck out.
Somebody else struck out.
Yet another person struck out.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Hey all. Just got here. No clue whatsoever. Fuck the Rays. Here we go.

[Bench]

Somebody stuck out.
Somebody else struck out.
Yet another person struck out.

17 times so far this game.

[OregonStrosFan]

Thanks assholes.

Yup

That was fucking nails by Qualls.

Yup

So the idiot fans, in pursuit of a $3 baseball, ensure the Astros bat in the 9th a run down.

Yup.

Idiots...


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[Jacksonian]

17 times so far this game.

5 2/3 innings worth of unproductive outs.

[Bench]

So who's been to Harrah's Lake Charles?  Is the scene hot?  Are the drinks cold?  Is a bench more than 45 feet of pine?

[MRaup]

Perez pitching.

Loney doinks a double down the line and off the scoreboard on a hop for a leadoff double.

[BudGirl]

17 times so far this game.

But this is extra innings

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Son of a bitch, home-boy Loney with a one out motherfuckin' double.

[Bench]

But this is extra innings

Kershaw is a lot more efficient.

[MRaup]

Perez pitching.

Loney doinks a double down the line and off the scoreboard on a hop for a leadoff double.

Kiermaier pops out to Captain Golden Sombrero behind the plate in foul territory. 1 out.

[BudGirl]

And I obviously have more faith in this team than you all do.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Kiermaier pops out to Captain Golden Sombrero behind the plate in foul territory. 1 out.

My TV says two outs?!?!?! WTF is happening?

[MRaup]

Kiermaier pops out to Captain Golden Sombrero behind the plate in foul territory. 1 out.

Rene Rivera, with a runner on 2nd and 1 out, is battling, fouling off pitches with a 1-2 count.

[MRaup]

Rene Rivera, with a runner on 2nd and 1 out, is battling, fouling off pitches with a 1-2 count.

Sorry, there are two outs. Rivera still battling.

[MRaup]

Sorry, there are two outs. Rivera still battling.

ANOTHER foul. SWING ANNA MISS on a sweeping slider low.

Bottom 12th incoming:

Tucker
Gattis
Valbuena

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I've been pounding some Real Ale Devil's Backbone Belgian-Style Tripel!

[MRaup]

This "Who is the strongest Astro?" commercial makes me even angrier that they all think it's Carter and he's so terrible.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I don't care what anybody says, Oliver Perez was a good addition.

[MRaup]

Bottom 12:

Pitcher 6 for the Rays, Matt Andriese, freshly up from their AAA squad.

Tucker doinks one near 2nd base, and Forsythe makes a pretty slick play to get him by a step. Tucker looked like he was running in quicksand.

1 Out.

[austro]

I don't care what anybody says, Oliver Perez was a good addition.

I like Perez. I think he adds value to the pen.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This "Who is the strongest Astro?" commercial makes me even angrier that they all think it's Carter and he's so terrible.

I don't know that commercial. MLBtv doesn't have commercials, just a screen that say commercial break in progress.

[Bench]

I don't care what anybody says, Oliver Perez was a good addition.

He's been more good than Abad.

[MRaup]

Bottom 12:

Pitcher 6 for the Rays, Matt Andriese, freshly up from their AAA squad.

Tucker doinks one near 2nd base, and Forsythe makes a pretty slick play to get him by a step. Tucker looked like he was running in quicksand.

1 Out.

Gattis with a 3-0 count,  MONSTER HACK fouls it straight back, 3-1. Takes a hittable curveball right down the goddamn middle, 3-2. Same fucking pitch and Gattis hits a 430 hopper back to the pitcher for the easy out. 2 outs.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

This pitcher has the rare legit beer belly.

[MRaup]

Gattis with a 3-0 count,  MONSTER HACK fouls it straight back, 3-1. Takes a hittable curveball right down the goddamn middle, 3-2. Same fucking pitch and Gattis hits a 430 hopper back to the pitcher for the easy out. 2 outs.

Valbuena takes strike one.  Drills one to left field, heading toward the corner. Jennings fires it back and Valbuena is out by 10 fucking feet trying to stretch. 3 outs.

Fuck this, I'm done play by playing. This team is pissing me off WAY too much.

[Bench]

The fuck. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Didn't even look that close.

[The Spleen]

Press harder, you idjits...

[OregonStrosFan]

The fuck.

Valbuena sure thought they missed the tag there and wanted a replay. HH, you sure they get challenges until they get one wrong - I thought it was a max of 2 (though after 7 umps could ask for re irs at their discretion)?


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[MRaup]

Man, this ump crew is pretty fucking terrible.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fuck this, I'm done play by playing. This team is pissing me off WAY too much.

I can't believe they're still in first place.

[MRaup]

Man, this ump crew is pretty fucking terrible.

Although Joe West wins the neck-wattle contest, hands down.

[Bench]

I guess AJ can still challenge.

[OregonStrosFan]

Valbuena sure thought they missed the tag there and wanted a replay. HH, you sure they get challenges until they get one wrong - I thought it was a max of 2 (though after 7 umps could ask for re irs at their discretion)?


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Not saying the tag was missed - just saying Valbuena thought it was...

FWIW, AJs having this one reviewed, so I guess they can have more than two...


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[chuck]

It's incredible how many calls these overpaid cocksuckers miss.

[pots]

Tyler White with his second 2 RBI single on the night. 45 RBI now since July 1st

[The Spleen]

I can't believe they're still in first place.

Give them time...

[MRaup]

I can't believe they're still in first place.

Tonight was supposed to be a no beer night. I just finally broke down and popped a cold one.

[Bench]

Tonight was supposed to be a no beer night. I just finally broke down and popped a cold one.

You should have stuck to the whisky.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It's incredible how many calls these overpaid cocksuckers miss.

+1

[Bench]

Fields in. 

[The Spleen]

This is more like an absinthe kind of game.
Absinthe and kerosene...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Tonight was supposed to be a no beer night. I just finally broke down and popped a cold one.

Sometime you just have to, man.

[Bench]

It's incredible how many calls these overpaid cocksuckers miss.

Worst union ever.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Are these umps having come-to-Jesus moments nightly? It must be weird how the dynamic is changing...how now everybody gets to see their shitty days at work, too.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Tyler White with his second 2 RBI single on the night. 45 RBI now since July 1st

Wrong thread. But that's pretty good.

[MRaup]

Worst union ever.

Seriously.

It's a good thing I'm not in charge of the umpire's union. There would be fitness tests every year (sorry Joe) and eye tests (sorry DJ Whoever The Fuck You Are At First tonight) and competency scoring (Sorry Angel).

[OregonStrosFan]

It's incredible how many calls these overpaid cocksuckers miss.

Overall I think the umps do a pretty legit job - Cowboy Joe West's crew notwithstanding of course...


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Seriously.

It's a good thing I'm not in charge of the umpire's union. There would be fitness tests every year (sorry Joe) and eye tests (sorry DJ Whoever The Fuck You Are At First tonight) and competency scoring (Sorry Angel).

Don't forget Bucknor!

[Jacksonian]

Don't forget Bucknor!

Why not?

[MRaup]

Don't forget Bucknor!

CB is fired before any of those things happen.

He'd be my personal assistant. Nobody would ever make it past him, they'd all get tossed before making it to my office.

[pots]

Need to end this one now

[MRaup]

CONGER WHAT FUCKING PITCH ARE YOU WAITING FOR 2-0?! WHY ARE YOU BEHIND A SHITTY FASTBALL?!

[chuck]

Conger's going to hit a walkoff.

[MRaup]

Conger's going to hit a walkoff pull a muscle swinging wildly.

[Ebby Calvin]

Conger 5 ks tonight.

[HudsonHawk]

Conger with the rare Platinum Sombrero.

[MRaup]

Thanks for fucking nothing tonight Conger. What a dogshit at bat.

RINSE, FUCKING REPEAT.

[chuck]

I knew he'd walk off one way or the other.

[MRaup]

HEY, DID YOU KNOW THAT IF ANY PART OF THE BASEBALL TOUCHES THAT FAKE STRIKE ZONE OUR TRUCK PUTS ON THE IMAGE ON YOUR TV, IT IS DEFINITELY A STRIKE AND THERE IS NO DEBATING IT?!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Hank Conger is the worst MLB catcher Hudson Hawk has ever seen. I trust his judgement... regarding catchers.

[The Spleen]

Conger with the rare Platinum Sombrero.

A couple of more innings and he can go for Plutonium...

[OregonStrosFan]

Way to swing at balls 4 and 5 there dumbass...


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[MRaup]

A couple of more innings and he can go for Plutonium Balonium (for you old school Simpsons fans)...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

"That might have been a strike!"

[Ebby Calvin]

Snacktacular

[MRaup]

Snacktacular

I also would've accepted delicious.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I find Ashby's repellant weird assholery intriguing.

[Bench]

I find Ashby's repellant weird assholery intriguing.

As intriguing as the strikezone?

[HudsonHawk]

1B and 3B with one out for Marwin

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Altuve is Eric Clapton!!!!

[MRaup]

As intriguing as the strikezone?

I will murder both of you.

[Bench]

Marwin.  Marwin.  Marwin.

[OregonStrosFan]

There we go Jose! Time for some more magic Marwin!


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[Knoxbanedoodle]

Oh god, someone tell me what happens...

[MRaup]

Ashby, you're a moron. They're not looking to turn 2. They've got their whole infield in.


FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK he makes the games SO much more stressful to watch.

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve takes 2B with the infield in.

[Bench]

Oh god, someone tell me what happens...

Altuve steals second.  Marwin up with one out.

[Ebby Calvin]

Marwin Ks looking
2 out

[MRaup]

Bull fucking shit that pitch was on the inside corner.

[HudsonHawk]

Oh god, someone tell me what happens...

What did you think would happen?  Marwin strikes out looking for the fourth time b

[Bench]

And Marwin looks at strike 3.  CORREA TIME.

[Bench]

What did you think would happen?  Marwin strikes out looking for the fourth time b

19 on the night for the club.

[pots]

CORREA!!

[Ebby Calvin]

I love Carlos Correa

[MRaup]

FUCK. YES.

[Tom Servo]

Correa can tackle himself!!!  Astros win!

[HudsonHawk]

Correa singles to RF

Astros win!!!

[Bench]

CCCCCCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I don't believe  what my eye just saw!

[The Spleen]

I. Can't. Believe. They. Pitched. To. Him.

[OregonStrosFan]

Tonight was supposed to be a no beer night. I just finally broke down and popped a cold one.

Astros Win! Way to step up and take one for the team there Mark!!!


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[Bench]

Ford and Sparks were both incredulous that Correa wasn't intentionally walked.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Altuve should lay that fucker out.

[Jacksonian]

Altuve should lay that fucker out.

Right. Beat Gomez to it.

[The Spleen]

Ford and Sparks were both incredulous that Correa wasn't intentionally walked.

Especially since the book on him the last month has been "pitch around him... there's nobody who can make you pay for it."

[Bench]

Altuve should lay that fucker out.

Marwin doing it after his elusiveness last night would be the crafty veteran move.

[pots]

Ford and Sparks were both incredulous that Correa wasn't intentionally walked.

Jed is no slouch.   This kid was having trouble throwing strikes and Jed is one of the few Astros that will take a walk

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Happiness is knowing that your feed's lagging a little, refreshing the GZ after the 0-1 ball, and seeing Pots's "Correa!" Then you put your phone down and wait.

[Bench]

I like how I can google Astros and immediately get a score at the top of the search page, but if you google Angels you get all sorts of weird shit.

[ValpoCory]

I. Can't. Believe. They. Pitched. To. Him.

me neither.  I was surprised they pitched to Gonzalez, but I thought to myself, "look at how much respect they have for Correa", by not creating a force at home or a double play opportunity.  Then they decided to pitch to him.  WTF. 

I was watching the visiting team feed online, and their announcer keeps calling him Carlos Correra.  One day they have to learn how to pronounce his last name, right?   Sincerely, Craig Beeegio.

[ValpoCory]

Meanwhile, the White Sox suck.

[MRaup]

What in the fuck is rasmus wearing in his post game interview?!

[BudGirl]

What in the fuck is rasmus wearing in his post game interview?!

He is working a new style, Georgia redneck.

[HudsonHawk]

me neither.  I was surprised they pitched to Gonzalez, but I thought to myself, "look at how much respect they have for Correa", by not creating a force at home or a double play opportunity.  Then they decided to pitch to him.  WTF. 

Everyone acts like walking him was a no-brainer, but intentionally loading the bases with the winning run at 3B is a dangerous move.  It's more likely with one out, as it creates the double play chance.  But with two outs, it gives you very little wiggle room, and statistically almost doubles the odds you're going to give up that run at 3B.  A lot of managers view that as setting yourself up to lose.  Maybe you walk Correa, maybe you don't.  It's easy in hindsight to say they should have, but it's not an easy call in the moment.

[juliogotay]

The MLB network guys are gushing over Correa. Derosa is impressed with his maturity and his plate discipline. They also really like the Astros bullpen because of the different styles of the pitchers. Derosa said that is the way the Cards do it.

[JimR]

The MLB network guys are gushing over Correa. Derosa is impressed with his maturity and his plate discipline. They also really like the Astros bullpen because of the different styles of the pitchers. Derosa said that is the way the Cards do it.

Oliver Perez was a great pickup.

[HudsonHawk]

The MLB network guys are gushing over Correa. Derosa is impressed with his maturity and his plate discipline. They also really like the Astros bullpen because of the different styles of the pitchers. Derosa said that is the way the Cards do it.

The bullpen has made all the difference this year. Getting Neshek and Gregerson were a coup and getting Harris was a godsend.  Who knows where they are without those three.

[NeilT]

Extra innings wreck the next day.

[Mr. Happy]

Oliver Perez was a great pickup.

+1 And getting Harris was, as HH correctly said, a God-send. I give Luhnow the credit for selling the club to Gregerson and Neshek as free agents. They've stabilized what was a horrible bully.

[juliogotay]

Extra innings wreck the next day.

Facing a starter like Archer is not encouraging either.

[geezerdonk]

Archer is 1-4 with a 4.87 era in his last 7 starts. Maybe he will continue to trend downward for one more game.

[ValpoCory]

Everyone acts like walking him was a no-brainer, but intentionally loading the bases with the winning run at 3B is a dangerous move.  It's more likely with one out, as it creates the double play chance.  But with two outs, it gives you very little wiggle room, and statistically almost doubles the odds you're going to give up that run at 3B.  A lot of managers view that as setting yourself up to lose.  Maybe you walk Correa, maybe you don't.  It's easy in hindsight to say they should have, but it's not an easy call in the moment.

Yep.  Even if you're facing Darryl Strawberry and Homer Simpson is on deck, if you walk Darryl to load the bases, you may bean Homer to lose the game.

[HudsonHawk]

Yep.  Even if you're facing Darryl Strawberry and Homer Simpson is on deck, if you walk Darryl to load the bases, you may bean Homer to lose the game.

And you could throw four pitches right down the center of the plate and the umpire call them balls.  You don't want your pitcher in a situation where a walk loses the game and he may feel he doesn't have his full arsenal of pitches.  To intentionally put him in it is a delicate move. 

[BudGirl]

Sphinx has shocking news for you.