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Matchup/Game Thread at Colorado 8:05 CDT

Wandy Rodriguez Jason Hirsh
2 - 5, 4.53 2 - 5, 5.10
Jason Hirsh is coming off his worst start as a major leaguer, as the anemic Cardinals--who most recently combined to score a somewhat below-average eight runs in 21 innings against Astro starters--went bananas against Hirsh, dropping ten hits and eight runs on him May 30th.

When it comes down to it, his struggles on the 30th reflected the month in its entirety for Hirsh, who finished 73rd of 76* in ERA for the month among those National Leaguers throwing a minimum of 20 innings in May. His WHIP of 1.60 for May was 66th.

Do Hirsh's recent struggles invalidate in my mind the idea I've had that his trade was a poor one?

No.

Not at all.

* Hirsh had a 6.68 ERA for the month. Last and number 77 in ERA among those NLers who threw 20 in May was none other than Matt Albers.
Small world.

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So is tonight
The night that Lance Breaks out of his drought? Burke is back on the roster(but not in the lineup).

by Stros Bro on Jun 5, 2007 8:00 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Speaking of Which
Biggio,    2B
Pence,    CF
Berkman,    1B
Lee,    LF
Loretta,    3B
Scott,    RF
Everett,    SS
Ausmus,    C
Rodriguez,    P

Colorado   
Taveras,    CF
Matsui,    2B
Holliday,    LF
Helton,    1B
Atkins,    3B
Hawpe,    RF
Tulowitzki,    SS
Torrealba,    C
Hirsh,    P

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:02 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Occasion Number Two For This Lineup
and the fourth time we have seen Pence number two.  

We're 1 - 0 with the lineup and 1- 2 with Pence batting second.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Look
at all those .300+ average hitters on the Rockies..

by entropic soul on Jun 5, 2007 8:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Lance back with the
new helmet.. he has been changing a lot lately hasn't he?

by Stros Bro on Jun 5, 2007 8:09 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

and the stockings
but by the look of that AB he needs to try something else.

by callmenis on Jun 5, 2007 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Like
being a valet...did he not just take Willy's gear?  You think he mentioned he's only had one double all season, maybe?

by callmenis on Jun 5, 2007 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hirsch April vs Hirsch May
Looking back at his stats, Jason had the following opponents in April:

@Padres, @Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Braves

His ERA for the month was 3.41.

May:

@Reds, @Cards, Dbacks, Royals, @Giants, Cards

...

I'm not sure if it means anything, although I'd say the April opponents were tougher than the May foes.

Maybe he was out-scouted?

by pel on Jun 5, 2007 8:09 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd Say April Opponents Were Tougher
Cards Royals and D-Backs are all towards the bottom in team average.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

JD
mentioned Hirsh could be pitching for his job tonight...think he's up for it?

by callmenis on Jun 5, 2007 8:09 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Top One
Heeeeeere's Biggio!

Rockies guys talking about how Biggio's got the .308 BA against Colorado lifetime, but don't mention the cycle, April 8, 2002 at Colorado.

He grounds to short, then Pence pops out.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:10 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Berkman
Rockies guys can't get over the fact that Berkman has exactly one double.

We're having trouble, too.

No double here, either, as Lance looks at strike three.

Does it surprise me that a pitcher with 5.00+ ERA mowed us down in the first?

Is the Pope Polish?

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This Pope
is German. The Polish one died a few years ago.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Papa Ratzi!
God's Rottweiler, even.

by pel on Jun 5, 2007 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bottom One
Taveras doubles, Mr. Excitement.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:16 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Kaz Matsui
flunked out in New York, seeing if he can play on the smaller stage I guess.

Wandy goes 3 - 2 on him, then he grounds to Adam.  Willy is hung out to dry, his own fault, running ahead of the ball, but at least he stays alive long enough so that Matsui gets to second.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Holliday
Wandy high and away for the most part as he goes 3 - 0.  

Fastball down the pipe is taken.  Another one high and away, but his one swung at, and it's 3 - 2.  

Good curve, and it elicits a weak pop to Biggio going out.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Helton
Wandy still battling his control, but he strikes Helton out looking.

Nice way to work around the leadoff double, though I don't think he ever got ahead of anyone, unless it was Helton with his last pitch.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whoa
Helton is sporting some serious facial hair...yikes!

And he strikes out as I type.  Well done Wandy.

by callmenis on Jun 5, 2007 8:25 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Top Two
Lee grounds out weakly to Matsui

Loretta pops out weakly to Hawpe

Scott flies to Scott

The Astros we know and love.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:30 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

JD reminded us
that we were swept here last season and that we struggle tremendously against the Rocks in Colorado.

Just thought I'd mention it, in case you missed it.

by callmenis on Jun 5, 2007 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Any wagers...
on who has the lower ERA at the end of this game? Wandy or Jason?

by entropic soul on Jun 5, 2007 8:34 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Bottom Two
Wandy leaves a fastball up and over, Atkins hammers it into left, a double.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:34 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Hawpe
flies to center, freezing Atkins.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tulowitzki
Nice Italian boy.

Wandy goes 3 - 0 then fires two strikes to make it full.

Good curveball gets him swinging, but Wandy very very inefficient, falling behind everyone, then working to come back, if he can.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Torrealba
strikes out looking, also on a 3 - 2 count.

Playing with fire.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

An old friend like Jason Hirsh...
I guess the astros want to help him keep his job.

Yeah, last year's trip to Colorado was horrible.  I view it as the beginning of a long downward slope for the Astros last season. The Astros were looking like a good team before that road trip. The offense stunk and the bullpen exploded, with Lidge in the midst of one of his worse couple of weeks ever.

by clack on Jun 5, 2007 8:39 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Since we suck ass
Maybe it will have the opposite effect....?

by entropic soul on Jun 5, 2007 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did anyone...
see the clip on tv last night (I think best damn sports show.. not sure) of the pitcher (phillies, I believe) who tried to throw a guy out at first and threw the practically straight down at his feet. Hilarious!

by entropic soul on Jun 5, 2007 8:42 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Top Three
Adam pops out
Brad grounds out
Wandy strikes out

Say this for the 2007 Houston Astros:  their hitters are a compassionate bunch.  

They're willing to help just about any struggling pitcher with his ERA.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:49 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Jose Canseco
wants to make his major league pitching debut agains the Astros.

     Or so I heard

         Or so I made up

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bottom Three
Hirsh grounds to Berkman, jogged for a couple steps, then saw he had a chance to beat it out, and almost did.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:52 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Willy T
strikes out, Wandy now leads the Astros in strikeouts.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Matsui
grounds to Loretta on a 2 - 0 pitch.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Top Four
Way out in front of a floater to start off.

A foul ball then he finishes the way he started, flailing at something bendy and offspeed.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:58 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Pence
lines it sharply, turned on a fastball in, but right at Atkins, who doesn't drop it.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Berkman
swings at the first pitch, grounds to second.

Way to go Lance, Hirsh throws six pitches in the inning.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm so frustrated
with Easy Out Berkman.

Can't he do anything but pop to third (in foul territory no less), strike out, walk, or hit to second?

He's only done 2 so far tonight, but he's got at least one more bat to go.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bottom Four
Wandy is going to have trouble working out of this one as Holliday hits a leadoff triple to the left-center gap, it kicked away on Pence.

Pitch had some movement to it, but not enough and was still high in the zone when it got smacked.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:03 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Helton
Infield is not in for him, Garner been burned enough I guess.

But Helton strikes out, Wandy threw a fastball by him.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Atkins
Never mind, the infield's in.

Doesn't matter as Atkins hammers one down ther pipe out to right.  

Atkins into second, Holliday scores.

Notice how Atkins came through when Helton didn't.

1 - 0 Rox.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hawpe
grounds to Biggio . . . but Biggio drops it!

Very nice.

first and third one out for Wandy.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tulowitzki
goes 3 - 2, then strikes out.

Poised on the precipice of disaster there, and to Torrelabs to follow, a double and a 3 - 0 lead for Colorado would be nearly insurmountable.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Torrealba
no offense to Yorivt or his family, but he's not that good.

Still have to be careful not to expect too much.

1 - 2 pitch almost goes to the backstop, as if to instruct me.

That was also Wandy's 75th pitch:  Wandy's performance is almost irrlevant, because even if it's tied when he's done, the bullpen should then blow it, given the way they've been going.

Yikes.  Torrealba walks.  

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hirsh
with the bases juiced.

the pitch that makes it 1 - 1 is number 80 for Wandy.  

Hrsh stays alive, reaching for something on the corner.

Finally, Hirsh strikes out.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And Biggio's sons
are in the dugout watching dad at work.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Checking in from home...
another national holiday here in Korea (this time Memorial Day for the end of the Korean War).

This game has got have all the odds stacked against the Astros:

  1. Facing a former Houston top prospect pitcher who is struggling and been getting lit up lately
  2. Facing former speedster CF Astro who has already hit a double
  3. Playing in Colorado where we usually struggle
  4. Berkman still playing...well...like Berkman
Did I miss anything? If they win this I'll be surprised!

I know I know overly pesimistic but they lose anyway when I'm optimistic so maybe it'll change this time (I hope!)

SeoulStro

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 9:10 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

last year
After a triple, a double and Biggio's error, Wandy would have lost it; and five more runs would have scored before he was pulled. He came through pretty good this time.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 9:19 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Buccholz...
went down to the bullpen, and could be a reliever in this game, according to JD and Brown.  Wouldn't that be super?  Maybe Hirsh and Buchholz will combine for a no hitter against their former team.

by clack on Jun 5, 2007 9:19 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Top Five
Carlos swung at the first pitch before his groundout in the second.

Here, he pops a 3 - 1 pitch into the infield.

That was Hirsh's 41st pitch.  Three innings for him of less than 9 pitches.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Loretta
goes 2 - 1 as Hirsh works on his perfect game.

Breaking pitch Loretta looks at at the knees makes it even.

Loretta sends it out 390' to left, but Holliday catches it on the track.

Big mistake for Hirsh, but Loretta ain't got the power.

Make that same mistake to Luke, Hirsh. . . I dare ya.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Scott
Rox guys talking about how Scott has stayed in touch with Willy this year.

Looks like Hirsh DID make the same mistake to Luke, hammered to dead center, hits at the base of the wall, Willy could not get there.

Scott was thinking three, but he holds up at second.

I knew mentioning "perfect game" would help.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Adam
Now as embarassing as we've looked, a hit from Adam here ties the game.

But he doesn't get it done, flying meekly to right.

Should have known better than to think it.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Woo-hoo!
Scott Elarton remains the only former Astros top pitching prospect to throw 5 innings of perfect ball(in one game) vs Houston!

I actually don't know if that's true.

by MG(vers. 2) on Jun 5, 2007 9:26 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Please Please
let's get a hit at least...I'm tired of former Astros coming back to haunt them.

This sucks!

Go ASTROS!

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 9:26 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

So it's come to this
Astros fans are relieved when the team gets a hit  . . . .

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 9:30 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Bottom Five
Wandy's gonna scrape against his limit this inning, I remain unsure about his ability to get through unscathed.

Willy flies to Luke, who struggles with it a bit, but makes the catch.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Matsui
ghoes 3 - 0 and that'll be Wandy's epitaph for this one, he got behind and threw too many pitches.

Matsui singles, uh oh.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Holliday
pops up and does it early in the count, too.

Thanks, dude!

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Helton
is at the plate when Wandy picks off Matsui, Wandy to Lance to Adam.

He did get through.  Good for Wandy.

But now Garner will bring him out for the sixth because Gar's afraid of the bullpen and he'll lose it there.

It's a no-win game.

Oh well, props to Wandy, anyway.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Remember the good old days
when a game in Colorado had scores like 11-10?

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 9:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Top Six
Hirsh looking to extend the one-hitter against Ausmus and the nine-slot and Biggio.

OP on deck, now that's a sight to rally the troops.

So maybe Wandy won't be stretched too long.  But Qualls is up in the pen, a problem in its own right.

Hirsh walks, and it's still Palmeiro, I thought OP was supposed to be the pinch-hitter used to reach first?

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:39 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

OP
With Ausmus on, should we be surprised that it's OP?  Is this a relfection on Lamb's recent struggles?

Holy shit, hit and run works, first and third no outs.

Idea was OP makes contact, but if OP swings and misses (and the luck we're in, he well coulda), you're throwing away a baserunner.

It's like playing the infield in all those times, if it works it's nice, but it's not worth the risk.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Biggio
strikes out, slider away.

Remember how they say Mantle spent like the entirety of five seasons striking out?

I wonder what percentage of Biggio's career has been spent striking out on a slider away?

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pence
hammers another liner right into Atkins' glove.

Tough luck.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Berkman
When do you drop Lance in the order?

Sure would be nice to see Lee here--or even Luke.

Lance does go 3 - 1, one advantage to Lance is he still walks, gotta say that.

3 - 1 pitch is hammered to the left-center gap, Lance came through, I'm truly shocked.

Palmeiro comes around as the throw to the cutoff man is mishandled.

Lance into second, 2 - 1 Astros.

Lance's second double.  On June 5th.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lee
will be intentionally walked.

Should Lance have stopped at first?

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Loretta
Cameras show Jorge Julio in the pen.

If there's any way we can get him into the game, we'll be in pretty good shape.

Julio was entirely responsible for a loss that the Marlins took to us earlier in the year, gave up all the runs the Astros scored in one inning, and was just about as bad as you possibly can be for the Fish.

Before trading him to the Rox for Byung Kim, the Marlins actually put Julio on the DL, even though there was considerable agreement that there was nothing wrong with him.

Then when he came off the DL, he gave up a grand slam to his first batter, and he was traded the next day.

So yeah, we want this guy.

Loretta grounds back to Hirsh to end the inning.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The said Lance
was jokingly trying to take the base.. couldn't really tell though

by Stros Bro on Jun 5, 2007 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow
Really. I'm really surprised we scored some runs.

by entropic soul on Jun 5, 2007 9:46 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Surprised
and happy. Let's get more.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Women's CWS (Softball championship)
Arizona (#1 softball team in the country) against Tennessee (with its pitcher, Abbott, best pitcher in the country) tied 0-0 in the tenth inning. Tennessee leads the best of three one game to none.

Now back to the game.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 9:54 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Game Over
Arizona wins 1-0. Series tied 1-1. Winner take all tomorrow.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bottom Six
Borkowski in, not Qualls, looks like Qualls'll have to face some men while we're behind for a while.

Good news for Chad  is he should get opportunities.

Borks goes 3 - 2 to Helton, and Helton triples over the head of Pence.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:56 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Atkins
pops to Bidge, Helton cannot score.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hawpe
grounds to Berkman, who taks it unassisted.

Helton still at third.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tulowitzki
flies to center, leadoff triple does not score.

Good work by Borks, but more importantly, the Astros may have met their match.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Way to go Super DAVE!
lead-off triple and he gets out of the inning with no runs scoring! Great to see!

Go ASTROS!

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Props to Lance
Great to see him come through...yeah we could complain all day about his season long slump but we need him to hit and that was a hit with 2 RBIs, we need them!

More runs!

Go ASTROS!

SeoulStro

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 9:56 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Top Seven
Scott little bloop to center, Luke with two hits tonight, things have been improving since that lucky double the other day
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:03 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'll be ticked
if Garner puts Chris Burke in right instead of Luke Scott tomorrow.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Adam
is batting with a 2 - 1 count when Hirsh's curveball goes to the backstop.

Luke takes second.

Everett goes 3 - 2, fouls one off, Rox guys saying Hirsh has to get it done against the bottom part of the order here, against the batters for Houston who have not gotten it done so far.

Little do they know Adam was our player of the week last week.

Everett hits a bloop double, Scott only to third, because of uncertainties about Hawpe's chances of catching the ball.

the ball landed maybe a foot away from Hawpe, maybe six inches from the foul line.

Can't say we haven't gotten some breaks in this game.

Goodbye Jason.  You won't win, but you could lose!

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ausmus
It IS Julio!

I'm so excited!

Here comes a Brad Ausmus triple, I can feel it.

First pitch misses, then Ausmus misses with a healthy cut, I'm encouraged, there.  

Still got that extra bases feeling.

Down, 2 - 1.  

Garner is an idiot.  A toptal idiot.  They have this complete loser of a pitcher down in the count, and he calls a squeeze.

Why oh why.

Pitch is way up and way in, Brad tries to bunt, but can't and Scott is dead.

Stupid.

Ausmus does walk.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lamb
I am a Garner supporter.  But how's this for a statement:  Garner is and has been overmanaging.

Constant lineup shuffling, infield in whenever an opponent is on third, etc.  What do you think?

Again, this shit ain't his fault, but from time to time you can certainly say he's guilty of not helping.

But look, here:  it is not Garner who grounds into the double play.  A single there, and you almost forget the missed squeeze.

Instead Lamb GIDP's.  

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Toptal"
A Bengalese word, from the original Sanskrit.

Meaning "with the entirety of one's soul."

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the explanation...
as I was wondering WTF when I saw on Gameday that Scott got picked off 3rd!

Yes, so stupid of Garner! And now Lamb hits into a inning ending GIDP! Damn...this team frustrates me so much at times!

Go Astros!

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll Go Even Further
I think Garner is an excellent manager, but he's not balanced while managing lately.

He's managing out of desperation.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bottom Seven
It's like a poker game between these two teams.
COLORADO:  I'll hit a leadoff triple, then not score.

HOUSTON:  I see your wasted leadoff triple, and raise you.  I'll put men on second and third and fail to score.

COLORADO:  Well then, I'll load 'em and not score.

Holy smokes, Qualls nearly gave up a homer while I was typing that.

To Torrealba, no less, Scott caught it at the fence.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:25 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Jeff Baker
pinch-hitting for Affeldt who took Julio's place.

He flies to Lee.

Taveras grounds to second, and Qualls slithers through, he's scary as hell right now.

How 'bout some ground balls, Chad?

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Top Eight
LaTroy Hawkins in, and Biggio grounds to Matsui, and is hitless tonight, this is after all a road park.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Pence
has smoked the ball twice tonight, but he pulls off the first fastball he sees here.

Pulled off on the last pitch he saw, too, and sits down.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Berkman
Given that Wandy could only go five, you'd have to say that Lance has come out of nowhere to be the prime candidate for Game Hero.

An extra base hit here could ice the selection process.

Count goes full.

Berkman checks his swing on a curve, or so he thinks and he starts walking up the line.

then it looks like the third base umpire calls him out on strikes, and Lance goes apeshit, jogging across the mound to confront Ed Rapuano.

Thing is he's already out of the game by the time he gets there.

On the one hand, Lance may have had a point.

On the other Lance has to saty in control.  This team has so few weapons, it needs every one of them.

And consider that the Astros have gotten some breaks tonight.

Lance sure didn't.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Colorado
flashing their aces tonight. :p

by entropic soul on Jun 5, 2007 10:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Berkman
got a raw deal on that called swing. Wasn't even that close.

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 10:38 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'll Agree
But Lance had to chill there.  It's a bad play when your best slugger gets his ass thrown out in one-run game.

Never mind that he's been slumping.

Had to smile when he threw the balls on the field, though.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think...
frustrations just boiled over for Berkman. Did he really throw bats and balls on the field?

It sucks he is ejected (on a BS call by the sounds of it) but I'm glad to hear there are emotions and passions shown by Berkman

Go ASTROS!

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Berkman
threw his batting gloves, and a ball bag on the field after he threw his helmet that hit the railing of the dugout.  It was awesome.  Berkman says he blew up AFTER he got ejected(or atleast after he thought he was ejected).  His throwing the ball bag reminded me of a couple years ago when Garner threw a chair(or was it a stool?  I forget) onto the field.  Later when asked about it he said the chair had been bothering him all night(or something along those lines).  

by TimStros on Jun 6, 2007 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I disagree
More than likely he wasn't going to bat again anyway, and him getting ejected along with the HBP seemed to fire the team up.. could be what they needed..

Some people might not believe in the whole firing up a team and all of that, but I do...  Berkman has been frustrated and it (on the replay) did appear he checked the swing... the bad call along with his frustrations were just too much... so he blew up..  It appeared that he though he got thrown out before really doing anything to garner an ejection, so there was no point in holding back then.. he can afford the fine(if there is one)

by Stros Bro on Jun 6, 2007 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The only thing we'd have to worry about
is if he gets his stupid ass suspended for running out during the brawl.  That's a big no-no.

by saylinara on Jun 6, 2007 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well... "Brawl"
more like "benchs cleared and everyone stares at each other".

by saylinara on Jun 6, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well
if he does get suspended, he should just appeal it and withdraw his appeal on the first game we face a lefty.  i'm sure it wouldn't be more than one game.

by littlevisigoth on Jun 6, 2007 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's see
One game for being tossed; one game for tossing; and one game for going on the field out of uniform.  That's three games right there.

Realistically, will Lance be suspended; and if so how many games?

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 6, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bottom Eight
Lidge in to face Matsui who lines it very sharply . . right at Luke.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:43 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Holliday
0 - 2 as he fouls back a 97-mph fastball from Brad

One gets away from Lidge, 1 - 2.

Scott records this out, too, but this one was a lot softer than the out recorded by Matsui.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Helton
lines it into the right field corner, Luke boots it a little bit, it's either a standup triple or a double and an error.

Helton turned on a pretty good pitch seemed like to me.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Atkins
Lidge goes 2 - 0 on Atkins, then comes right back with a fastball down the pipe.  Fouled straight back.

98 mph on the next one, not much movement, same result.

Lidge tried to come in across him, missed 3 - 2.  

Took something off, and Atkins strikes out.

Helton hit a good pitch, but I'll be honest, I expected Lidge to melt in the high-leverage situation there against Atkins.

I still don't trust him.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

WTF?
is going on? Now Garner ejected? Please explain...balls and strikes, Carlos HBP?

Go Astros!

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 10:55 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Top Nine
Top Nine
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Top Eight
Manhny Corpas in to pitch, replacing Hawkins.

First pitch hits Lee on the shoulder, and he is staring at Corpas the whole way  down to first, muttering under his breath, the air gets a little charged, and both benches empty.  Bullpens, too.

No punches are thrown, order is restored, and benches are warned, and things look to resume, but then Garner comes out, and he looks for Rapuano, starts jawing, and then Garner gets tossed.

Not sure what that was about, except now the Rox guys point out that Lance came out onto the field for the fracas that wasn't.

He can't do that.  He's been ejected.  Rox guys guess that that will get Berkman a suspension.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:57 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Loretta
flies to right.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Luke
homers to right.

Lance kind of defaulted on his Game Hero when he stupidly got ejected.

I'd say Luke just picked it up.

 4- 1 Astros.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Adam
pops to Atkins, running up onto the pitchers mound.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ausmus
bounces back to Corpas, inning over.

But what an inning!

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Game Hero
Is Luke Scott. I agree

(and it was homer to left)

(and I'll rellay be ticked if Garner puts Chris Burke in right instead of Luck Scott tomorrow)

by Joe in Birmingham on Jun 5, 2007 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the explanation, Rastro
Man oh man, I'm missing all the action!

Go Astros!

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 10:58 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

LUUUUUUUUUUKE!
Best way to respond to a HBP.

by MG(vers. 2) on Jun 5, 2007 10:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

yeah HR for Scott!
Please Garner, screw this platooning, just keep Scott in there

Go Astros!

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 11:00 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Bottom Nine
Wheeler in to close it.

Hawpe first, and he takes two pitches low.

Wheels gets a swinging strike, then a called one.

Now he bounces to Loretta at first (replacing Berkman) and that's one away.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 11:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Tulowitzki
flies softly to Luke.
Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Torrealba
strikes out swinging.

Astros win.

And Wandy wins a road game for the first time since last July.

Grouchy sonofabitch

by rastronomicals on Jun 5, 2007 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's a winner!
Way to go Astros! Let's hope this is the season's turning point!

Over and out, off to enjoy the rest of the holiday here! See you all tomorrow!

Go Stros!

SeoulStro

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Jun 5, 2007 11:11 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Good for...
... Wandy, Luke, Lidge, and Wheeler

by blakemusn on Jun 5, 2007 11:14 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow! Exciting Game!
I wonder what the history was between Lee and the Rockies' Panamanian pitcher.  Lee was talking forcefully to him, and he seemed to have a lot of explanation for the umpire who restrained him at 1b. Whatever Lee said to the umpires caused them to go talk with the pitcher.  That bit of fire seemed to get Luke Scott's juices flowing in the inning.  

by clack on Jun 5, 2007 11:14 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

"...get luke scott's juices flowing..."
If JD's interpretation of Luke's diary is any indication, it sure did. :)

"Dear Diary:

Today my good buddy Carlos got drilled, so I felt compelled to hit one into the seats to give us some extra cushion.

See you tomorrow, Luke.

PS: I hit this one to left, just to make things interesting."

by MG(vers. 2) on Jun 5, 2007 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hirsch...
... is getting the Astros treatment from his new team.  Sucks to be him.

by blakemusn on Jun 5, 2007 11:14 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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