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.
I made $55.55 today with a $100 bet on this game! what can I say – I’m still an Astros fan, but I’m also a fan of easy money.
Oops, the above post was me.
me n husband have bets too – it’s the only thing keeping the games interesting. that and seeing the new guys come up. gotta root for mickey and brandon – NEITHER one got so much as a glance from the Experts and yet, here they are!!!!
Dunno if I can handle any more of these late games. Whatever league they’re in.
Now then, YOIKS AND AWAAAAAY!
ADVANTAGES TO AL:
1) No more tomohawk chop for a LONG time.
2) hmmm…..
Another advantage: Stros will have a place to hide.
Advantage to moving to the AL: If they don’t fire Mills (and i’m not convinced they will), there will be fewer opportunities for him to blow it when it comes to pinch hitters and double switches.