A's at Astros, September 11, 2019

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Urquidy puts them down in order in the first.

We can build on this.

[Texifornia]

I was wearing my Astros hat at the gym today and a guy said "you guys don't have any starters left". I said "What, are Urquidy me?!".

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I was wearing my Astros hat at the gym today and a guy said "you guys don't have any starters left". I said "What, are Urquidy me?!".

Golf clap

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Springer grounds out, Altuve Ks swinging,  Brantley flies out.

No score. 

[Texifornia]

No score.

Huge improvement.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Just tuned in. Surprised to see no score. 

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Urquidy strikes out the side.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

My feed is super laggy.

[Texifornia]

Urquidy strikes out the side.

Clearly not quiding around.


O.K., I'll stop. Maybe just one more....

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Bregman F9
Alvarez beats the 3-1 throw on a grounder to first
Diaz walks
Reddick hits into a 4-6 FC, Alvarez to 3rd
Maldonado falls behind 0-2, Ks swinging

No score after 2

I'm off to pick up the youngest

Someone grab pbp

[Texifornia]

Pop out, line out, and strike out. Jose sets the A's line-up down in order.

[HudsonHawk]

Springer Dinger!

1-0 Astros

[Texifornia]

Straw grounds out 1-3
Springer Dinger(tm)!!!! to CF
Altuve flies out to right field
Brantly strikes out

1-0 Astros after 3 innings

[HudsonHawk]

0-2 to a Semien...and we’re tied. Fuck.

[austro]

Semien kind of got hold of that one.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

As I was pulling into the driveway that ball from Semian crashed thru my windshield.

[HudsonHawk]

Semien kind of got hold of that one.

Kept throwing fastballs right down the center of the plate. He was bound to hit one sooner or later.

[austro]

That had to be an error on Chapman, didn't it?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Mark it down.

Chapman didn't make a play.

[HudsonHawk]

Canha ain’t much of a centerfielder

[austro]

Canha ain’t much of a centerfielder

He wasn't on that play.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Profar decided to dribble the cutoff throw, allowing Alvarez to score.

[austro]

Profar decided to dribble the cutoff throw, allowing Alvarez to score.

I think he did it intentionally so he wouldn't have to throw.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

He wasn't on that play.

Not a good read and a poor throw.

[HudsonHawk]

He wasn't on that play.

Looks like he played that scared. Then a two-hooper to Profar who botched it.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Machete with a knock to load the bases...

[HudsonHawk]

Straw GIDP...with the bases loaded. Rat farts.

[austro]

That was disappointing. If he beats it out we've got another run and George at the plate.

[HudsonHawk]

Really need a zero here from Urquidy

[HudsonHawk]

Strikeout/wild pitch...lead off runner on

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Great.

Strikeout/wp.  Runner on 1st.

[HudsonHawk]

That was a sweet double lay by the Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

What a dp!

5-4-3, the ball traveled 180 ft on the throws.

[HudsonHawk]

Had Laureano struck out, HPU gave up on it. Now he walks

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Twice this inning he's dotted the top of the zone without getting the call.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Nice,  Urquidy.

[HudsonHawk]

So it’s Wine Wednesday at my favorite restaurant. Half price. Got one bottle with dinner and brought the other home.

Recchia Ca’ Bertoldi Amarone (2011)

Tasty.

[HudsonHawk]

Nice,  Urquidy.

Really nice job tonight.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Let's knock this jabroni out of the game.

[MRaup]

God damnit, Jose. FUCKING RUN! HE was lollypopping around 3rd.

[HudsonHawk]

Fuck. Altuve jogging again and gets thrown out at the plate.

[austro]

WTF Altuve?

[austro]

Fuck. Altuve jogging again and gets thrown out at the plate.

Yeah, if he had been busting it from 2nd to 3rd, he would have been safe.

[HudsonHawk]

He slowed up to stop at 3B, but when Laureano bobbled it, he wasn’t in position to score.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That 2-1 pitch to Alvarez . . .

[HudsonHawk]

Dick stomping again.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

And the 3-2 pitch.


Ugh.

[HudsonHawk]

And we’re tied again.

[austro]

Damn it.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Well of course they tied it.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

James is not good tonight.

[HudsonHawk]

Fucking wheels coming off now.

[austro]

This inning is going to shit pretty quickly.

[MRaup]

Jesus Christ, it's like Altuve's lazy ass running has infected the entire rest of the team suddenly.

[HudsonHawk]

4-2 A’s

[MRaup]

Fucking.

Putrid.

[MRaup]

If Maldonado keeps that ball in front of him, that lazy grounder is at least one out and possibly 2.

[HudsonHawk]

James out. Gives up at least three runs, does not record an out.

[austro]

does not record an out.

I'm growing tired of this phrase.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

If Maldonado keeps that ball in front of him, that lazy grounder is at least one out and possibly 2.

Yes

[Astros Fan in Big D]

They've had pressure on Anderson multiple times and let him wiggle off the hook.

Then this.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Sweet barehand pickup/throw from Bregman


Runner to 3rd

[HudsonHawk]

A’s on the corners...one out

[HudsonHawk]

5-2

[HudsonHawk]

This bullpen is in shambles.

[astrojo]

Someone please fix this bullpen?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Someone please fix this bullpen?

Worth a shot.

[HudsonHawk]

A’s have batted around this inning.

[austro]

This bullpen is in shambles.

This is why I'm not optimistic about the postseason.

[austro]

Shit, now they're bringing in somebody from Buckaroo Banzai.

[HudsonHawk]

This is why I'm not optimistic about the postseason.

They’ve been worked to death. And Miley has gone a grand total of 5 innings combined in his last three starts.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I wonder if the A's pitcher ever lessened to The Jesus Lizard?

[austro]

They’ve been worked to death. And Mileybhas gone a grand total of 5 inning ps combined in his last three starts.

Agreed, but I don't see how the pressure is going to be relieved enough to let them recover.

[austro]

What's gotten into Maldonado?

[HudsonHawk]

Agreed, but I don't see how the pressure is going to be relieved enough to let them recover.

Miley has really put them in a bind.

[austro]

Miley has really put them in a bind.

Indeed.

How did Straw not get rung up on that 1-2 pitch? That was terrible.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

What's gotten into Maldonado?

He had a great swing in his first AB, just fouled it back.

Knock in 2nd AB, then that blast.

[HudsonHawk]

Fuck Straw. Why did you even bring a bat up there.

[astrojo]

Straw had a gift extra pitch and STILL looked at it. Swing.the.bat!

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Indeed.

How did Straw not get rung up on that 1-2 pitch? That was terrible.

And how did he not swing at that FB down the middle?

[The Spleen]

They’ve been worked to death. And Miley has gone a grand total of 5 innings combined in his last three starts.

Resting the bullpen should take priority over beating the Yankees for best record.
But that requires getting rid of this damned division race.

We need a clutch game from Verlander to save a bunch of innings for guys in the bullpen, not just tomorrow but in the next two weeks. Having the Colonel and friends eat a lot of innings without having to worry about how pretty it looks would be a huge benefit.

[MRaup]

Indeed.

How did Straw not get rung up on that 1-2 pitch? That was terrible.

Fear not, he'll take a totally hittable fastball for strike three.

[austro]

And how did he not swing at that FB down the middle?

Maybe he figured watching it would work again. "These are not the strikes you're looking for."

[JimR]

I'm growing tired of this phrase.

Very disappointed in James.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Very disappointed in James.

He looked so flat.

[austro]

Resting the bullpen should take priority over beating the Yankees for best record.

I'll tell you what, at this point I'm perfectly happy to let the Yankees have to deal with the A's in the ALDS.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That's 2 strikes HPU has missed this AB.

[JimR]

Agreed, but I don't see how the pressure is going to be relieved enough to let them recover.

Second tier relievers tonight. No Harris, Pressly, or Osuna. Too soon for gloom.

[austro]

Ouch. I just checked my fantasy team: -8 points from James, -8 points from Robbie Ray. Those are my only pitchers tonight.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Rondon struck Chapman out 3 times in that AB.  Last one counted.

Semian to 2nd on a SB.

[Aussie Astro]

That's 2 strikes HPU has missed this AB.

I was wondering if there had been a rule change that I missed.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yankees/Detroit postponed.

So either a DH or a lost off day for NY.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Now it's a strike.

Rondon has been better lately.

Who will have the 8th?

[Snuffy]

Very disappointed in James.

A's announcers were surprised that he threw so many curve balls, instead of his fastball.

[JimR]

He looked so flat.

Big chance in big game. Flat?

[JimR]

Altuve pisses me off.

[JimR]

A's announcers were surprised that he threw so many curve balls, instead of his fastball.

As announcers? WTF do they know?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Well that sucked.

[JimR]

I ain’t giving up on this one, but win tomorrow, and all is well.

James is important. Miley is crucial. Someone fix him.

At Bat says Urquidy threw 82 pitches. Why did he come out?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I ain’t giving up on this one, but win tomorrow, and all is well.

James is important. Miley is crucial. Someone fix him.

At Bat says Urquidy threw 82 pitches. Why did he come out?

They said AJ was looking to get 5 good innings out of him.

He never stumbled. Guess he just reached the prescribed limit.

[JimR]

They said AJ was looking to get 5 good innings out of him.

He never stumbled. Guess he just reached the prescribed limit.

He had more pitches. AJ is one conservative mofo.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

He had more pitches. AJ is one conservative mofo.

Pitching ninja already has Urquidy's night summarized:

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1171968040327684101?s=19

[JimR]

Pitching ninja already has Urquidy's night summarized:

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1171968040327684101?s=19

No reason to take him out. Probably made the playoff roster tonight.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Astros bats have gone to sleep.

[JimR]

Astros bats have gone to sleep.

That LHP is pretty good.

[MRaup]

Astros bats have gone to sleep.

The top of the Astros lineup, aside from Brantley, is just up there putzing around.

Fucking aggravating.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That LHP is pretty good.

He went thru the whole lineup and just gave up the hit to Machete.

Springer pushed him to a full count.   Not sure anybody else got deep in a count.

[JimR]

He went thru the whole lineup and just gave up the hit to Machete.

Springer pushed him to a full count.   Not sure anybody else got deep in a count.

Springer swing at ball four, and Altuve popped up the first pitch, which was off the plate.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Abreu threw some filth up there.

Need 2 runs.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Springer swing at ball four, and Altuve popped up the first pitch, which was off the plate.

Altuve's AB was maddening.

[MRaup]

Another cookie, this time to Reddick, harmlessly popped to center.

[JimR]

Altuve's AB was maddening.

Many of them are.

[MRaup]

Fitting ending. Great at bat that ends swinging at a ball you'd need a golf club to hit.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Dammit.

Tucker and Toro chase strike 3 in the dirt.

Toro with a full count,  with Springer on deck.

[JimR]

Fitting ending. Great at bat that ends swinging at a ball you'd need a golf club to hit.

On a 3-2 pitch

Abreu looks damn good.

Their LHP was making his MLB debut.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

To summarize:

Urquidy went 5 innings,  struck out 10 batters,  gave up 1 run.

James matched that runs allowed total on his first batter and got worse from there.

Smith was rocky.

Rondon was fine.

Harris gave up 2 baserunners.

Abreu was sharp.

The bats missed opportunities early and were stifled late.  No baserunners in the 7th, 8th, or 9th innings.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Also:

Astros have now lost 4 games at home to division opponents this season.

[JimR]

Also:

Astros have now lost 4 games at home to division opponents this season.

3 to the As.

[Bench]

If Maldonado keeps that ball in front of him, that lazy grounder is at least one out and possibly 2.

Yep. James wasn't good, but that PB flipped the game.

[JimR]

Yep. James wasn't good, but that PB flipped the game.

Just looked at the box because I could not watch until the 7th. That was scored as a WP. Listed to the 6th inning on the radio, and those guys thought James was pretty bad.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Just looked at the box because I could not watch until the 7th. That was scored as a WP. Listed to the 6th inning on the radio, and those guys thought James was pretty bad.

James was definitely bad.

2 strike slider that barely moved for the HR, fastball square on the 2 on the back of Semian's Jersey.

Did not look anywhere close to the James we saw in Milwaukee.

Machete definitely should have kept that pitch at least in front of him. 

[BlownRanger]

In all aspects of catching - including throwing - Chirinos is outplaying Maldonado.

[HudsonHawk]

Machete definitely should have kept that pitch at least in front of him.

He was either going to catch it or not.  He was set up outside and it was far inside at the ankles.  It was all he could do to reach it.  Not as easy as it looks when that ball is moving at 85 mph away from your backhand near the ground.  He'll tell you he should have caught it, but it wasn't particular egregious, IMO. 

[Bench]

Just looked at the box because I could not watch until the 7th. That was scored as a WP. Listed to the 6th inning on the radio, and those guys thought James was pretty bad.

Interesting. I assumed it was a PB because it went off the glove.

[JimR]

In all aspects of catching - including throwing - Chirinos is outplaying Maldonado.

Maldonado was interfered with last night. No way Chirinos throws better. Maldonado is great to have.

[JimR]

He was either going to catch it or not.  He was set up outside and it was far inside at the ankles.  It was all he could do to reach it.  Not as easy as it looks when that ball is moving at 85 mph away from your backhand near the ground.  He'll tell you he should have caught it, but it wasn't particular egregious, IMO.

Glad you weighed in on this. I respect your opinion on catching.

[HudsonHawk]

Maldonado was interfered with last night. No way Chirinos throws better. Maldonado is great to have.

There is no aspect of catching that Chirinos does better than Maldonado.  Maldonado is a better receiver, he frames pitches better, is better at blocking pitches, and is by far a better thrower. 

[JimR]

There is no aspect of catching that Chirinos does better than Maldonado.  Maldonado is a better receiver, he frames pitches better, is better at blocking pitches, and is by far a better thrower.

Glad we have them both. Chirinos has done well, and Machete is a great backup.