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9/30/12: Jordan Lyles Hits An Upper Deck Homer To Back His Shutout

Sunday, September 30th, 2012

What a way to end the year. Against the best hitting team in the NL, playing ALL their regulars. Yes. Gomez, Weeks, Braun, Aram, Corey Hart, Lucroy. Didn’t none of em do NOTHIN. Un-freaking believeable.

Just got home, didn’t see the game, spent you don’t want to know how many hours in the ER with a certain really stupid son getting him Xrays, stitches and a BIG shot that hurt (tetanus.) Man I hate ERs.

And this is why I am just now watching the replay. Had to eat first, kid and I were starving. I had seen the 7-0 score and naturally thought it was the Crew who shut US out instead of us knocking them out of their last second playoff run. Never thought of Lyles as John Smoltz, but that was most positively a Smoltz game. He only needed 103 pitches for the 9 innings, 64 strikes. He gave up 4 singles and 1 walk and got FOUR double plays. Country Joe West was the HP ump, had his usual inconsistent strike zone. Of note – Corporan was catching Lyles this time.

First inning, Fiers came out looking like the guy who shut us DOWN last time, 2 Ks and a GO. Jordan came out, got a GO, then walked Weeks (yes they WERE out of the zone) and then Braun hit a popup to short and for some reason, Weeks was halfway to second, don’t think he was stealing because he wasn’t running fast, but he sure nuff was napping and he got doubled off first 6-3. SERIOUS mental error, really inexcusable in a 9 year ML vet.

Second inning, Fiers looks great, 2 Ks and a groundout. Jordan is back. Aramis Ramirez reaches out for ball 4, taps it dribblingly toward 3rd and has himself an IF single. Corey Hart swings on an inside low pitch for a nice 6-4-3. Lucroy Ks on a called strike and he knew it.

Third inning, Justin Maxwell Ks staring. Corporan walks – 2 of the balls are in the strike zone. Joe West is consistently inconsistent and is equal opportunity – at least in THIS game. Lyles sac-bunts, but Corey Hart makes a bad throw and so it’s men on first and third, no outs. Tyler Greene drives a ball into the LF gap and it’s men on second and third, one run in. Moore and Lowrie strand them. Jordan Gets 3 outs on 8 pitches.

Astros 1 Crew 0

Fourth inning: Dominguez and Wallace K, then Fernando Martinez, swinging at everything in site, connects on a pitch that, for some reason, Fiers throws in the zone and it goes 400+ feet to the CF backstop for a homer. He’s a crappy fielder and swings at everything in sight, but when he connecets, he connects – like Jordan Maxwell, who, at least, can field and field WELL. And run bases well. And speaking of Maxwell and swinging at everything in sight, he gets just under a curve and pops it up. Jordan back out. Aoki ROE when Wallace bobbles a ball (that boy better work on his fielding. It’s bad news when you don’t field as well as Carlos Freaking Lee or even Matt Freaking Downs.) Weeks grounds out weakly to Lyles, who gets a 1-6. Braun obligingly GIDP 5-4-3, Dominguez making a nice play.

Astros 2 Crew 0

5th inning: Corporan flies out. Lyles takes a mighty hack at the first pitch, which happens to be a fat one belt high down the middle and it lands in the upper deck in left field. Really. Truly. The only thing more awesome than a pitcher hitting a home run is the pitcher driving in the game winning runs. Greene flies out, Moore Ks. Apparently, Jordan’s hands weren’t bothering him real too much because he gets 3 outs on 7 pitches.

Astros 3 Crew 0

6th inning: Jed Lowrie up. Pitch one is a perfect strike, low, inside, called Ball 1. Welcome to Joe Westworld. Next pitch is mid plate belt high and is POW gone into the RF seats. Youda thought the pitcher woulda have learned not to do that after the opposing pitcher took him out. Matt Dominguez is up, takes a curve, then gets a FB in THE EXACT SAME SPOT that Lowrie hit out and guess what? POW, gone to LF. The boys sound like Kit Keller – I like em high. Yes I AM comparing them to a grrrl and yes they SHOULD be flattered. Fiers grits his teeth, quits leaving em high (although he did throw one right down the middle to Maxwell, who only singled) got a K and 2 groundouts.

You wouldn’t have thought Fiers did so bad – 10 Ks, 6 hits and 1 walk over 6 innings. Unfortunately for him, 4 of those hits were homers. Although I most certainly DO remember the time the Stros hit five solo homers vs Ted Lilly and the Cubs and they STILL lost.

Jordan back out – gives up a single to Gomez. He goes on the first pitch, and Segura hits a comebacker to the pitcher and only gets the out at first. Jordan gets 2 easy fly outs. 11 pitch inning.

Stros 5 Crew 0

7th inning: Brandon Kintzler, RHP, is in. He throws a lot faster than Fiers’ 86-88 FB and he throws sliders instead of curves. He gets Lyles to ground out, Green looking and Moore swinging for the sombrero. I would have thought it would have been Maxwell or Fernando Martinez, as usual, but nope.

Jordan back out – Braun singles, but gets nowhere. 3 flyouts to Barnes – he’s REALLY good. I mean, he’s looking like Michael Bourn out there. Seriously. I thought Bogu was really good, but Barnes, that boy is definitely an elite fielder. Absolutely no excuse for playing him at any other OF position.

8th inning: Kintzler back out. Lowries immediately groundsout 6-4. Dominguez singles up the middle on a FB right down the middle. Wallace fouls off 5 pitches and walks. Fernando Martinez beats out an infield single to Weeks that he barely keeps from going onto RF. Don’t ask me how he beats it out because he runs like a Molina. Bogu comes in to pinch run. So it’s bases loaded, 1 out, and this being Astros, we expect a double play or a K or a popup. Sure enough, Maxwell flies out to shallow left and Braun has a GOOD arm and Dominguez has to hold. But then, miracle of miracles, Carlos Corporan shoots a grounder up the middle and it’s 2 runs in.

Brewers’ skipper doesn’t trust the pitcher to get the PITCHER out, so Manny Parra comes in a does the job.

Stros 7 Crew 0

Bout this time, I figure someone’s gonna come in, just because it’s what usually happens, but no, Jordan goes back out. Good for Francie-poo. The boy is throwing a shutout, his pitches are great, he’s getting outs easily, doesn’t look even a little tired. And there’s nothing to save him FOR.

I’m not sure why Crane wanted to get rid of Francie-poo for Bo Porter, it’s not like there would be this big salary difference or anything. Francie-poo seems to be doing really outlandish stuff like sending his closer in if it’s the 8th inning and he HAS to get outs because it’s the middle of the lineup, or there are men on. And like letting Lyles finish a game in which he’s cruising. And like making sure he has the best defenders on the field after the 7th. And the defensive OF of Maxwell, Branes and Bogu is really great.

Lyles goes back out – 3 outs, 7 pitches. Awesome. Crew look like they’ve packed it in and they are playing for their playoff lives, too.

9th inning: Manny Parra back out. Greene walks, Barnes Ks swinging at crap, Lowrie walks, Parra walks out. Josh Stinson, RHP, in. Dominguez and Wallace fly out.

Jordan back out to finish up. Pinch Hitter Tony Plush-less hits a blooper off the end of the bat that Justin Maxwell makes a nice catch near the seats on the first base line. Aoki groundsout. Weeks singles up the middle. Francie-poo DOES NOT PULL JORDAN or go out to the mound to ask him how he is. He also doesn’t get anyone warming up. And Ryan Braun goes down swinging at 3 pitches waay out of the zone.

Game ovah.

So KEWL!!! I mean, we’d already lost The Sacred Road Loss Record, so Jordan finishing the year like this is teh AWESOME. At least, unlike Dallas Keuchel, he won’t have the coaches telling him “to get bigger and stronger” if he wants to be in the rotation next year. Someone needs to tell the coaches that steroids are no longer OK to use.

Off to Wrigley – 15 guys who are rookies – yes, we have 15 guys on the active roster who are technically rookies – got hazed – they had to wear Speedos and swim caps on the bus trip to Wrigley. Check it out. No Grady Sizemores. No Gabe Kaplers. There can’t be more than like a dozen guys who actually look HOTTTTTTT in a Speedo.

Last Astros series. Yes, I’m depressed. Cards are 2 games ahead of the Dodgers with 3 games to play for the second WC. I’m surprised the Cards have done as well as they have. Good thing they had Lance Lynn and Kyle Lohse.

And in the DH league, I wouldn’t NEVAH have guessed Baltimore and the Oakland Beanes would have made the playoffs. First time in, what, 6 years, that his gambles/trades have worked out. Would like to see Baltimore will win the next 3 games (and the Yankees lose) to win the AL East, which they haven’t done since I was a teenager. And Boston will finish dead last, like us. Anyone besides me notice that the fortunes of this team have (mostly) mirrored Boston?

 

 

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Posted in Jordan Lyles | 4 Comments »

9/23/12: The Final Legendary Weekend Of The Astros At Home

Monday, September 24th, 2012

Of course you want to know if I went. It was a really REALLY tough decision, but I stuck to my refusal to give Crane one thin dime. Bout tore me up, seeing as how it was the Last Weekend Ever. I even got out my Shooting Star t-shirt, even though Wandy’s name isn’t on the back.

Called my Mama. She said, sorry Baby Girl, Wainwright is pitching. I said, cmon Mama, one last time, Jerry Trupiano and Richard Justice are calling the game. She said TRUPIANO?? I haven’t heard him in a LONG time and besides, he’s not really a baseball. He is, TOO Mama, I said – he called games for the Red Sox until a couple years ago. She sniffed – like I said, DH ball. Cmon Mama, I said – it IS The Last Weekend and you can watch Wainwright on tape.

And she won’t really admit it, but she was glad she did. It was absolutely great to see guys I grew up with, guys I never saw play out there looking out at the 8000 fans who showed up. Mama said – well, with Jimmy and Enos (Cabell), it will sure nuff look like The Good Ol Days of the empty Dome. TV was great. Trupiano was louder, more, uh, enthusiastic (ahem) than our usual laid back crew, but oh man it was kewl. I know Richard Justice is a Bud-luvver, and he now writes bland blah stuff for MLB, but he’s still a DAMM good baseball man when he TALKS.

Every inning, they had a different Legend guest to talk. Enos Cabell, Jimmy Wynn, Saint Biggio, Eric Anthony!!! of all people – hadn’t thought about him since the 90s. Broakie-poo was on, too. Said that the job of a pitching coach is almost all dealing with the pitcher’s head and that pitching is indeed 90% mental. Said he often doesn’t even TALK to a new guy when he comes up (bet that makes the new guy a little nervous). Said that what he needs most to do is convince a guy that he CAN throw HIS pitch to the target. Interesting.

Dallas Keuchel pitched great – guess that Broakie-poo convinced him that he COULD throw to the target . 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 solo homer/7 IP. What is even more impressive is that besides the walk, he only went to a 3 ball count ONCE and threw over 4 pitches/hitter 3 times. Now THAT is listening to your pitching coach.

Best part of the game was Clint Hurdle getting himself some Blood Pressure in the second when a safe call was reversed. McHenry hit a ground ball, fielded by Keuchel and tosses to Wallace – bad throw, pulled Wallace off the bag, but he swipe tagged McHenry. Ump called him out at first. Wallace asked for a review from other umps, and – THE UMPS CONFERRED!!! Guess the HP ump had actually seen the tag and the runner was out. It was, by the way, the correct call – watched the replay.

I mean – seriously, THE UMPS CONFERRED TO GET THE PLAY RIGHT!!! What’s next? Dogs and Cats living together???

Second best part of the game was Jason Castro failing to get the bunt down with men on first and second and finally swinging away at a low slider and golfing it barely over the RF wall – right near the foul pole where the gate opens – maybe 340′ but hey, that’s the breaks.

And the game.

Beating the Pirates twice in a row. Seemed like The Good Old Days.

And today? Well, you won’t believe this BUT
1 – Jordan Lyles ran into trouble in the 5th – gave up 2 straight singles, then a walk. In comes the bullpen, who promptly lost the game – Wesley Wright let one run score. In came Mickey Storey who let the other 2 runs score and Wesley’s run score. Mickey gave up a single and an RBI double to stat the 6th, but got lucky because Chuckie Fick stranded HIS runner. Enerio Del Rosario gave up 3 more runs in the 8th.

2 – Bogusevic was pinch hitting in the 8th – had a 1-2 count and the next pitch hit him on the foot – ump called it ball 2. Bogu insisted that it had hit his toe (which it did), and THE UMPS CONFERRED TO GET THE CALL RIGHT!!! Seriously, WTF? Getting calls right? Guess they are doing their darndest to avoid instant replay.

Scott Moore was the only guy to get a hit off AJ Burnett – in fact, was a triple shy of the cycle. Brett Wallace got himself a Golden Sombrero. He’s striking out more and walking less than he did last year, even though he’s hitting for more power.

Of note – Jed Lowrie is still very stiff legged and looks like Derek Jeter at short, minus the jump n throw (NOT a compliment) and Tyler Greene is 29 and is NOT a good fielding SS – doesn’t make any tough plays, makes too many errors, both counted and mental. For example – in the 4th, Rod Barajas, who runs like a 9 month pregnant woman, hit a dead easy grounder to short for what should have been an easy 6-3. BUT he tosses it to get the out at second instead and Barmes, running on contact, beat the throw and everyone was safe. That kind of stuff is BAD for a pitcher, worrying about his fielders not making plays behind him.

Speaking of fielding:

Brandon Barnes is REALLY awesome in center – not quiiite Michael Bourn or Andrew McCutchen, but a darn close third. He makes the easy plays AND the tough plays. Man I wish Bogu had hit better – Barnes in center and Bogu in right – what a combo.

Fernando Martinez is a lousy fielder – bad jumps and I mean BAD jumps. He doesn’t look like Clank, because he is thinner and runs faster, but Clank was actually better out there than Fernando. I don’t know if the Organization sees something I don’t, but I guess it is playing out the season. Oh yeah – and he looked like Pedro Cerrano up there trying to hit the curve. He wants to stayin the majors, you know what he’s gotta tell JoBu.

Justin Maxwell – by the way, has 105 strikeouts in 323 PA. He’s only hitting .233, but half his hits are for extra bases. Saturday night, Jerry Trupiano noted that Maxwell swings at all KINDS of junk out of the zone because he’s trying to hit a homer every swing. Looks that way all right.

Speaking of legends, Chad Qualls mopped up the 9th – he’s 34 freaking years old. Seems like yesterday he was a rookie for the pennant winning team – and of course he was 26 at the time. He was picked in the 2nd round of the 200 draft, but didn’t play until 01 – was an averagish starter for a few years until getting called up at the end of 04 – remember? He had one really bad game in relief, but then settled down and was a really big BIG part of the run to the WC victory last day of the season. Him and Brandon Backe. Too bad Phil Garner didn’t use Chad instead of Dan EFF Miceli…

Saint Looey tomorrow. Yes I’m gonna try to watch with Mama – will be weird, her and me rooting for different teams.

sigh

Things change and sometimes there isn’t one darn thing you can do about it except shrug and move on.

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Posted in Dallas Keuchel, Jordan Lyles | 6 Comments »

9/16/12: Astros Beat Phils, Win Series, Remain Stuck At 99 Losses

Sunday, September 16th, 2012

I bout had my story written – Phils And Astros Spilt Series As Astros Reach Magical 100 Loss. But no, the guys had to make a comeback against Philly’s crappy bullpen (here and I thought they had got Ed Wade back). Roy Halliday certainly doesn’t look like the Doc of olden times. He looked like your average dude – 7 hits, 2 HR, 2 walks, 3 runs over 6 IP. The leftys, Scott Moore and Corporan, hit the homers, but Julio Daniel looked like the guy we knew and loved LAST year – hit a triple on the Hill and a double to the Wall. Astros had at least one guy on base every inning except the 4th.

Jordan Lyles actually looked pretty darn good until he ran into his nemesis, the 5th inning. He was leading 2-1, thanks to Scott Moore’s 2 run homer in the second. He got 2 swinging Ks, then gave up a single to Jimmy Rollins, who was trouble all night. He stole second and went to third because Corporan looked like Jason Castro trying to throw a runner out and next thing you know, Jimmy was on 3rd. Not that he wouldn’t have scored from first on Juan Pierre’s double, which split Maxwell and Julio Daniel and rolled to the scoreboard – they had both been playing shallow. Tie game.

Juan Pierre sure has been around a long LONG time. He hits a lot of singles, steals a lot of bases, makes a lot of outs, plays LF decently because he can still run fast at age 34, and has an arm like a noodle. But, he is still going strong – gotta take my hat off to the brotha. I’d forgotten he was still in baseball after he was traded from the Dodgers to the DH league. Last I remember, Dodger media was saying how he was so much better than Manny Ramirez or something like that. He wasn’t, but he was a 13th rounder out of hs who came up at age 22 and has had a 13 year major league career as a regular and didn’t miss a game for 5 straight years.
where was I?

Oh yeah – the bad 5th inning.  So it’s a man on second, 2 outs, and for the second straight time, Francie-poo has Lyles IBB Chase Utley, not sure why, to pitch to Ryan Howard. The first time, I understand – he wanted to try for a double play. But this time, putting another man on base? And it doesn’t work because Howard takes a curve opposite field to the corner of the LF where the ball hits the scoreboard and bounces away from Julio Daniel, who has to chase it. But Ryan isn’t exactly fast and he foolishly decides to stretch his double into a triple and is dead meat at third.

Phils 4, Stros 2

Goodbye W for Jordan, as he is done at 85 pitches. No, I’m not objecting because this is September, we’re not in a race for anything except the worst in the majors, and Lyles is only 21 and he doesn’t need to be piling up meaningless innings.

Hector Ambriz pitches a 1,2,3 6th. Halliday comes back, gives up a solo homer to Corporan, then a double to Julio Daniel, who is stranded.

Phils 4 Stros 3

Hector comes out for the 7th, gives up a leadoff double, then is pulled for Wesley Wright, who gets 1,2,3 with a HBP thrown in there – hahahahaha. Wesley, actually, is one of the few relievers who has had a decent year. He has finally turned into a decent reliever, even though he was slowed a little by the Astros inexplicably trying to turn him into a starter a few years back (shades of Fernando Abad.)

Then, the unexpected happens. LHP Antonio Bastardo comes in – he’s been pretty much the 7th inning guy this year. He faces Matt Downs, who was sent in to pinch hit for Bogu, and gets him swinging. Altuve grounds out to third, only the 3rd baseman makes a bad throw and he’s safe. I mean, this is the stuff that has happened TO the Astros all year. Paredes walks. Pitching change and in comes Phillipe Aumont, RHP. He walks Brandon Laird. Then he throws a great inside pitch to Jason Maxwell, who catches it on the thin part of the bat and it falls for a bloop juuuuust inside the RF foul line for a double. Matt Dominguez hits a chopper over the head of the SS and 2 more runs come in.

Bastardo and Aumont must be seething – a ROE, 2 walks (the ump got the calls right) then 2 stupid bloops and in come 4 runs. Bastardo gets a L and Aumont gets a BS and Wesley Wright gets his second W in a row.

Stros 7 Phils 6

Mickey Storey gives up 2 runs in the 8th after getting an out, and in comes Wilton Lopez, who gets a 5 out save. No hits, but he is ordered to IBB Ryan Howard after getting Utley out, not sure why.

This means the Astros now have as many wins in September as we did in July and August COMBINED. And we have a winning record for the month so far, which feels very strange. Fortunately, the Cubs won today, so we maintained our 10 game lead – they beat the Pirates, who, for the second year in a row, are fading fast after looking good for so long. Wonder if they’ll end up at at least .500 and break their 20 YEAR losing streak. My GAWD it was 20 years ago that Barry Lamar Bonds left Pittsburgh. Keeping Andy Van Slyke instead sure was a great move.

We got tomorrow off, then it’s off to Saint Looey where Fernando Bad will face Kyle Lohse and his 2.81 ERA and 14-3 record, which will definitely not get him anywheres near a Cy Young. Clayton Kershaw is done for the year with a hip injury, and Johnny Cueto is suddenly getting beat by Astros and Marlins, so it sure looks as if the Cy is Gio Gonzalez’ to lose at this point.

Francie-poo said something like how he thinks Fernando Martinez is every day major leaguer material. Roll Eyes. He’s is currently sitting out with a bad knee – he’s had knee probelms for several years – derailed his Mets career. Yeah, he hit AAA pitching. He has a .698 OPS here, isn’t a particularly good fielder, can’t steal, and I haven’t been impressed with his arm neither. Sigh.

Oh yeah – and they sure are keeping it VERY hushhush about Larry Bowa interviewing for manager. Which he DID do. Larry Bowa makes Bobby Valentine look more laid back than Charlie Manuel taking a nap. Can anyone picture Larry taking orders as to what to do with his players from a bunch of stat geeks?

Wonder who all the guys were who turned down invitations to interview. If I hear and can verify, will let yall know.

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Posted in Jordan Lyles, Justin Maxwell | 11 Comments »

9/11/12: Jordan Lyles Throws 5 Scoreless And Astros Shut Out Cubs 1-0

Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

Is there anyone left who is still wondering why the Astros decided to move Jimmy Paredes from the infield to the outfield, to limit the damage he could do with his glove? (Center fielder my butt.) He can’t get balls cleanly, has a LOT of trouble turning the DP and his throwing makes Chris Johnson look like Scott Rolen. He still isn’t hitting. And no, I’m not impressed with Fernando Martinez, bat glove or arm, neither. And unfortunately, Brandon Barnes, although his glove looks very good, can’t hit ML pitching, at least so far, too bad.

Justin Maxwell is a good fielding CF – arm isn’t Bogusevic’s, but then, no one on the team has an arm that good. Maxwell DID throw out a runner at third from shallow center today – and the ball bounced twice before it got to the bag. Amazing how few guys can throw hard and/or accurately. I should mention that JD Martinez threw out a runner last night from shallow left and the throw was really offline and he’s lucky the ump called the out on the sweep tag.

Where was I? Oh yeah – Maxwell. So far, he’s 61 fer 255. 26 hits are for extra bases. He has 25 walks and 89 K – which is a K rate OVER 1 of 3. On this team, like, who cares, right? I remember all the folks screaming at Mo Ensberg in 06 when he had 96 Ks, but had 101 walks and an OPS of .850 (120 OPS+): walking is for sissies. He also had a .235 BA, just like Maxwell, who is lauded by Astros fans. How far we’ve fallen, hunh?

But props to Jordan Lyles – first time all year he’s given up no runs in a start, even if it was only 5 innings, so not a QS. He’s had 9 QS of 22 starts, and he won only 3 of em. Welcome to Astros pitching. He threw 94 pitches over 5 innings and was pulled for a PH. Reasonable, with a 1 run lead.

1st inning: 1,2,3 and a E4
2nd inning, 2 walks, a single for bases loaded, 1 out, and he got a nice 3-2 forceout, then a flyout.
3rd: groudout, then what should have been a dead easy 4-3, but Jimmy Paredes threw the ball waaaay over Brett Wallace’s head into the dugout for a 2 base error. Anthony Rizzo, the hitter, collided with Wallace as he was jumping for the ball and had to leave the game. Poor guy. Anyway, Jordan got 2 Ks.
4th: got 1,2,3
5th: E6 (yeah, Tyler bobbled another ball. I miss Adam Everett) single, then 1,2,3.

The errors cost him 12 extra pitches and 2 pickoff throws, which would have given him 6 innings and a QS.

6th – Xavier Cedeno comes in, gets an out, then a single and a double, so there’s men on second and third. In comes Mickey Storey, gets a flyout to shallow CF, then a dumbass rookie decision by the guy on second to tag and go to third and he was tagged out before Castro could score – hard to believe seeing as how Castro is fast as lightning and the runner from second, Dave Sappelt is not, but it’s what the umps decided.

7th: Wesley Wright gets 1,2,3 and E4.

8th: looks like Jose Valdez has graduated to setup man – he gets 1,2,3

9th: Wilton Lopez is gonna give me high blood pressure – has trouble getting those 1,2,3 out saves. Gave up 2 singles, but stranded em with only 1 out. Jose Altuve, I guess, can field – he was put at second as a DR, no surprise there. Matt EFF Downs can play second better than Jimmy Paredes.

Astros had 4 hits, 2 walks, 2 ROE, left 2 on in the first and 7th, and only got one run out of bases loaded 1 out. Fortunately, we played the second worst club in the majors, and that’s how things go.

For tomorrow night, me n Husband got us a bet goin on seein as how it is Fernando Suckage Abad starting again. He hasn’t gotten through the 5th inning yet, or given up fewer than 4 runs/game. So it’s how many innings and how many runs. We might could add in how many homers, too, just to make it interesting.

Oh yeah – still more talktalk about Will Roger Clemens Pitch For The Astros This Year?? Cmon. Roger is getting out guys who can’t even play in the minors. He hasn’t faced major league hitters in FIVE years, and he’s not the kind of guy to make himself look bad on national TV. Well, pitching, I mean. He got interviewed, and he was going on about how he would only want to face a contender, to, you know, kind of get his competetive juices going, and all I can say is – well, seems I remember him crapping out in the WS in 05 and in the playoffs for the Yanks in 07. Maybe he means Pittsburgh, once they get eliminated. But I doubt it.

And one more FO guy, David Gottfried, one of the assistant GMs, is, um, not having his contract renewed. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t counting on it, as Luhnow has pretty much gotten rid of everyone who was here when he got here, who doesn’t have a contract past this year, and I’m sure he read the writing on the wall.

Francie-poo is supposedly “in the mix” for manager. Luhnow wants someone who is down with the Astros “increased use of analytics” and Francie-poo said something about how he’s down with the Moneyball thingy, he grew up with Oakland. I love the “increased use of analytics” stuff, but thing is, it’s hard to have all this On Base Percentage when your guys suck at hitting and walking. Also, even the As finally figured out that your guys have to be able to like, you know, field and run intelligently, not like Jack Cust in Baltimore.

Me, I’m dying to know how “increased used of analytics” turns lousy ballplayers into good ones.

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Posted in Jordan Lyles | 2 Comments »

8/30/12: Hunter Pence Beats The Astros 2 Nights In A Row

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

I would have titled it Froddy Loses Lyles’ Game To Preserve Astros Losing Streak, but I think I’ve already used it 8 times this year.

Lessee – Dallas Keuchel gives up 4 runs in the first – Hunter Pence hits a 3 run bomb to put the Giants ahead for good and the Astros give up the rest of the game in spite of knocking Barry Zito out in the third. Dallas is punished by getting sent down to AAA to sit on the bench for the final few games of the season. Matt Dominguez in called up – see, he’s hit really well in his last 10 games, raising his average from .240 to .255 and they’re gonna start him at 3rd next year anyway because they traded for him so now’s as good a time as any to get started, right?

Meanwhile, they’re gonna call up Edgar Gonzalez (see Armando Galarraga) to take Keuchel’s place in the rotation until they go to a 6 man rotation to protect the young arms. OKayyyyy.

Tonight, the Astros took a 4-0 lead. I had this feeling it wouldn’t last real too long – I was right. Altuve led off with a single, Jason Castro doubled him in, then Jimmy Paredes got his first hit this year, singling Castro in. Fernando Martinez stranded Paredes. Fernando is making Julio Daniel Martinez look like Matt Kemp – and him not getting anywheres near Marco Scutaro’s double in the 6th led to the 3 run demise of Froddy, but hey, we knew he couldn’t field.

Second inning, Lyles loads the bases on 3 straight singles, then gets a K, a 3-2 forceout, then he catches a liner to leave bases loaded. Meanwhile, Matt Dominguez hits a triple and Bogu sac-flies him home.

Third inning, Jordan gets 1,2,3 out. Tyler Greene hits yet another homer, this one juuuust barely over the RF wall near the foul pole, but a 340′ homer is still a homer.

4th inning, Jordan gets 1,2,3 out. Dominguez doubles, then Bogu hits a liner to second, Dominguez is doubled off, and really, that’s IT for the Astros.

5th inning, Jordan gives up a single to left, an out, then a single to the pitcher (a BAD omen) then d RBI double down the 3rd base line that Dominguez doesn’t get, then one of those stupid choppy IF singles that Lyles tries to get and Greene gets too late to make a play on, then a sac fly to shallow left that Fernando can’t get a throw home in time to prevent an out, then a groundout.

6th inning – Xavier Cedeno gets 2 outs and a single, Froddy comes in and gets the third out. Castro walks, Paredes singles to center, tries to take second but is thrown out (and yes he WAS out) and naturally, Fernando Martinez strikes out for the 3rd out, stranding Castro at third. I suppose they are playing Fernando so much because Maxwell has a finger owie – hasn’t played in 10 days and you can’t do stuff like send him to the DL and call up someone else because there is an off chance that OKC might could win in spite of no pitching. Or something. Which is why you call up their only 3rd baseman.

7th inning – Froddy goes back out, gets 2 outs, then gives up a double to that nasty corner by the CBoxes that Martinez doesn’t get to, then a single that just gets by Altuve, who almost stops it, and stops 10 feet away so that Paredes can’t get it home in time to stop the tying run. Then a wild pitch/IBB to Posey, then Hunter Pence (yeah, him again) singles home the 2 runs.

Game over.

Naturally.

Bogu walks, steals second, is stranded.

8th – Rhiner Cruz gives up a solo homer.  Sgtros go 1,2,3

9th – Pence walks and Brandon Belt (who just lives to hit Astros pitching) doubles him home. Blanco singles to right and Paredes throws out Belt at home. I’m absolutely paralyzed with shock – first time I’ve ever seen Paredes make a good throw. Well, Pearce made one the other day, why not Paredes? I mean, sometimes the pitcher gets a hit. It’s baseball, youneverknow.

Javier Lopez comes in to finish (4 run lead – no Closah) and gets 2 outs, gives up a single to Matt Dominguez, then Bogu, so Sergio Romo has to come in to Close and gets Jason Maxwell swinging on 3 pitches.

So the Astros are managing to keep wins at bay and have clung to 40 wins now for 7 games. They have to cling for dear life because they failed to lsoe FIVE times this month, unable to repeat July’s masterful 3 win performance. Tomorrow night, Reds are comin to town and Abad is facing someone – doesn’t matter who, does it?

Oh yeah – Da Rojah is pitching for the Skeeters again in 8 days, and the Astros are “monitoring” the situation.

Announced attendence was 12,835 (translation – 1,234 Giants/Pence fans in the stands – the Crawford Boxes had maybe 10 people in them) and the Astros are desperate for any publicity and therefore, they are “monitoring” Rojah. Who would most pikely outpitch anyone on the Astros not named Harrell…

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8/24/12: Lyles Beats Mets So Magic Number Is Up To 1

Friday, August 24th, 2012

It’s been a looooooong week for the Gray family, so we-uns all went out for Vietnamese food because really, Mami was just too darn tired to cook and Husband didn’t want chickens from the Kroger again. Like I said, it’s been a looooooong week. So we got back and Husband sez, please Baby, tell me you are NOT turnin on the (swear word) game, I’m just not in the mood to watch another loss and yes I know ALLL about The Sacred All-Time Loss Record. So we watched Bugs Bunny instead, laughed (instead of cringed), so I didn’t get to check the game till late.

And well, that magic number is down to 1, as it seems that Jordan Lyles cares more about his own personal Win record than maintaining Team Unity. Yes, the Astros are now at 40 wins, and managing to lose all but 1 game now seems a forlorn hope, and that we will simply go down as yet another bridesmaid besides the 03 Tigers and the 04 Diamondbacks. We could try to push that number as close to 120 as possible, but unfortunately, close but no cigar ain’t gonna get us nowheres.

Jordan gave up 3 hits, 2 walks, 1 HBP and 1 run, on a homer to David Wright that juuuuussst made it to the very bottom of the foul pole in right. He was pulled after 6 innings, 91 pitches, and Wesley Wright came in and was allowed to face 2 rightys. Yes, you read that right, allowed to face 2 rightys. I don’t know what the world is coming to.

Froddy came in to start the 8th, got 2 outs, then gave up a walk, and it was David Wright up. So Froddy was actually pulled for The Closer. Yes, friends and neighbors, you read that wright. The closer was sent in to get out the opposition’s best hitter with 2 out 1 on in the EIGHTH inning. You know, NOT the correct designated inning for The Closer. Why on earth you would send in your best pitcher to get the best hitter out I do NOT understand. What a concept. I mean, I remember Phil Garner using Brad Lidge in the 8th back in 04, and I think that Jose Valverde was called in to get a hitter or 2 out in the 8th inning back in 08, but really.

Best part of the game, though, is Jordan Lyles driving in what turned out to be the winning run with a double to left, scoring Brandon Barnes. Who, by the way, is a pretty good center fielder. I wish he’d hit more – I’d love to see him succeed. The most amazing sight of the game, however was seeing Steve Pearce actually throw out David Wright at second. I didn’t think the guy could actually throw to the correct fielder, let alone make any sort of GOOD throw. Hey, miracles happen.

By the way, Roger Clemens is starting for the Skeeters today, not the Astros, although it sure has been talked about plenty and is actually getting national coverage – Will Roger Come Back Again???!!! It’s Fernando Abad, no, I’m not kidding, starting. Good Lord. Yes, I’m talking about the lefty reliever who was good in 2010 until they decided he should play all winter as a starter and he was too tired to stand, let alone pitch, when he came back in 2011.

We’re facing RA Dickey, the knuckleballer. This should be fun. Dickey is 15-4 (on a BAD team) with a 2.82 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. This month, he gave up 5 runs/ 6 IP to Cincy and lost, 3 runs/7 Ip to San Diego and lost, 3 hits, 1 solo homer to Colorado (ND) and a CG 1 run win over Miami. He hasn’t had an ERA over 3 since May.

Dickey, of course, is a righty. Will be interesting to see if Francie-poo packs the lineup with leftys, just like Millsie-poo did.

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8/12/12: Astros Can’t Pull Off Another Walkoff And Lose To The Brewers

Sunday, August 12th, 2012

Marwin Gonzalez drove in 2 of the 4 Astros runs, but with men on second and third, the tying runs on, 2 out, he couldn’t come through against Kameron Loe, closing this afternoon. Looks like he might get another chance to close, seeing as how the Brewers’ bullpen doesn’t actually HAVE a decent reliever. Funny – they were so good last year. Just goes to show that youneverknow.

Yo Gallardo beating the Astros is news like the Globetrotters beating the Generals. Poor Jordan Lyles, who actually pitched pretty well. He got a lot of groundballs, didn’t give up any walks, got 5 K – gave up 2 runs and 2 UER thanks to an error by Marwin Gonzalez. Mickey Storey pitched 2 innings of 1 run ball.

The guys got 10 hits, but, as usual couldn’t hit for spit with RISP. I really wish they’d quit platooning Brett Wallace and quit playing him at 3rd, just stick him at first where he belongs.

I’m reading about how a whole LOT of fans, well, of the few remaining fans, want Millsie-poo fired. Like, what for? They aren’t gonna come up with a new, GOOD manager in August and they are gonna have a massive do-over after the season ends. I always said – how tough can it be to manage a bullpen? but is sure must be tough seeing as how so many managers are bad at it.

Truth is that Billy Martin couldn’t win with this group. Major League/Bad News Bears is a fun movie, but you don’t build a winning ballclub with has beens and neverweres.

In the loss column, we’re still ahead of the Rox, who just REFUSE to win, and 6 ahead of the Cubs, whose owner, I guess, is determined to have a small market payroll, seeing as how he doesn’t need anything resembling a major league team to pack that park and keep fans. They are the very definition of a large market team and I would gues the players union is not gonna be real too happy seeing the Cubs with a 40-50 mill payroll, like the Astros. Actually, I can’t see how the Astros payroll is gonna be much over 30 mill, can’t see any GOOD (expensive) FA signing with THIS team.

The AAA club is having difficulty winning – they’ve lost at least 10 in a row now, tough to win when all your starting pitchers have an ERA over 6 and your good hitters are mostly now with the ML club.

We’re off to Wrigley, where Armando Galarraga will face Jeff Samardizja, who has pitched really well since the beginning of June and has only 2 W to show for his trouble. Cubs have dumped both of their good pitchers and now have a whole lot of nobody – just like us. Cub fans are dying to dump Alfonso Soriano. Not sure why, they aren’t gonna get much of anything for him in trade and it’s not like ownership is gonna spend the money on someone else who is any better. Cubs got more major leaguers than we do though – Sori, Rizzo, David DeJesus and Starlin Castro. Also, Darwin Barney is decent.

Tuesday, it’s Lucas Harrell vs Chris Volstead and his 7 ERA – he hasn’t won a ML game in over a year.

Wednesday afternoon, it’s Bud Norris (and Wrigley has not been kind to him) vs Justin Germano, RHP. He’s 30 year old, drafted by the Pads in the 13th round of the 2000 draft. He’s one of those guys who has a familiar name, you don’t know why – he was a starter for the Pads in 07, pitched mostly in relief in 04 and 08, signed as a FA with Cleveland for 2010, did decently, spent most of 2011 in the minors, has been in the Red Sox minors this year, was released and picked up by the Cubs in July and put into the rotation. He’s kept his head above water, managing a 4.26 ERA/1.21 WHIP over 19.1 IP.

Jason Castro is back with the team. Naturally, Corporan gets sent down – he can hit, catch and throw, but noooooo, we gotta keep the guy who can’t hit even the Mendoza line. He got 2 hits today and that brought his average UP to .177.

In Extros news, J Happ beat the Yankees today – see what happens when you get run support? CJ had the weekend from hell. Hunter Pence has had a terrible August so far, following a lousy July, but he hit a homer today and let’s hope that gets him going. Michael Bourn has an .811 OPS for August, went 3 fer 5 against the Mets.

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8/7/12: Brandon Barnes, Welcome To The Astros

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

I would have said welcome to MLB, but that’s in name only. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 05 draft, was never a “prospect” but he kept on keepin on and here he is. Health insurance for life, too – just one day in the bigs is all you need.

Anyway, Barnes is a CF – Mary Jane Schafer went on the DL with a separated shoulder – more like a sucking suckage. He started at AA this year because of all the failed first rounders the Astros had gathered from other Organizations (hello Fernando Martinez) and killed the ball with a .984 OPS, so was promoted to AAA and had a .860 OPS over 235 AB, outplaying the AAAA lifers. He played pretty much CF exclusively, had 2 assists and 3 errors in 170 chances. Pretty good. He had his time split between AA and AAA in 2010, had a .739 OPS. The Organization appeared to be big on Jacob Goebberts, but he has suck, I mean suNk into oblivion.

A guy who was supposed to be minor league roster filler, and here he is. I love guys like this and I hope he killz the ball so we can get rid of Schafer.

Jordan Lyles pitched 7 OUTSTANDING innings of 2 hit, 3 walk, 2 run ball. The mistake to Danny Espinoza was a FB mid plate just above the knees and it went into the RF stands. Just ONE little mistake cost him a W, as the Astros had given him a lead on a 2 run CBox homer by Ben Francisco. So all he got for his great game is a stinking no decision.

Whoa – what do I see? Jordan was at 109 pitches, and I thought he was finished, but no – Millsie-poo sends him out for the 8th. Why WHY was he sent out there? Did Millsie-poo really think that Washington, with their great bullpen, wouldn’t send in a PH? Seriously WTF – did he think Lyles had another inning in him? Cmon. Naturally, he gives up a single, THEN is pulled. Oh – he had to stay in to face a RIGHTY pinch hitter because we know that our righty bullpen, I mean lefty bullpen relievers can’t get out rightys. I mean leftys. Or either one.

Where was I?

Wesley Wright is sent out, gets his 2 leftys, gets pulled, natcherilly, and Froddy is sent in to face Ryan Zimmerman and gets him. At least Jordan won’t get a L he didn’t really deserve.

So the question is – can the Astros manage once more to score against the Washington relievers? Ho ho and Ha ha, (as Daffy Duck says to Porky Pig in “Robin Hood Daffy”. I know, I’ve never REALLY grown up – I still think it’s HILARIOUS. Then again you knew something is wrong with me when you realize I’m STILL watching this stupid team…)

Anyway, LHP Michael Gonzalez in – Snyder and Wallace makes outs, then Altuve gets an IF single to third, then steals second. But Marwin pops out and strands him. Same ol, same ol.

9th – Froddy is back out. Can he sustain his incredible streak of 2 games played in without giving up ANY run? And he gets 1,2,3 out. Really. Truly.

It’s RHP Ryan Mattheus. He gets Francisco and Maxwell. Can Steve Pearce hit a walk off? No, it’s a 4 pitch walk. It’s lefty PH Scott Moore to replace Downsie-doo (him belly flopping over Pearce and Wilton is an image seared in my mind – how the heck he even got another day PT I don’t know, but hey, we’d lose with him or without him, as the saying goes, so why pay some younger, maybe gonna be better player? WP and Pearce is on second. Cmon there boy, let’s get a hit and win this thing NOW. But nope, it’s an IBB after the WP. Barnes has already been pulled, so he can’t be the HEro.

So it’s Bogu in to PH and I want SO much for him to win this ballgame for us. But no. Another groundout.

We’re now in extra innings and the Astros are ofer extra innings this year. Not real too surprised, are we, given that we are last in hitting and pitching in the NL. Probably in the ML.

10th – in comes Wilton – hey, the closer in a tie game in the 10th. He’s in to face the 7th, 8th and 9th hitter. Which I don’t get, but hey, I’m not the manager. Two outs, then a double to PH Chad Tracy, who I didn’t even know was still in the majors. I see he was in Japan last year, and this year, as had 55 AB over 37 games with a 112 OPS+ or .795 OPS, whichever you prefer. But Wilton strands him.

It’s lefty Tom Gorzellany to face Snyder, who walks (HE ain’t gonna be stealin no nothin) and again, it’s Lucas Harrell in to pinch run. And no, HE ain’t gonna be stealin no nothin neither. Wallace is BUNTING??? Are you *($!ing KIDDING ME??? Well, I guess a sac bunt woulda been better than K’ing at a pitch 2 feet outside. Cmon Jose, giterdone. Nope, a 6-4-3.

Now what? We’ve been thru Wesley, Froddy and Wilton.

11th – It’s Mickey Storey!! Cmon kid!!! And he gets em 1,2,3!! YAYYYYYYYY

Gorzellany gets Marwin, then, he’s out and it’s righty setup man Drew Storen in to face Francisco and Maxwell. And he gets em both with Maxwell swinging at a pitch in the dirt. That’s what happens when you get homer happy/

Now what? Will Mickey get another inning? I’m not sure that’s a good idea, but youneverknow…

12th: And yeah, he’s back out. Morse doubles, is pinch run for, and then a sac bunt. Man on 3rd, no outs. And Espinoza drives him in with a dribbly single that Mickey just misses, which hits the second base bag, takes a funny turn and Marwin can’t get it. There’s your ballgame. He gets the next 2 outs without trouble, but afraid he’s in for a L, poor boy.

And sure enough, it’s closer Tyler Clippard. Pearce singles, Moore pops up, PH Julio Daniel Martinez Ks and then Corporan walks. So it’s up to Brett Wallace, who has failed every time in the clutch. And he makes a tremendous effort but Bernadina makes a great leaping catch against the LF wall of bullpen and Astros lose, as usual.

Colorado is beating the Dodgers right now. GO ROCKIES!!!!!!!

Tomorrow it’s Armando Galarraga vs Gio Gonzalez.

In case you’re curious, Chris Johnson hit 2 homers tonight – a 2 run and a 3 run. J Happ started his first game for Toronto, gave up 4 runs in 4 innings and lost. What a surprise.

 

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8/1/12: Brewers Hit 4 Homers, Astros Make 4 Errors And Astros Get Swept

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

Well, the good was Brett Wallace hitting 2 LONG homers, to CF and opposite field. Good was a nice DP at the end of the second. Good was Xavier Cedeno pitching a scoreless inning. Good was we didn’t get shut out. Good is we are inching closer and closer to that Sacred All Time Loss Record. Maybe we can go ofer August, wouldn’t THAT be kewl – they’d HAVE to say something on BBTN.

Right now, having lost this game, we are now one win behind the 2011 team, which had 36 wins on Aug 1. Trouble was that last year, we won 10 games in August in spite of a nice 10 game losing streak, a shameful showing, but fortunately, no one could keep down with us in spite of an inexcusable NINE wins in September, so we triumphed at the end of the year to win the Worst Team Award.

Now, if we can keep the damage limited to just 3 wins per month, we will win that highly coveted Worst Team Of All Time with 121 losses and we’ll be FAMOUS.

Don’t ask me why I watch. I tell my friends and kids that it is because it’s the last year and as #1 son says, but why stare at garbage? I tell him, because I’m in awe of the vast amount and the indescribable stench.

Bad was fielding and hitting with RISP – went 1 fer 12. Bad was having to leave Jordan Lyles in after he clearly had absolutely nothing left after the end of the 4th. Who you gonna call?

Jordan Lyles has enough trouble pitching well, but he started off great. First inning, he gives up an unearned run. Reach on error with Scott Moore screwing up a simple routine play. Stolen base – Astros catchers can’t throw out my granma in a wheelchair. Go to third on groundout. Score on ANOTHER Scott Moore error – boots it, picks it up, bad throw to first. Yall missing CJ yet (who went 3 fer 4 with a walk and drove in 2 last night and is 2 fer 3 with a run scored, a walk and an RBI today.) Blessed GIDP

Crew 1 Stros nope

Astros, by the way, go 1,2,3 first 2 innings.

Second inning, Weeks hits a routine single to right and Bogusevic makes a rare Bill Buckner error and Rickie is on third, then a groundout to first and Rickie can’t score, then a bunt – Wallace fields, throws to Altuve at first to get the runner, then a bullet to home to get out Rickie, who foolishly decided to come home at the last minute. Corporan had the plate blocked well. Inning ends with a DP again.

Third, Marwin singles, Lyles sac bunts. Schafer hits one right to the pitcher, who catches Marwin between second and third. Marwin prolonges the rundown long enough that Schafer manages to get to second.  THAT was heads up baserunning by both guys. Then Jose Altuve singles a bloop to right, Nyjer Morgan takes it, misses the cutouff man completely and Jose goes to second as Schafer scores – BAD, inaccurate throw. But Moore lines out.

Tie game, 1 all

Brewers go 1,2,3 – no fielding effups. Whaddaya know?!

Fourth – Brett Wallace hits a 3-2 FB bout fo hunnert fitty feet for the first homer offn Fiers since the day he came up in June. WOW – but you know it won’t make BBTN because they don’t nevah show Astros homers (except for Justin Maxwell’s 475 footer in Colorado). Then Fiers gets 2 swinging Ks and a flyout.

Astros 2 Brewers 1

Wonder how many games the Astros have played this year that they had a lead they couldn’t hold. Probably most of em.

Leadoff walk to Braun. (swear word) Aramis Ramirez Ks swinging – whoa – a guy who is not the pitcher. 8 pitch single to right, men on first and third 1 out. CMon kid. Corporan out, Brocail out. No help, he hits Rickie. Peachy. Blessed infield popup. Then ANOTHER *((%*! error – ball up the middle, Altuve makes a bad throw to second, 2 runs score. JEEZUS. Another groundout and THIS one, Altuve handles. Poor Lyles – he got 2 earned runs on the error because scorer says error is letting Hart get to second. Then folks say – hey look at that ERA – he can’t pitch. He’s really doing well though, lots of groundouts, lots of unbelieveable crappy fielding.

Brewers 3 Astros 2

Fifth: 1,2,3, out

Lyles back – single, single, double steal (blown call at third – tag DID beat him), 2 RBI single up the middle. The one time catcher makes a good throw, gets a bad call. Poor Lyles – he has to throw tons more pitches to make up for bad calls, bad fielding and then it will be – oh, he can’t last more than 5 innings. Flyout, Wild pitch (catchers GOT to be able to block – I’m so damm tired of this crap. We must lead the league in WP allowed as well as stolen bases allowed). RBI double to LF corner. Brocail out.

Very next pitch, Weeks hits out. Second time that Brocail has come out to talk to Lyles and bad stuff happens. This time instead of plunking Weeks, Lyles hung a slider and out it goes. The players all look defeated. Well, thing is, they all looked defeated by the end of the 4th. Lyles is gonna be left out there until he can’t move his arm.

Only 1 out still. Flyout. Two outs. Another hanging slider and it is barely a homer – just above the fence, right next to the foul pole. 30 pitch inning. 28 pitch 4th inning. He’s done for. He looked a lot worse than he was.

Brewers 9 Astros 2

Sixth: K, single, single, WP men to second and third, K, groundout.

Froddy out: K, groundout, homer to Braun after 7 fouls – you do know the Crew is leading the NL with homers? Too bad their pitching hasn’t been real too good, except against us) double, groundout.

Crew 10 Stros 2

7th: single, single, and Fiers is out. Change pitchers to RHP Jose Veras, 5.02 ERA. Maxwell in to pinch hit. But it’s flyout, swinging K on a high outside pitch to Schafer (why they throw him a pitch anywhere else on a 2 strike count I don’t know) and popout.

In comes Francisco Cordero to throw gas. On the flames, that is. Single, Lucroy homers. Yet another unmoving slider. Double, groundout runner to third, RBI groundout, flyout, Braun HBP (it isn’t deliberate, he just sucks) on his arm, then a swinging K. Three runs in 1 inning. He’s just cooked. I suppose we’re gonna keep running him out there so we don’t call up any guys we haven’t already called up and start their service clock running. Much better to have these demoralizing blowouts.

8th: Mike McClendon, RHP up. 6.75 ERA, just back up from Nashville. 0-2 pitch hits Moore (I supposed because idiots think that Cordero threw behind Izturis and hit Braun on purpose. People, please) – warning from ump. Millsie poo out but doesn’t get tossed. Brett Wallace hits his second homer, this one opposite field to the LF bullpen. He’s trying to stay up this time, looks like. Popout, groundout, flyout – nice diving catch to rob Corporan.

Crew 13 Stros 4

Xavier Cedeno out – he starts out with a 4.26 ERA. The reliever McClendon is left in to take an AB – that doesn’t happen real too much. He pops out, then PH Ransom Ks looking and Lucroy Ks swinging. The stuff actually looked pretty good. Maybe we should have him close. Nah, would give him leverage in arbitration. Don’t wanna pay more than minimum now, do we?

PH Downs gets HBP, but strangely enough, no one gets tossed. Whatever. Nobody cares. PH Steve Pearce hits into 5-4 FC. Schafer up – WP, Pearce on second. Groundout, then Altuve grounds out.

I hear tell that Nyjer Morgan and Rickie Weeks sent roses and chocolates over to our clubhouse to say thank you for all the lovely pitches and helping keep their averages barely over the Mendoza line.

Day off, then on to Atlanta to face Tim Hudson, who is pitching great. And he’s thrown 6 games over 44 IP with a 1.44 ERA vs the Astros. Braves just swept the remnants of the Phillies, who are looking to me like the 08 Astros after Ike. It’s really hard to decide who to root for – Bourn and the Braves, Wandy and the Pirates, Pence and the Giants or CJ and the Dbax (well, so far they don’t look like any sort of pennant winning team).

 

 

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7/27/12: Chris Johnson Kills The Ball And Rhiner Cruz Kills The Win

Friday, July 27th, 2012

Eleventh loss in a row – and again, this was a winnable game and was lost by the bullpen.

Jordan Lyles was unhittable for 3.1 innings, especially with his 3 run lead, then he hung a ball and Alex Pressley hit it into the Crawford Boxes. McCutchen doubled to the LF bullpen, but then Lyles got the next 2 outs.

Teh kewl was Jordan Lyles laying down the bunt and Jason Maxwell avoiding the tag coming home from 3rd on a successful squeeze. Not sure it was SUPPOSED to be a squeeze, but hey, it was awesome anyhow. I luuuvvv the squeeze and sure would like to see it used a lot more.

Ben Francisco hit a ball juuust over the railing into the Crawford Boxes, next inning, McHenry hit a 2 run job. It was 4-3.

In the top of the 7th, McHenry led off with a double, Froddy let him score with a sac bunt then a sac fly.

sigh. Here we go again.

Bottom of the 7th, CJ triples, Julio Daniel singles him in. Justin Maxwell singled, Francisco Kd, Snyder walked, then pinch hitter Downsie-doo grounds out on the 3rd pitch. It’s the bases loaded curse.

The 8th was kewl – Wesley Wright came out for the 8th, got the lefty, then went to play RF (remember Roy Oswalt playing LF right after he got traded to Philly in that extra inning game we lost?) and Wilton Lopez came in and gave up a double to righty McCutchen, then Wesley came back to pitch, Bogu went to right and Wesley got out the lefty, then the – get this – righty!!!

He stayed in the 9th to get the lefty out, then Rhiner Cruz came in and walked 2 guys to load the bases. But the Pirates aren’t the Astros and know what to do with bases loaded. Xavier Cedeno came in, gave up the tying sac fly, then the go ahead wild pitch (Snyder ain’t Corporan with the glove) and there went the ballgame.

Naturally, we didn’t come back against Hanrahan.

I suppose I should be happy that we didn’t get no hit and were actually in a position to win the last 3 of 4 games, but hey, that all important Loss Record is still within reach.

What was good was Chris Johnson hitting the holy heck out of the ball – another homer, a triple and a double and a walk. Everything else was uck. Including Bogu making the last out of the game the second day in a row, swinging wildly.

Wandy will be on the mount in a Pirates uni tomorrow night facing old re-tread Armando Galarraga. So much for the youth movement.

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