Astros at White Sox, 5/18/2016

[MusicMan]

Astros:
2b Altuve
RF Springer
SS Correa
CF Rasmus
DH Gattis
3b Moran
1b Valbuena
C Castro
LF Kemp
---
P Fister

White Sox:
RF Eaton
SS Rollins
1b Abreu
3b Frazier
LF Cabrera
2b Lawrie
DH Garcia
C Navarro
CF Jackson
---
P Latos

[HudsonHawk]

Single and a walk...first two Astros reach...

[HudsonHawk]

Correa singles, Altuve scores...runners at the corner, still nobody out

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Altuve singles to RF
Springer walks, Altuve to 2B
Correa...3-0...3-1...3-2...singles to RF, Altuve scores, Springer to 3B
Rasmus pops up to shallow CF, runners hold
Correa steals 2B
Gattis punches out at a pitch that bounces in front of the plate, 2-3 on the putout
Moran...first Major League at bat...strikes out swinging at a pitch in the dirt.  Latos didn't even have to throw anything close to the plate.

Astros get a run...lead 1-0

[austro]

Why would you ever throw these guys a pitch anywhere but in the dirt?

[austro]

Don't run on Kemp!

[HudsonHawk]

Three straight hits for the Sox ties it up...one out.

[HudsonHawk]

Why would you ever throw these guys a pitch anywhere but in the dirt?

I'd never throw Gattis a strike.  Ever. 

[austro]

Astros starting pitching back to its old tricks.

[pots]

Not sure how 10 total bases doesn't earn you a start the next day

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Eaton grounds to 3B, but the shift...no one is there...single, tries to stretch it, Kemp noodles one to 2B, but it's in time...score 7-4
Rollins doubles to RF on the first pitch
Abreu singles to RF, Rollins scores
Frazier walks, Abreu to 2B
Cabrera grounds into 4-6-3 double play

After one...1-1

[MusicMan]

First four batters reach, but Kemp's arm and a DP ball limit the damage to one run.


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[austro]

Nice play by Altuve to start that double play.

It would be nice to get more than 5 innings out of the starter after last night's extra-innings game, but that's not looking likely at this point.

[MusicMan]

I wonder how many outfielders have ever recorded an assist on their first play?


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[MusicMan]

Nice play by Altuve to start that double play.

It would be nice to get more than 5 innings out of the starter after last night's extra-innings game, but that's not looking likely at this point.

Devenski is available.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Valbuena...quickly down 0-2...grounds out 4-3
Castro flairs a single over 3B
Kemp...first Major League at bat...singles to LF on the first pitch...Castro tries for 3B and the throw goes between Frazier's leg...Kemp moves to 2B on the E7
Altuve grounds out 4-3 on the first pitch, Castro scores, Kemp to 3B
Springer lines out to RF

Astros retake the lead 2-1

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Lawrie strikes out looking
Garcia strikes out swinging
Navarro...3-0...3-1...grounds out 4-3

2-1 Astros

[doyce7]

Much better showing by fister there

[austro]

Much better inning for Fister. Probably had something to do with being in the bottom half of the order.

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Correa singles to LF
Rasmus grounds into FC, Correa out 4-6
Gattis strikes out swinging at a pitch that bounces in front of the plate...again.
Moran...full count...grounds out 4-3

2-1 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Jackson flies out F9
Eaton flies out F8
Rollins strikes out looking silly on a couple of yellowhammers

2-1 Astros

[BizidyDizidy]

Castro's ability to draw walks, given his limited ability to hit the baseball, is pretty impressive.

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve with an RBI single...3-1 Astros...two on, still one out.

[austro]

Castro's ability to draw walks, given his limited ability to hit the baseball, is pretty impressive.

Not to mention the blazing speed on the basebaths, as evidenced by his scoring on that bleeder through the left side.

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Valbuena grounds out softly 6-3...flips his bat like an idiot
Castro walks on four pitches
Kemp flairs one over 3B for a single, Castro to 2B
Altuve singles to LF, Castro scores, Kemp to 2B
Springer grounds into FC...Lawrie kicks the ball around for a while, but Altuve had to stop...Altuve out 4-6, Kemp to 3B
Correa...takes a hanging curve right down the center, grounds out 4-3 on a pitch that almost hits him in the chest.

3-1 Astros

[austro]

I'll bet Correa would like to see that hanging slider again.

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Abreu grounds out 4-3
Frazier grounds back to the box...1-3
Cabrera singles to RF
Lawrie strikes out swinging

3-1 still

[HudsonHawk]

Colby Jack!!

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Rasmus homers to RF
Gattis smacks one to 3B, knocked down by Frazier, but no play...infield single
Moran lines softly to SS
Valbuena grounds into 4-6-3 double play

4-1 Astros

[austro]

Rasmus really gave that one a ride.

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Garcia grounds out 3-1 on the first pitch
Navarro taps one past Fister...infield single
Jackson lines out to RF
Eaton...3-0...doubles to RCF...Navarro limps into 3B...would have been a triple
Rollins flies out F8 on a nice running grab by Rasmus...saves two runs

4-1 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Castrofly!!

[jbm]

I don't recall too many bombs like that from Castro.

[BizidyDizidy]

Guess that's why they walk him.

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Castro homers to RF
Kemp grounds out 6-3
Altuve singles to LF

I assume there's a pitching change, they're interviewing Kemp's mom...yep, Putnam in

Springer singles to LF on the first pitch, Altuve to 2B
Correa strikes out swinging
Rasmus grounds out 4-3 on the first pitch

Lots of traffic...one run to make it 5-1

[HudsonHawk]

Astros are 2 for 11 w/RISP and 21 LOB...through six innings.  I know they've got a 4-run lead, but this game should be about 12-1.

[HudsonHawk]

Bunt single and a triple for the Sox...5-2 with runner at 3B and one out

[homer]

DFA Ashby

[chuck]

DFA Ashby

I'm starting to get the impression that you don't care for him very much.

[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Abreu flies out F9
Frazier bunts to 3B, Moran fields it with the barehand...throw goes into the runner...scored a hit, but it could have been an out.
Cabrera triples to RCF, Frazier scores
Lawrie strikes out swinging
Garcia grounds out 3-1

5-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Nice job by Fister to limit the damage.  He had a little bad luck on the bunt, and then the triple that hit the post and bounced away from Springer.  Good job keeping it there. 

[BizidyDizidy]

Fister has been a very pleasant surprise.

[BudGirl]

DFA Ashby

I've learned to tune him out when I listen.

BTW, when is #2 due?

[BizidyDizidy]

Moran is a funny looking fucker.

[hostros7]

Paraphrasing:
Ashby: Moran's approach reminds me of a young John Olerud
Blum: huh. I don't really see it. He has a wide open stance whereas Olerud was closed, and Olerud was far more quiet and still in his stance.
Ashby: ...


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[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Gattis strikes out swinging...without actually being thrown a strike
Moran walks

That's all for Putnam, Jennings in

Valbuena singles to LF, Moran to 2B
Castro grounds into 5-4-3 twin killing

At the stretch...5-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Fister is worn out.

[HudsonHawk]

Fister out with 1 on and 1 out in the 7th...Giles in

[HudsonHawk]

Giles walks the first batter he faces...tying run at the plate.

[HudsonHawk]

Abreu singles in a run...Sox with runners at the corner and two out

[Jacksonian]

Giles is the new gas can?

[MusicMan]

Giles is the new gas can?

Eh, the single was a flare. This is not a gas can inning. Yet.

[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Navarro lines a single to RF
Jackson flies out F9

That's it for Fister....Giles in

Eaton...full count...walks, Navarro to 2B
Saladino in to run for Navarro
Rollins flies out F8 on the first pitch
Abreu singles to LF, Saladino scores, Eaton to 3B
Frazier...full count...flies out F8

After seven...5-3 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Kemp...3-0...walks on four pitches
Altuve...3-0...3-1...walks, Kemp to 2B
Springer grounds into a 5-4-3 triple play ON THE FIRST FUCKING PITCH!!!!!!!!

Unfucking believable.

5-3

[BudGirl]

Ashby was excited about it.

It didn't even seemed rushed.

[austro]

Unfucking believable.

Not with this team.

[Jacksonian]

Any other inning that's a double.

[HudsonHawk]

Not with this team.

If I could fine Springer for swinging at the first pitch there, it'd be his whole fucking salary. 

[HudsonHawk]

Any other inning that's a double.

Ball wasn't hit well at all.  That's an out in any inning.

[Jacksonian]

Ball wasn't hit well at all.  That's an out in any inning.

Right over the base no way that's a given with no runners on.

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Harris in...

Cabrera strikes out looking
Lawrie grounds out 6-3
Garcia strikes out looking

To the 9th...5-3 Astros

[BizidyDizidy]

27 years between triple plays

[homer]

BTW, when is #2 due?

Joined us Monday morning. Everyone is healthy.

[austro]

Right over the base no way that's a given with no runners on.

The bigger problem is that the pitcher had just walked the first two guys of the inning. There's no way Springer should have been swinging at the first pitch.

[WVastro]

In other news, Will Harris is the fucking man.

[BizidyDizidy]

HH - what do you think about Harris? On the one hand, he's a BAMF; on the other hand, that brim is looking awfully flat.

[HudsonHawk]

Right over the base no way that's a given with no runners on.

It bounced a couple of times.  Hit rather softly.  Frazier was in normal position.  If that ball gets by my third baseman, I'm pissed. 

[austro]

Joined us Monday morning. Everyone is healthy.

Yee haw! Congratulations! Now you'll be able to stay up and watch those west coast road games.

[Jacksonian]

The bigger problem is that the pitcher had just walked the first two guys of the inning. There's no way Springer should have been swinging at the first pitch.

I concur.

[BizidyDizidy]

Joined us Monday morning. Everyone is healthy.

Congratulations and good luck. Two is much harder than one, but its gravy after that. I'll let you know about 4 in a few months.

[HudsonHawk]

The bigger problem is that the pitcher had just walked the first two guys of the inning. There's no way Springer should have been swinging at the first pitch.

Walked Kemp on four, none close.  Walked Altuve on five, only the 3-0 fastball was close.  Springer's hacking at a pitch at his ankles.  Jennings throws 10 pitches, nine balls, one strike, walks two and gets out of the inning. 

[Jacksonian]

It bounced a couple of times.  Hit rather softly.  Frazier was in normal position.  If that ball gets by my third baseman, I'm pissed.

I think it was hit harder than that. Frazier had to take a step forward to touch third, then throw to second, and Springer was still out by a step at first. It was hit harder than you think.

[homer]

How is Ashby surprised, even a tiny bit, that Gregerson will close?

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Correa grounds out 3U
Rasmus strikes out swinging
Gattis strikes out looking....grabs the Golden Sombrero

5-3 Astros

[austro]

How the fuck was that a strike?

[HudsonHawk]

HH - what do you think about Harris? On the one hand, he's a BAMF; on the other hand, that brim is looking awfully flat.

And he always has this hang dog look on his face.  But I love the way he pitches.

[BizidyDizidy]

And he always has this hang dog look on his face.  But I love the way he pitches.

I hope Luke closes this one out, but feel like it could be Harris sooner than later.

[BudGirl]

Joined us Monday morning. Everyone is healthy.

Congrats to you and the wife and the big sister.

[HudsonHawk]

How the fuck was that a strike?

For 8 and 2/3rds innings, that's a ball. 

[WVastro]

That's why you never throw Gattis a strike. His strike zone starts at his ankles evidently.

[bubba]

Do I smell burning toast?

[HudsonHawk]

B9:

Gregerson in to try to close it out...

Avila...3-0...3-1...3-2...bounces back to the mound...1-3
Jackson flies out F7
Eaton strikes out swinging

Astros win 5-3!!!

[BizidyDizidy]

Nice one. Sweep em out tomorrow..

[BudGirl]

Not a bad start to the series.

[hostros7]

Congrats, homer! Good mojo for the stros apparently.


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[WVastro]

Good win. I'm not worried about tomorrow either way. This team has a faint pulse. Must be because they removed Gomez's pillow from their head.

[WVastro]

Only 5.5 behind B(L)annister and his traveling frat-boy shit-show. That's all I care about at the moment.

Eta:

Oops.... 5. Even better.

[juliogotay]

Paraphrasing:
Ashby: Moran's approach reminds me of a young John Olerud
Blum: huh. I don't really see it. He has a wide open stance whereas Olerud was closed, and Olerud was far more quiet and still in his stance.
Ashby: ...


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they were both left-handed.

[MusicMan]

they were both left-handed.

And mammals.

[chuck]

Congratulations and good luck. Two is much harder than one, but its gravy after that. I'll let you know about 4 in a few months.

Are you insane?

[Reuben]

they were both left-handed.

I think Olerud, like Moran, was a skinny, lanky white guy with below-average power who looked more like a future mugging victim than a baseball player. I think that's the connection Ashby couldn't get past.

[juliogotay]

I think Olerud, like Moran, was a skinny, lanky white guy with below-average power who looked more like a future mugging victim than a baseball player. I think that's the connection Ashby couldn't get past.

He was. And to make him more nerdy he wore a batting helmet when playing the field. I think he had a head injury or something. He had a pretty swing though and maybe that is what Ashby is getting at or just the physical appearance. I see that resemblance.

[Navin R Johnson]

From age 23 to 33, Olerud hit .305. 895 OPS and averaged 20 homers and 95 RBIs.   Not really a good comp for Moran.

[austro]

Are you insane?

I assume that's a rhetorical question.

[chuck]

I assume that's a rhetorical question.

I am just in awe.

[BizidyDizidy]

Are you insane?

You act like having 4 boys under 6 in a 1,200 square foot apartment in Manhattan is a crazy idea.

[BizidyDizidy]

I think Olerud, like Moran, was a skinny, lanky white guy with below-average power who looked more like a future mugging victim than a baseball player. I think that's the connection Ashby couldn't get past.

My favorite (apocryphal) Olerud story:

In spring training 1999, Rickey Henderson of the Mets was reunited with first baseman John Olerud, who had been his teammate with the Blue Jays six years earlier. As most people know, Olerud had an aneurysm in college, which required brain surgery. So to protect his head, he was allowed to wear a helmet in the field. As the story goes, Henderson was talking to Olerud one day, noticed the helmet and said “You know, when I played in Toronto, we had a guy who wore a helmet.”

“Rickey,” said Olerud, “that was me.”

http://www.fangraphs.com/not/the-hendersonolerud-story-three-adaptations/

[chuck]

You act like having 4 boys under 6 in a 1,200 square foot apartment in Manhattan is a crazy idea.

I can't imagine having four boys under six in a Gatsby style mansion set on 50 acres. And if your four are anything like my one, and I'm sure they are, you'll need to tie them together like an Alaskan dogsled team just to keep them from lighting out into all four cardinal directions once you hit the avenue.

[Reuben]

From age 23 to 33, Olerud hit .305. 895 OPS and averaged 20 homers and 95 RBIs.   Not really a good comp for Moran.

By that standard, no successful major leaguer is a "good comp" for a prospect. But yes, Olerud-type offense is obviously a best-case scenario for Moran (20 homers in Olerud's day I consider below-average for a 1B).

Mainly, though, it's the lanky/nerdy similarities.