*THAT*, my friends, is the Houston Astros I love to watch!

[No? in Austin]

1-0.  Great starting pitching, stellar bullpen work, a closer who shuts them down and a perfect way to manufacture a run.

That's how they should roll, not necessarily win every game 1-0, but the formula is a great one to protend great things for the second half push by Houston.

They *NEED* to play this brand of baseball for the rest of the year!

[drew corleone]

Major props to AP. He did everything a front-line pitcher has to do to keep his team in ballgames. How many great pitches did he make when SD put guys on base with 2 outs?

Completely agree with the subject header. It's amazing how one game can wipe away a week of frustration. Hope the guys can keep it up.

[DVauthrin]

It was very encouraging to see Andy pitch well, and Morgan swing it well.   Btw, did anyone else notice how Lidge seemed to alternate between bad pitch/good pitch for much of that ninth inning.   It's like at times he remembers his mechanics but then the next pitch they vanish.

[AllyDStros]

Some guys seemed to be playing like they had their hair on fire tonight.

Whether it was trade talks, Baggy's presence or something else altogether, guys looked more focused and determined than they have all year.

[Rebel Jew]

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Btw, did anyone else notice how Lidge seemed to alternate between bad pitch/good pitch for much of that ninth inning.    

Absolutely.  He threw a perfect 1-0 slider to Spicoli, then overthrew big time on an awful 1-1 fastball way low and inside, then he came back and threw another perfect slider to get to 2-2, then a fastball with good action that looked to be right over the plate for the swinging strikeout.

To Bellhorn he threw a horrid 1-1 fastball way outside, then came back two pitches later and threw a perfectly spotted 2-2 fastball just inside that set up the inside slider in the dirt for the strikeout.

[ybbodeus]

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It was very encouraging to see Andy pitch well, and Morgan swing it well.   Btw, did anyone else notice how Lidge seemed to alternate between bad pitch/good pitch for much of that ninth inning.   It's like at times he remembers his mechanics but then the next pitch they vanish.

Amen and amen.  Morgan was swinging like there was no tomorrow at times.

[astrox]

Quote:

Quote:
It was very encouraging to see Andy pitch well, and Morgan swing it well.   Btw, did anyone else notice how Lidge seemed to alternate between bad pitch/good pitch for much of that ninth inning.   It's like at times he remembers his mechanics but then the next pitch they vanish.

Amen and amen.  Morgan was swinging like there was no tomorrow at times.

And I loved the way he'd keep calling time during his at bats, thus pissing off Peavey.

[Colt 45]

That was good, looked as though Mo had done a line or two !

[JGrave]

I really liked that outfield of Taveras in CF and Scott in LF.  You can really tell how close they are.  They give each other five on every single play and they are constantly communicating.  I think they might help each other in a lot of ways by just being so comfortable around each other.  Maybe last year they were both so awestruck that they were never comfortable.

[No? in Austin]

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I really liked that outfield of Taveras in CF and Scott in LF.  You can really tell how close they are.  They give each other five on every single play and they are constantly communicating.  I think they might help each other in a lot of ways by just being so comfortable around each other.  Maybe last year they were both so awestruck that they were never comfortable.

They lived together during spring training and then when both of them made the club last year.  NTAWWT!

Scott calls Taveras "my best amigo!" and Taveras did all the cooking for them when they were roomies.  They're close.

[Bench]

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I really liked that outfield of Taveras in CF and Scott in LF.  You can really tell how close they are.  They give each other five on every single play and they are constantly communicating.  I think they might help each other in a lot of ways by just being so comfortable around each other.  Maybe last year they were both so awestruck that they were never comfortable.

They lived together during spring training and then when both of them made the club last year.  NTAWWT!

Scott calls Taveras "my best amigo!" and Taveras did all the cooking for them when they were roomies.  They're close.

I thought Luke lived with Willy and Willy's wife over the offseasons in addition to rooming together in the Indians organization. I read somewhere that Willy always speaks to him in english, and Luke always speaks to Willy in spanish, so they both practice. (Except for that play in New York when Willy was screaming "tira la!")

[Fredia]

be nice if there is another baggy/bidg in the works and they both keep playing for the astros for many years
as for the game yes i am very happy .. i hope bache gets it toether and clemens well that he has better luck. man that guy is pitching so well. and naught to show...the thursday game with the rookie is going to be interesting.. i think there will be more of a true picture after the series not just one game

[Duder]

Yeah, I'm positive I read somewhere that they roomed together in the Indians organization and were close friends before coming to the Astros organization.

[No? in Austin]

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I thought Luke lived with Willy and Willy's wife over the offseasons in addition to rooming together in the Indians organization. I read somewhere that Willy always speaks to him in english, and Luke always speaks to Willy in spanish, so they both practice. (Except for that play in New York when Willy was screaming "tira la!")

I don't know about their days in the Indians organization, but they were roomies last spring training and then when they came to Houston.  Willy's wife came to the US after they both arrived in Houston and that was several weeks into the season.  Luke was asked what he was going to do now that Willy was going to kick him out.  More info than you wanted to know I'm sure.

[chuck]

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... and Taveras did all the cooking for them when they were roomies.

Not exactly. They both cook (saves money!), but Willy invariably cooks the rice because he likes it done a certain way.

[WulawHorn]

I wanted to nickname Luke Scott "the third wheel" after reading about him living with wily t and his brand new wife  Never caught on though...

[utastro]

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I wanted to nickname Luke Scott "the third wheel" after reading about him living with wily t and his brand new wife  Never caught on though...

Or we could call him Dupree.

[JGrave]

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Quote:
I wanted to nickname Luke Scott "the third wheel" after reading about him living with wily t and his brand new wife  Never caught on though...

Or we could call him Dupree.

Steely Dan might sue us.

[Danimal]

Id better can that "Reelin in the Years" tribute about Bags and Bidge I was producing...

[astrox]

Quote:
1-0.  Great starting pitching, stellar bullpen work, a closer who shuts them down and a perfect way to manufacture a run.

That's how they should roll, not necessarily win every game 1-0, but the formula is a great one to protend great things for the second half push by Houston.

They *NEED* to play this brand of baseball for the rest of the year!

Not only how they won as you mentioned above, but WHERE they won - on the road.

Great win and hopefully after many near-turning points this season, this one may be the real deal.

Go Stros.

[jaklewein]

Tonight is a big game in my opinion...Backe has to get rolling.  We cannot afford him anymore time to shake off the rust.  I win tonight would be nice going into the rook's start tomorrow.

[JimR]

man, you make coffee nervous.