I am getting TIRED of writing it. Chris Sampson pitched another, yes, ANOTHER QS and left after 7 innings, having given up 5 hits, no walks, 1 HR and 3 ER with the Astros leading 7-4. Now it is true he was pitching lights out, having gotten a nice 1,2,3 out each of the last 3 innings. But he was up to 96 pitches, and I guess Phil hoped that the bullpen could hold a 4 run lead for 2 innings.
Nope.
Rick White came in and gave up 2 singles. Phil pulled him immediately and sent in closer Dan Wheeler to pour gas on the fire. He got the first out, but then gave up a WP, then a 2 run single, then a 2 run homer. Good Bye Win #7 for Chris Sampson.
So in the 9th, Loretta hits a 2 run single, Astros lead 9-7.
Can Wheeler hold THAT one?
Heck no – he gives up TWO solo shots. We are talking our closer giving up six earned runs in 2 innings, 2 of them charged to White.
We score 3 runs in the top of the 10th. Chad Qualls nails down the save. FINALLY.
Astros fan Skip asked me to please post the numbers of the relievers. Dude is a glutton for punishment fer SHER. OK, here we go:
Rick White: On May 18, he had 12 appearances, had pitched 18 innings, gave up 9 hits, no homers, 8 BB, 7 K, 3 ER and had an ERA of 1.50. Since then, he has appeared in 9 games, pitched 10.1 innings, given up 22 H, 2 HR, 15 ER (Phil left him in to rot for 0.1 horrible innings against the Dbacks where he gave up 7 ER) and he now sports a sparkling 5.72 ERA, a 1.52 WHIP and a .282 BAA over 28.1 innings.
I hope ol Timmy Purp shudders when he sees the numbers of the guy he threw on the garbage heap to replace with White – yeh, Russ Springer, who has pitched 27.1 innings and has a 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a .191 BAA. Well THAT sure was a good tradeoff, hunh? And Springer WANTED to stay.
Trever Miller, LOOGY Extrordinaire? UGH – ERA 7.71, WHIP 2.20 and BAA .312. His ERA dipped to 3.86 on April 28th, rose, dipped to 4.38 on May 17, and has been in the 6 – 7 range ever since. AND he has 3 BS. Not exactly sure why he’s on the roster still, but hey, no one thought that a guy who had a career year at age 33 just might could regress TO his career levels. Or below.
Dave Borkowski – actually he has pitched pretty darn well. He had that terrible day in LA where he couldn’t find the plate and gave up 4 ER in 0.1 IP, which raised his ERA from 3.23 to 4.35. Of course it hurt that he gave up 2 walks and the game losing hit the day before. But he has been in the mid 3 in ERA all year and has been the only good pitcher besides Brad Lidge.
Moehler – simply dreadful – his ERA has been in the 6-7 range for 2 months. He’s now at 6.12 with a 1.60 WHIP and a .330 BAA. It’s not defensible to even have this guy on the team. Well, it wasn’t in the first place, but he IS one of those all important ex-Tigers Phil LUUUVVVVVVS so much.
Dan Wheeler: was sailing along at the end of May – 9 saves, 1 BS, 23.2 IP, 15 H, 3 HR, 6 BB, 27 K, 8 ER for an ERA of 3.04. Then something terrible happened. In June, he has 3 losses, 2 saves and 3 BS. 10.2 IP – 11 games, 16 H, 5 HR, 12 K, 3 BB, 17 ER. He gave up runs in only 5 of those 11 games, but he gave up 3,3,3,4 and 4 ER. He now has a 6.55 ERA. Yeah, you read that right.
Chad Qualls: His ERA has averaged in the mid 3s to mid 4s for the past 2 months and now stands at 4.38 – not great, but awesome compared to the other guys. Overall, he has 2 BS, but got the W because the team came back as well as 2 saves, 2 more W and 2 L. A lot of people are grousing about him because he gave up a few runs yesterday and 3 runs the game before, but he had 8 straight scoreless appearances before that.
So, it just might could be time to, uh, re-assess the bullpen. Because they have now lost 14 games. This is bad. (Ask Roy, Chris and Wandy you disbelieve me)
Anyone around here sorry we didn’t trade Brad Lidge away just yet?
As one fan asked, is it POSSIBLE for anyone from AAA to be worse? Unfortunately, yes. But we won’t go there just yet…
And we’re off to see Milwaukee, the best team in the NL. Jason Jennings faces Ben Sheets. Any bets on whether Biggio gets one of the 4 more hits he needs against this ace righty?
Tags: Houston Astros
Thank you for bringing this up.
Something has gone terribly wrong with our pitching staff. I don’t know what happened, but starting with Wheeler, a bullpen with a number of good, solid relievers has simply crashed over a period of weeks.
But it seems like our pitching problems aren’t limited solely to the pen, cuz we havn’t gotten anything good out of our starters lately either. Of course, their mediocrity (it’s been 9 games since an Astros starter gave up less than 3 runs) may just be due to playing against the AL.
Either way, everyone in the bullpen is stinking it up, and it’s been happening for weeks.
Shouldn’t they sit Biggio for these three games? I mean, they wouldn’t want to risk having him go 4-4 in one of these games and getting to 3,000 on the road. Oh, wait…
Anyways, the bullpen is terrible. You guys should be thankful Lisa didn’t plop Steven Randolph’s ERA into the middle of that entry (hey, it is G-rated). How bad will it get before Phil goes to Brian Moehler with a lead late in the game?
Thanks miss! How bout them fantastic numbers!!! I don’t think a ten run lead is safe with the way this pen is pitching lately. Sampson was just great. They had a nice rythm going UNTIL he was pulled. I know the pitch count was up there, but for heaven’s sakes why not go for it. Anyway, it was a roller coaster tonite but the hitting didn’t let us down. YIPPEE!!!
well, i WAS gonna mention randolph, but i decided not to – i mean, the guy only has 3 appearances this year. maybe he was nervous. or his fingers hurt. or something.
well, why on earth are you worried about biggio hitting ben sheets?
that means we would only have to worry about tomorrow because he plans to sit out on Wed.
but you best believe they will do something so he gets the Big One at home. i mean, it was the whole point of having him on the team this year…
and brian moehler late in the game with us ahead by 1 run and fielder at bat wouldn’t even begin to surprise me. i wouldn’t be surprised if Phil used moehler at short as a late inning DR.
i have got to the place where bout NOTHING that dude does can surprise me any more
Astros baseball -> Exciting, edge of your seat action for all the wrong reasons!
As awful as the Houston bullpen was tonight, the Rangers pen was worse. C.J. Wilson and Eric Gagne have been lights out all year, but they had less tonight than even Dan Wheeler.
interesting about bullpens.
you look at numbers for most relievers who have an excellent year and not too many of them will continue the excellence.
and in fact, i think it is pretty foolish to assume that a much older guy who had a career year will continue those great numbers.
the ‘stros have blown 14 (15?) saves this year. Turn just 2/3 of those into wins and we’re in second in the Central race. I don’t believe there could be any worse alternative than the bullpen we have now. They pitch like they think this is golf and the lowest score wins.
Bring up Troy Patton. The worst thing that could happen is he blows some saves, loses some games. Scar his career? I think it’s worth the risk at this point.
I wanna bring up Munson, the reason I refuse to watch or listen to any Astros games. The guy went 0-4 yesterday, and gathered two-thirds of the team’s strikeouts (2 of 6). His batting average is .212, and he caught a game in which the Astros pitchers allowed 9 earned runs. When Quintero was sent down, his batting average was .189. I ask – is the difference between .212 and .189 REALLY worth this horrific defense?
Sorry, I lied – Quintero was batting .237 Yeah…27 points higher than Munson. So, why do we have him? Must be that .333 on-base percentage, or the glimmering .364 slugging percentage. Or maybe the fact that his 3 RBIs in 33 ABs so vastly overshadows Q’s 1 RBI in 38 ABs. Munson is a freaking joke. Not the team’s whole problem, just another example of Phil’s ridiculous mis-management of this team.
“well, why on earth are you worried about biggio hitting ben sheets?”
Oh, I’m not worried about it. Sarcasm. He has no chance against Ben Sheets. Which means, by Astros logic, he’ll play.
“I wanna bring up Munson, the reason I refuse to watch or listen to any Astros games.”
If only the backup catcher was the only problem we had. Seriously, if you combined all of the talents of Ausmus, Munson, and Quintero, you’d still have a guy who couldn’t hit a lick.
Biggio won’t be hitting Ben Sheets tonight because, according to the Chronicle, he will not be in the lineup.
Lisa,
Borkowski sure did get jobbed last Monday. He didn’t deserve that loss, seeing as it was LOOGY extrodinaire that gave up the hit to Figgins.
I’d put money on Biggio going 0-fer with three to five K’s against Sheets.
But even I have to admit that last night’s performance was astounding. I didn’t know he had it in him. Could it have something to do with the fact that his wife was there?
“Seriously, if you combined all of the talents of Ausmus, Munson, and Quintero, you
Hate to point this out…but four or five hits and Munson is over 300. Duh. He has so few abs the batting average rises and falls quickly. He’s fine defensively. U can’t say it’s his fault about stolen bases, Jennings delievery to the plate is SO SLOW no one would have a chance. Has he made some mistakes? Yes. They all do. Q was no different. He’s getting on base with walks as well. Give him some actual time and we can have the discussion.
Btw…Munson only started once every five days last season with the exception of two times through the rotation and still provided more offense. Five rbis in one game. He hits when he plays. He’s not going to hit 300 playing a couple of times a week. He will certainly provide more power and rbis with the abs. You guys are barking up the wrong tree. Q is stellar in AAA at 185. Ausmus will not continue to hit for much longer. He never does. I say we give it a couple of months and then form opinions. Our biggest problem is our bullpen right now.
U are right Austin, Munson is responsible for the pitchers giving up all the runs. Hmm I don’t think so. His two starting pitchers have done well with him since his callup. The bullpen has blown the lead. So for seven innings the game has gone smoothly and then it blows up and suddenly it’s his fault? Crazy talk. Btw on at least two separate occasions when Ausmus was brought in the 9th the bullpen has blown the lead. It’s the bullpen. They stink, you saw the numbers. Open your eyes.
Skip,
Hate to point this out, but four or five hits in four or five at-bats puts Munson at .300. I wouldn’t hold my breath on that, because so far, he hasn’t had a single multi-hit game. If he continues his trend, four more games of 1-for-4 performances puts him at .226. Once again – is that the offense we’re trading in the defense for?
Sam,
my point wasn’t that Munson isn’t a better offensive catcher than Quintero. I do think he is. But the offensive improvement is so marginal that it doesn’t make up for the defensive dropoff.
Daniel,
I never said Munson was the only one to blame. I know the bullpen has been awful, and that’s not entirely his fault (although we did lose a game because of his passed ball when McLemore was pitching). I’m not placing all of the blame on him, and I am in fact acknowledging that little of the Astros losing has to do with him. A backup catcher can only affect the game so much. I am merely using him as an example of Garner’s flawed decision-making. The fact that he thinks having a “hitting” catcher that has never hit better than .240 in a season and who provides such horrific defense would actually help this team just shows what a bad manager he is.
If y’all honestly think his defense is fine, you’re not paying enough attention. A catcher does a lot more than just control the running game.
Austin,
You are mistaken. You are wrong. You are forgetting that Munson has also walked a bit so far. 6 I believe. He may not be getting muti-hit games SO FAR, but he’s getting on base with the exception of two starts I believe. You do realize that in Munson’s best season at 240 he went out with a broken hand in July and never came back from the injury? At the time he was leading all rookies in HRs over Rangers Texeira. That’s right, he showed promise that year. The following season he was platooned and really couldn’t get into a groove. Still managed 19 dingers. I’ll take that.
As for losing the game with the passed ball – we came back after that. The bullpen lost the game. Get your story straight and appoint blame in the right direction. As for the defense, it needs work. I would expect it to considering he hadn’t caught but ONE INNING until last season. If you think in those terms, you realize he’s doing alright. Horrific is a gross overstatement for sure. He blocks balls fine, let’s the occasional WP by him. They all do. His arm is slightly above average. Nice catch stealing ratio last season and this year in AAA. Jennings is HORRIBLE getting the ball to homeplate and runners realize that. As for game calling, he’s done well so far with Sampson and Jennings. Quality starts especially for Sampson. Lisa said at one point she didn’t think Munson called his own game. That was laughable. In Sampson’s start Munson didn’t even look into the dugout for a sign until Wilkerson’s ab in the fourth or fifth inning. Sampson shook Munson off only about three to four times the entire game. And sometimes, pitchers shake off to confuse hitters. So, in saying all this – you need to lay off a bit about Munson. I think we have all harped on guys like Ausmus, Everett, Ensberg and Lane that Munson has become the new whipping boy for us. Give him some time.
Good stat for ya to ponder – In 2004 Munson’s home runs came at good times. He hit 16 with a difference of three runs or less in the score, and 10 have TIED the score or put the Tigers AHEAD. Big hits in the past and with playing time I would expect the same.
Before last season he hadn’t caught a single season at the major league level. That’s exactly right, and the same point I keep trying to drive home. Garner brought in a 28 year old (at the beginning of last year – he’ll be 30 this October) who hadn’t caught a single game to come in at catcher. This is what I’m talking about with Garner’s decision-making. He doesn’t seem to think a solid defensive catcher is as important as one that MIGHT hit. Not one that CAN hit, because he’s a liftetime .211 hitter, but one that MIGHT hit. He had some timely hits last year. Great. What did he do between those timely hits?
I don’t give someone a pass on having four bad days because they have one good one in the middle. He stinks. And if you truly can’t see that, you’re just lying to yourself. His defense needs work? What an understatement!
By the way, Munson hasn’t BECOME my whipping boy. I was down on him last year, too. Between watching him at Houston and Round Rock, I’ve seen enough to know he’s not good. Plain and simple. His modest offensive output doesn’t make up for his poor defense.
Austin,
I appreciate your opinions even though I disagree. Actually, I go to all of the RR games and he was great this year. You commented previously on one throw wide of third, but failed to mention the 16 or so that snagged runners. He moved smoothly behind the plate and is a good 1B as well. I wouldn’t put him at third though. Munson was an All-American catcher at USC. Sports Illustrated commented in an 99 article that “Eric Munson, the Southern Cal catcher, hits for power to all fields and is a defensive standout. He has scouts drooling.” He was moved because of a logjam at the position and never was given the chance to catch with Detroit. Garner was there and commented last year that he always felt that was a mistake, that he was mis-managed. That his two position changes affected his true talent, hitting. So, here we are again and he’s changed positions. The difference here though is that it is his natural position. His bike may be a little rusty. The fact is, he hasn’t done THAT bad. If he was just being considered our backup, it wouldn’t really matter. If we were winning, it wouldn’t really matter. It only does becuase they (who know more than you or I) think he deserves the chance to take over for Ausmus or at least share time next year with a guy like Towles. I think we’ve seen enough of Quintero. Just my opinion.
Let me say this first. I understand that some players don’t translate minor league numbers to the bigs. I also agree, Munson hasn’t in many ways lived up to his potential. But, to say he had modest numbers in AAA is crazy. 285 with 7hrs, 26 rbis, 18 doubles, tons of walks is production. Hitting 18 and 19 homeruns in two consecutive seasons is production. IN 300 ABS. Do you understand? Now, do we need more from him? You bet. But, are you willing to admit that if the defensive continues to improve (and it has), that you would be pleased with our catching potentially hitting 240-250 with 20-25 hrs and 50-60 rbis? I sure would.
lee,
why do you want to bring up a good young lefty starter in his first year at AA and stick him in the bullpen?
there is no reason to think that he CAN’T be a good starter and i don’t se the point in ruining him. young guys need consistency in their starts and the guy is only 21
as for the rest of all yall and munson,
i really appreciate your input and thoughts. it helps that some of yall actually watched him at AAA this year.
and let’s face it, he’s gonna be up here for the rest of the year, so we’ll see how he does. Roy is gonna want to stay with brad and wandy has been a completely different pitcher – you know he has the best K:BB of any pitcher on the entire team? yeah. so i do NOT want to see wandy leaving brad. IF woody gets put in the pen and we call up (hopefully) mclemore to start, then munson can catch him as he knows him from AAA and we’ll see what goes.
the season is long gone anyhow, need to use it to see how guys do in their REGULAR POSITIONS – and that means burke and scott too.
Lisa,
I think the waiting approach on Munson is fair. He is by far, the least of our concerns. Scott’s D isn’t stellar as seen tonight on the three run error. Someone commented that Munson drops balls, I’ve seen Ausmus do it four times tonight. Sometimes frankly it doesn’t matter if runs don’t advance. Someone also mentioned that more runs are given up when Munson catches, tonight we’ve given up 9 in one inning with Ausmus behind the plate. It happens. Someone also mentioned the stolen bases. Well, two tonight for Ausmus. That also happens. For the most part Wandy does a good job of holding runners on, but difficult to do from 2nd to 3rd. Jennings has a 1.9 second delivery to the plate fyi…that is HORRIBLE. Also, I heard on the radio today Munson is nursing an oblique strain. Maybe three days rest will do him well. UGH! Let’s talk about our bullpen again. Amazing! Worst in the NL.
thing is brewers are a GOOD team
i know they had this weird funk in late may early june, but they have snapped out of it – guess getting no hit woke their butts up – and they should easily win the pennant this year.
and yes, this IS baseball and youneverknow
which is why i said “should”
wandy usually does a VERY good job of holding runners on, but the brewers are darn good runners.
it is now time to do SOMEthing about that bullpen. yes, it is.