Twins @ Astros, Labor Day 2018

[Nate Colbert]

No Tuve or White...

1. Springer
2. Kemp
3. Bregman
4. Correa
5. Marwin
6. Gurriel
7. McCann
8. Gattis
9. Reddick

Keuchel

[MusicMan]

That’s an odd lineup, especially considering Altuve got a DH day yesterday.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Outlawscotty]

TV coverage?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Astros Fan in Big D]

TV coverage?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ATTSportsnet

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That’s an odd lineup, especially considering Altuve got a DH day yesterday.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Makes you wonder about that knee.

[hostros7]

Is Mauer the slowest man ever to bat in the leadoff spot?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Unsung hero of WS game 2 calling balls/strikes.

[WVastro]

Makes you wonder about that knee.

I’ve been more worried about the elbow...

[Texifornia]

1st inning Keuchel can be difficult...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Nice catch by Josh.

That ball was nosediving quickly.

[HudsonHawk]

Keuchel with a little bad luck, a little bad command...Twins with the bases loaded, two out...

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Mauer chops back to the mound, Keuchel stabs it, but doesn't realize it's in his glove...looks around for it...now it falls out of his glove and Keuchel picks it up and throws to 1B, but can't get him...infield single
Forsythe...3-0...3-1...walks, Mauer to 2B
Polanco flies out F9 on a diving catch by Reddick
Garver...0-2...grounds into a FC, Forsythe out 6-4 at 2B, Mauer to 3B...hit too soft for the twin killing
Grossman walks, Garver to 2B
Sano grounds into FC, Garver out 5U at 3B

No score

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Whew.

Enough of that other stuff,  Dallas.  Just stick to getting them out.

[Texifornia]

It seems Dallas struggles in the first at least in part because he must find the ump's strike zone that day. He may struggle more than some pitchers because he must live on the corners in the bottom of the zone more than most pitchers.

I wonder how he might be effected by RoboUmp (tm)?

[HudsonHawk]

Bregman!!!

1-0

[Astros Fan in Big D]

BREGMAN!!

[Texifornia]

Alex gettin' a little more pop in his pop-ups.

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Springer grounds out 6-3
Kemp...works the count full...grounds out 6-3
Bregman homers to LF
Correa...0-2...1-2...grounds out 5-3

1-0 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

He's been really,  really good.

Without him playing at this level we'd have been chasing Oakland for a few weeks now.

[Texifornia]

WTF happened to Marwin?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Marwin out, replaced by White at first.

[Texifornia]

Marwin out, replaced by White at first.

Any word why?

[MusicMan]

Alex gettin' a little more pop in his pop-ups.

He’s coming to your ci-tay?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Any word why?

They showed AJ talking to him in the dugout as he was getting his batting gloves on.   

Said they'd have to wait on word from the clubhouse.

[Ty in Tampa]

Any word why?

No speculation by the TV guys but he was putting in batting gloves in the dugout between innings when AJ came up to him and said something.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Marwin out, White replaces him in the lineup at 1B as Gurriel moves to 2B

Cave strikes out looking
Austin...full count...grounds out 4-3
Field grounds out 5-3

1-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Marwin with "right oblique discomfort".  Oh shit.

[Ty in Tampa]

Right oblique discomfort for Marwin.

[Tom Servo]

"Discomfort of the right oblique"

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Strike 2 wasn't exactly a strike.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That's a welcome turn of events.

[MusicMan]

McCann vs a sloth - how much of a lead could the sloth spot McCann?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Mccann to the RF corner.

Run in, 1st/3rd no outs for Gattis.

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

White...who replaced Marwin after one...punches a single to RF...good 2-strike hitting
Gurriel...full count...grounds to SS...and Polanco kicks it into CF...White to 3B on the E6
McCann...3-0...3-1...3-2...singles  into the RF corner...White scores, Gurriel to 3B...McCann broke that down pretty early, didn't want to test the knee
Gattis grounds into 5-4-3 double play, Gurriel scores
Reddick pops out to shallow CF on the first pitch

3-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

McCann vs a sloth - how much of a lead could the sloth spot McCann?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did the sloth just have knee surgery?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

McCann vs a sloth - how much of a lead could the sloth spot McCann?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Geology is faster.

[MusicMan]

Did the sloth just have knee surgery?

McCann wasn’t exactly swift before the surgery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HudsonHawk]

McCann wasn’t exactly swift before the surgery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, but he's on 2B  with a healthy knee.  A little unfair to knock him now.

[Lefty]

McCann vs a sloth - how much of a lead could the sloth spot McCann?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was just wondering about Julia in the Eckersley costume vs. McCann.

[HudsonHawk]

A board full of track stars...who knew?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

No, but he's on 2B  with a healthy knee.  A little unfair to knock him now.

I'm happy.   RBI knock,  and for the trail runner to third for the next guy to bring in.

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Mauer singles up the middle
Forsythe...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging
Polanco...3-0...3-1...flies out F8
Garver grounds out 6-3 on the first pitch

3-0 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

3 runs the first time thru the lineup.

Let's see if we can build on that.

[HudsonHawk]

One of the Astros' runs last inning should have been earned.  The Astros' scorer has apparently never seen a baseball game before.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

One of the Astros' runs last inning should have been earned.  The Astros' scorer has apparently never seen a baseball game before.

Weird.

Especially after last night's scenario.

[HudsonHawk]

Weird.

Especially after last night's scenario.

Two nights in a row he's fucked up the scoring.

[HudsonHawk]

Jebus Correa...you can't set it on a tee any better...SWING THE FUCKING BAT!!

[Lefty]

One of the Astros' runs last inning should have been earned.  The Astros' scorer has apparently never seen a baseball game before.

Can he not presume the GIDP on Gurriel's grounder?

[HudsonHawk]

Can he not presume the GIDP on Gurriel's grounder?

No.

About the only time you can assume a double play is when there's an error fielding the throw on the second out.

[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Springer strikes out swinging
Kemp grounds out 4-3
Bregman walks
Correa...takes a meatball for strike one...takes strike two...1-2...2-2...grounds out 5-3

3-0 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

No.

Right,  so Gurriel's run should be earned.

Unless he's saying the force at 2nd that didn't happen is 1st out and the dp would have ended the inning nullifying Yuli's run.

[HudsonHawk]

Right,  so Gurriel's run should be earned.

Unless he's saying the force at 2nd that didn't happen is 1st out and the dp would have ended the inning nullifying Yuli's run.

Gurriel can't be earned, he reached on an error.  But you can't assume the out at 2B, you have to assume the out at 1B and White is safe at 2B

[austro]

Does Kalas not understand how quick to anger the BBGs are?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Gurriel can't be earned, he reached on an error.  But you can't assume the out at 2B, you have to assume the out at 1B and White is safe at 2B

Ah.  Makes sense.

[Lefty]

No.

About the only time you can assume a double play is when there's an error fielding the throw on the second out.

Wasn't sure how much leeway the scorer has in that scenario, plus its been a long weekend and I'm a little hazy.

Does MLB not review that stuff?  I know you can change a ruling up to 24? hours after the game ends.

Does Kalas not understand how quick to anger the BBGs are?

He doesn't care.  He's said repeatedly that he just doesn't believe in that stuff.

[Jacksonian]

Gurriel can't be earned, he reached on an error.  But you can't assume the out at 2B, you have to assume the out at 1B and White is safe at 2B

The scorer called Gurriel safe on FC and error so he was presuming the out at second.

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Grossman doubles off the LCF wall
Sano strikes out looking
Cave...full count...grounds out 4-3, Grossman to 3B
Austin flies out F7

3-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Wasn't sure how much leeway the scorer has in that scenario, plus its been a long weekend and I'm a little hazy.

Does MLB not review that stuff?  I know you can change a ruling up to 24? hours after the game ends.
He doesn't care.  He's said repeatedly that he just doesn't believe in that stuff.

I'm not sure what control MLB has over scoring.  A lot of it is judgement.

[HudsonHawk]

The scorer called Gurriel safe on FC and error so he was presuming the out at second.

Backwards, IMO.  White was running on the pitch, no way you can assume they get the out there.

[HudsonHawk]

La Pina!!

[hostros7]

La pina jacks one out onto the “short porch” in left.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

White flies out F8
Gurriel homers to LF
McCann...0-2...strikes out swinging
Gattis grounds out 6-3

4-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

T5;

Field strikes out swinging
Mauer grounds out 4-3
Forsythe flies out F9

4-0 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

B5;

Reddick...full count...lines out to LF
Springer grounds out 4-3 into the shift
Kemp bunts...nice pick up and shovel...4-3

4-0 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

La pina jacks one out onto the “short porch” in left.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That ball was 5 feet over my buddy's head.

I told him to jump higher.

[hostros7]

That ball was 5 feet over my buddy's head.

I told him to jump higher.

A smart defender plays the carom.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Minimize,  Dallas.

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Polanco grounds out 6-3
Garver...0-2...1-2...singles to LF
Grossman grounds softly  to SS, Correa throws wild to 1B...Garver to 3B on the TE-6
Sano shiftfuck single to RF on the first pitch, Garver scores, Grossman to 2B
Cave...0-2...strikes out swinging
Austin...3-0...3-1...3-2...strikes out swinging

4-1 Astros

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I’m sure this has been discussed somewhere already, but why did Keuchel tattoo the howitzer or whatever on his right arm?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I’m sure this has been discussed somewhere already, but why did Keuchel tattoo the howitzer or whatever on his right arm?

 

If the left one don't get ya the right one will?

[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Bregman grounds out 5-3
Correa strikes out swinging
White grounds out 6-3

4-1 Astros

[moriartp]

I’m sure this has been discussed somewhere already, but why did Keuchel tattoo the howitzer or whatever on his right arm?

Because the left is into gun control.


I'll see myself out.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Because the left is into gun control.


I'll see myself out.

Magnificent.

[HudsonHawk]

T7:

McHugh in

Keppler, pinch hitting for Field, strikes out looking
Mauer...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging
Forsythe strikes out looking

4-1 Astros

[Ty in Tampa]

He just can’t stop talking about the post season, can he?

[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Gurriel flies out F9
McCann strikes out swinging
Gattis strikes out looking

4-1 Astros

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Even if he doesn’t buy into the superstitions, it shows a remarkable tone deafness and inconsiderateness of his audience to keep banging on about it.

[austro]

Man, that was a devastating curve by McHugh.

[Ty in Tampa]

Even if he doesn’t buy into the superstitions, it shows a remarkable tone deafness and inconsiderateness of his audience to keep banging on about it.

I’d venture the number of fans who entertain the superstitions as part of their game watching experience far outweigh those who pooh-pooh them, which puts Kalas-and his popularity-in the minority.

[jbm]

Even if he doesn’t buy into the superstitions, it shows a remarkable tone deafness and inconsiderateness of his audience to keep banging on about it.

It does. At some point, just swallow your beliefs and accept that it irks a lot of people.

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Marisnick to CF, Springer to RF, Reddick to LF

Polanco singles to CF
Garver strike out looking
Grossman lines out to LF
Sano...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...strikes out swinging

4-1 Astros

[Knoxbanedoodle]

McHugh has become quite the strikeout ninja out of the bullpen.

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Reddick flies out F7
Springer...3-0...walks
Marisnick grounds into FC, Springer out 6-4 at 2B
Marisnick steals 2B...throw goes in to CF, and Marisnick to 3B on the TE2
Bregman lines out to SS

To the 9th...Astros up 4-1

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Pettis showing some hops.

[Snuffy]

Thru 8: Astros have 2 LOB; Twins 8

[HudsonHawk]

Rondon knocked out by a line drive...Harris will have to come in

[MusicMan]

I’m at the game... where did that hit him?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HudsonHawk]

I’m at the game... where did that hit him?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looked like on his right forearm or wrist

[Ty in Tampa]

I’m at the game... where did that hit him?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Right forearm.

[jbm]

Fortunate.

Is it Harris?  Saw Pressley getting ready?

[Ty in Tampa]

Fortunate.

Is it Harris?  Saw Pressley getting ready?

It’s Harris.

[austro]

Right forearm.

I hope it's the forearm. It may have been the wrist. It was smoked.

[Snuffy]

I hope it's the forearm. It may have been the wrist. It was smoked.

110 MPH off the bat!

[Astros Fan in Big D]

It’s Harris.

Peacock and Sipp warming now.

[austro]

Harris scares the shit out of me. Every time somebody swings at one of his pitches it looks like they're going to clobber it.

[TerryPuhl21]

HH, scoring rules question for you. What determines when you award an RBI or not? For example, why is Gattis not awarded and RBI when he grounded into the double play but the runner scored from 3rd??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jbm]

Harris scares the shit out of me. Every time somebody swings at one of his pitches it looks like they're going to clobber it.

That breaking ball matches the swing path pretty well

[Knoxbanedoodle]

You can never get an RBI from a DP.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Harris scares the shit out of me. Every time somebody swings at one of his pitches it looks like they're going to clobber it.

Ditto. Don’t like him here.

[HudsonHawk]

Twins with the tying run at the plate, one out...

[Knoxbanedoodle]

What an unbelievably dumb walk.

[austro]

Harris shaking his head when he sees AJ headed out of the dugout, as if he's earned the right to stay out there.

[TerryPuhl21]

What an unbelievably dumb walk.

Did a good job to come back and strike out Mauer, but Harris scares the hell outta me. I for one hope they don’t pick up his option in the off season. Better, cheaper options are available.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jbm]

The walk is a killer, but a bit of redemption there. Couldn’t have pitched Mauer much better.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Harris shaking his head when he sees AJ headed out of the dugout, as if he's earned the right to stay out there.

Yeah, he pitched Mauer well, but those first two guys...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Harris shaking his head when he's AJ headed out of the dugout, as if he's earned the right to stay out there.

I don't think that was it.

He was frustrated going to 3 balls on his first hitter and after the stupid walk.

His body language was bad the entire outing.

[Ty in Tampa]

Yeah, he pitched Mauer well, but those first two guys...

The first guy was Rondon’s.

[HudsonHawk]

Bases loaded...two out...winning run at the plate...

[austro]

You completely dominate a game and wind up in this situation? Pretty frustrating.

[austro]

Jesus, Peacock missed by the entire plate there.

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Rondon in to try to close it out...

Cave hammers a line drive off of Rondon, who is knocked to the ground...ball rolls toward 2B for an infield single...Hinch and trainer out...Rondon out of the game,

Harris in

Austin...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...flies out F9
Keppler...3-0...3-1...walks, Cave to 2B
Mauer strikes out swinging

That's all for Harris, Peacock in

Forsythe singles to RF, Cave to 3B, Keppler to 2B

Polanco strikes out swinging

Astros take the opener 4-1

[Ty in Tampa]

PEACOCK!!!

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Elevated for the kill. 

[austro]

PEACOCK!!!

Maybe the secret it to continually miss your target by so much that you're completely unpredictable.

[HudsonHawk]

You completely dominate a game and wind up in this situation? Pretty frustrating.

Yeah, should have been a nice, uneventful win...rest the pen a little, and you end up needing three relievers in the 9th with the tying run on base. 

But a win's a win. 

[Snuffy]

PEACOCK!!!

It's nerve wracking, but a privilege to be in a pennant race.

[jbm]

Elevated for the kill.

Yeah, Palanco was on those previous pitches.

All wins are big now.

[austro]

Yeah, should have been a nice, uneventful win...rest the pen a little, and you end up needing three relievers in the 9th with the tying run on base. 

But a win's a win. 

It's going to be an expensive win if it cost us Marwin and Rondon.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

The first guy was Rondon’s.

No, I meant Harris’s first two batters faced—Austin and Keplar.

Hey, good win! Still sparse offense in Houston, but way to  make 4 hits stand up!

BTW, during the playoffs last year my watching crew and I made a point of standing and absolutely filling my house with a cacophony of exuberant/shrill/near-deafening peacock calls. I did this again just now. If you’re not familiar with the call it’s worth a googling.

[hostros7]

Maybe the secret it to continually miss your target by so much that you're completely unpredictable.

Effectively wild, as they say.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Snuffy]

...Hey, good win! Still sparse offense in Houston, but way to  make 4 hits stand up!.....

Twins: 2 for 12 w/ RISP & 11 LOB
Astros: 1 for 3 RISP w/ 2 LOB

[The Spleen]

And now... LET'S GO YANKEES!

I'm going to have to take a shower after that...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

And now... LET'S GO YANKEES!

I'm going to have to take a shower after that...

You may also need some ipecac an enema or three.

[geezerdonk]

Any word on Hector?

[Lefty]

Rondon got hit on the muscle on the side of his hand, x-rays were negative.  Both he and Gonzales won't come back before the Boston series.

[geezerdonk]

Much obliged.