Astros @ Fucking stRangers April 21, 2016

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's tilt:

Astros

2BJose Altuve (R)
RFGeorge Springer (R)
SSCarlos Correa (R)
LFColby Rasmus (L)
1BTyler White (R)
DHPreston Tucker (L)
CFCarlos Gomez (R)
3BLuis Valbuena (L)
CJason Castro (L)

HOU: Dallas Keuchel (L)  (2-1, 2.18)

Fucking stRangers

CF D. DeShields Jr. (R)
RF Nomar Mazara (L)
3B Adrian Beltre (R)
DH Prince Fielder (L)
LF Ian Desmond (R)
SS Elvis Andrus (R)
1B Ryan Rua (R)
C Bryan Holaday (R)
2B Hanser Alberto (R)

TEX: A.J. Griffin (R)  (1-0, 3.27)

[Navin R Johnson]

Looks at the the last 3 batters in the order, throws up all over the living room.

[doyce7]

Almost to the ballpark. I'd really appreciate a win against these fuckers

[Mr. Happy]

Looks at the the last 3 batters in the order, throws up all over the living room.

7-9 is a black hole of ofers.

[Navin R Johnson]

7-9 is a black hole of ofers.

I'd much rather have Marwin playing 3rd, and move Preston to LF and let Gattis DH.

[Mr. Happy]

I'd much rather have Marwin playing 3rd, and move Preston to LF and let Gattis DH.

I can't disagree with you.

[HudsonHawk]

Alright, I reckon I'll try PBP one more night...

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve with a leadoff double...

[austro]

Everything else may suck, but watching Altuve is a joy.

[HudsonHawk]

Springer with an RBI double!

1 for 1 w/RISP...WooHoo!!

[austro]

Daddy, why is that man running across home plate?

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Altuve doubles to LF
Springer doubles to LF, Altuve scores
Correa strikes out looking
Rasmus walks
White flies out F9
Tucker rolls out 3U

Astros go 1 for 4 w/RISP, but get a run and only leave two...lead 1-0

[austro]

I was afraid I was going to have to listen to the Rangers broadcasting team because the Rockets have kicked the Stros off of the main Root Sports channel. Fortunately, I found the alternate channel. And the Rockets won't be causing this problem very much longer.

[HudsonHawk]

Rangers with two cheap singles, then a massive homer to RCF, all with two outs.  Rangers up 3-1

[austro]

You have got to be fucking kidding me. Desmond was hitting something like -.028 coming in to this series.

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Deshields grounds out 1-3
Mazara...quickly 0-2...grounds out 1-3
Beltre singles past a diving SS, who was way over in the hole
Fielder nubs a flair just over the 2B bag for a single, Beltre to 2B
Desmond homers to RCF, Beltre scores, Fiedler scores
Andrus strikes out swinging

Rangers up 3-1

[HudsonHawk]

I was afraid I was going to have to listen to the Rangers broadcasting team because the Rockets have kicked the Stros off of the main Root Sports channel. Fortunately, I found the alternate channel. And the Rockets won't be causing this problem very much longer.

Not much point in watching the Astros much longer.  They got their run, but gave it right back.  Can't imagine they'll plate another this week. 

[HudsonHawk]

I've never seen a big league hitter as absolutely lost and overmatched as Gomez is.

[MusicMan]

I've never seen a big league hitter as absolutely lost and overmatched as Gomez is.

Just wait.  Castro comes up soon.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Gomez falling to one knee, as his hat pops off, then takes a cookie down the middle for strike three
Valbuena works the count full...lines out F4...flips bat anyway
Castro strikes out looking on three pitches

3-1

[HudsonHawk]

The Astros have made six outs so far in this game, half of them looking at strike three.  Is it any wonder that they don't have any "luck"?  Hard to create anything when you don't swing the bat, and when you miss most of the times you do.

[HudsonHawk]

Wow.  I don't know what to say.

[juliogotay]

Question:  If Deshields were still an Astro would he be our starting CFer? 

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Rua singles to RF
Holaday with a looping liner to CF, Gomez lets it drop at his feet.  Rua to 2B
Alberto sacrifices 1-4, Rua to 3B, Holaday to 2B
Deshields...infield in...hits one right at Correa...Rua dead meat at the plate...but Correa falls down on his ass, so his only play is to 1B while Rua scores
Mazara strikes out swinging, 2-3 on the putout

4-1 now

[Navin R Johnson]

I couldn't imagine a team being harder to root for than this years Rockets, but the Astros are doing their best to give them a run for their money. 

[MusicMan]

Question:  If Deshields were still an Astro would he be our starting CFer?

No, because we continue to pretend that Gomez is talented.

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Altuve grounds out 6-3
Springer flies out F7
Correa with a roller to 3B, 5-3

4-1 still

[austro]

Wow.  I don't know what to say.

That was pretty fitting, I guess. I don't think Trout and Harper are terribly worried being supplanted as "best player in the game" right now.

[HudsonHawk]

That was pretty fitting, I guess. I don't think Trout and Harper are terribly worried being supplanted as "best player in the game" right now.

I love Correa and think he's gonna be a heck of a player.  But the Trout/Harper comparisons are insane. 

[MusicMan]

I love Correa and think he's gonna be a heck of a player.  But the Trout/Harper comparisons are insane.

Harper is currently doing a Bonds 2001 impression.

[austro]

What the fuck has gotten into Desmond?

[MusicMan]

What the fuck has gotten into Desmond?

Nothing cures a slump like Astro pitching.

[MusicMan]

Nice of them to tell me early to turn this shit off.


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[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Beltre grounds out 5-3
Fielder flies out F7
Desmond doubles to LCF
Andrus flairs one to shallow LF, Rasmus dives, can't get it...rolls all the way to the wall for a triple, Desmond scores
Rua strikes out swinging

5-1 Rangers after three

[austro]

Nice of them to tell me early to turn this shit off.

30 minutes to the Blackhawks season-ender.

[Arky Vaughan]

And here I was figuring that Keuchel would be the stopper this series. What a fucking fool.

[HudsonHawk]

Colby Jack!

[Jacksonian]

Yay.  Another hit with no one on base.

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Rasmus homers to RCF
White grounds out softly 5-3
Tucker doubles to RF on the first pitch
Gomez grounds out 4-3, Tucker to 3B
Valbuena flies out F7

5-2 Rangers

[HudsonHawk]

The Astros have a serious Gomez problem.  He can't hit, his defense has gone to mediocre, and his head is firmly up his ass.  Move Rasmus to CF, if you don't Marisnick, and put Tucker in LF.  They simply cannot continue with Gomez every day.

[HudsonHawk]

Keuchel just not fooling anyone.

[Jacksonian]

Keuchel just not fooling anyone.

He's up in the zone far too often to be any better than mediocre.

[WVastro]

The Astros have a serious Gomez problem.  He can't hit, his defense has gone to mediocre, and his head is firmly up his ass.  Move Rasmus to CF, if you don't Marisnick, and put Tucker in LF.  They simply cannot continue with Gomez every day.

To make matters worse (for me at least) I'm watching Dexter Fowler produce MLB at-bats for the Cubs live in Cincinnati (at the game).

No hitter alert btw.

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Holaday lines a single into LF
Holaday steals 2B, throw beat him by 8 steps, but bounces, Altuve can't handle it, goes into CF as Holaday moves to 3B...BUT...batter interference is called and Holaday has to go back to 1B
Holaday is then picked off 2-3 on the next pitch
Alberto strikes out swinging
Deshields flies out F8

5-2

[HudsonHawk]

To make matters worse (for me at least) I'm watching Dexter Fowler produce MLB at-bats for the Cubs live in Cincinnati (at the game).

No hitter alert btw.

Dexter Fowler doesn't play for the Astros.  I don't give a shit about him.  The Astros have a problem and a solution, they just need to put it in place.

[Arky Vaughan]

This team is batting .208 with runners on base, .175 with runners in scoring position and an astonishing .143 with the bases loaded.

[WVastro]

Dexter Fowler doesn't play for the Astros.  I don't give a shit about him.  The Astros have a problem and a solution, they just need to put it in place.

Ok. Let me restate that. If you would like to see Jake Arrieta throw a no hitter it's a possibility on some channel on your tv. It looks likely imho. The Fowler comment was completely unnecessary.

(Edit) MY Fowler comment not HH's

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Castro flies out F7
Altuve walks
Springer...battling...strikes out swinging
Correa lines out to 2B

5-2

[MusicMan]

The team has gone from first in the league in pitching last year to next-to-last this year.  Why are all the complaints about the hitting?

[HudsonHawk]

Ok. Let me restate that. If you would like to see Jake Arrieta throw a no hitter it's a possibility on some channel on your tv. It looks likely imho. The Fowler comment was completely unnecessary.

(Edit) MY Fowler comment not HH's

Into the 8th with the no no

[HudsonHawk]

The team has gone from first in the league in pitching last year to next-to-last this year.  Why are all the complaints about the hitting?

Because with even just poor hitting, the Astros could be .500 instead of on pace for 120 losses.

[BudGirl]

The Astros have a serious Gomez problem.  He can't hit, his defense has gone to mediocre, and his head is firmly up his ass.  Move Rasmus to CF, if you don't Marisnick, and put Tucker in LF.  They simply cannot continue with Gomez every day.

Can't say I disagree with this comment.  Defense alone is reason enough. 

[MusicMan]

Ok. Let me restate that. If you would like to see Jake Arrieta throw a no hitter it's a possibility on some channel on your tv. It looks likely imho.

The Astros have allowed 73 runs in 129 innings this year.
Arrieta has only allowed 55 runs in his last 251 innings.

[MusicMan]

Because with even just poor hitting, the Astros could be .500 instead of on pace for 120 losses.

Nope.  Only the Red Sox have scored as many runs as the Astros have allowed.

[BudGirl]

The team has gone from first in the league in pitching last year to next-to-last this year.  Why are all the complaints about the hitting?

If McCullers comes in and shits on top of the pile of shit, then all bets are off.  Plus, some of the pitching (McHugh) has done better. 

But, honestly, what aspect of the game is this team performing well?  Hitting? Pitching? Defense?  All three have gone bad at the same time.

[HudsonHawk]

Nope.  Only the Red Sox have scored as many runs as the Astros have allowed.

It's not about the total runs scored, it's about when you score them.  Last night was an example of a very winnable game, if they'd only put a few balls in play w/RISP. 

[juliogotay]

The team has gone from first in the league in pitching last year to next-to-last this year.  Why are all the complaints about the hitting?

You make a good point. I am going to start bitching about the pitching more.

[MusicMan]

The Astros have allowed 73 runs in 129 innings this year.
Arrieta has only allowed 55 runs in his last 251 innings.

To go further... Arrieta has now allowed 17 ER in his last 176 IP, by my count.  That would be a 0.87 ERA.

[MusicMan]

It's not about the total runs scored, it's about when you score them.  Last night was an example of a very winnable game, if they'd only put a few balls in play w/RISP. 

Yes, but in total, you're going to need to score about as much as you allow to play .500.

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Manzara doubles to RCF
Beltre singles to LF, Mazara to 3B
Fielder grounds into FC, Beltre out 4-6, Mazara scores
Desmond strikes out swinging
Andrus flies out F7

6-2

[HudsonHawk]

Yes, but in total, you're going to need to score about as much as you allow to play .500.

Yes, but there are three or four games this year that were perfectly winnable with just a little offense. 

[HudsonHawk]

Arietta will take the no-no to the 9th...

[WVastro]

At the game in Cinci. Arrieta has this in the bag. If you think the Astros can't hit right now, watch the Reds.

[HudsonHawk]

At the game in Cinci. Arrieta has this in the bag. If you think the Astros can't hit right now, watch the Reds.

No Cub fan, but that'd be awesome if you get to see it live.

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Rasmus strikes out looking
White flies out to shallow RF
Tucker strikes out swinging

6-2

[WVastro]

No Cub fan, but that'd be awesome if you get to see it live.

I'm on the edge of my seat. This is bucket list shit here.

[MusicMan]

I'm on the edge of my seat. This is bucket list shit here.

/kicks self again for leaving Fiers game

[WVastro]

Cubs in the process of "cubbing" this no hitter. Already up big I ninth they're batting around and likely icing Arrieta. We'll see.

[HudsonHawk]

Headed to the bottom of the 9th in Cincy...Arietta with the no-no...three outs to go

[austro]

Cubs in the process of "cubbing" this no hitter. Already up big I ninth they're batting around and likely icing Arrieta. We'll see.

I wonder what it's like to score 16 runs on 18 hits. 18 hits would get the Astros about 3 runs.

[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Rua grounds to 2B, but there's no one there...single
Holaday flies out F8
Alberto grounds to SS, Correa backhands, but can't get him, infield single, Rua to 2B
Deshields grounds into FC, Rua out 5U
Mazara grounds to SS, but no one is there, goes into RCF for a single, Deshields thrown out 8-5 going 1B, before Alberto trots across the plate from 2B.

6-2 still.

[Jacksonian]

A base running blunder by the other team. Wow.

[HudsonHawk]

Arietta walks the leadoff hitter in the 9th...

[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Barnette in for the Rangers

Gomez grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch
Valbuena grounds out 3U
Castro strikes out swinging

6-2

[HudsonHawk]

And the no hitter is complete

[MusicMan]

16-0 is the most lopsided no hitter in the modern era.


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[MusicMan]

And Neshek pours gas on the fire.


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[austro]

16-0 is the most lopsided no hitter in the modern era.

Who wins a game between the Astros and the Reds? Anybody?

[austro]

Anybody want to bet on what happens after that dropped foul pop-up?

[HudsonHawk]

This is the slapdickinest buch of slapdicks I've ever seen.  At least the guys in 2013 tried. 

[austro]

Anybody want to bet on what happens after that dropped foul pop-up?

I lost the bet, although it was close to a double.

[MusicMan]

I just remembered that I'm supposed to recap this shit.


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[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Neshek in...

Beltre homers to CF
Fielder pops up by the plate, Castro camps under it and drops it.  E2...Fielder then lines out on a nice running grab by Springer
Desmond grounds out 6-3
Andrus strikes out swinging

7-2 now.

[HudsonHawk]

Rockets up 31-18 after the 1st.

[austro]

I just remembered that I'm supposed to recap this shit.

Allow me to help. I think you can do it with one word: ibid.

[HudsonHawk]

Colby Jack II!!!

[austro]

Throw low pitches to Rasmus at your own risk.

[WVastro]

I'm new here and I know my enthusiasm has little resonance yet but damn. I just saw a fucking no hitter live. I love baseball.

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Altuve strikes out swinging, out 2-3 on the putout
Springer rolls to SS, out 6-3
Correa with a Texas Leaguer into RF for a single
Rasmus homers to RF, Correa scores

That's it for Barnette, Diekman in

White flies out F8

7-4 Rangers

[HudsonHawk]

I'm new here and I know my enthusiasm has little resonance yet but damn. I just saw a fucking no hitter live. I love baseball.

That's awesome.  Congrats.

[Jacksonian]

T8:

Altuve strikes out swinging, out 2-3 on the putout
Springer rolls to SS, out 6-3
Correa with a Texas Leaguer into RF for a single
Rasmus homers to RF, Correa scores

That's it for Barnette, Diekman in

White flies out F8

7-4 Rangers

The best thing about that inning to me was Correa going the other way.

[juliogotay]

The best thing about that inning to me was Correa going the other way.

He's been doing that quite often this year I believe.

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Fields in...

Rua strikes out swinging
Holaday walks on four pitches
Odor, pinch hitting for Alberto...strikes out swinging
Deshields flies out F8

To the 9th...Astros down 7-4

[Jacksonian]

He's been doing that quite often this year I believe.

IMO, that's the best way to break or stay out of slumps.

[MusicMan]

Arrieta has now thrown 2 no hitters since he last lost a game. I'm guessing nobody other than Vander Meer has pulled that off.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I've never seen a big league hitter as absolutely lost and overmatched as Gomez is.

At least he is consistent.

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Tolleson in...

Tucker check swing roller to 3B...5-3
Gomez strikes out flailing at a pitch 9 feet off the plate
Valbuena nearly takes Tolleson's head off with a liner up the middle
Gattis, pinch hitting for Castro...punches at the first pitch and grounds out weakly to 3B

Astros go down 7-4

[Navin R Johnson]

Looks at the the last 3 batters in the order, throws up all over the living room.

They went  1-11

[austro]

They went  1-11

They must have always come up with runners in scoring position.

[juliogotay]

They went  1-11

Could Marisnick do worse then Go mess?  Marisnick was the everyday CFer this time last year when they were so hot. He was a bit of a sparkplug.

[MusicMan]

We could use this guy on both offense and defense:

since last June 21 (24 games)

Jake Arrieta: .238/.262/.429

Jake Arrieta's opponents: .150/.199/.214


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The Astros are on a pace to lose 110 games.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm starting to hate everything.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

At least i can quit fretting over the Astros losing to the Cubs in the World Series.

[Mr. Happy]

I'm new here and I know my enthusiasm has little resonance yet but damn. I just saw a fucking no hitter live. I love baseball.

Welcome! That was an awesome experience for you!!! How do you get to sleep after the adrenaline rush of a no-hitter witness event? I know I'd have been up all night winding down out off of that experience.

[WVastro]

Welcome! That was an awesome experience for you!!! How do you get to sleep after the adrenaline rush of a no-hitter witness event? I know I'd have been up all night winding down out off of that experience.

At 16-0 it was the largest margin of defeat in a no-hitter in modern baseball history. Only the 1884 Buffalo Bisons led by Pud Galvin's pitching performance was larger at 18-0. Basically, I saw the biggest beatdown of an MLB team ever. There were grand slams, Arrieta went 2-4.... It was ugly for the Reds. First time they'd been no hit in 7,109 games.