Houston Astros VS Atlanta Braves : Spring Training Game 26

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 9:43 AM CDT in News

Your Houston Astros send Woody Williams to the hill today at 12:05PM CST against the Atlanta Braves and former Astro Mike Hampton. Woody Williams really needs a good outing today to help him earn a roster spot on the team. Hopefully Entropic Soul's risky pick of Woody Williams last night in the fantasy draft will raise the confidence level of Williams and return him to his younger self.

Todays game is being broadcast on FSN, so for all of you who like me, are itching to see Astros on the TV... you're in luck.

Yesterday the Astros beat the Reds 6-5 behind a good pitching performance by Brandon Backe. Backe went 5 innings and gave up 4 runs, but only 2 were earned. Backe also struck out 3 and walked just 1. The real story of the day/week/spring training is Astros lefty Wesley Wright who went another scoreless inning on Saturday, making that 5 consecutive outings without giving up a run. Wright looks like he could be the lefty from the bullpen that the Astros have been looking for. Wright only 23 years old.

Carlos Lee had another 0-fer yesterday giving him just 2 hits in his last 21 at bats. In his last 8 games, he's had hits in just 1 game. Maybe this is why.

One more thing, if anyone is interested in the Dodgers VS Padres game in China, one of the readers of www.lonestarball.com our Texas Rangers SBNation blog, actually lives in China and was able to attend the game. You can read more about it here.

Happy Easter!

Poll

6 innings, 3 ER for Woody... This enough to earn a roster spot?

Yes

5 votes

No

17 votes

Will wait to see his next start

17 votes

Send him down, he's too over the hill to waste anymore time on

9 votes

48 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 106 comments

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Comments

Anyone else...

think the Astros would be better off if Woody had a defnitive performance today, no matter which way it goes? I would rather see Woody Williams give up a crap-load of runs in a horrible performance or else have a sparkling performance, like a scoreless 5 innings. If the former happens, the Astros' decision will be obvious and perhaps even Woody, himself, might realize that all ball players lose it at some point. If the latter happens, then we could legitimately feel that Woody Williams is re-gaining his form and deserves to show the team what he can do for at least a month or so in the regular season.

A mixed performance, say, 3 runs in 5 innings, would still leave a question mark in the Astros' minds...and leave the team with a choice that could be wrong in either direction.

by clack on Mar 23, 2008 10:09 AM CDT 0 recs

Yep

But I'm afraid that if he goes 5 innngs and only gives up 3 runs, they will say that is an improvement. Woody has maybe 1 more start after this game. In my opinion, he needs to be really good in both starts to earn a position on the team.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

Wow, just read the diary...

on the game in China. That is a great account with nice photos. It's the best report I've read on the MLB game in China. Some great stuff. How about the photo of the hot dog? Not very appetizing, but funny. Or the cheerleaders. Maybe the Marlins should have made the trip since they are the only MLB team with cheerleaders.

by clack on Mar 23, 2008 11:58 AM CDT 0 recs

I agree

Very well written and nice pics.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Top 1st

Woody, first pitch, line drive single

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:13 PM CDT 0 recs

That was by Kotsay

Kotsay batting .227 this spring... That will probably raise today.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Escobar

Runner (Kotsay) on first, goes 3-1 and takes a nice breaking ball for strike 2. Count full as he take another breaking ball, a little high and inside for ball 4. Runners on 1st and 2nd for Chippah Jones.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Jones

Jones having a good spring, batting .406 with a couple dingers. Takes the account full with Woody missing corners constantly.

Ball hit to Tejada which looks like a double play waiting to happen, but the runners were going and Tejada only has time to get the runner at 1st.

Runners on the Corners for Teixeira.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Teixeira

Having a bad spring with a .190 avg and 1 home run.

Mark singles between Loretta and Berkman with both diving towards the ball. Both runners score.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Francoeur / Blanco

I somehow missed Francoeur, but he got out.

Blanco drills a line drive over Bourn's head, chugging along he gets a triple and earns an RBI.

Bravo's up 3-1 with 2 outs.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Prado

Batting .322 on the season, takes Woody to a 1-1 count and grounds out to Wiggington to easily fields and throws to first.

Braves up 3-0 after 1.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Correction

runners on 2nd and 3rd.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Make that bottom 1st

I missed the Astros half, but Hampton faced 3 batters and got them all out with Bourn striking out.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Top 2nd

(for reals this time)

Astros have Lee, Tejada and Loretta due up in the inning. Lee is looking to end his 2 game hitless drought today.

Who the hell are these announcers. I can't wait for JD and Brownie...

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:26 PM CDT 0 recs

Lee at bat

Smoltz in the booth talking to the announcers, ask them for the score...

Lee takes the account to 3-1 and hits a looping drive(is that possible?)to Kotsay in CF.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Tejada

Tejada batting .333 this spring, takes a 0-1 count and hits a line drive for an easy double to right field.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Loretta

Loretta batting .268 on the season, takes a 2-2 account and and then strikes out on a pitch right down the chute.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wigginton

Batting .191 on the season... glad someone drafted him in the fantasy league before I got a chance to.

Pops up easily to Kotsay in center to finish the inning.

My wife comes in and ask what inning it is, I say 2nd and she looks at the score and goes ewww... I say Woody Williams is pitching and she says "Who's that". She needs to watch more baseball....

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bottom 2nd

Braves have Miller, Hampton and Kotsay due up in the inning.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:34 PM CDT 0 recs

Miller

Miller, most famous for being behind the plate when Delmon Young tossed his bat at and hit an umpire on April 26, 2006 in a minor league game.

Miller takes a Woody Williams fastball(changeup) and bashes it for a double.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hampton

Sac bunts Miller to 3rd. Astros down 3-0 with 1 out.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Kotsay

Round 2 for Kotsay, 1 out with a runner(Miller) on 3rd.

Woody getting drilled like normal takes Kotsay to a 2-2 count. Next pitch, Kotsay grounds to Loretta at 2nd who throws to Berkman for out 2. Runner still on 3rd.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Escobar

Escobar batting .435 this spring. Escobar lines out to Pence in right field. Inning over, no runs scored.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Corky Miller...like that name?....

well hit double to the gap. woody is quite hittable today.

by clack on Mar 23, 2008 12:36 PM CDT 0 recs

His real name is

Abraham Phillip "Corky" Miller

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Top 3rd

Astros have Ausmus, Williams and then Bourn due up in the inning.

Last time up, Bourn struck out to Hampton who has lowered his spring ERA to .093.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:42 PM CDT 0 recs

Ausmus

grounds out to Escobar at short.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Williams

Woody walks... Evidently Hampton feels bad for the old guy.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bourn

GRR! They show more of the damn announcers than they do the game. They switch back to the game right before the pitch gets to the batter.. annoying...

Bourn takes a 1-2 count and then strikes out on what looks to have been a little low(and maybe outside).

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pence

Pence batting .379 on the season, fouled out last at bat, swings at a slider in the dirt for strike 1. Pence drills the next ball over Blanco in left field, ball takes 1 bounce and goes over the fence for a ground rule double.

Smoltz mentions how good of a player Pence is then the announcers go directly back to talking about the Braves.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Correction

Smoltz isn't in the booth any more.. it's Frank Wren the Braves' GM

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Berkman

.286 on the season, takes the count 2-2 and hits a blooper to 2nd to end the top of the inning. Runners stranded on 2nd and 3rd.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hampton's ERA is .93, not .093

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Announcers

The announcers are Joe Simpson and Jon Sciambi who are the Atlanta Braves announcers. Go figure...

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Bottom 3rd

JOnes, Teixeira and Francoeur due up in the inning.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:51 PM CDT 0 recs

Jones

Woody stil in, still missing corners way too often. 2-1 count and Chipper gets good wood on the ball, but lines directly to Loretta catches for the out.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Teixeira

I hate typing his name... who would spell a name that way...

Woody's fastball is 87-88 today takes Mark to a 2-2 count and forces a ground ball to Berkman, who easily fields and jogs to first base for out #2.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Francoeur

Francoeur grounds up the middle to Loretta how makes a damn nice play to his right, fields, hops and throws across his body to end the inning. Very nice play for Loretta.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Nice play...Loretta

Grabs ball running toward 2d and twirls, throwing a ball on the money to 1st.

by clack on Mar 23, 2008 12:56 PM CDT 0 recs

Yeah,

he threw while still in the air, it was AWESOME, reminded me of Everett even. Do the announcers say anything? Noooooo. But let Chipper Jones toss one to second (the double play made only because of the quick turn by the second sacker) and it's "incredible defense."

Whatever.

by Danyah on Mar 23, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

Top 4th

Astros stil scoreless with 2 hits on the day.

Astros have Lee, Tejada and Loretta due up in the inning. Braves still leading 3-0.

I hate the Braves telecast... won't be the last time you'll hear this today either.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:57 PM CDT 0 recs

Lee

Nice shades Lee...

Hampton still in for the Braves starts the inning with a .84 ERA.

Lee takes a 2-2 count and grounds out to Escobar at short.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Tejada

1 for 1 on the day with a double in the 2nd. takes the count to 2-1 taps a ball foul to make it 2-2. Next pitch, Tejada fights off an inside pitch right up the middle for a single.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Loretta

0-1 on the day with a strike out.

Loretta hits the ball sharply to Jones' left, but Chipper backhands the ball and flips to Prado at 2nd who turns and fires to first for a double play. Inning Over.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

announcers

i really can't stand hearing other announcers talk about the astros. 9 times out of 10 it seems as though they did zero fact checking and make these assumptions about the club that are completely unfounded, yet sound like fact coming from their mouths.

by exit53 on Mar 23, 2008 1:03 PM CDT 0 recs

/agreed

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bottom 4th

Due up for the Braves is Blanco, Prado and Miller.

Woody has pitched scoreless ball since giving up 3 runs in the 1st. His ERA sits at 12.89 for the spring.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:05 PM CDT 0 recs

Blanco

puts down a nice bunt down 3rd, Wigginton fields it cleanly barehanded and throws to first, but is not in time. Blanco in cleanly with a single.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Prado

Blanco at first, leaning a little so Woody throws over to keep him honest. Leaning again and Woody does the same again. Rinse and repeat, 3 straight throws over by Woody.

This gives us a chance to see those TERRIBLE sideburns of Berkman.

Woody throws over again... let's see if he can do it 5 times in a row!

Nope, inestead throws what looks to be a change up for strike 1. Woody throws over again for a really close call at 1st. Runner still safe.

Woody, nice curve for strike 2. Count is 0-2. Woody tries to do it again and Prado fouls it off. Looked like the same pitch. Let's see that 87 MPH fastball now.

Make it 85, too high and outside, ball 1. Count is 1-2.

Another 85 fast ball hit sharply to first by Berkman who knocks it down and throws to 2nd for the force out.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Miller

Announcers "Lance Berkman working the sideburns... WHOOOO"

Count is 1-0 as Miller grounds to Wigginton who doesn't have time to get the force at 2nd... easily throws Miller out at 1st.

Announcers still talking about the sideburns.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hampton

Grounds past Woody and fielded by Berkman who tosses to Woody covering the bag. Inning Over.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

With 3 runs allowed...

I wonder if Woody will end up like I suggested in my earlier post...3 runs in 5 innings for a "gray area" performance.

by clack on Mar 23, 2008 1:08 PM CDT 0 recs

yes

i turned the game on in the 3rd and saw the score, remembered it was woody pitching and sighed. read through stros bro's game recap and saw your gray area comment, and man you are totally right. i hate to say it, but i'm pulling for a huge braves 4th... but as i type that, hampton grounds out for the 3rd out.

by exit53 on Mar 23, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

He only did poorly

in the first because it wasn't until AFTER the first that he was informed that he was one of my fantasy picks last night. He knows he's gotta step it now, cause it's REALLY on the line.

Lee, Pence, HGH in '08

by entropic soul on Mar 23, 2008 1:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sorry

I sent Coop the memo last night... evidently it wasn't important enough to wake him up for.. bastards...

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

did you..

pick him on purpose or was it an auto-draft? ;)

by exit53 on Mar 23, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Oddly enough...

it was on purpose

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 6:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

astros.com

..has been revamped. looks a lot cleaner.

by exit53 on Mar 23, 2008 1:10 PM CDT 0 recs

Yep

I noticed it, but wasn't sure if it had actually changed, or if I was just seeing things.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

ha

nice to see that our spring leader for wins is valverde.

by exit53 on Mar 23, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Top 5th

Astros have Wigginton, Ausmus and Williams up to bat... I'm thinking Williams will probably bat. He needs to pitch some more to earn a job.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:14 PM CDT 0 recs

Wiggy

1st pitch, hits a nice line drive over Kotsay's head for a double.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ausmus

1-0 count, no outs with a runner on 2nd. Ausmus gets good wood on the ball driving it towards the right field wall, but Francoeur makes an over the head running catch to get Ausmus out. Wigginton tags and goes to 3rd on the play.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Woody

Woody looks to be coming back for more has Wigginton on 3rd with 1 out. 1-2 count after fouling off a few takes on inside for ball 2.

Next pitch, grounds out to Hampton who looks the runner back and throws to first for out 2.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bourn

Bourn 0-2 on the day with 2 strike outs. Avg now at .293 hits a blooper to Kotsay in CF who catches for the 3rd out.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bourn...

has looked bad at the plate against Hampton. He has not been a good hitter against LHP in his career.

by clack on Mar 23, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bottom 5th

Kotsay, Escobar and Jones due up. Braves up 3-0.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:22 PM CDT 0 recs

Kotsay

1-0 count flies out deep to Bourn in CF. Braves announcers just said that Smoltz threw up a red flag. Guess he shouldn't have eaten it...

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Escobar

Woody is starting to get his breaking stuff over the plate. Looking much better than his earlier innings... he's also actually getting batters to swing and miss on the curveball. The curve ball is making his 85 MPH fastball look like an 88 MPH fastball.

3-2 count and Escobar grounds out to Wigginton at 3rd who easily throws to Berkman for out 2.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Jones

I dislike Chipper Jones... he just seems to cocky to me.

Braves announcers now talking to Mark Kotsay which means we get to see none of the game...

Woody gets Chipper jones to reach for an outside breaking ball and grounds out to Wigginton at 3rd. Good inning for Woody.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Top 6th

Pence, Berkman and Lee due up in the inning.

Hampton is coming back out for his 6th inning... time to put a hurtin on him...

Pence, Berkman and Lee have 1 hit today between the 3 of them.

I'm calling for a Lance HR.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:27 PM CDT 0 recs

Pence

Hampton looks to be "pitching around" Pence on the first 2 pitches, then tries to challenge Pence who says hits a line drive to right CF for a home run.

Astros down 3-1.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 23, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up 0 recs