Astros win 4-2

Posted on September 14, 2010 by MusicMan in Game Recaps, News

Brewers at Astros, 9/13/2010
Astros 4, Brewers 2
W: Myers (12-7) L: Kintzler (0-1) S:Lindstrom (23)
HR: Hart (28, Crawford Boxes special)

A great disturbance was felt in the force… of gravity. Prince Fielder was on the bench for Monday’s game due to the infamous “fly-like symptoms”. This forced the remaining Brewers to completely recalibrate their approach in the field due to the lack of pull towards the first-base line.

Brett Myers was his usual self: 7 innings, 10 strikeouts, six hits, and the only run coming on a Hart Foundation solo shot into the boxes. The Astros put together a lot of hits, but were unable to string together more than an opening frame run. This was due in no small part to Face of the Franchise Hunter Pence, who managed to leave 6 runners on base in addition to the one he erased on a GIDP. Fortunately, his teammates picked him up in the 7th, as Lee, Johnson, and Manzella strung together 2-out RBI singles for the three runs that would make the difference.

The win moves the Astros to six games under .500. Hurry, Astros! There are only 18 games left to reach .500!

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Beer Season: Brewers @ Astros Series Preview

Posted on September 13, 2010 by GreatBagwellsBeard in News, Series Previews

The minute particulars of what qualifies for seasonal changes in Houston are subtle. It’s skin deep, quite literally: fall means mosquito bites aren’t part of your complexion any more. Further north and east, hidebound traditions about white clothing and Labor Day still hang on, despite the fact that seersucker cotton would be damned comfortable in Houston in November most years.

For me, the best way to acknowledge the seasonal cycle is by watching the beer calendar. It seems silly that I’ve already been drinking Oktoberfest beers for almost a month, but I’m still sweating through my undershirt by just walking from my office to my parking spot. But as the humidity finally breaks and the patios of our watering holes become habitable again, the malty goodness of a strong Marzen sets the tone just as surely as the first cold snap.

The onset of fall also brings my transition from tequila, bourbon and rye to scotch. It never seemed quite right to drink an Islay when the only thing that’s peat-like is the bartender’s taint. I tried a scotch-fortified cocktail at Anvil last week, and while it was as exquisite you’d expect from them, it was like drinking a Tom Waits song. And that just doesn’t fly when it’s still in the mid-nineties. But if it’s below 90 this weekend, expect to find me standing outside with a highball of Laphroaig, toasting the coming fall.

Also, baseball is still being played, by a team that’s far more fun to watch than the one that played in April.

Probable Pitchers

Monday, September 13th

7:05 CT, MMPUS

Chris Narveson (11-7, 5.20) v. Brett Myers (11-7, 2.91)

Narveson and Myers have identical records, but the pasty and chipper-looking Narveson has had a messier road to his eleven. The local nine hit him quite well; Sweet Baby Bourn sports a 1.267 OPS, and even Tommy Mazella hits .500 off of him.

The Ace With The Pubes On His Chin (hereafter, TAWTPOHC) slaps the Brewers around like a…sorry, still can’t make that joke. Only Casey McGehee, Prince “Here, Brett Wallace. That’s the phone number for my pants tailor. You’re gonna love ’em.” Fielder and Ricky Weeks hit him well at all.

Tuesday, September 14th

7:05 CT, MMPUS

Chris Capuano (3-3, 4.09) v. Bud Norris (7-8, 5.16)

The parade of Chrises continues on Tuesday. Capuano has split time between the rotation and bully this year after being an exclusive starter in past years. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures. Whatever the hell that means. Bourn and Michaels both hit him pretty well, but everyone else is shi-tay.

Budly is coming off a blisteringly hot outing and is looking to get some success against a Brewer team that’s hit him quite well in the past. Mr. Nighttime Sunglasses and McGehee have had particular good luck against him, but Prince (as so rarely happens) goes hungry against him.

Wednesday, September 15th

1:05 CT, MMPUS

Dave Bush (7-12, 4.59) v. J.A. Happ (5-2, 3.08)

Haha…his name is a slang term for vagina and the same as a disliked president! Hur hur hur. Johnson and Blum both beat around the Bush, so a modified lineup with two third basemen sounds like a good plan.

Happ’s continued to show that the Wade/Smith Mothership probably knows what it’s doing with all these ex-Phils. Other than Geary, who was perfectly serviceable for a couple years, there haven’t been any out and out busts from the City of Brotherly Love. He dominates the Brewers, with one infuriating exception: Dave Bush. Really. Motherfucker is hitting 1.000 off him. What’s that? It’s only one at-bat? Oh. Well who fucking cares then?

Injuries

Astros:

Alberto Arias: I truly cannot think of anything else amusing to say here. Get well for 2011, Al.

Chris Johnson: a sore Johnson is a horrible thing.

Brian Moheler: Brad Mills nods silently. It is time to release him to an ice floe. A single tear trickles down his bald cheek.

“Don’t look.” says Arnsberg, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

Brewers:

Doug Davis: Threw a successful bullpen session, despite having a Brazilian chin waxing.

LaTroy Hawkins: Struggling with being the only skinny black guy in Wisconsin.

Gregg Zaun: Seriously? Isn’t he like the Jamie Moyer of catchers? I think he caught Vida Blue.

What To Watch For:

Wallace in the 8 Hole: the batting spot that’s also his body shape!

The 2011 rotation, in 2010!

Late-arriving deadlines!

Discuss the games in the appropriately-named Game Zone!

CJ blasts boys to win

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Ty in Tampa in Game Recaps

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Dojers 2
Astros 3

W: Norris | L: Lilly | S: Lyon

HR: Johnson (8 – they’re still looking for it)

The youth movement chugs right along and continues to excite the shit out of those who care to pay attention. I admit, I care but my attention has been spread thin over the past month with many other things that have usurped my Astros viewing. I did happen to see most of last night’s contest and stared intently at the 6th inning at-bat of Chris Johnson.

CJ’s throwing error in the 1st preceded the bomb that Bud Norris gave up to Ethier. Down 2 and with Pence and Lee on, CJ battled the extremely hateable Lilly for 8 pitches until he connected with a wheelhouse fastball that sailed way over the tracks in left. CJ put his head down, tossed the bat aside and briskly trotted around the freshly cleared bases.

Those 3 runs held up, past some sketchy work by the bullpen and a nifty running grab by Boojwah in left (would Lee have even tried?) for the last out. Norris’ 6 innings yielded just 3 hits and 1 ER, plus 7 Ks to best Lilly and the Dojers in game 1 of 4 with these pukes. JA “Don’t call me Jay-Ay” Happ leads the youngsters and Lee in game 2 tonight at 7:05 CDT. Go kick the shit out of ’em, boys!

Oops, He Did It Again

Posted on September 9, 2010 by BudGirl in Game Recaps

Astros 4, Cubs 0
W: Brett Myers, L: Randy Wells

Astros Recap
Game Zone

This game started out perfect. Myers pitched 4.2 innings of perfect baseball. Then he gave up a walk, then a single before closing out the inning to keep the Cubs scoreless. He ended the night with 7 innings of shut-out baseball. He did a great job of using the strike zome given to him by the home plate ump. There were some pretty good plays made in the field behind him.

The bullpen finished the game by tossing two scoreless innings.

Hunter Pence hit a solo homerun in his second at-bat, his first at-bat was a pretty good shot to center also.

Carlos Lee looked like he was ready to trade in his bat for a new one. Good swings but only outs to show for it.

Keppinger, Johnson and Quintero got the other 3 rbi’s on the night.

This was the 5th series the Astros have played against the Cubs and the 5th series they won. That is the way it should be.

I found this quote from Hunter Pence interesting.

“We’re having fun out there and we compete and believe in each other.”

I believe in them too.

Astros at Cubs: Does This Better Record Make My Arse Look Fat?

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Limey in Series Previews

Say hello to your 3rd placed Astros. 64-72 may not look like much (it isn’t), but it’s 1 game better than the Brewers and 5.5 games better than the northside shirtless drunks. Read More

Astros at Diamondbacks – Me and the Astros Have Something In Common

Posted on September 3, 2010 by MRaup in Series Previews

So, a personal note or two to start things off. I’m moving to Los Angeles for a month on the 7th of September for work. So, similar to the Good Guys, I’m headed West for the forseeable future (minus the stop over in Lovableloserville). I’ll beat the ‘Stros to LA by a few days, but I’m hopeful I can catch a game or two of the Series while I’m out there since I’ll have weekends free.

I’d suggest any LA-based Stros fans meet up with me while I’m out there to try and see a ballgame, but if my trip to Houston last weekend has taught me anything, it’s that nobody on the TZ wants to hang out with me except for drunken British reprobates (thanks again, Limey).

I also mention my trip because I’ve been insanely busy getting read to go to LA for the last few days and managed to completely blank on my Preview Writing duties today until just now. So, with a little over 2 hours until game time, here’s the down and dirty series preview.

Dodger Stadium

Probable Pitching Matchups from Astros.com

Friday

Brett Myers (10-7, 2.97) v. Daniel Hudson (4-1, 1.83)

Check out Brett’s picture on the probable links. He looks like a prime candidate for a neck tattoo. Hudson looks like he’s about 16, and may or may not be thinking about boobies right now.

If you’re waiting for some useful information about these guys, you’re not gonna get it. No time, folks! No time!

Saturday

Bud Norris (6-8, 5.17) v. Joe Saunders (2-4, 4.70)

Bud’s ERA has lowered every month this season so far. His stuff is awesome, but he’s still learning to pitch in the big leagues.

The bad news? The Snakes post a .409 BA against him, 9 hits in 22 at bats, 2 home runs. Yikes.

Joe Saunders posted a really nice outing against the Chargers Padres in his last start, but the four starts before that were varying degrees of ugly.

Jason Michaels only has one hit in nine at bats against him. Kabong has three hits in eight at bats. Keppinger has one hit in two at bats. Nobody else has faced him.

Sunday

J.A. Happ (5-2, 2.89) v. Rodrigo Lopez (5-12,5.24)

Jaaaaaay has been pretty awesome since coming over from the Phillies. I don’t know if this is the real J.A. Happ or if he’s just happ-y to be with the Astros, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far. He’s a battler.

The good news: Happ absolutely dominates current D-bag cks to the tune of four hits in thirty three at bats, which leads to a sparkling .121 batting average against.

Rodrigo Lopez… Really? Who cares. Obviously he isn’t having a very good year.

Unsurprisingly, the Good Guys suck on ice against Rodrigo. They sport a robust .211 batting average, with eight hits in thirty eight at bats. Woof. Thunderpants (3-6) takes care of business against him, but that’s about it. Kabong is a putrid two of sixteen against him.

Injury Report

Houston

Nothing new to report here. Arias is still torn up, but apparently has begun throwing from flat ground again. Moehler’s groin fell off, but they taped it back on. Paulino is throwing from flat ground again, but odds are he’ll trip on a dandelion and tear another important joint/muscle right around the time he should be returning.

Arizona

Kris Benson is a tool. And by that I mean he’s out for the year with a shoulder strain.

Brandon Webb is on the DL with shoulder stiffness, but apparently “threw very successful simulated game August 28th”. I wonder what the difference is between successful and very successful.

Shit They’re Giving Away, Road Edition

Nothing Friday, but Saturday a sweet Montero Bobblehead. Who Montero, you ask? I don’t know either. It doesn’t say. Here it is, though. I’ve never known Montero to be an Asian last name, but hey, what do I know?

Sunday is Reynolds growth charts. Yippie!

Our Interesting Things to Chat About (Since There Isn’t Much to Look For)

I’ve been enjoying the few games I’ve gotten to watch and the highlights I’ve seen over the past few weeks, as many others have said in the TZ over the last few days. Watching the youngsters play good baseball has been fun, and bitchslapping the Fuckin’ Cardinals is always a good time. I hope this isn’t just a flukey little blip on the radar, but even if it is, it sure is more watchable than anything that the Good Guys were going last year. Thanks for reading, I’m back to scrambling to get ready for my trip to LA.

Talk about the games in the Gamezone… Or don’t. See if I care.

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