Astros @ Athletics April 29, 2016

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's traveling horseshit late show:

Astros

2BJose Altuve (R)
RFGeorge Springer (R)
SSCarlos Correa (R)
DHEvan Gattis (R)
LFColby Rasmus (L)
1BTyler White (R)
CFCarlos Gomez (R)
3BMarwin Gonzalez (S)
CErik Kratz (R)

HOU: Mike Fiers (R)  (2-1, 5.73)

Athletics

CF Billy Burns (S)
2B Jed Lowrie (S)
RF Josh Reddick (L)
DH Khris Davis (R)
C Stephen Vogt (L)
3B Chris Coghlan (L)
LF Coco Crisp (S)
1B Yonder Alonso (L)
SS Marcus Semien (R)

OAK: Sean Manaea (L)  (0-0, 0.00)

[WVastro]

I fully expect Jed Lowrie to go 12-12 in this series with a couple bombs and 10 doubles.

[Mr. Happy]

I fully expect Jed Lowrie to go 12-12 in this series with a couple bombs and 10 doubles.

And the Angel of Doom will put up goose eggs.

[moriartp]

I fully expect Jed Lowrie to go 12-12 in this series with a couple bombs and 10 doubles.

I still hate that trade.

[austro]

I still hate that trade.

I can't even remember who came our way in that trade.

[Nate Colbert]

I can't even remember who came our way in that trade.

Brendan McCurry (CC reliever).

[jbm]

Most of this crappy season can be laid at the feet of Do or Ray on the pregame (can't remember which he is).  He seems to be a constant with crappy teams.

[Reuben]

Brendan McCurry (CC reliever).

So far: 2.08 ERA, 9 G, 13 IP, 7 H, 2 HR, 2 BB, 18 K

[hostros7]

Gattis may be on the mend. 1-0 stros on blast to left


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[WVastro]

Gattis may be on the mend. 1-0 stros on blast to left


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Manaeaeaea reminds me of a young David Wells in a kind of way I can't put my Cheetos covered finger on.

[Reuben]

Coco Crisp, Astrokillah does it again. 2-1 A's.

[MusicMan]

Mike Fiers is your reminder that absolutely any professional pitcher can throw a no hitter.


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[Nate Colbert]

Mike Fiers is your reminder that absolutely any professional pitcher can throw a no hitter.


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Was that a hint to be flipping over to the MLB Network right about now?

[Reuben]

Mike Fiers is your reminder that absolutely any professional pitcher can throw a no hitter.


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I prefer to think of Bud Smith.

[MusicMan]

Was that a hint to be flipping over to the MLB Network right about now?

Combined no-hitters just aren't the same.

[MusicMan]

I prefer to think of Bud Smith.

Philip Humber throwing a perfect game will never be anything less than bizarre.

In a related note, Rick Smith seems to be having an excellent draft.

[Nate Colbert]

Combined no-hitters just aren't the same.

Unless they involve six pitchers and the Yankees are the victim.

[hostros7]

Unless they involve six pitchers and the Yankees are the victim.

Was about the say the same thing, or "+1"

[MusicMan]

Unless they involve six pitchers and the Yankees are the victim.

That was fun, but you can't tell me that felt the same as DK or Fiers.

[Nate Colbert]

That was fun, but you can't tell me that felt the same as DK or Fiers.

We're in agreement, but I have the feeling I'll remember the combined no-no long after I've forgotten the Fiers one.

[MusicMan]

Gomez struck out swinging at a pitch that MLB At Bat showed as under his toes.


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[Nate in IA]

Gomez struck out swinging at a pitch that MLB At Bat showed as under his toes.


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It was.

[MusicMan]

It was.

I had zero doubt. I had more faith in Brian Hoyer after the 4th playoff INT than I have in Gomez.

[MusicMan]

In other draft highlights, Kevin Faulk announced the Patriots second round pick wearing a Tom Brady jersey, but was forced to remove it before announcing the third round pick, just in case you were wondering exactly how small Roger Goodell's penis is.


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[MusicMan]

Oh my God, this quote from La Russa on the Gibson homer in 88 just made my whole night.

“Dunc didn’t ask it. He said, ‘Walk Gibson.’ I said, ‘I’m making the decisions here.’ And as we walked off the field, he says, ‘Dumb ass.’ "

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[hostros7]

Gattis singled home springer from 2nd to knot it at two.


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[hostros7]

A's call for Doolittle, the usual closer, to face Rasmus with men on 1st and 2nd and no outs.


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[chuck]

In other draft highlights, Kevin Faulk announced the Patriots second round pick wearing a Tom Brady jersey, but was forced to remove it before announcing the third round pick, just in case you were wondering exactly how small Roger Goodell's penis is.

I despise the Patriots but I would have told that cocksucker to go fuck himself. What are they going to do, withhold his pension?

I appreciate the Chicago crowd, too, as their boos never seemed to soften no matter how many times that dickface walked out there. I'm sure he's happy to be on his private jet back to New York now.

[pots]

Let's go White

[pots]

Atta boy White.  11 pitch RBI single.  3-2 Astros

Damn that was a 6 minute at bat

[hostros7]

Let's go White

Phenomenal AB to drive in the go ahead run.

[Nate in IA]

At least Gomez is no longer screwing himself into the ground but he's clearly not seeing the ball well at all.

[WVastro]

The white ab gives me hope for the kid.

[Nate in IA]

I love Marwin..

[pots]

Marwin with a 2 out RBI ground rule double.   Yes folks, that is 3 hits with RISP this inning, 

[Aussie Astro]

At least Gomez is no longer screwing himself into the ground but he's clearly not seeing the ball well at all.

I was sure he was going to take a hack at the first of the head high pitches

[pots]

I was sure he was going to take a hack at the first of the head high pitches

Seems like the strategy against Gomez lately.  Get 2 strikes then climb the ladder till he gets himself out

[Aussie Astro]

Seems like the strategy against Gomez lately.  Get 2 strikes then climb the ladder till he gets himself out

I don't know what he was doing while he was standing on deck, but I suspect he wasn't studying White's approach

[pots]

Marisnick not having a good day down at AAA.  0-4 with 3Ks

[Nate in IA]

Fiers curve is pretty devastating when he gets on top of it.

[Nate in IA]

Question of the night.  Do you let Fiers come out for the 8th or call for Giles?    I think  it's  probable that he comes back out for the 8th.

[WVastro]

Question of the night.  Do you let Fiers come out for the 8th or call for Giles?    I think  it's  probable that he comes back out for the 8th.

I want to see Giles out there. This is why he's here.

[Nate in IA]

Looks like it's Giles..

[Nate Colbert]

Looks like it's Giles..

Unfortunately.

[WVastro]

As much as I expected that, I didn't expect that.

[Nate in IA]

The number 9 hitter.   What the heck Ken!

[austro]

What the fuck is going on? It's like Giles has infected everybody else.

[austro]

I was hoping that we wouldn't regret not getting the extra run on Marwin's double that bounced over the fence, but here we are.

[WVastro]

Hell. Conger makes a better throw than that.

[chuck]

This team blows. It's hilarious. Fucking Luhnow with Gomez and Giles.

And Kratz. How that guy dons a major league uniform is beyond me. That throw on the stolen base looked a lot like his knuckler, just not quite as accurate.

[Texifornia]

Somebody buy Giles a ticket to Fresno. This is an absurd level of ineptitude.

[WVastro]

Well. We at least have a new setup man. Giles is officially toast.

[austro]

Somebody buy Giles a ticket to Fresno. This is an absurd level of ineptitude.

Obviously he couldn't have racked up the numbers he did in Philly if he threw like this there. What has changed?

[austro]

Say hello to the least intelligent man in the world.

[WVastro]

Son of a god damn son of a fucking bitch Gomez what the fucking fuck?!?!

[Nate in IA]

Unbelievable.

[chuck]

What a motherfucking idiot. Luhnow and Gomez deserve each other.

[Texifornia]

Say hello to the least intelligent man in the world.

UN Fucking Believable. Never make the first or third out at third.....Gomez is an absolute hot mess.

[The Third Man]

It is has been a tough year for Houston analytics.

[WVastro]

I don't think I could even sit next to Gomez on the bench right now and be able to make eye contact....

[WVastro]

This will be a well deserved loss or one lucky ass win.

[chuck]

Ground Control needs a reboot.

[austro]

Why didn't that guy try for 3rd?

[WVastro]

See that Gomez?! He stopped at second....

[WVastro]

Gomez has become a much worse ball player since he's arrived in Houston. I doubt it's a coaching issue. The dude doesn't have it between the ears. I'm glad he didn't break his hand but for fucks sake it's time to ride the pine.

[Navin R Johnson]

Gomez is the dumbest motherfucker to wear orange in a long time. Fucking sit his clown ass on the bench Hinch you spineless shill.

[Navin R Johnson]

Yes I am drunk.

[WVastro]

Yes I am drunk.

Dildo

[austro]

Well, that wasn't how I thought this would turn out an hour ago.

[WVastro]

Does Gomez have any options left?

[austro]

I am now beginning to wonder if we will ever win two in a row this season.

[Nate in IA]

Your 2016 Astros.. snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[chuck]

Luhnow thinks that a guy who can occasionally fire one in from the outfield at 100 mph outweighs his being a total fuckwit of a baseball player.

Remember when the Astros had GMs that were baseball professionals rather than PR guys or MBAs? Yeah, me too. That was back when they were a good team.

[WVastro]

Dildo

Ha!!!! I meant ditto!!! That sums the game up perfectly.

[chuck]

Ha!!!! I meant ditto!!! That sums the game up perfectly.

I just figured it was your autocorrect in action.

[WVastro]

I'm not sure if any of you have seen Trailer Park Boys... But if you have I feel like what this team needs is a good long fuck laden tirade from Ricky on what dumb-fucks they're being. The occasional Julian affirmation would only help.

[Navin R Johnson]

Fucking Altuve and Gomez laughing it up after Gomez makes a monumental stupid play tells me all I need to know.  This is the Rockets part Deux.  Fucking pathetic.

[WVastro]

Fucking Altuve and Gomez laughing it up after Gomez makes a monumental stupid play tells me all I need to know.  This is the Rockets part Deux.  Fucking pathetic.

Earlier I said I wouldn't be able to look Gomez in the eye if I was on the bench with him. That's exactly what I was referring to. Bagwell would have said two words and Gomez would know exactly what just happened.

[VirtualBob]

I just figured it was your autocorrect in action.

Does it learn from frequently used words?

[VirtualBob]

Fucking Altuve and Gomez laughing it up after Gomez makes a monumental stupid play tells me all I need to know.  This is the Rockets part Deux.  Fucking pathetic.

Exactly.  Gomez is an idiot, but this is a surprisingly unprofessional attitude from Altuve as well.

What WVastro said: 

Bagwell would have said two words and Gomez would know exactly what just happened.

[chuck]

Does it learn from frequently used words?

Mine does. I never have to complete writing my various choice words or combinations anymore.

And I figured that someone in West Virginia, well, who the hell knows what goes on over there.

[WVastro]

Mine does. I never have to complete writing my various choice words or combinations anymore.

And I figured that someone in West Virginia, well, who the hell knows what goes on over there.

We have dildos here. It's nuts.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Most of this crappy season can be laid at the feet of Do or Ray on the pregame (can't remember which he is).  He seems to be a constant with crappy teams.

Dave Raymond is the Rangers television play by play guy this year. He's not bad, much better than Steve Busby or Josh Lewin.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

FTR, I hated both the Gomez trade and the Giles trade, but only because I thought they gave up too much. None the less, I hoped for the best. In spite of the price, they seemed like good to potentially great players. So far they've been shitty players. Now that hope is gone.

Hinch? Luhnow? You super intelligent smartest guys in the room need to look up from your spread sheets and watch the fucking game, At this point the folly of putting Gomez and Giles in positions that can determine the outcome of a game, should be apparent to everyone. Is this what they tanked for?

[Jacksonian]

Obviously he couldn't have racked up the numbers he did in Philly if he threw like this there. What has changed?

The problem is between the ears.  I wonder if he's putting too much pressure on himself to justify the trade and be what they and he think he's supposed to be.

[pots]

The problem is between the ears.  I wonder if he's putting too much pressure on himself to justify the trade and be what they and he think he's supposed to be.

I think minimum a removal of setup duties is in order.  Move Harris into the 8th inning role.

I'd guess the Astros are 9-13 if Giles was not on the team and perhaps even better with Velasquez on it.

[MusicMan]

He has to go to Fresno. They can't afford to lose more games simply because he pitches.


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[pots]

He has to go to Fresno. They can't afford to lose more games simply because he pitches.


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That Hoyt fella that just missed the team is doing well at AAA:
11.1 6 3 3 0 18 0

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

And that throw by Kratz... WTF?!?!

[juliogotay]

Most of this crappy season can be laid at the feet of Do or Ray on the pregame (can't remember which he is).  He seems to be a constant with crappy teams.

It's Do and I pointed that out very early in the season when he was working on the early stages of his losing streak.

[austro]

And that throw by Kratz... WTF?!?!

And Gomez kicking around the single into center so that he couldn't make a throw,  and on and on... It's like they turned into pumpkins after 7 innings.

[juliogotay]

That Hoyt fella that just missed the team is doing well at AAA:
11.1 6 3 3 0 18 0

This is what I thought last night. Giles needs to go to Fresno and find his confidence. Gomez just needs to go. Cut. He's fucking toxic. He makes the whole team dumber. Lastly they need to ask Bagwell and/or Biggio what it would take for them to join the coaching staff like now as the "this is not how we do this here" coach.

[austro]

Lastly they need to ask Bagwell and/or Biggio what it would take for them to join the coaching staff like now as the "this is not how we do this here" coach.

That has to come from the inside. Either they've got pride in their work, or they don't.

[Reuben]

And that throw by Kratz... WTF?!?!

Kratz actually made a terrific throw to nail Billy Burns earlier in the game. Like, he threw it to the spot 2 inches off the ground, right between Burns' hand and second base, just in time. I was asleep and missed his error.

Exactly.  Gomez is an idiot, but this is a surprisingly unprofessional attitude from Altuve as well.

I didn't see this either, but it makes me wonder, perhaps Altuve was simply trying to keep the team loose, when they've clearly been pressing like crazy. That said, somebody needs to make sure Gomez (or Altuve, who did it against the Red Sox) never ever fucking does that again on the bases.