Astros @ Dodgers, August 3, 2018

[HudsonHawk]

Another late start...

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Springer walks
Reddick grounds into a FC on the first pitch, Springer out 3-6 at 2B
Bregman pops out softly to 2B
Yuli grounds up the middle, Machado fields it behind the bag and flips to 2B, but it's not in time as Reddick is hustling down the line...infield single
Davis reaches and rolls out slowly 5-3

No score

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Uh, Springer,  about that unnecessary dive into 1B ...

[HudsonHawk]

1-0 Dodgers after one batter.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Dang it.

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Pederson homers to RF on a 2-strike pitch
Machado pops out F4
Turner strikes out swinging
Grandal strikes out swinging

1-0 Dodgers

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Good looking breaking balls there.

[austro]

Of all the assholes in the universe, we get Pederson.

[hostros7]

Kind of wanted to see JV swing away, but I’ll take the single from Jake.


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[hostros7]

Well, there you go


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[hostros7]

That one is in me.

- kubes


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[Astros Fan in Big D]

Weird pickoff attempt

[austro]

George hit that ball hard.

[hostros7]

Springer roped that ball.


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[Astros Fan in Big D]

Springer smashed that pitch.

[hostros7]

Springer smashed that pitch.

Bellinger receives an error, but he did a noble job of keeping that laser from going through to the wall.


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[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Marwin…3-0...3-1...flies out F9
Maldonado...0 for his last 30...full count...walks
Marisnick singles to LF, Maldonado to 2B
Verlander...not bunting...0-2...now tries to bunt a pitch that almost hits his back foot and misses
Springer lines a single to CF, Maldonado scores, Bellinger kicks it into LF allowing Marisnick to score and Springer to move to 2B on the E8
Reddick walks
Bregman lines out to LF...hit it well, but right at em

2-1 Astros

[hostros7]

Damn, LF was well-positioned


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[Astros Fan in Big D]

Bregman shaved again.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

He got a FB in a FB count but it was well placed and fouled.

I thought,  maybe he'll hang a breaker.

He did,  Bregman smacked it, and Joc Freaking Pederson was right there.

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Bellinger strikes out looking
Kemp...0-2...1-2...strike out looking
Muncy strikes out swinging

2-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Uncle Charlie visiting Dodger Stadium.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Davis smacks one thru the SS's glove.

[HudsonHawk]

Ump has decided this game is taking too long and he needs to move it along.

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Gurriel...full count...flies out F7
Davis...full count...singles to LF
Marwin….0-2...flies out F8
Maldonado...0-2...1-2...2-2 wild pitch, Davis to 2B...strikes out swinging at a pitch in the dirt...it gets away from Grandal, but he runs it down and nips the slow-footed Maldonado who was jogging down to 1B to complete the strikeout.

2-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Maldonado got a late start out of the box.  Easily could have been safe at first.

[HudsonHawk]

Maldonado got a late start out of the box.  Easily could have been safe at first.

And he "ran" about as fast as Marisnick walks.

[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Taylor flairs a single to LF
Wood...0-2...bunts foul for the strikeout
Pederson flies out F8
Machado taps back to the mound

2-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Good battle between Pederson and Verlander.

[austro]

Oh, Jake. If he could refrain from swinging at obvious balls it would really help.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Verlander wins the battle of which pitcher will ot a ball in play first tonight.

And I'm ok with him inching down the line.

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Marisnick strikes out swinging
Verlander grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch
Springer flies out F9

2-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

JV overpowered Turner.

3 pitches.

[BudGirl]

So, is the season was starting tomorrow what order would your starting 5 be?

[austro]

I'm surprised that Verlander didn't try to hit that down-and-inside hole in Bellinger's swing on that two-strike pitch. Maybe he's saving it for the next at-bat.

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Turner...0-2...strikes out swinging
Grandal...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging
Bellinger...0-2...singles to LF...tried to check his swing on a pitch three feet off the plate in his eye, and accidentally punched it into LF...first time in his career he's put a ball in play against Verlander
Kemp strikes out swinging

2-1 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

So, is the season was starting tomorrow what order would your starting 5 be?

Verlander
Cole
Keuchel
Morton
McCullers

[BudGirl]

Verlander
Cole
Keuchel
Morton
McCullers

That's what I had in my head. But then I thought, McCullers fifth?  Rather different from opening day.

And Happy anniversary.

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Reddick broken bat pop out F4
Bregman hit by pitch
Gurriel grounds into a FC on the first pitch, Bregman out 5-4
Davis...full count...grounds out 5-3

2-1 Astros

[austro]

Shit, nice play by Turner.

[HudsonHawk]

That's what I had in my head. But then I thought, McCullers fifth?  Rather different from opening day.

Yeah, a few guys switch places, but that's still a strong starting five.

And Happy anniversary.

Thanks

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Shit, nice play by Turner.

Yep.

JD has hit it hard twice.

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Muncy...0-2...strikes out swinging
Taylor lines out to CF on the first pitch
Wood...0-2...bunts it foul for the strkeout

2-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Thanks for that,  Wood.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Alex clearly lost a bet.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Ok Maldonado,  *now* you can jog to first.

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Marwin...0-2...strikes out swinging
Maldonado hit by pitch
Marisnick grounds into 6-4-3 double play

2-1 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Pederson taps out in front of the plate, Maldonado fields it and throws him out
Machado...full count...comebacker to Verlander...1-3
Turner walks
Grandal...0-2...1-2...2-2...strikes out looking

2-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Um Grandal, that ball cut a swath thru the zone.

[chuck]

I  can't be alone in this but literally every time I see Verlander out there I think, Incredible, that guy pitches for the Astros.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Dave Roberts finds a way to slow the game with a pitching change before the freaking inning starts.

FTD

[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Floro in for the Dodgers...

Verlander pops out F4
Springer...0-2...1-2...grounds out 3U
Reddick strikes out swinging

2-1 Astros at the stetch

[BudGirl]

I  can't be alone in this but literally every time I see Verlander out there I think, Incredible, that guy pitches for the Astros.

I think that and sometimes I still don't believe they won the world series. 

[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Bellinger lines out to 2B on the first pitch
Kemp pops out F3 on the first pitch
Muncy strikes out swinging

2-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Efficient 7th.

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Hudson in...

Bregman grounds out 6-3
Gurriel grounds out 6-3
Davis lines out to RF

2-1 Astros

[Tom Servo]

Great 3-2 pitch.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Great 3-2 pitch.

Amen.

[HudsonHawk]

Verlander leaves with one on and two out in the 8th...tying run at 1B...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Impressed that Douche was able to get that far in front of that 96 mph FB he fouled into the stands.

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Taylor singles up the middle on the first pitch
Dozier, pinch hitting for Hudson...flies out F8 on the first pitch
Pederson...3-0...3-1 on a 1,000 mph 700-ft foul ball...3-2...strikes out swinging

And that's it for Verlander...Rondon in on a double switch...White in for Davis and moves to 1B as Yuil moves to 3B...

Taylor steals 2B
Machado...works the count full...flies out F9

to the 9th...Astros up 2-1

[Tom Servo]

Impressed that Douche was able to get that far in front of that 96 mph FB he fouled into the stands.

No kidding.  My heart skipped for a second.

Good job by Rondon.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Whew.

Let's check some quotes on insurance.

[Tom Servo]

Fuckers.  Stop hitting our batters!

[BudGirl]

Yeah!

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Marwin grounds out 4-3
Maldonado flies out F8
Marisnick hit by pitch
Marisnick steals 2B
White grounds out 6-3

2-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Tyler White reminds me of the dwarf from Lord of the Rings.

[Tom Servo]

Just an FYI, Seattle has lost 7-2, Detroit/Oakland scoreless in the top of the 12th.

[Tom Servo]

So Marwin is not allowed to move?  What the hell?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

So Marwin is not allowed to move?  What the hell?

That was bizarre.

[Tom Servo]

YES!  Nice win.  Great pitching!

[HudsonHawk]

B9:

Turner flies out F9 as the ump yells at Marwin for moving
Grandal strikes out swinging
Bellinger PONCHE!!!!

Astros win!!!!

[HudsonHawk]

That's a National League win right there.  Good ballgame.

[chuck]

I like Maldonado a lot.

[chuck]

And that's another thing, that's exactly the sort of game I miss.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Nice win!

And yes,  I am unbelievably grateful that Justin Verlander is a Houston Astro.

[HudsonHawk]

I have a sport coat just like Mike Stanton's

[TerryPuhl21]

I didn’t post until it was over because we were winning. I didn’t want to jinx it or change the mojo. BIG win tonight and what performance by Verlander! Big hit by Jake and Springer to help get out runs and an ice water performance by Rondon!

Also, he isn’t going to do much at the plate offensively but I like Maldonado behind the plate. Nice job all around guys!!


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[Astros Fan in Big D]

I have a sport coat just like Mike Stanton's

You should try to sneak on the set and do some analysis.

[JimR]

Bellinger may still be standing there.

[Tom Servo]

You should try to sneak on the set and do some analysis.

I'm sure there would be some choice words about the shift.

[HudsonHawk]

I didn’t post until it was over because we were winning. I didn’t want to jinx it or change the mojo. BIG win tonight and what performance by Verlander! Big hit by Jake and Springer to help get out runs and an ice water performance by Rondon!

Also, he isn’t going to do much at the plate offensively but I like Maldonado behind the plate. Nice job all around guys!!


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Maldonado has a huge hole in his bat.  But he's not here to hit.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm sure there would be some choice words about the shift.

I'm not as jolly as Mike when I watch the games.

[chuck]

Bellinger may still be standing there.

HPU was pretty good tonight and strike three was a strike for anyone, anywhere. He can stand there until they level the place.

[HudsonHawk]

Bellinger may still be standing there.

He was not happy about strike two or strike three.

[chuck]

I'm not as jolly as Mike when I watch the games.

But you're every bit as chatty, and that counts for something.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Kudos to Jake and Maldonado.  Walk,  then a base knock, and both came in to score on Springer's rocket.  Particularly welcome for bottom of the order to contribute with pitchers hitting in the next 5 (now 4) games.

[JimR]

Maldonado has a huge hole in his bat.  But he's not here to hit.

Sign him for next year. He is good back there.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I'm not as jolly as Mike when I watch the games.

"SWING THE FUCKING BAT!!!"

(Camera cuts to Eschenfelder cowering behind his chair)

[TerryPuhl21]

Sign him for next year. He is good back there.

I agree. I know he didn’t catch that runner in the 8th, but the ball looks so much different coming out of his hand. Dude can chunk it! Yuli will probably have to ice his hand tonight after catching that rocket from him about 60 feet away. Which was a super nice play by Maldonado.


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[Tom Servo]

I agree. I know he didn’t catch that runner in the 8th, but the ball looks so much different coming out of his hand. Dude can chunk it! Yuli will probably have to ice his hand tonight after catching that rocket from him about 60 feet away. Which was a super nice play by Maldonado.


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If Marwin was able to get in front of the bag, that runner was out.

[HudsonHawk]

I agree. I know he didn’t catch that runner in the 8th, but the ball looks so much different coming out of his hand. Dude can chunk it! Yuli will probably have to ice his hand tonight after catching that rocket from him about 60 feet away. Which was a super nice play by Maldonado.


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He had no shot on that stolen base.  He threw a seed down to 2B, and Taylor was already on the bag

[Tom Servo]

He had no shot on that stolen base.  He threw a seed down to 2B, and Taylor was already on the bag

The ball hit the runner before he tagged the bag.

[HudsonHawk]

If Marwin was able to get in front of the bag, that runner was out.

The throw went towards the 1B side.  Marwin was in position.  It was a strong throw, but off the mark a bit.

[HudsonHawk]

The ball hit the runner before he tagged the bag.

That doesn't mean Maldonado had much of a chance on the throw.  The ball hit him in the ass as he touched the bag.

[MusicMan]

I have a sport coat just like Mike Stanton's

You should rethink your sartorial choices.


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[HudsonHawk]

You should rethink your sartorial choices.


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What’s wrong with it?  It’s a nice tan and black houndstooth. I wouldn’t wear that ugly tie with it, but I like the jacket.

[MusicMan]

What’s wrong with it?  It’s a nice tan and black houndstooth. I wouldn’t wear that ugly tie with it, but I like the jacket.

I didn’t see it, I just know the crap Stanton usually wears.


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[JimR]

I didn’t see it, I just know the crap Stanton usually wears.


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I thought it was nice looking.

[Snuffy]

So Marwin is not allowed to move?  What the hell?

The Dodgers announcers guessed that Marvin was moving back & forth behind the pitcher, causing the ump to shift also.  It disturbed the batter's background.

They suggested that making a habit of that might lead to some ducking and dancing during a forthcoming AB.