Archive for June, 2005

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6/30/05: 4 Days at Cincinnati – Backe vs Milton

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

Well, a lot of things have changed in Cincy since we were there earlier this year – D’angelo Jiminez was released, Austin Kearns has been sent down, Miley the manager has been fired and replaced with Jerry Narron (remember him – he’s the one who let A-Rod run the Rangers when he – I mean Narron – was supposed to be manager), Luis Lopez, their SS of the future is out for the year with a injury, and their pitchers, um, stink. Eric Milton is on pace to break Bert Blylevin’s HR allowed/year, Danny Graves was, um, thrown out on his, er, rear. And Carl Lindner blames Jr Griffey’s “high” salary. Or something. Oh yeah, and Adam Dunn has let it be known he wants to come home to Houston – but he’s still Reds property for another 2 years…

And they don’t have Brandon Duckworth to pitch BP for them any more…

6/30 Brandon Backe vs Eric Milton
7/1 – Andy Pettitte vs Luke Hudson
7/2 – Wandy Rodriguez vs Aaron Harang
7/3 – Roger Clemens vs Brandon Claussen

Backe this year: 6 – 6 in 15 GS with 5 QS and 1 CG SO – 13 HR, 38 BB, 61K over 95 IP with a 5.31 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and a .274 BAA

He hasn’t looked real too good his past 4 games – too many HRs and too many walks – hope he can get hisself straightened out. One thing I wonder – he has a LOT of energy out there on that mound – he might could need to throw a little more before the game starts and get hisself a little more tired out..
vs.CIN: 3 – 0 in 4 GS and 4 in relief – 1 HR, 8 BB, 19 K in 27.2 IP with a 2.93 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a .280 BAA
@ GAB: 1 – 0 in 1 GS and 2 in relief -7 H, 3 BB and 4 K with 3 ER over 7.1 IP

Eric Milton:
Drafted first round by the Yankees in the 1996 draft, traded to the Twins in the Chuck Knoblock deal before the 98 season, came up that spring, and from 98 – 02, pitched an average of 190 inings/year with a 4.56 ERA, was hurt in 03 and only pitched 3 games and was gonna be expensive in his last year of arb, so was traded to the Phils for Silva.

Last year, Milton had a 11 – 2 record at the All-Star break, in spite of a 4.72 ERA, (92 ERA+) He ended the year 14 – 6, with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He pitched 201 innings with 43 HR, 75 BB (3.35 BB/9) and 161 K (7.21 K/9) and a 2.15 K/BB. Note that Milton is one of those rare lefties that lefty batters hit better than righties – lefties BAA is .280 with 2.12 HR/ 9IP and righties BAA is .254 with 1.32 HR/ 9IP.
this year: 3 – 9 in 16 GS with 3 QS – 27 HR (yes, 27, that is correct) 28 BB, 51 K over 87.2 IP with a 7.70 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, .322 BAA
@ GAB: 3 – 4 in 9 GS – 15 HR, 12 BB, 33 K over 52 IP -5.71 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .292 BAA
vs.HOU: 7 3 – 1 in 7 GS with 1 CG – 9 HR, 10 BB, 25 K over 40.1 IP -3.57 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, .233 BAA

——-

Now I KNOW we just left Coors – the hitters looked SO happy, just like my dogs finding out it is OK to eat all that hamburger on the floor – they an’t believe they good luck. And Milton gives up a LOT of homers, but even though Cincy is a good hitters park, the guys better remember that balls don’t travel quiiiiite as far..

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Posted in Astros baseball, Bandon Backe | No Comments »

6/29/05: Astros Run All Over The Rox

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

Roy was, well, awesome. As usual. 6 H, 1 BB, 6 K, no runs in 7 IP – 102 pitches.

I’m afraid I’m starting to sound like Aaron Gleeman luvvvin on Johan Santana… Sorry. I’ve talked about Roy’s wonderful terrificness until what more can I say?????

So let me talk about Chris Burke, who has raised his average almost 50 points in a week, who went 1 fer 3 with 2 walks, 3 SB and a run scored.

One of the national columnists, I forget who, is suggesting that we trade Burke, Jason Lane and Ezequiel Astacio for Adam Dunn. I don’t THINK so!!!!! It’s not like Dunn will win us the WS this YEAR and this would be BAD for us – especially seeing as how Dunn is gonna cost WELL over 6 mill next year. At least. I think Burke is just starting to heat up and I think he’s gonna be Biggio all over again, except with more walks and SB. I would trade Astacio and Lane for Dunn, though. Well, Lane IS a better fielder, I admit, but Astacio, well, 8th inning guys are a dime a dozen.

Except in NY, yes I know…

Speaking of NY, JD Closser, the Colorado catcher, looks like he has Piazza’s arm without Piazza’s bat. He couldn’t throw a fit. Burke stole second twice and third – and Closser threw the ball into center trying to catch him and a run scored (Everett was on third and he’s fast, too.) Also, Biggio and Taveras each stole a base.

First SB for Taveras this month – I guess his hamstring is getting better? Maybe not -Ardoin threw him out the other day.

And it was Astros homer time, too. Morgan Ensberg hit #20 – he looks lke he swinging for the fences every time up there, now. He better cut that out as soon as this game over. Also Biggio hit his first HR this year that wasn’t at home. And Jason Lane hit one off of Kim.

Kim wasn’t too bad, but he wasn’t too good, neither. I mean, if you walk Jason Lane, this is not a good sign. On the other hand, he didn’t walk Taveras…

I thought I could hear the Rockies fans calling for Franco…

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Posted in Chris Burke, Roy Oswalt | 6 Comments »

Craig Biggio Gets Hit For the Record (HBP)

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

Craig Biggio now holds the ML record for number of times being HBP – 268.
And BK Kim the one who done the deed.

Amazing that Biggio has never broken any bones – it must hurt like,um, stink to get hit with a ball going at LEAST 70 MPH.

I’m glad that Biggio will hold at least ONE record when he gets elected to the HOF, because he won’t have any others.

Oh yeah
won’t no one accuse HIM of doing roids to get HIS record…

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Posted in Biggio | 1 Comment »

Clemens Rolls Over Rox and the Bullpen Rolls Over TO Rox

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

Yall have heard this story HOW many times this year?

Roger pitches his usual fantastic 7 innings, with 4 H, 1 HR, 1 ER, 2 BB and 7 K. Because of Morgan Ensberg’s GS, we’re leading 5-1 when he’s done.

Then the bullpen blows it. THIS time (you’ve heard THIS before, too) because Phil STILL ain’t figgered out that Franco is a bad pitcher and basically can’t get righties out.

So here’s how it went -
Qualls in, gets single, out, single. With Aaron Miles up, Phil decides to pull Qualls for Franco? WHY??? It’s not like Qualls can’t get lefties out. So a righty comes in when Franco is put in, and there is a FC, then Helton hits an RBI single. So Springer comes in with 2 on, walks Wilson, then gives up a GS to Garrett Atkins. Rockies win 6-5

First, there was NO reason to pull Qualls for an inferior pitcher in that situation. Phil needs to get over this putting in a lefty to face a lefty if he has a righty who gets lefties out. If Phil thinks that Qualls stuff ain’t working, he should have put in Wheeler, our second best pitcher. And since Phil DID make the BAD mistake of putting in Franco, when Franco let a run score and left with 2 on, we are ahead by 3 now, and it’s COORS, remember, and it was most DEFINITELY time to put in a better pitcher, Wheeler. Or even Lidge. So what POSSIBLE reason could he have to put Springer in?

Poor bullpen management. Again. I’m getting tired of having to write this so often… And the starters are getting TIRED of having to deal with this so often…

Poor Roger. According to Lee Sinins, Roy and Roger should be leading the NL in neutral wins with 12 each…

So today, it’s Roy Oswalt, RHP vs : BK Kim, RHP

Roy this year: 9 – 7 in 16 GS with 2 CG and 1 SO – 9 HR, 24 BB, 76 K over 113.1 IP with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .234 BAA
Please do note (sez Roy fangrrrl) that Roy is #5 in the NL in ERA and WHIP and #3 in total IP. He’s in the top 10 in baserunners/9 IP, walks/9 IP and K/ 9 IP – although his K/9 is down from last year because he’s getting a LOT of GB outs.
Every NL pitcher must grit his teeth every time he has to pitch in Coors and tell hisself that giving up 5 or 6 runs and a few HRs is GOOD here…
vs.COL: 4 – 0 in 4 GS – 4 HR, 4 BB, 21 K over 27.2 IP with a 1.95 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a .214 BAA
@ Coors: 1 – 0 in 1 GS – 3 ER, 2 HR, no BB and 6 K in 7 IP
—-

Byung-Hyun (BK) Kim, RHP

Time for the strange story of BK Kim – should name him the rollercoaster cuz that’s what his career has looked like. Anyway, he was an undrafted FA from Korea, who was a starter there even though he’s right handed and 5’9″ (or so they say) and taken by Arizona, who wanted to use him strictly as a reliever. So relieve he did – 27 IP in 99 and 70.2 IP in 2000 – 11 HR, 66 BB and 142 Ks – had a relatively high ERA of 4.52 and low BAA of .204 because of a lot of Ks, but too many walks. He became the closer in 01 because Matt Mantei, as usual, was injured and did pretty well, with 19 saves, 10 HR, 44 BB amd 113 K over 98 IP with a 2.94 ERA and a .173 BAA.

Note the fairly low homers allowed, because yall remember what happened in the WS against the Yankees – blew/lost 2 games because of HRs, but he didn’t go down in infamy because the Yankees closer blew/lost the game and Series with a single, error, double and bloop single…
So of course in 02, even thought he was “promised” a chance to start, he was kept as the closer – 36 Saves over 72 games with a 2.04 ERA and a .164 BAA

So he begged and pleaded and moaned and finally the Dbax agreed to let him start, like they’d been promising him since he came from Korea and things don’t always turn out the way you planned – went 1-5 in 7 GS, lasting about 6 IP/ start – HR ratio went up, K/9 went down, he had a 3.56 ERA but a .214 BAA and he was traded to the Red Sox in June for Shea Hillenbrand – you know, the third baseman who has a decent glove, hits over .300, don’t ground into too many DPs but is not really a walker and is not real too appreciated by a statty team like the Sox.

Anyway, Boston was supposed to let him start there too, but hey, they hold the whip hand and they used him mostly in the bullpen – he appeared in 49 games and started 5 – went 8-5 with 16 saves over 79.1 IP with a 3.18 ERA and a .230 WHIP (remember, he’s facing Yankees a LOT). So of course, he got a contract, then in 04, heck broke loose. He was, um, hurt, got to start only 3 games, gave out fingers to needy fans, etc and ended up pitching only 17.1 innings with a 6.23 ERA – he was still on the DL (ahem – missing finger???) during the WS. Of course he was on the SL big time in Boston and they didn’t want him there, so they traded him to the Rockies for a few pieces of gum and are paying his salary too.

Don’t guess the Rocks are real too picky as long as they have arms throwing the ball…

Curiously enough, he’s pitched better at Coors this year than on the road -
2 – 3 in 4 GS and 7 in relief – 2 HR, 15 BB, 29 K over 31 IP with a 4.35 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a.229 BAA
overall, this year: 2 – 6 in 6 GS with 2 QS – and 17 G in relief – 7 HR, 31 BB, 45 K over 51.2 IP with a 6.27 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and a .270 BAA
vs.HOU: 0 – 1 in 1 GS with 11 in relief -4 saves – 4 HR,11 BB, 22 K over 20 IP with a 5.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a.213 BAA

Does anyone reading this blog think the possibility exists that Phil will ever figger out that Franco isn’t very good and quit using him unless it’s a blowout?????

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Posted in Morgan Ensberg, Phil Garner, Qualls, Roger Clemens | 7 Comments »

Craig Biggio Ties Don Baylor And Mo Ensberg Hits His First Grand Slam

Tuesday, June 28th, 2005

Well, we knew it was gonna happen sooner or later – Craig Biggio was HBP for the 267th time, tying Don Baylor’s ML record. For the record, hahaha, it was in the top of the 5th, and the plunker of record is Jason Jennings.

Of course, you’ll want to know that the plunking led to a run scored, as Jennings threw another WP which advanced Taveras and Biggio, so Berkman was walked to face Morgan Ensberg, who hit his FIRST ML GRAND SLAM!!!!!

Biggio in the record book

Ensberg to the All-Star game…

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Posted in Biggio, Jason Jennings, Morgan Ensberg | 1 Comment »

Wandy Rocks, But Bullpen Almost Loses 7 Run Lead

Tuesday, June 28th, 2005

Yesterday, I had said that these guys had better hit. Well, they did. 18 H, 3 BB and 11 runs. Every single starter, including Wandy, had at least 1 hit. Wandy did great for 6 innings – 6 hits, 1 run (ER), 3 BB, 3 K, 2 DP and 102 pitches.

So why send him back out there? Phil likes to send starters back out until they drop (or lose). I can understand it when the bullpen is tired, or the score is close and all you have left is Franco, but it was 8-1, after all. The bullpen was rested, guys need some work.

But out goes Wandy for 1/3 inning – 2 more hits and 1 more run, in comes Russ Springer for 2 Ks. Chad Harville had a time of it – 2 quick outs, then suddenly he lost control – a HBP, GR double, RBI single, HBP – bases loaded. Todd Helton hits a popup, which Morgan Ensberg drops, and 2 UER score. Then ANOTHER walk on 5 pitches. Dan Wheeler in to save the day and Harville escapes with only 1 ER.

Astros pitchers don’t give up a single HR!!!!!!!!!! (and I’m SO proud of Wandy – only his second game he hasn’t given up a HR and at Coors, yet…) 11 hits – 3 doubles and 4 walks!!! BUT, Berkman, Lane and Raul Chavez all hit HRs.

As for everyone else? Well, only the Usual Suspects had walks – Ensberg and Berkman, and Chris Burke had his best game yet and went 3 fer 4 with a walk. Willy Taveras, still hitting leadoff, has 1 walk and NO SB in June – got CS last night – and his OBP has been pretty steady at .320 – not real too good for a leadoff guy – if you don’t wanna walk, better get the average up to around .330 to .340.

I’m hoping that Chris Burke will catch fire and we can hit him at leadoff – he’s pretty fast hisself – remember that a LOT of people thought he might could win the ROY – we have a lot more games to play, who knows???

Lance Berkman is becoming a lot more comfortable at the plate – 14 walks in 23 games in June and has raised his average from .238 to .270 and his OPS from .707 to .810.

Morgan Ensberg has 12 walks 2 SB and no CS in 23 games, has kept his average at .277 and has raised his SLG a little, so his OPS has gone from .893 to .928 – pretty good!!!!

Jason Lane remembered how to hit this month, 7 HRs, 6 doubles and 2 walks in 20 games, raising his OPS from .673 to .762 (around league average) and hopefully, as the season goes on, he can do a little better – his glovework is great. Don’t really think we can get much more out of Biggio or the catchers. Also, I hope to GAWD that I don’t have to see Berkman or Lamb out there in left again…

We’ll see how the boys do tonight – it’s Roger Clemens, RHP vs : Jason Jennings, RHP – repeat of the 6/22 matchup, which Roger won at the Box.
And Roger has given up 4 HR all year – 2 of them to that great slugger Joe Randa – we’ll see how he does Up There…

this year: 6 – 3 in 15 GS with 13 QS – 4 HR, 30 BB, 97 K over 101 IP with a 1.51 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and a .182 BAA
vs.COL: 2 – 0 in 3 GS – 3 HR, 8 BB, 13 K over 16.2 IP with a 3.78 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP and a .288 BAA
@ Coors: 1 – 0 in 2 GS – 3 HR, 6 BB, 9 K in 9.2 IP with a 5.59 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and a .341 BAA
——

Jason Jennings, RHP:

Drafted – 1st round in the 1999 draft by the Colorado Rockies from Baylor – homeboy was hoping for the Rangers or Astros, but got pitching hell instead.

Got called up 2 years later, started 7 games, went 4-1 with a 4.58 ERA and was ROY in 2002 for going 16 – 8 in 32 GS over 185.1 IP – 26 HR, 70 BBB and 124 K with a 4.52 ERA. Pedro City for a Coors pitcher. Didn’t do quiiiite as well in 03 and 04, which always seems to happen Up There, going 23 – 25 in 65 GS over 382.1 IP with a 5.35 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and a .299 BAA.

Strangely enough, he doesn’t have much of a split between home and away – both, he has lost twice as many as he’s won, has about 5 Ks/ 9 IP, BB:K ratio is about 1, ERA is 5.63, and as might could be expected, WHIP and BAA are a little higher at Coors… (bet the boy is counting the seconds until his FA year…)
Career @ Coors: 25 – 17 in 56 GS – 46 HR,159 BB, 200 K over 316 IP with a 5.78 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and a .314 BAA
this year: 4 – 8 in 15 GS (5 QS) and 1 CG – 91.0 100 60 57 9 54 58 5.64 1.69 .279
vs.HOU: 0 – 3 in 3 GS – 5 HR, 8 BB, 13 K in 15.2 IP – 13.79 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, .328 BAA

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Posted in Berkman, Jason Jennings, Morgan Ensberg, Wandy Rodriguez | 3 Comments »

Road Trip To Coors – A Time To Hit As Astros Have A Winning Month June 05

Monday, June 27th, 2005

With Andy Pettitte’s (and Chad Quall’s) win yesterday, we have now guaranteed a winning June – can you believe it??? We’re 14 – 8 already with 4 games left to play. We were 10-3 at home and 4-5 on the road, but that 4-5 looks a lot bettern the ol 5-22. Yes I know that the road wins were against KC and the Mets, but we’re on the road again to face the Rockies and Reds – SERIOUS hitters parks. The hitters NEED this trip (they managed only 5 freaking hits against Chan Ho freaking Park and NO walks) and I pity the fool who throws the ball over the plate…

6/27 Wandy Rodriguez vs Jamey Wright
6/28 Roger Clemens vs Jason Jennings
6/29 Roy Oswalt vs BK Kim
——
Wandy Rodriguez, RHP vs Jamey Wright, RHP: Part 2 (see June 21)

This year, Wandy Rodriguez is 2-3 in 6 GS – 7 HR, 14 BB, 25 K over 33 IP with a 7.64 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, .33 BAA. (remember that a LOT of that ERA is from the zillion runs he gave up against the Cards in 2 IP) – against a usual team, you can expect 3-4 walks, a few Ks and 3-4 runs/ 6 IP. Poor Wandy Rodriguez – if he thought his ERA is high NOW…

————

Jamey Wright -
drafted 1st round by the Rockies in 1993

Came up in 1996, and through 99, went 25 – 33 in 92 GS with a 5.36 ERA – not bad for Coors, but he DID have a BAA of around .300 but he always gave up a LOT of walks and had few Ks – over 4 years – 263 BB : 239 K – the miracle was that his ERA wasn’t even higher.

Spent 2000 – 02 in Milwaukee, poor guy – went 23 – 33 in 77 GS with a 4.75 ERA and a .269 BAA (a leetle better) – still waaaaaaay too many walks and too few Ks

He pitched 15 innings for St. Louis in 02 -guess he was either released and picked up or traded at the deadline (if I remember rightly – a LOT of guys were hurt that year) – did OK – 2HR, 12 BB and 8 K in 3 GS and 1 in relief.

Pitched 25 innings for KC in 03 going 1-2 in 4 GS with a 4.26 ERA – wonder if he was hurt because for KC, that looks goodÖ

Went back to Colorado in 04, went 2-3 in 14 GS 0ver 78 IP with a 4.12 ERA – 45 BB and 41 K.
this year: 4 – 7 in 14 GS -10 HR, 38 BB, 47 K over 83 IP with a 5.31 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and a .301 BAA.
vs.HOU: 0 – 11 in 15 GS – 9 HR, 44 BB, 46 K over 78.2 IP with a 7.32 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and a .313 BAA.
@ Coors: 16 – 19 in 60 GS with 1 CG – 50 HR, 161 BB, 154 K over 352.2 IP with a 6.61 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and a .321BAA

Wandy might could have a fighting chance again – don’t look like Jamey Wright gets much home field advantage.

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Posted in Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez | No Comments »

Last Silver Blech Game Of 05: Pettitte vs Park

Sunday, June 26th, 2005

Well, there’s good news – Brandon Backe gave up only 2 walks and bad news – gave up 3 HR and 6 ER in 6 IP. So somehow, he has to not walk everyone or give up 3 HR. Duh. Raul Chavez caught him today, for the first time, by the way, and I have no idea how comfortable Brandon is changing catchers every start.

First inning he had 3 Ks and a HR. Second inning, a K, 2 GO and a HR. 3rd inning, walk, 2 run HR, walk, single, 2 RBI double – 6 runs on the board, but after that, he got the next 2 outs, then the next 3 innings, they went 1,2,3. (I’m wondering if maybe he needs a longer warmup – he might could need to get a little more tired, but not too tired. I’ve noticed that Brad Lidge sometimes needs a few batters to get his stuff working…)

Brandon was pulled for a pinch hitter in the 6th because, oh yeah, we were being no-hit. 5th time this year we’ve been no-hit for at least 5 innings. But anyway, it didn’t matter because Palmeiro struck out. I guess the third time thru the lineup was the ticket because Biggio singled, Berkman homered, then Ensberg homered.

Well, end of the sixth, and yall KNOW we’ve only come back ONCE this year when we’ve been behind after 6 innings to win, and of course, we don’t. John Wasdin came in in the 8th and Biggio hit a 2 run HR, but Buck Showalter yanked him and put in Cordero, who shut it down for a 1 2/3 inning save (oh MY – more than one inning!!!!)

Finally, the last IL game – get this out of the way and it’s back to the real thing.

Today, it’s Andy Pettitte, LHP vs : Chan Ho Park, RHP

this year: 4 – 7 in 14 GS with 11 QS – 7 HR, 18 BB, 66 K over 90.2 IP with a 3.47 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a .259 BAA.
vs.TEX 15 15 8 – 6 in 15 GS – 9 HR, 26 BB, 60 K in 93 IP with a 6.10 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and a .321 BAA
——-
Chan Ho Park, RHP -
Yall know THIS story – If you wanta the money, you getta Scott Boras, the agent. Park was a non-drafted FA from Korea who came up in the Dodgers organization – pitched in 4 innings in the ML in 94 and 95. Came up for good in 96, was mostly a reliever, but had 10 spots starts, too, and the next year, was given a regular spot in the rotation (with 5 relief appearances, too).

Except for 99, when his ERA shot up to 5.23, he had an ERA around 3.4 and averaged 213 IP over the 5 years he was a full time starter with a 2:1 K:BB, 8.14 K/ 9 IP, and .97 HR/ 9 IP. And then it was time to collect free agent $$$ from some sucker. The Dodgers, burned by the idiot GM (Kevin Malone, who, by the way, has not gotten another job in MLB as far as I know) who signed Darren Dreifort, another Boras client, to a 5 year zillion dollar contract and had DL to show for it, had the sense to learn from their mistake and decided to let Park try his luck with some other sucker.

So Boras, A-Rod’s agent, who had Tom Hicks, um, attention, um, persuaded him that Park was the ticket. To winning, that is – as soon as A-Rod joined the team, they went from winning to losing – yeah, I know, bad luck or coincidence – something like that. So Hicks signed on the dotted line -a 5 year contract for zillions.

Let me be a nice grrrrl and just say things don’t always work out the way you planned. The Ballpark is what is called a hitter’s park and hitters hit Park all right. Park, in 02, went 9-8 in 25 GS with a 5.75 ERA. The next year, his back or something hurt and he managed to start 7 games and win 1 – a 7.58 ERA. Guess his back felt a little better the next year, because he managed to win 4 of the 16 GS and lowered his ERA way down to 5.46. Now I heard it said that Park got told that either he did what Hershiser the pitching coach told him, use the 2 seamer more, or get released.

So this year, he’s a “winner” all right – 7 – 2 in 14 GS with 5 QS – 6 HR, 39 BB, 54 K over 74.1 IP with a 6.05 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and a .312 BAA
let’s translate: 02 – 04: 1.56 HR/9 IP; 4.51 BB/9 IP; 6.64 K/9 IP; 9.73H/9IP
this year: 0.73 HR/ 9 IP; 4.73 BB/ 9 IP; 6.56 K/ 9 IP; 11.4 H/9 IP
in other words, he ain’t pitching any better – the lineup is hitting a LOT of runs when he pitches.
vs.HOU: 5 – 3 in 11 GS and 4 in relief – 7 HR, 33 BB, 68 K over 74.2 IP – 3.62 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a .246 BAA – remember that these innings were when he was with the Dodgers…

By the way, I forgot – the Rangers already won the whatzit trophy last night, so this game is, I guess, the “consolation prize…”

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Posted in Bandon Backe, Interleague Play, Pettitte | No Comments »

Jimmy Wynn FINALLY Gets His Number Retired

Saturday, June 25th, 2005

Finally, it’s Jimmy Wynn’s time to be recognised. Bout TIME!!!! Better late than never and it’s been a LOOOONNNNNNGGGGG time coming.

The Astros, who have only retired 6 jersey numbers, are FINALLY going to retire Jimmy Wynn’s. Jimmy Wynn, AKA the Toy Cannon, is living proof that 5’7″ males can be power hitters – hit over 200 HR in the Astrodome, a notorious pitchers park.

Click here for Jimmy Wynn’s stats.

In 1967, when pitchers ruled, he hit 37 HR, first in the NL. He also usually had a high OBP, before anyone talked about it – usually was in the top 10 in walks. Baseball-reference.com compares him pretty much to Dwight Evans, a darn good ballplayer, but NOT a HOFer. And Jimmy Wynn isn’t a HOFer either, but he DOES belong in the Astros HOF.

Last night, Roy was awesome, until he tired after the 7th. As usual, neither Phil or the pitching coach seem to have a clue when a starter is tired and shouldn’t go back out, and after 110 pitches, 4 hits, no walks and 2 Ks, they sent him back out, where he immediately gives up back to back HRs, then a long FB to the warning track before they finally get a clue and pull him.

Chad Qualls got 2 quick outs – he looks like the old Chad Qualls from last year – he says he does much better pitching from the stretch – that’s unusual – most guys are MUCH worse from the stretch.

BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDD!!!!! got 3 swinging Ks and gave up a groundball single. Didn’t seem to have trouble with either the FB or the slider. Good.

And how COOL was Adam Everett stealing home in the 8th????!!!! I been looking and I can’t find the last time an Astro stole home….

Craig Biggio is one HBP away from tying Don Baylor’s all time record of 267. I hope he does it tonight so Jimmy Wynn will get some national press – I mean, they can’t just go be giving Jimmy props for his great career if there’s no tie in, can they???

So today, it’s more (yeccch) IL ball -Brandon Backe, RHP vs : Chris Young, RHP

Brandon Backe has had 3 bad starts in a row where he couldn’t seem to find the strike zone – yes, he won the start against the Mets, but he didn’t pitch well. It will be interesting to see how he does now that he’s back at home – as yall know, he pitches MUCH better at home – I still think that Roger is acting as his pitching coach… Yall remember he got his butt kicked with a Silver Boot a few weeks ago, and I’ll bet it still, um, stings…. With Brad Ausmus still catching Roy, guess that Chavez will catch Backe, which he has never done before. I hope that Brandon has gotten hisself straightened out…
this year: 6 – 4 in 13 GS and 2 IP in relief with a CG SO – 9 HR, 31 BB, 52 K over 83 IP with a 4.88 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a .281 BAA.
vs.TEX: 0 – 1 in 1 GS and 3 in relief – 3 HR,7 BB, 11 K over 12 IP with a 9.00 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and a .327 BAA

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Posted in Brad Lidge, Interleague Play, Jimmy Wynn, Qualls, Roy Oswalt | 2 Comments »

Silver Boot 2005, Part 2

Friday, June 24th, 2005

The last of interleague mockery – good. What makes me upset is that the Astros have decided to retire Jimmy Wynn’s number in the middle of this – not that Jimmy Wynn shouldn’t have had his number retired a LONG time ago, but that it will happen during this disgrace to baseball. Like I keep saying, the only times I wanna see my Astros face AL guys is in the All-Star game or the WS. Period.

During Part 1 of this “feud” in Arlington, Brandon Backe had a bad game, Ezequiel Astacio and a few relievers pitched BP and Roy O threw a beautiful game and lost 2-0 (that’s the game that *%%#$*@! Phil sent him out in the blazing afternoon heat to throw 130 pitches) and I guess we supposed to get even with our “hated” rivals. No matter what Buddy boy and his buds spin, this “rivalry” ain’t never gonna be anywhere NEAR Cubs/Cards or Yanks/Red Sox or Dodgers/Giants – oh, sorry – forgot, that’s INTRAleague – I mean hated rivalries like Colorado vs Tampa Bay – now THERE’S the real thing, yessirree…

Roy Oswalt, RHP vs : Ricardo Rodriguez, RHP

Roy this year: 8 – 7 in 15 GS with 2 CG and 1 SO – 7 HR, 24 BB, 74K over 106 IP with a 2.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a .235 BAA
vs.TEX 5 5 3 – 1 in 5 GS – 6 HR, 4 BB, 39 K over 35 IP with a 3.53 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a .257 BAA
Mark Texiera LUUUUUVVVVVS Roy – he’s 4 fer 9 with 2 HRs….
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Ricardo Rodriguez:
26 year old undrafted FA from the Dominican who came up with Cleveland in 2002, started 7 games, went 2-2 with a 5.66 ERA and a .255 BAA. The next year, he went 3-9 in 15 GS over 81.2 IP (not even 6 IP/ game) with a 5.73 ERA and a .275 BAA – low strikeouts and about 1 HR/ 5 IP (in other words, one a start). Got hisself traded to Texas and spent most of the year in the minors, but went 3-1 in 4 GS and 1 in relief with a CG SO – 2.03 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and .262 BAA in 26.2 IP.
this year: 2 – 0 in 2 GS -2 HR, 1 BB, 7 K in 12 IP with a 3.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a .265 BAA
vs.HOU: a ND in 1 GS – went 4.2 innings -5 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 4 K – a 1.93 ERA, 2.36 WHIP and a .278 BAA.
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Texas hasn’t been winning like they did earlier in the year, mostly because Kenny Rogers and Chris Young are the only starters who are pitching well (Ryan Drese was released and picked up by the Ex-Expos and Pedro Astacio was released and is still unemployed) – David Dellucci hasn’t been gettig on base at the same .460 clip he did earlier this year, but Texiera, Blaylock, Young and Soriano are still hitting. Soriano is getting paid 10 mill this year, and he’s only in his 5th year of ML service. It’s GOOODD to be a ex-Yankee…..

The Astros, on the other hand, have kicked (basically) AAA butt for the past 6 games. We’re in the Box, which is usually good for wins, so hopefully the guys will keep up the good work. All but 1 of Roy’s losses (Opening Day) have been on the road and all but 1 were QS. It will be interesting to see if Chavvy is catching Roy again or if he’ll stay with Ausmus.

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