Astros @ Indians, May 24, 2018

[HudsonHawk]

Don’t forget it’s an early 5:10 start

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Springer...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...walks
Bregman...0-2...1-2...strikes out looking...never swung the bat
Springer steals 2B
Altuve...Clevinger throws one high and tight and as Altuve had to dive back the ball grazes the bat right into the catcher’s mitt for a tough luck strike out
Correa strikes out swinging.

No score

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Leadoff walk,  then thud.

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Lindor grounds out 4-3
Bradley strikes out looking
Ramirez grounds to 2B...shift on and Altuve and Correa collide...Carlos come up with it though and throw to first for the 6-3

No score.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Marwin strikes out swinging
Gurriel...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...singles to RF
McCann pops to SS...Lindor let’s it drop and gets Gurriel at 2B, McCann to 1B on the FC
Marisnick...0-2, of course...1-2...flies out F9

Scoreless

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Encarnacion strikes out swinging
Alonso...extreme shift on...bunts down the 3B line for an easy base hit, the Indians first
Cabrera...3-0...3-1...3-2...fouling off pitches...flies out F7 in foul territory
Kipnis strikes out swinging

Nothin

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

So are these hour early starts the Indians effort to have more families at the ballpark or something?

[HudsonHawk]

Astros with two on, one out..l

[HudsonHawk]

So are these hour early starts the Indians effort to have more families at the ballpark or something?

Not sure. But they always start an hour earlier in Cleveland than everywhere else.

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Kemp lines out to CF
Springer with a rule book double spoons the RF line
Bregman walks
Altuve grounds into 6U-3 double play

No score

[HudsonHawk]

Indians grab an early 2-0 lead

[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Perez singles to LF on the first pitch
Allen lines one deep in LCF gap, but Jake runs it down!
Lindor hits the next pitch to the same spot but Jake can’t get it, Perez to 3B on the double
Brantley...infield in...rolls one just past a diving Altuve...Perez scores, Lindor scores
Ramirez grounds a perfect double play ball to 2B, but shift on and Correa cuts in front of Altuve so no chance at two. 6-3, Brantley to 2B
Brantley to 3B on a passed ball
Encarnacion...3-0...3-1...walks
Alonso lines out to SS in the shift

2-0 Indians

[HudsonHawk]

Someone do some pbp

[HudsonHawk]

Bregman!!!

3-run tater

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

McCann grounds out 4-3
Marisnick singles to LF
Marisnick picked off of 1B
Kemp...0-2... hit by pitch
Kemp steals 2B
Springer...3-0...walks
Bregman...2-0...takes strike one...takes strike two...homers to LF, Kemp scores, Springer scores
Altuve grounds out 6-3

Astros take a 3-2 lead

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Allen grounds out 3U
Lindor grounds out 6-3 into the shift on a diving stop
Brantley strikes out swinging.

3-2 Astros

[Tom Servo]

Did Alonso seem very nonchalant on that ground ball?  I thought it was a potential DP.

[HudsonHawk]

Astros with runners on the corners, one out...

[HudsonHawk]

Did Alonso seem very nonchalant on that ground ball?  I thought it was a potential DP.

I thought the same thing. Seemed like a good double play ball.

[HudsonHawk]

Stassi with a pinch hit RBI single!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Stassi comes through again.

[Tom Servo]

The new and improved Jake! 

[hostros7]

Jake jack!


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[TerryPuhl21]

Jake!!!!!!!


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[HudsonHawk]

Jake!!!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Yee-Haw!!!

[hostros7]

So are these hour early starts the Indians effort to have more families at the ballpark or something?

I read once that it is an effort to entice more of the downtown working crowd through the turnstiles because most of them live in the suburbs and do not want to turn back around minutes after arriving at home. I have no knowledge about Cleveland demographics and commute patterns, so I’m passing along completely unfounded and unverified hearsay. Your rationale seems as good as any. The real reason may be a combination of them all. My preference would be for Astros home games to start closer to 6-6:30 but younger me loved the west coast start times, so the only thing that’s certain is that they’ll never be able to please everyone.


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[Tom Servo]

Pile it on, boys!

[TerryPuhl21]

THIS, is Astros baseball!!!!


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[hostros7]

Well, this is pleasant.


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[Jacksonian]

I read once that it is an effort to entice more of the downtown working crowd through the turnstiles because most of them live in the suburbs and do not want to turn back around minutes after arriving at home. I have no knowledge about Cleveland demographics and commute patterns, so I’m passing along completely unfounded and unverified hearsay. Your rationale seems as good as any. The real reason may be a combination of them all. My preference would be for Astros home games to start closer to 6-6:30 but younger me loved the west coast start times, so the only thing that’s certain is that they’ll never be able to please everyone.


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Paging Mr. Happy.

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Correa slaps a single to RF
Marwin grounds out 3U, Correa to 2B. Not sure what Alonso was thinking there. Looked like a double play ball.
Gurriel singles to LF, Correa to 3B

That’s it for Clevinger, Olson in

Stassi, pinch hitting for McCann...singles to LF, Correa scores, Gurriel to 2B

Olson out, Ramirez in

Marisnick homers to CF, Gurriel scores, Stassi scores
Kemp grounds out 4-3
Springer singles to RF
Springer steals 2B
Bregman doubles to RCF, Springer scores

And Ramirez is out, Drake in

Altuve flies out F8

But Astros take an 8-2 lead

[TerryPuhl21]

McHugh could use some work. I’d like to AJ get him ready for the 7th, 8th and 9th.


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[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Ramirez...3-0...four pitch walk
Encarnacion...0-2...1-2...2-2...flies out F9
Alonso strikes out swinging
Cabrera flies out F7

8-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Correa strikes out swinging
Marwin grounds out 4–3
Gurriel strikes out swinging

At the stretch...8-2 Astros

[Tom Servo]

Kemp!  Nice play!

[TerryPuhl21]

Nice play Tony!!!!!!


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[TerryPuhl21]

Kemp!  Nice play!

He is making the most of his latest opportunity. Good for him!


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[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Rondon in for the Astros

Kipnis flies out F7 on a leaping catch by Kemp, crashing into the wall
Perez strikes out swinging
Allen grounds to SS, but shiftfuck. Bregman fielded it, but no chance
Lindor grounds out 4-3

8-2

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

McAllister takes the pill

Stassi...0-2...strikes out looking on three pitches
Marisnick...0-2...strikes out looking on three pitches
Kemp slaps a single to LCF on the first pitch
Springer strikes out swinging

8-2

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

McHugh in

Brantley strikes out swinging
Ramirez flairs a single to CF on the first pitch
Encarnacion flies out F9
Alonso pops out F5

8-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve 0 for 5...only guy without a hit

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Tomlin in

Bregman grounds out 5-3
Altuve grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch
Correa grounds out 6-3 on the first pitch

8-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

B9:

McHugh stays in to try to close it out

Cabrera...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging
Kipnis flies out F7
Perez grounds out 4-3

Astros with a nice 8-2 win!

[Tom Servo]

Good win!

[JimR]

He is making the most of his latest opportunity. Good for him!


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Kemp is who/what we needed for LF. Nori with more speed.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

And they got the big inning in just before the7th/ 8th grade choir spring show started.

[HudsonHawk]

Rockets throwing up brick after brick, and Kevin Durant is taking them to school. Yet somehow the Rockets lead by five after the 1Q.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

P J Tucker is a smooth brute.

[HudsonHawk]

P J Tucker is a smooth brute.

If Harden could score, they’d be up by 30 points.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Durant is such a freak.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

JT is smaller than JJ's arm.

[HudsonHawk]

Wow. Rockets  and especially Harden are ice cold.

[HudsonHawk]

Rockets could not have played a worse half, but are inexplicably tied a the half.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Rockets could not have played a worse half, but are inexplicably tied a the half.

It's as encouraging as it is depressing.

[hostros7]

Rockets could not have played a worse half, but are inexplicably tied a the half.

The defense and effort have been worse. Your characterization is otherwise spot on.

[HudsonHawk]

It's as encouraging as it is depressing.

It’s all Harden and that isolation bullshit. It’s what got them spanked in Games 1 and 3. They’ve learned nothing.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Shaq and Charles make Ernie Johnson and Kenny like Hobbits.

[chuck]

So this is the golden age of the NBA, huh?

[chuck]

Paging Mr. Happy.

He lives in Toledo.

Do people living in Toledo know that their name hasn't traveled very well?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

So this is the golden age of the NBA, huh?

More like the bronze age.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It's about time for Harden to snap out of it.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Thompson and Curry are cold blooded assassins.

[VirtualBob]

I foolishly checked in here first after being off the grid today expecting to find something to do with baseball.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I foolishly checked in here first after being off the grid today expecting to find something to do with baseball.

Oh man, you really blew it. You missed a great baseball game. The Astros were down two and poured on 7 or 8 runs for the come from behind victory.

[HudsonHawk]

It's about time for Harden to snap out of it.

He’s killing his team.

[HudsonHawk]

I foolishly checked in here first after being off the grid today expecting to find something to do with baseball.

There’s a whole 9 innings of baseball. Astros won.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

He’s killing his team.

Even his passes are discombobulated.

[HudsonHawk]

This is th single worst officiated basketball game ever. And that’s saying something

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Foul on Ariza is worst call I've seen tonight, so far..

[Astros Fan in Big D]

This is th single worst officiated basketball game ever. And that’s saying something

That call is a stain on officiating in every sport.

[austro]

This is th single worst officiated basketball game ever. And that’s saying something

There are 25 callable fouls on every possession, but rather than call any of those, they just make shit up. It's really frustrating.

[HudsonHawk]

Rockets are running in mud, throwing up brick after brick after brick. Harden is having the worst game of his career. The officials are abysmal. Rockets only down by one point heading to the 4Q.

[chuck]

This is th single worst officiated basketball game ever. And that’s saying something

Do you ever watch the NBA? The officiating, though horrible, is well above average for the league's games. WELL above average.

[HudsonHawk]

Do you ever watch the NBA? The officiating, though horrible, is well above average for the league's games. WELL above average.

Its rarely this bad. Granted, the NBA is by far the worst officiated league. It’s not even close. But this has been worse than usual.

[HudsonHawk]

Officials now take two points away from the Rockets on a play 5 minutes ago. Awful.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

So who you guys pulling for in the Stanley Cup Finals?

[chuck]

Its rarely this bad. Granted, the NBA is by far the worst officiated league. It’s not even close. But this has been worse than usual.

No way. The officiating here is considerably better than average.

The point is, though, that the horrible officiating that you see any time you watch a game is exactly what the league wants. That is one reason among many that I absolutely cannot take the league seriously.

[chuck]

So who you guys pulling for in the Stanley Cup Finals?

Vegas, baby.

Who the hell are they playing against?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Thanks for the bail out foul behind the arc,  Durant

[HudsonHawk]

Vegas, baby.

Who the hell are they playing against?

Washington. After the Lightning  stepped on their dicks. Three times.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Vegas, baby.

Who the hell are they playing against?

Wash Caps

[chuck]

Washington. After the Lightning  stepped on their dicks. Three times.

Well, I certainly hope they finish the series quickly so everyone can get ready for the start of the season early in July.

[HudsonHawk]

Well, I certainly hope they finish the series quickly so everyone can get ready for the start of the season early in July.

I have no idea when the NHL season starts or if it ever really ends. But there’s always a game on.

Personally, I think the NBA shouldn’t start until Christmas.

[chuck]

Did I ever tell you guys that in a previous life I won a scholarship named in honor of Steve Kerr's father? I was a Malcolm Kerr Scholar. I once told Steve about it and he didn't seem all that moved. Maybe it was the delivery, who knows.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I have no idea when the NHL season starts or if it ever really ends. But there’s always a game on.

Personally, I think the NBA shouldn’t start until Christmas.

I'd settle for Thanksgiving.

[chuck]

So the triangle offense has kind of gone out of style, huh?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Did I ever tell you guys that in a previous life I won a scholarship named in honor of Steve Kerr's father? I was a Malcolm Kerr Scholar. I once told Steve about it and he didn't seem all that moved. Maybe it was the delivery, who knows.

I can't imagine how losing a father under those circumstances would affect a young man.  Always respected him apart fron his prowess on the court and on the sideline.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Who was that was Dream?  Earl Cureton?

[HudsonHawk]

Did I ever tell you guys that in a previous life I won a scholarship named in honor of Steve Kerr's father? I was a Malcolm Kerr Scholar. I once told Steve about it and he didn't seem all that moved. Maybe it was the delivery, who knows.

That’s almost as sad as Noe’s Denny Walling story.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

So the triangle offense has kind of gone out of style, huh?

Yes, not much posting up or mid-range either. Mostly driving for layup or kicking out for a 3, or just stop and pop a 3.

[HudsonHawk]

Yes, not much posting up or mid-range either. Mostly driving for layup or kicking out for a 3, or just stop and pop a 3.

Which is why Shaq and Barkley hate the NBA now. It rewards shooters.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

2 consecutive Rocket possessions, zero passes.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Did I ever tell you guys that in a previous life I won a scholarship named in honor of Steve Kerr's father? I was a Malcolm Kerr Scholar. I once told Steve about it and he didn't seem all that moved. Maybe it was the delivery, who knows.

Well, you tried. Good on you BTW.

[chuck]

Who was that was Dream?  Earl Cureton?

That's not Elvin Hayes?

[HudsonHawk]

That's not Elvin Hayes?

The Big E.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Which is why Shaq and Barkley hate the NBA now. It rewards shooters.

It's still about finding ways to win. Which is why I'll always be a fan. That said I probably don't watch more than 10 regular seasons games.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

The Big E.

Yep. Thanks.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Keith Jones has been around for 20 years.

[HudsonHawk]

Rockets fucked again!

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Wtf?  Reversed?

[chuck]

Well, you tried. Good on you BTW.

He was sitting on the court in his broadcast area, next to Reggie Miller, and they were preparing for a game. I was there very early and had club type seats that allow you to sort of roam around wherever you want. This was in Miami, by the way. He saw me standing there and immediately apologized that he had missed our dinner engagement the night before. This was something of a surprise to me since we had never before met and certainly had no plans. Anyway, maybe he was thrown off by having mistaken me for someone else.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Rockets fucked again!

Unbelievable.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Suck it,  Draymond!

[chuck]

Why anyone other than Curry or Durant would touch the ball on that possession I will never know.

[HudsonHawk]

Rockets win!!!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Man, I hope Paul is okay.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

CP3 looks like a man who knows he's done for the series

[HudsonHawk]

Why anyone other than Curry or Durant would touch the ball on that possession I will never know.

Yeah, not sure what they were thinking, other than that the Rockets would be guarding the 3-point line and Green would get an easy 2. Worked out though. Stone cold foul shots by Gordon.

[austro]

CP3 looks like a man who knows he's done for the series

That's what it looked like to me, too.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Yeah, hammys don't heal fast. First hand experience. Multiple times.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I can't believe the Rockets said "let's pull that Game 1 gameplan out of the dumpster and see how things shake out."

And won.

[HudsonHawk]

Cougars won two games today, Astros with a nice win in Cleveland, and the Rockets with a huge win. Good day for Houston sports!

[Aussie Astro]

I didn't know the number of dribbles was a stat  but I saw something the other day that when Harden has more than 500 dribbles in game the rockets go down, when he has some other magic number (way less than 500) they win.  I should have paid more attention to it but I guess we all know that he is a big factor in win / loss for the team. 

[HudsonHawk]

I really like Chuck’s seersucker suit. Not a fan of Kenny Smith’s tribute to Barney.

[HudsonHawk]

Yeah, hammys don't heal fast. First hand experience. Multiple times.

You’re no Chris Paul, Senator.

[chuck]

I used to have a seersucker suit. I wonder what the hell happened to it.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I used to have a seersucker suit. I wonder what the hell happened to it.

I had a blue and white striped one back in the early 80s.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Punchline: No, I said go to Cox's and get a seersucker suit.

[chuck]

Maybe you got yours at Sears. I got mine at Jos. A. Bank.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Charlie Morton is 7-0 in ten starts with a WHIP under 1 and an ERA a hair north of 2.

This team has at least three legit Cy Young candidates, none of whom are Cy Young award winner Dallas Keuchel.

2018’s pitching = 2017’s offense.

And how much of a stud is Springer? Two steals today? Who IS this guy?

It’s going to be stupid when/if the middle infield gets untracked.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

2018’s pitching = 2017’s offense.

Astros lead the majors in run differential at +116.

Next up are the Yankees and Bosox tied at +77.

Crazy good pitching.