Astros vs Ancient Albatross Wearers, 9/6/2019

[austro]

Jeez, Framber, get it together.

[HudsonHawk]

Framber with three walks in the 1st...bases juiced, one out...

[austro]

Gets the first guy, and then walks the bases loaded. Watching through my fingers now.

[HudsonHawk]

2-0 Mariners...runners on the corner, one out...

[austro]

Hard ground ball past Bregman scores two.

[austro]

His ball breaks *so* much.

[HudsonHawk]

Fourth walk of the inning loads the bases again...Framber a train wreck so far...

[austro]

Good game plan by the M's: don't bother swinging because there's no chance he'll throw three strikes before he throws four balls.

[hostros7]

Framber really brought his A(ss) game today.


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[hostros7]

Toro saves the day.


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[austro]

Wow, what a snag by Toro on that foul ball!

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Moore grounds up the middle, Altuve there in the shift, 4-3
Smith walks
Nola...3-0...4-pitch walk, Smith to 2B
Seager...0-2...1-2...2-2 as Smith steals 3B without a throw...3-2...walks, Nola to 2B
Murphy singles to LCF, Smith scores, Nola scores, Seager to 3B
Vogelbach walks, Murphy to 2B
Lopes...0-2...strikes out swinging...tried to check, but couldn't hold up
Long pops out to 3B on a diving grab by Toro in foul territory!

2-0 Mariners

[austro]

That guy is going to get his ass chewed by Servais for swinging at two pitches.

[HudsonHawk]

Could be another LONG night for the pen...the night after they had to go 13 innings.

[austro]

What is Framber throwing that moves away to the arm side like a screwball?

[austro]

Oh, so *now* pitches on the edges are strikes. Thanks, asshole.

[Aussie Astro]

Fourth walk of the inning loads the bases again...Framber a train wreck so far...

I would have said shipwreck, but whatever...

[austro]

I would have said shipwreck, but whatever...

Pitches, pitches everywhere, and not a strike to see...

[HudsonHawk]

Astros put the first two on...nobody out...

[HudsonHawk]

Bregman with an RBI double to cut the lead in half...Astros at 2B and 3B...still nobody out...

[Aussie Astro]

Pitches, pitches everywhere, and not a strike to see...

How about reefs, any of them in sight?

[austro]

I imagine those guys are glad they're way out in right field on those Yordan ground balls.

[HudsonHawk]

Yordan with an RBI groundout to tie it up

[HudsonHawk]

Yuli with a double!  Astros now lead 3-2

[austro]

How about reefs, any of them in sight?

Sorry, they're all below sea level now.

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Altuve...who apparently has grown 14 inches over night according to HPU...0-2...1-2...dribbles one out in front of the plate, McClain fields it and throws it into RF...scored a hit and a TE1
Brantley...works the count full...walks
Bregman doubles down the 3B line...Altuve scores, Brantley to 3B
Alvarez grounds out 4-3 in shallow RF...Brantley scores, Bregman to 3B
Gurriel doubles down the 1B line...Bregman scores
Tucker grounds out 4-3 on the first pitch, Gurriel to 3B
Toro walks
Maldonado grounds into FC, Toro out 6U at 2B

Astros lead 3-2

[HudsonHawk]

Settle in folks...with this HPU we might be here a while.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Bregman with an RBI double to cut the lead in half...Astros at 2B and 3B...still nobody out...

That was textbook by Bregman.  Got him to a fastball count and he got a meaty one.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Somebody tell the broadcast team to stop adding Yordan's AAA numbers to his MLB totals.

[Tom Servo]

Somebody tell the broadcast team to stop adding Yordan's AAA numbers to his MLB totals.

Bugs the crap out of me, too.

[HudsonHawk]

Tucker throwing the leather around in RF!

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Bishop lines out to deep RF on a terrific leaping catch by Tucker
Moore strikes out swinging
Smith strikes out swinging

Nice quick inning by Framber...3-2 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Tucker throwing the leather around in RF!

Great catch

[Texifornia]

McClain's no Die Hard.
Tommy Milone in to pitch.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

He's gotta be Mayday Milone, right?

[austro]

He's gotta be Mayday Milone, right?

These guys definitely lead the league in repurposed names.

[austro]

Now a lefty with a changeup. Prepare yourselves for a drought.

[Texifornia]

He's gotta be Mayday Milone, right?

Legend has it nobody give up towering home runs like him. Let's hope the legend is true.

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Milone in for the Mariners

Reddick...0-2...1-2...2-2...full up...strikes out swinging
Altuve...full count...walks
Brantley flies out F9 on the first pitch
Bregman grounds into FC, Altuve out 5-4

3-2 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Legend has it nobody give up towering home runs like him. Let's hope the legend is true.

I'd love to see the windmill dance a la Dutch Kincaid.

[Texifornia]

I'd love to see the windmill dance a la Dutch Kincaid.

Nice!
My favorite, though, is the Gary Pettis Windmill Dance.

[austro]

I'd love to see the windmill dance a la Dutch Kincaid.

You, sir (?), are a vast repository of valuable information.

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Nola walks
Seager...3-2...strikes out swinging
Murphy strikes out swinging
Vogelbach grounds out 3U

3-2 Astros

[austro]

3 innings, 65 pitches, ho hum.

[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Alvarez makes an out as Julia interviews someone
Gurriel flies out F9
Tucker...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging

3-2 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Infield single, stolen base, error, walk to the 9 hitter...Mariners on the corner, one out...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

He's out on replay.

But probably not a good decision by Toro.

[HudsonHawk]

Fielder's choice ties the game 3-3...

[HudsonHawk]

He's out on replay.

But probably not a good decision by Toro.

Bregman fielded that.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

2 of those 4 bases were self inflicted.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Bregman fielded that.

Merci.

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Lopes chops one up the 3B line, Toro with a barehanded grab and throw...called out...Lopes not happy...Mariners challenging...replay shows he's safe...yep, over turned...infield single.  Toro's great play made it close, but not quite
Lopes steals 2B on the first pitch, throw hits him and bounces into LF and Lopes moves to 3B on TE2
Long...infield now in...0-2...1-2...grounds out 4-3
Bishop...3-0...3-1...3-2...walks
Moore chops to SS, Bregman tries to go to 2B instead the sure out at 1B, and everyone is safe...Astros challenging play at 2B...overturned...6-4, but Lopes scores to tie the game
Moore steals 2B
Smith strikes out swinging

But it's a new ballgame...3-3

[HudsonHawk]

Red Dawg!!!

4-3 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Upper deck woo!

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Toro pops out F5
Maldonado strikes out swinging as his bat goes into the netting behind the 3B dugout
Reddick...full count...homers to RF upper deck
Altuve...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging

4-3 Astros

[austro]

Springer is a character.

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Biagini in for the Astros

Nola flies out F9
Seager grounds out 6-3 in the shift
Murphy...3-2...grounds out 6-3

4-3 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

2 on 1 out for Yuli.

[HudsonHawk]

Yuli limping...Hinch and trainer out...out of the game

Ratfarts.

[austro]

Fuck, Yuli out of the game after beating out the fielder's choice.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yuli beats the wrap on s FC, apparently hurt. Diaz in.

1st/3rd for Tucker with 1 outs.

[SoonerJim]

Yuli beats the wrap on s FC, apparently hurt. Diaz in.

1st/3rd for Tucker with 1 outs.

Hamstring cited

[HudsonHawk]

Hamstring cited

By whom?  He's not even in the trainer's room yet.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Ha.

Mariners screwed the pooch on that rundown.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Bregman had a "I got away with one" look on his face.

[austro]

Iassogna says "fuck you, rookie".

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Brantley flies out F8
Bregman singles to LF
Alvarez...0-2...1-2...hit by pitch...right in the ass...Bregman to 2B
Gurriel grounds into FC, Alvarez out 6-3, but Yuli beats the rap...Bregman to 3B
Gurriel injured on the play...he's out, Diaz
Diaz caught off of 1B...gets in a rundown, Bregman bolts for home, and the throw is in the dirt and Nola can't handle...Bregman scores on the steal of home, Diaz to 2B on the steal of 2B
Tucker...fouling off pitches...works the count full...strikes out looking at a pitch several inches off the plate

5-3 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

Strike zone got huge this last inning...Iasogna said "let's move this game along, swing the bats"

[SoonerJim]

By whom?  He's not even in the trainer's room yet.

Kalas mentioned it

[HudsonHawk]

Vogelbach makes it 5-4...

[HudsonHawk]

Speaking of cancer...former Cardinal Chris Duncan passed away today from brain cancer at aged 38. 

[HudsonHawk]

Kalas mentioned it

He mentioned Diaz having had hamstring issues, but I didn't hear him say that was the problem with Yuli.  It might be though.

[austro]

I went to fetch the laundry and came back to see the human stump trotting around the bases. Please tell me that wasn't another high outside fastball to a left-hander.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Biagini done.

[SoonerJim]

He mentioned Diaz having had hamstring issues, but I didn't hear him say that was the problem with Yuli.  It might be though.

You’re right, it was Diaz. This is a new one

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I went to fetch the laundry and came back to see the human stump trotting around the bases. Please tell me that wasn't another high outside fastball to a left-hander.

It was low/outer half.

[HudsonHawk]

I went to fetch the laundry and came back to see the human stump trotting around the bases. Please tell me that wasn't another high outside fastball to a left-hander.

I swear I will not tell you that.

[Texifornia]

Boston beats NYY.

[HudsonHawk]

Strike zone went from being a donut, to being four feet wide to being who knows what the fuck...

[austro]

Those are some gutsy takes by Kiss-man.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Ace strikes out looking twice then finally swinging.

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Vogelbach homers to LF on the first pitch
Lopes walk

Biagini out, Smith in

Long pops out F7 in foul territory
Fraley, pinch hitting for Bishop...0-2...takes a strike for ball one...takes a strike for ball two...strikes out swinging
Moore pops out F3 in front of the Astros dugout

5-4 Astros

[Texifornia]

Strike zone went from being a donut, to being four feet wide to being who knows what the fuck...

Robo-umps for ball / strike calls will change the game for the better. I think.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That's the second ass cheek they've hit tonight.

[austro]

Left hammie discomfort for Yuli. There's a surprise.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

So Toro at 3rd, Diaz at 1st the rest of the series?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Machete goes from squaring to bunt to smashing a ball off the wall in center.

[austro]

So Toro at 3rd, Diaz at 1st the rest of the series?

I imagine so. Unless they want to put Tucker at 1st for a game, but that seems unlikely.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I imagine so. Unless they want to put Tucker at 1st for a game, but that seems unlikely.

He got some work there today per someone on Twitter.

[austro]

He got some work there today per someone on Twitter.

He was getting some time there at RR, but that's quite a bit different from getting time there in the middle of a pennant race.

[HudsonHawk]

I really fucking hate the "wooing"

[austro]

Altavilla and his barrel chest remind me of Ron Villone.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Here it is.  About as exciting as you'd imagine.

https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/1170089913401917447?s=19

Barring another injury,  I would guess Tucker would play first only if AJ were committed to getting Bregman a day off.

[austro]

Disappointing results from Reddick and Altuve. They could really use another run.

[austro]

Thank you for the pick-me-up, Uncle Mike!

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Disappointing results from Reddick and Altuve. They could really use another run.

Uncle Mike delivers!

[Texifornia]

Thank you for the pick-me-up, Uncle Mike!

Positively avuncular.

[HudsonHawk]

Altavilla and his barrel chest remind me of Ron Villone.

Except you need three Altavillas to make up one Big Rig!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Except you need three Altavillas to make up one Big Rig!

And from the port side.

[austro]

Villone had one of the all-time great relief appearances. As I remember it, it was a day game in some hellhole like Cincy, and about 100 degrees. Whoever the starter was got thrown out of the game during the very first AB, and Villone came in and proceeded to pitch something like 8 innings.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Villone had one of the all-time great relief appearances. As I remember it, it was a day game in some hellhole like Cincy, and about 100 degrees. Whoever the starter was got thrown out of the game during the very first AB, and Villone came in and proceeded to pitch something like 8 innings.

Yeah, I have foggy memories of that.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

What an AB from AB.

[HudsonHawk]

Guilbeau has a sweet mullet. 

[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Toro hit by pitch
Maldonado doubles off the CF wall, Toro to 3B

And that chases Milone, Altavilla in

Reddick...infield in...strikes out swinging
Altuve grounds into FC, Toro out 5-2 at the plate, Maldonado to 3B
Brantley singles to CF, Maldonado scores, Altuve to 3B
Bregman...0-2...1-2...fouling off pitches...passed ball on the 13th pitch of the at bat, Altuve scores, Brantley to 2B...finally walks

And Altavilla is out of gas after that...Guilbeau in

Alvarez grounds out 4-3

7-4 Astros

[HudsonHawk]

El Dorado 15-year old Rhum in my glass.  I'm going outside and smoke a cigar.  We still have a couple hours left in this game.

[austro]

We still have a couple hours left in this game.

This is one slow game.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Backfoot slider is a figure of speech,  Hector.

[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Rondon in

Smith with a comebacker to Rondon...1-3
Nola flies out F9
Seager hit by pitch
Narvaez, pinch hitting for Murphy...0-2...1-2...lines out to LF

At the stretch...7-4 Astros

[Knoxbanedoodle]

B6:

Toro hit by pitch
Maldonado doubles off the CF wall, Toro to 3B

And that chases Milone, Altavilla in

Reddick...infield in...strikes out swinging
Altuve grounds into FC, Toro out 5-2 at the plate, Maldonado to 3B
Brantley singles to CF, Maldonado scores, Altuve to 3B
Bregman...0-2...1-2...fouling off pitches...passed ball on the 13th pitch of the at bat, Altuve scores, Brantley to 2B...finally walks

And Altavilla is out of gas after that...Guilbeau in

Alvarez grounds out 4-3

7-4 Astros

This Bregman AB, as it happens, was glorious.

[HudsonHawk]

This is one slow game.

No shit.  We're talking about Ron Villone.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Ha.  I was just wondering whether Tucker ever looks the other way.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

No shit.  We're talking about Ron Villone.

Ronald Thomas Villone, Jr. (born January 16, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher. Villone played for 12 teams in his career, tied for 3rd all time with pitcher Mike Morgan and outfielder Matt Stairs, and trailing only Octavio Dotel and Edwin Jackson.

[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Brennan in for the M's

Diaz grounds out 5-3
Tucker slaps a single to LF
Toro strikes out swinging as Tucker swipes 2B
Maldonado grounds out 6-3 on the first pitch

7-4 Astros

[Knoxbanedoodle]

No shit.  We're talking about Ron Villone.

I remember that game, too. It was pretty fucking awesome, as I recall.

[HudsonHawk]

On a lighter note...I'm unlikely to run out of rum tonight.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That was an odd K/put out.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Harris's new facial hair is unusually mirror universey.

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Will Harris in...Houston Shuffle in the outfield with Marisnick into CF and Reddick to RF, Tucker out

Vogelbach strikes out swinging
Lopes strikes out swinging...ball gets by Maldonado...runs it down by the dugout and just nips Lopes on the 2-3 put out
Long with a broken bat seeing eye single through the shift on the first pitch
Fraley strikes out swinging

7-4 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Was that last 2-3 throw necessary?

1st base was occupied.   Or does that matter with 2 outs?

[austro]

1st base was occupied.   Or does that matter with 2 outs?

No.

[HudsonHawk]

July 8, 2001:

Scott Elarton started for the Astros against the Royals in Kansas City, which gets hot like few places get hot.  After Royals starter Chad Durbin hit the first two Astros batters in the top of the 1st, Elarton drilled Royals leadoff hitter Rey Sanchez.  Elarton is ejected, and Villone enters the game.  Villone went 5 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits, while striking out 4.  Astros went on to win 14-5

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Reddick flies out F8
Altuve singles to LF
Brantley flies out F7 in foul territory
Bregman pops to shallow RF

To the 9th...Astros lead 7-4

[austro]

July 8, 2001:

Scott Elarton started for the Astros against the Royals in Kansas City, which gets hot like few places get hot.  After Royals starter Chad Durbin hit the first two Astros batters in the top of the 1st, Elarton drilled Royals leadoff hitter Rey Sanchez.  Elarton is ejected, and Villone enters the game.  Villone went 5 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits, while striking out 4.  Astros went on to win 14-5

I guess my memory about the length of his stint was wrong. Still a gutsy performance. Thanks for looking that up!

[HudsonHawk]

I guess my memory about the length of his stint was wrong. Still a gutsy performance. Thanks for looking that up!

One of the few.  Villone was not particularly good during that stint with the Astros. 

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Osuna in to try to close it out...

Moore flies out F9
Smith lines up the middle, Bregman there right behind the 2B bag to nab it on the fly
Nola...0-2...PONCHE!!!

Astros win!  7-4

[austro]

That was quick work by Osuna!

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Tied with NY.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Cle and Minn are in the 10th, tied at 2.

[Snuffy]

B5:

Brantley flies out F8
Bregman singles to LF
Alvarez...0-2...1-2...hit by pitch...right in the ass...Bregman to 2B
Gurriel grounds into FC, Alvarez out 6-3, but Yuli beats the rap...Bregman to 3B
Gurriel injured on the play...he's out, Diaz
Diaz caught off of 1B...gets in a rundown, Bregman bolts for home, and the throw is in the dirt and Nola can't handle...Bregman scores on the steal of home, Diaz to 2B on the steal of 2B
Tucker...fouling off pitches...works the count full...strikes out looking at a pitch several inches off the plate

5-3 Astros

Hope Tucker watches Bregman's clinic on how to take the keep the ump out of "this part" of the game, spoiling  pitches that could have ended his AB that eventually led to a 14-pitch walk in the bottom of the 6th. 
The last three pitches were actually called balls...
Hate seeing an opponent do that to one of our pitchers, but loved this.

[HudsonHawk]

Hope Tucker watches Bregman's clinic on how to take the keep the ump out of "this part" of the game, spoiling  pitches that could have ended his AB that eventually led to a 14-pitch walk in the bottom of the 6th. 
The last three pitches were actually called balls...
Hate seeing an opponent do that to one of our pitchers, but loved this.

I'm not sure where you're going with this.  Tucker had a good at bat,  showed great plate discipline and then got screwed for his effort.  You want him to start waving at pitches off the plate?

[JimR]

I'm not sure where you're going with this.  Tucker had a good at bat,  showed great plate discipline and then got screwed for his effort.  You want him to start waving at pitches off the plate?

Many of his posts are head-scratchers for me also.

[HudsonHawk]

Many of his posts are head-scratchers for me also.

On a side note, I'm encouraged by Tucker's at bats the last few games.  He still has the long swing and he's going to get jammed a lot, but he seemed to be able to recognize some pitches and got some big hits.  Maybe that will take some pressure off of him, and he can relax.  He needs to put up or shut up at this point in his career though. 

[JimR]

On a side note, I'm encouraged by Tucker's at bats the last few games.  He still has the long swing and he's going to get jammed a lot, but he seemed to be able to recognize some pitches and got some big hits.  Maybe that will take some pressure off of him, and he can relax.  He needs to put up or shut up at this point in his career though.

Totally agree. Pitchers should puns him inside. He has to learn to pull his hands in.

[VirtualBob]

Many of His posts are head-scratchers for me also.

[Snuffy]

I'm not sure where you're going with this.  Tucker had a good at bat,  showed great plate discipline and then got screwed for his effort.  You want him to start waving at pitches off the plate?

Nah.  But what is difference b/t flailing at bad pitches or taking one that that might be "close enough" to be miscalled as a 3rd strike, in terms of an out resulting?  Should a wave at a pitch off the plate for the 3rd strike feel like a wasted AB, while a bad call feels like a stolen AB.

Thankful Tucker is better this year so for w/ the bat, in the field, and on the bases!  Had only glimpses of the game last night, and only part of his AB that was ended by a terrible 3rd strike call.  Comparing that to Bregman's AB - I saw all of it - as he spoiled pitch after pitch that could have been a 3rd called strike, and worked a BB.  What % of the players are able to defend themselves by extending an AB like that?

Thank you for asking, appreciate the 2nd chance.  Sorry for the delayed response.  It's been a full day.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Fine line between protecting the plate and chasing.

That pitch was far enough off it didn't feel egregious to take it.

[Snuffy]

Fine line between protecting the plate and chasing.

That pitch was far enough off it didn't feel egregious to take it.

Thank you!

[Snuffy]

Many of his posts are head-scratchers for me also.

Thankful a few aren't, Coach. 
Aiming for fewer (head-scratchers).....

[chuck]

WHUT IN TARNATION?!?!

[JimR]

Thankful a few aren't, Coach. 

Didn’t say that.

[Snuffy]

Didn’t say that.

Now THAT's a head-scratcher, Coach.