Sorry, I’m not going to put all the blame for last night’s loss on Wandy. He had a hard time finding the strike zone in the first and gave up 3 ER on 4 hits, but he got better and stronger each inning. He was pulled in the 6th for Jason Lane to pinch hit and Jason struck out.
It looks as if Adam Everett has recovered his bat, but as I have said a zillion times, even with his average below the Mendoza line, he is NOT the problem with this team. A lot of fans have complained bitterly that the Astros are not swinging at the first pitch, but the fact is that they are taking so few pitches that the likes of Micah Owings are throwing easy complete games. Aaron Harang just threw the 5th CG against the Astros this YEAR. I know we aren’t getting shut out all the time as we were last year, but the hitting is still lousy.
Lance Berkman’s slump is getting worse by the game. His swings are poorly timed and he is not getting any balls in the air. Lamb, whether in the lineup or pinch hitting has been in a funk for 3 weeks.
Sigh
Tonight, it’s Bronson Arroyo vs Woody Williams and you KNOW that Woody is going to give up 3 runs fer SHER over 5-6 innings and so the guys know they HAVE to get at least 3 runs. Maybe Biggio better get hit by a few more pitches or something. But unless Miracles Happen, looks as if we are going to tie the 11 game losing streak we been on since 1995.
Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, MLB
Maybe this team needs to tie that record. Or maybe setting a new losing streak record will shake things up finally. Something. Anything.
What, no bitching about Garner?
If it wasn’t for that hit Biggio got late int he game, I would have been up here today demanding he gets benched for a game or two.. Before that hit he was 0 fer 3 with 2 errors – this after Phil puts him back at leadoff?!
That whole frustration thing I mentioned yesterday is getting bigger and bigger.
Is May over yet????
By the way, check out the date of this boxscore and the Astros’ record at the time.
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/box/2005/HOU200505300.shtml
Wow, that’s a hoot. Right around tombstone time.
Got to watch the ‘stros via the Reds broadcast here on the bank of the Cumberland…
Good god did Biggio look terrible (that is to say right at home that line-up right now). The double was nice, but he did all he could to hang Wandy out to dry on his first error.
Darkness has indeed washed over the Dude.
But, tonight is another game, and just as good as any to turn this bad boy around!
Yes, the 5th complete game of the season. And the 3rd in the last five games. Holy crap. When you can’t do ANYTHING to get to the sorry bullpen the Reds and D-Backs sport, you’re not doing nearly enough. Are people really saying the Astros aren’t doing enough first pitch swinging? REALLY!? They’re doing TOO MUCH first-pitch swinging. Last night, Harang had five innings where he threw 10 pitches. That’s deplorable.
Lisa,
Pay close attention to Morgan Ensberg’s ABs. The pitchers have a clear book on him, and it has a lot to do with his incredibly selective approach at the plate. An expected run-producer like Mo has to be willing to offer at the first pitch if that’s the best pitch he’s gonna get. Often, it is.
As for Biggio’s comments, I have no problem with what he said since his comments were specifically directed at his own play. Compare what he said to Burke’s recent comments in the Austin-American Statesman. That guy has a really undeserved sense of entitlement…Biggio is a first-ballot HoFer; Burke is a first-round draft pick who bought into his hype and continues to pout in AAA instead of working his way back to the Show. Burke needs to get a freakin’ clue and take a PR lesson from MoBerg.
art,
you mean biggio bitching to the media and suddenly he’s back at leadoff? why does this NOT surprise me????
will darling,
i don’t NEED to bitch about garner when his stupidities are clear.
austin,
the fans are saying that the stros hitters are staring at the first pitch which they all think is a fat one down the middle, then getting out on the next pitch or 2. they want them to swing at the first pitch.
sigh
yes, i know.
lisa