Matchup at Pirates 6:05 CDT
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| Matt Albers | Zach Duke |
| 0 - 0, 3.00 | 1 - 2, 9.00 |
Another freaking lefty, yikes. And one that's gone 7 while giving up two against us already this year.
The Astros are now 1 - 5 when a lefty starts, and they are reaching base* against starters throwing from the south at a positively anemic .319 clip.
But if the Astros have had a problem with lefty starters, the problem doesn't seem to extend to their reliever brethren, as the Astros are fourth in the league in batting average against lefties in general at 2.75.
So they must be pounding southpaw relievers.
And if so, if they're getting it right in the 7th, 8th, and 9th, you'd think they'd get it right eventually in the earlier innings.
Tonight may be that eventually, as Duke--who worked around a bunch of baserunners on Opening Day in his no-decision--has been terrible in his last three starts, and before his Opening Day 2007 effort, Duke had been 0 - 3, 5.56 against the Astros.
I have no idea what effect Garner's intentionally publicized talking down might have on his team's play tonight. But my guess is that he made sure The Chronicle had a big story about it so that us fans could be sure that he's In Control and Has The Situation Covered.
Truth is, it's been a very taxing road trip, and after beginning it well, the team has looked tired the last few nights.
Phil can scream all he wants, but what the team needs most is a second wind. That, or an offday.
And you know what else? If I were to make any one change tonight in an effort to shake the team up, I think the move I'd make would be to give Lance Berkman the night off.
_______________
*Figured as (H + BB + HBP)/BF. Not OBP, but close.
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OT--Nice game for Willy
Lineups
Biggio, 2B
Burke, CF
Berkman, 1B
Lee, LF
Ensberg, 3B
Lane, RF
Everett, SS
Ausmus, C
Albers, P
Pirates
Duffy, CF
Wilson, SS
Bautista, 3B
Bay, LF
LaRoche, 1B
Paulino, C
Eldred, RF
Castillo, 2B
Duke, P
Top First
And here I was hoping that if they beat us tonight, we could at least make them take more than two hours to do so.
Burke
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Berkman
It hit LaRoche's glove, so was fair before it even hit the ground.
See? I told yopu we had to bench Berkman . . . .
Burke into third, Berkman held to a single.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Lee
1 - 0 Astros, our first lead since. . . the first inning in Philly, I think.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Ensberg
Really well hit, but an out.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Wilson
Says something like, he hits a little, but if you hit it his way, you pretty much know it's an out.
Wilson flies softly to Lane
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Bautista
Showoff . . .
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Two
<shakes head>
Lane grounds it to Wilson who fields it cleanly but throws--sidearm as he often does-- but wild up the line, and Lane is safe. LaRoche was able to catch the ball fine, so Jason keeps running up the line.
Wilson's first error of the year.
Everett
Wilson fielded the ball about fifteen feet from Castillo.
Too easy.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Ausmus
but he does, and a promising inning dies a swifter death than warranted.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions
LaRoche
LaRoche at .098.
But he walks here, first baserunner for Pittsburgh
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Paulino
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Eldred
A couple pitches later, a little dribbler is fielded by Morgan 60 or 65 feet from the plate, and he throws across his body and it's a little wild, but Berkman stretches and Eldred is called out.
Crowd kind of disagrees.
Albers strong through 2, in control, unlike the beginning of his last start.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Three
Pitch had no reason to be anywhere near as hittable as it was.
Biggio
Biggio marches on.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Burke
Burke goes 0 - 2 works it back to 2- 2 then pops up to shallow center, runners hold.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Berkman
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Lee
Ablers appears to be running hard, but they do end up holding him.
Bases juiced for Moberg.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Moberg
3 salamis for Mo.
Tried to check his swing, first base ump, says strike.
Barely low and barely away, only a refined eye would take that pitch confidently.
Bounced to third and the bases are left loaded, ouch.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Bottom Three
Castillo grounds it right at Biggio, easy play
Duke
You go, Matt.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Everett
They guess Cedeño. Enos Cabell's name gets knocked around, and Biggio's too.
Everett is out somehow, wish I knew how.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Ausmus
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Bottom Four
grounded softly between the mound and Biggio. Berkman leaves the bag to field. Albers in a race with Wilson . . . and Wilson wins. Albers fields the throw from Lance, but never actually tags the bag.
Bautista
Second and third, no out.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Bay
Asumus wanted inside, Albers threw outside.
1 - 1 Pirates, man on third, one out.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions
LaRoche
But they do, and Burke's throw is reasonably accurate--and somehow late.
Tsk tsk. This wasn't thrown from Willy T territory, it was shallow, and still, no play.
2 - 1 Pirates.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Paulino
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Five
The Everett out I couldn't figure last inning?
Popped to first.
Biggio
Career hit number 2950 and career triple number 53.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Burke
then he bounces back to Duke, ARRRGHHHHHHHHHH, and then Duke throws to third, where ARGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH Biggio is caught off the bag.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Burke into first on the terrible, terrible, terrible fielder's choice
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Berkman
That's his first caught stealing of the year after five successful attempts, but no matter: I don't like Chris Burke very much right now.
I'm tired of seeing him in the two hole, I'm tired of seeing him in center, truth be told.
How did they even manage this? the number one hitter triple with one out, and the inning is over without scoring a run before the number three guy even gets his hacks.
My goodness.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Castillo
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Duke
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Duffy
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Wilson
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Bautista
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Six
And HE promptly chops it back to Duke.
Lee
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Ensberg
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Bottom Six
Bay
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions
LaRoche
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Seven
Matt has pitched better than his results tonight. He has been in control throughout.
Except for a short two batter interval in the fourth, he's never wavered.
Lane flies to deep center, but Duffy is there
Everett
5-6-7-8 in the order is 0 for 11 tonight.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Ausmus
Duke takes it turns and fires, maybe he should have let the third baseman-=-with momentum in the direction of the first base bag--take it.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Lamb
Hasn't done us much good
Lamb a sinking liner moving away from Bay in left, but he is able to catch up with it, just barely.
Albers will remain winless for his major league career, but this was his best career start.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Just read your play-by-play Rastro....
Of course Duke gets hammered in his previous 3 starts but is now holding the Stros to 5 hits and 1 run! Figures...
Come on Stros!
SeoulStro
The offense
Bottom Seven
Paulino will start off. 94 mph fastball fouled off to the right. Brad goes 1 - 2 then it is popped to Bidge.
Eldred
Slider misses well down, well away.
Slider down (two Ausmus fingers down as the Pirates cameraman shows us) is swung at but gets past Ausmus.
but CatcherBrad is alert, finding the ball quickly and he makes the throw to Berkman to complete the strikeout.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Castillo
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
McLouth
Lidge throws over to hold Castillo, then throws two out of the zone.
2 - 0 pitch is lined hard--right at Adam.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Eight
Pirates haven't beat the Astros five straight since Bagwell's rookie year--when the Astros finished with 97 losses
Biggio
But won;t have on tonight as he is called out looking.
Biggio looking. . .weary . . . with the call.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Palmeiro
OP walks, and the tying run comes to the plate in the form of our hypothetically best hitter.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions
B erkman
He comes through, a single to right.
Have I mentioned that McLouth stayed in the game after batting for Duke and is playing right?
Or that Matt Capps is pitching?
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Lee
Under it, but fouled back out of play, thankfully.
Yesterday's game was over 24 hours ago exactly . . .NOW.
Driven to center, but Duffy is there.
OP and LB are stones, not moving at all.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Ensberg
Low and away looked at, I love Morgan's eye, it's why I forgive him his faults.
Looks at one away that gets called now.
Grounds to Wilson, he looked Game Herodom in the face, and decided, nah . . . .
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm hoping
I just hope they turn it around by Friday--I'm heading to Houston to seemy first game of the year.
Bottom Eight
Once again, we're losing but we're not getting blown out.
Maybe that's somehow a positive, like how they say the really good teams don't win the close ones, they win the blowouts?
If that logic were to hold, the really bad teams would lose the blowouts.
And we therefore would not apply.
Qualls in to pitch, and to Chris Duffy, a good little centerfielder who appears to be everything we hoped Chris Burke would be.
Count goes full. Real good at bat from Duffy, who hangs in until manages to place a ball that tailed over the plate into short right.
Wilson
Duffy is dead to rights.
Wilson grounds to the right side, I think it was Moberg.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Bautista
Something down and over the plate is grounded to Biggio.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Nine
Lane has done nothing in Pittsburgh, need to straight-shoot about that.
Curveball is bounced up the middle--and dropped by Castillo. Lane reaches.
Everett
But Catillo then gets all happy about the DP and he throws it in the dugout.
Adam into second.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Luke
Then he singles and Adam scores.
3 - 2 Pirates.
OK, if we were going to bother scoring at all, then let's just agree we need to tie it up.
None of this falling short crap. For that we should've just gone 1-2-3.
Which is what I expecrted anyway.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Loretta
Luke into second.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Biggio
Lays off low, good Craig, good Craig.
Fouls it back, pitch had been down the pipe.
2 - 2. Gotta say, a changeup would probably devastate Bidge here.
But no, another well-placed ground ball. Biggio DOS have his three-hit game, and we DO tie it.
3 - 3.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Palmeiro
going to Grabow.
I think we're starting to see that it's OK to pull your closer more and more.
Certainly we've seen it with the Astros, but waht I mean is leaguewide. I mean Torre won't pull Rivera in a Huge Media place like New York, but it used to be you'd never pull your closer, not unless you were demoting him.
I think that's not so much the case anymore.
Anyway, Grabow is a lefty, and OP is of course the righty-killer and then you get to turn Berkman around so maybe it all makes sense.
the only thing that's different is it's the ninth.
OP 0 for 3 lifetime against Grabow. Quickly 0 - 2 but then Grabow tries to finish Orlando off with something sweeping on the corner, and fails to get it over three times running. 3 - 2 pitch is bounced off the dugout railing on the third base side, I do believe Bautista could have had it.
But OP flies to left on the next pitch.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Berkman
maybe he busts out anyway.
Popped up a silo to the right side.
Game remains tied.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Bottom Nine
Q catching, Luke in right, Lane moves to center.
Bay fouls it into the stands behind first base, but the thing is Berkman makes the catch anyway. His glove was four feet into the stands, high above any Piratefan mischiefmakers.
Great play.
LaRoche
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Paulino
by the way, Wheeler has been pitching, and with the heart of the order up, can't say I disagree.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Ten
Jonah Bayliss strikes him out chasing some shit.
Ensberg
Will he ever come through?
Popped up to Duffy in short center. His swing kinda fooled me because he had the full extension, I expected to see it go farther than it did.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Lane
Goes 2 - 0 here. Green light fouled back.
Marte up in the Pirates bullpen.
3 - 1 fastball is swung through.
Flyball drops in, short right center, and as soon as I call Jason Lane out for nonproduction, he starts a hit streak.
A single.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Everett
And if not, then right there.
He does get ahead 2 - 1.
Lined to left in front of Bay, Lane into second, Everett a single.
Goodbye Bayliss, hello Marte.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Luke
3 hits in 6 atbats with a homer.
Small sample size, but you gotta like the numbers anyway.
Marte wild goes to 3 - 1, then throws it high and Luke inexplicably swings.
He misses.
And then he misses again.
Inning over.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Bottom Ten
Wheeler still throwing, and he goes 3 - 0.
Takes, and it becomes 3 - 1, then swings at a middle in fastball and fouls it back.
Strike on the inside corner. Kelly not Barry Bonds or anything, but nice comeback from Wheeler there.
Castillo
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Or Should That Be
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
McLouth
Just missed inside, full count.
Flied to Lane who runs in, catches it, then starts walking.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Eleven
Loretta grounds to Wilson.
Q
After a foul, the 1 - 2 is off the plate away.
Singles into right, nice AB from Humberto.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Sampson
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Berkman
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Morgan
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Bottom Eleven
Duffy popped out to Adam,
flied out to right, and Bautista popped lazily out to Loretta.
That's the Super Dave we know and love.
Everett
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Luke
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Loretta
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Bottom Twelve
Bay flied out to deep right but Luke is there.
LaRoche's bat exploded, but he is thrown out by Adam.
Paulino is out somehow, and Borkowski is 6 up 6 down.
Top Thirteen
Q grounds out to Wilson, and so does Borks.
Berkman strikes out, couldn't check his swing in time, he hurls the bat in disgust.
My feelings exactly.
Bottom Thirteen
And Chacon is hitting for himself.
Astros have left 15 on tonight, Pirates have left 3.
Chacon a tapper that Borkowski takes by himself.
Castillo
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions
McLouth
You've gotten the game--and the Pirates have as well--to a guy who can pitch 4 or 5 if need be, and you want to remove him for a lefthanded one out guy?
OK, Miller's a little bit more than a LOOGY but still.
I understand that Duffy and McLouth are lefthanders, but if Miller gets 'em THEN what you gonna do?
After a throw over, Miller gets his first roundhouse curve over. That's what he does to lefties, no doubts about that. Same thing but swung through makes it 0 - 2.
Miller throws over some more, crowd beefs but Miller has to. Bucfans'll just have to live with it.
Dropped dpwm, mistake at the belt, foul tip held by Q. Bad pitch gets good result.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Duffy
Now it's 3 - 0, cripes.
Four pitch walk.
Miller's gone, and I think Borkowski could hve gotten Trever's results.
You have no business using three pitchers in the 13th inning of any game, any time, not unless you're at home and have the lead.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Wilson
Moehler's been good in limited work, give him that.
First pitch is in the dirt, gets away from Q for a bit, but he finds it and runners hold.
Down in the zone makes it 2 - 0.
There's a strike, at the knees away, nice pitch.
Grounded to Adam, who sees the play in front of him and throws to Morgan for the force at third.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Top Fourteen
If no-one's around then no-one'll miss me, and if they are, maybe they'll take over. . . .
Goodnight any and/or all, and Go Astros!
This'd STILL be a nice win, he said, as Carlos Lee hits a double to rightt, Oh! is he hurt?
Don't think so, a bruise, g'night!
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 10:05 PM CDT reply actions
the fly might have scored lee
by MG(vers. 2) on Apr 25, 2007 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
if lee leaves the game
Bottom 14th
Looks like some people have left the stadium early tonight. Only 20 or so people left. That means approximately 50% of the fans are still there.... Thats pathetic :)
Bautista flies to Scott in right. 1 down
Bay
Survey says : Nice play by Ensberg, bare hand grab and throws to Lance for the out
evidently Moehler
Top 15th
Mason (or Wason, i can't tell :) )in to pitch for the pirates against LLLUUUUKKKKEEEE....
ground out to 2nd
Well if anyone can get a 2 out rally started
bah!! K's on one in the dirt and frowns before he realizes that he can jog to first and be safe. Unfortunatly he's thrown out at first to end the inning.. Boy was I wrong
Bottom 15th
Paulino in to bat. Grounds to short for out number 1.
boy was I wrong on that name
This stupid pitcher is making Moehler throw way too many pitches. He's already fouled off 2 or 3 with a 1-2 count. Grounds to Everett for out number 2!
Castillo.
Castillo hits its a soft bouncer to Moehler who nicely finishes him off at first for out number 3.
I promise to not say out number ?? anymore.. I promise
Top of the 16th
Swings at ball for to put the count to 3-1. Flies out to right center. Yah thats much better than a walk.
If this game goes on any longer...
Just look at the number of hits and LOB's for 'stros.
Embarassing.
El Caballo
Lee grounds out to short. Lee ran well to first which is a good sign. OK, OK lets not get crazy! Lee ran normal to first which is a good sign
Lane up to bat
My mom thinks Lane is the man. I just wish once she was right. C'mon Lane!!!
Yup, he's the man alright. Pop up to Castill right behind first base. He really got ahold of that one.
Bottom of 16th
3 to 1 for the out at first. Nice play by Berkman tossing to Moehler.
18 people in the stands now.
Singles between Everett and Ensberg. First hit in 8 or so batters
Wilson
Evidently the stros think so because they are watching him as all 18 fans that are left for the pirates are booing
Awww shit. Duffy steals 2nd, Q throws the ball into center. 1 out, Wilson batting w/ Duffy on 3rd
you know, one of these days
Grounder to everett, throws home to get Duffy!!
AE!!!!! NICE PLAY!!!!!
Duffy was out in a run down, so it was somewhat exciting. Too bad you went to sleep :)
2 outs, runner on first
I think I just had a heart attack.
Bautista singles to center, Wilson goes 1st to 3rd.
Bay up to bat w/ runners on the corners
lol
Between balls 3 and 4 Quintero non-chalantly throws to third instead of to the pitcher and damn near caught Wilson sleeping.
anyone care who's batting anymore?
Game over
Singles off of Everetts glove (no error) to end the game
Got by that one on the skin of our teeth
I wonder what choice words Garner'll have for this tour de force tonight.
Here's a joke: "Two baseball teams that can't hit for s*** walk into a bar..."
I'll reveal the punchline sixteen posts later.
Pirates win
Kudos to Moehler, he pitched fairly well for being underused and not really that good of a pitcher (atleast not consistently)
Moehler & Pitching
For a minute there earlier, I thought Garner was going to leave Sampson in.
Fuck
And now we get to hope for a complete game from Wandy. Joy.
hah!!!
All in all it's nice to see some of our young pitchers making some good starts. Albers pitched a pretty nice game only giving up 3 runs in 6 innings.
Even better now that Williams is taking cortizone injections as a "precautionary measure". Precautionary means that he isn't fully injured yet. Lets see... Oswalt, Wandy, Sampson, Albers and who else? Wow what an all-star pitching staff thats gonna be.
Good night to all and to all a good night(or something using those same words)
I just noticed
Everett was shading way towards 2nd base. If he had been in his normal position it would have been a routine 6 - 1 and the stros would be batting.. Do you really put a infield shift on a guy batting under .100?
Guess it's easy to 2nd guess after the fact, but something so simple to lose a game. Ok really.. G'nite :)
Thanks Tim!
Astros hitters sure do suck, though.
by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 11:08 PM CDT reply actions
Had to stop following after the ninth...
Like many commenters said tonight ~ "Goat of the Game" honors go to Ensberg...Congratulations!
Pissed and I just read MG's comment above - Wandy tomorrow! Hope I'm wrong but looks like another loss coming!
Prove me wrong Astros!
SeoulStro
White to go on the DL
Things are looking bleak...
SeoulStro

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