Houston Astros at Philadelphia Phillies, 12:05 PM CDT
Houston Astros at Philadelphia Phillies, Apr 17, 2008 12:05 PM CDT
The Houston Astros look to win 2 series in a row today against the Philadelphia Phillies at 12:05 PM CDT. The Astros send Brandon Backe and his 2.25 ERA against Brett Myers. Backe has been better than expected so far this season and looks to continue with another positive outing today.
I'm glad to see Quintero today catching for Backe... if for no other reason than the combined energy that Backe and Quintero would bring to the game. He should also be an upgrade over Ausmus throwing out runners and at the plate.
No Pence today with Erstad batting 7th and playing right field. I guess that's warranted when you are hitting .161 on the season with more strike outs than total bases(16 K's, 14 TB).
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Bourn
Shows 1st pitch bunt, but takes it high for a strikes. Then goes 2-2 and strikes out trying to check his swing.
Go 'Stros!
Dobbs
Goes the other way, hitting a single between 1st and 2nd. Runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs.
Go 'Stros!
Burrell
Grounds to Tejada’s right, Tejada ranges pretty far and tries to turn and throw to 1st, but throws down the line as Lance dives off 1st and stops it from going towards the dugout. Dobbs scores and Burrell safe at 1st.
Go 'Stros!
Jenkins
hammers one to center that Bourn goes back on and picks it up off the wall, Bourn fires to Tejada who fires at home to get Burrell who was trying to score from 1st. howard scored on the play and Jenkins jogs into 2nd.
Astros now down 3-0
Go 'Stros!
Coste
Grounds to Blum who boots it, should have been an easy 3rd out, but Blum couldn’t handle it earning an error(the Astros 4th of the season). Jenkins goes to 3rd as Coste is safe at 1st.
Go 'Stros!
Top 2nd
Rough 1st inning for the Astros who went down in order on their side and then watched the Phillies send 8 to the plate.
Astros have up Lee, Tejada and Blum.
Go 'Stros!
Lee
Takes 2 fastballs at 90 for a strike and a ball, then puts the 3rd fastball up the middle for a single.
Go 'Stros!
Tejada
Brownie mentioned today that they discovered today that Tejada was 33 years old… he was originally thought to be 31. He will be 34 in May. JD tells us a story about Tejada’s early life when he had no electricity or running water and they bathed in the river.
Tejada repeats Lee’s effort by hitting a single of his own up the middle. Lee to 2nd.
Go 'Stros!
Blum
Hopefully will make up for his error in the 1st(which didn’t really effect much).
Is it just me, or do the Phillies 3rd jersey(that they are wearing today), remind you of the Expos?
JD and Brownie are talking about “Drowning Pool” whom Lidge (and Myers did last year) enter the game to. Kind of funny hearing them talk about it.. just because of the type of band Drowning Pool is(who I do like).
Blum runs the count full and then hits a line drive to Bruntlett who fields about 6 inches off the ground and throws to 2nd to try and double off Tejada.. Tejada gets back safe.
Go 'Stros!
I like
the fact they sent him, but it was poor execution.
Lee looked like he was holding up coming around 3rd
they should have stopped him… if he was coming the whole time at full speed, then maybe… but Lee isn’t exactly the fastest guy on the team…
Go 'Stros!
...not if Lee was actually running.
All I’m saying is that it was a good technique on the tag.
Pence was the right-handed Ted Williams in 2007.
if you want to get technical
It wasn’t.. he had his knees on the ground with his feet behind him.. If Lee would have been running and tried to take him out, he probably would have gotten hurt pretty badly.. he had no balance.
Go 'Stros!
Agreed...
if Lee went to jar the ball loose, the Phillies would be down a catcher for at least 15 days.
Phear T.S.'s Crawdaddies...
that's ridiculous
I guess the swipe tag is the only way to go. You guys win. Ausmus is the greatest ever.
Pence was the right-handed Ted Williams in 2007.
There's a difference between blocking the plate...
and being in front of a guy like Lee. He wasn’t ready to block the plate, he didn’t have position and he didn’t catch the ball cleanly.
Go look at the replay. If Lee comes in with all 250+ pounds (I have no idea what he actually weighs), then the catcher gets bent over backwards.
Blocking the plate is more than being between the runner and the plate. Ask Buck Martinez and his broken leg.
Phear T.S.'s Crawdaddies...
that's what the gear is for!
maybe Lee should have barrelled into Coste, since he tried to slide akwardly to avoid a collision and almost broke his ankles. Catchers don’t break their legs very often, because there is a right and wrong way to do it. But hail the swipe tag, for no high impact collisions for God’s sake! BTW can you name another catcher who does the swipe tag?
Pence was the right-handed Ted Williams in 2007.
Quintero
Let’s do this Q! Show us why you shouldn’t have been sent down.
Q singles to right, but Lee tries to score from 2nd and gets tagged out at home easily. Lee definitely should have stopped at 3rd as he was throw out by 5-6 steps.
Go 'Stros!
I think
he was sent, b.c it is only the second inning. They were two outs and the pitcher is coming up (even if it is Backe), and it was a good time to try to get a run back.
radio guys say
Lee was holding his ankle. is he okay?
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions
He's still in
So I’m assuming.. he took an awkward slide in at home… He looks fine though fielding Taguchi’s single.
Go 'Stros!
would suck to strand the bases loaded
if Backe can’t come through, but if it’s not going to be close, you gotta take your chances with the pitcher hitting, especially since Backe can handle the bat.
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Eesh
Stros are going to have to bring the lumber today. Sucks when our guys go down 1-2-3 and they turn around and send 8 to the plate, scoring three.
gotta stretch out Myers a little and start knocking the ball around the park. we may need quite a few runs to win this.
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 12:27 PM CDT reply actions
Dobbs
1st pitch Dobbs gets a hold of it and hits a deep foul ball that would have been a 3 run home run if to the left about 15 foot.
We’ll just call it a long strike 1.
Dobbs then flies out to Lee in left, runners stay put.
Go 'Stros!
Utley
Hits a screaming line drive off the top of the wall in right center.. Some how Myers is still standing at 3rd after the play is over… Myers tagged up on it and didn’t have the speed to still make it to 3rd and score after the hit.
Backe getting hammered
Go 'Stros!
Howard
Bases juiced for Ryan Howard… this could get damn ugly quick. We need to make up for the baserunning error by Myers and get out of this here.
Howard grounds to Loretta at 2nd who fields, fires to Loretta who turns and fires to Berkman for the DOUBLE PLAY! YES!! THis could be HUGE for Backe getting out of this without allowing a run.
Go 'Stros!
WHIP of 4.0
so far in this game, but only 36 pitches thrown. if he can somehow pull it together and get through next inning without incident, maybe he can settle in and still get us through five or six, keeping it relatively close. please Backe, pull it together!
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Bullpen??
only following on Gameday….do we have anyone in the pen yet?? Not Backe’s day….
"now you chunkin' in there.."
Backe
Backe works the count full and then strikes out on a fastball on the outside half of the plate… not sure why he watched that one..
Go 'Stros!
I know how you feel
considering i go to school in Dallas, and am blessed to actually get to see this game.
No-One's Bothered
that we’ve now found out that Tejada’s gonna be 39 rather than 33 at the end of his contract?
I understand the barefoot in the streets of Santo Domingo thing, but he could have come clean before this . . . like maybe when he won the MVP?
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on Apr 17, 2008 12:56 PM CDT reply actions
39 rather than 37, whoops
Let's talk about something other than Tejada
by rastronomicals on Apr 17, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
i thought he
was only signed through 2009?
You Know What
I’m fuckin’ up, forget I said anything.
The Astros just took over payments, as far as we’re concerned it’s a 2-year deal.
My, um, bad, sorry.
Let's talk about something other than Tejada
by rastronomicals on Apr 17, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Could be a good thing for the Astros....
if they are interested in signing Tejada beyond 09. (By the way, I think 09 is an option year) He should become less expensive as a free agent given his older age. I’m not saying the Astros should re-sign hm past 09, but if it appears that he could take over 3d base or something, it might be reasonable.
oh well
as Wade said, he’s playing like he’s 25. Either way, it’s not like we thought we were getting some young prospect to build the future upon.
It is odd, though, and I didn’t know about it til your comment…
Jenkins
Grounds to Blum at 3rd who has a great chance for a double play but throws wide left to Loretta.. Thats now 2 errors on Blum…
Burrell takes 3rd on the play, now runners on the corners.
Go 'Stros!
Backe
two straight inning leading off an inning with a four pitch walk
so much for stellar defense
man that hurts.
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Top 4th
Lee, Tejada and Blum due up in the inning..
Now Blum’s really got to do something with the stick if he wants to make up for his defense..
Go 'Stros!
Lee
A hit here for Lee and the Astros may have 3 hitters above .300 on the season with Lee now batting .295, and Berkman/Tejada sitting at .309.
Backe’s ERA now up to 3.32.. not sure we’ll see any more of him today.
Lee hits a line drive that Dobbs catches about shin high… Damnit we’re hitting him hard, but right at people.
Go 'Stros!
man
your PBP is WAAY ahead of my audio feed. i guess that’s what i get for listening online.
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions
well
that erases the unearned run. need at least four more. c’mon Stros!
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Dobbs
Backe back in.. I think I may be a little surprised… not sure..
Dobbs tries to bunt the 1st pitch that hugs the line until about 10’ in front of 3rd and then goes foul…. thankfully.
Dobbs then goes 1-2 and hits a line drive to right for a single..
Go 'Stros!
so the way the radio guys described it
Tejada called time, went to the mound with Q, then Tejada waved to the dugout, at which time Coop came out to get Backe. anything to that? sounded odd to me. sorry if i’m way behind the action.
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Burrell
Grounds to Blum at 3rd who AGAIN bobbles the ball taking away the double play chance… picks it up and fires to 1st in time to get Burrell out…
Go 'Stros!
Jenkins
Gets a free pass with 1st open and Coste due up… Coste hammered Backe last time up.
Go 'Stros!
What a terrible move, an intentional walk in the 4th inning, especially to a non-8hole hitter.
For Who? My teammates.
For What? To Win.
How Much? Where do I sign?
agreed
was it an intentional walk all the way, or did he get to three balls and give in? either way. why put a second man on with one out?
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
You guys are lucky you poisoned our team with Eric Bruntlett.
For Who? My teammates.
For What? To Win.
How Much? Where do I sign?
Backe Gone
Robinson on the phone again… and Cooper now heads to the mound. Backe : 10 hits, 5ER(6 total) with 2 wwalks and 2 K’s… By far his worst outing fo the year. His ERA is now up to 4.26 on the season.
Go 'Stros!
it's that struggling starting pitching
that we heard so much about. now we need the offense and our deep bullpen that we heard so much about to bail us out.
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
we've already seen
the crappy defense we heard so much about. that can sit down now.
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
It's weird...
his stuff didn’t look that bad… He just got horrible results and every mistake he made got smoked.
I think it was Tommy John who said “challenge the hitters and hope it’s your day.”
Today was not Brandon’s day.
Phear T.S.'s Crawdaddies...
It seemed like
He was leaving his breaking ball too high in zone… but agreed, every mistake he made got smoked.
Go 'Stros!
Q
JD mentions that Towles is up to PH for Borkowski… Villarreal up in the pen. Astros now down 6-1.
Q goes 0-2 and then hits a line drive to left center that bounces once and hits the wall.. Quintero in for a double!
Go 'Stros!
Towles
Hitting for Super Dave, takes 1st pitch ball and then flies out to left… Looked like he got better wood on it than that..
Go 'Stros!
Bourn
JD mentions that all of the infielders move up for Bourn.. did they not see his HR last night? :)
Bourn then grounds sharply on a 2-2 count that Bruntlett fields and fires to get Bourn out by 1/2 a step.
Go 'Stros!
surprised they went
with Towles. guess they’re figuring on more pinch hitters later in the game. even with him struggling, i might have gone with Pence over Towles. not to knock Towles, but Ausmus is probably the only guy I WOULDN’T have hit before Towles.
by littlevisigoth on Apr 17, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
They used Towles
because they wanted to leave everyone else in the game and not waste a guy who they could double switch with later… or at least that’s why I would have used him.
Go 'Stros!
Bottom 5th
Taguchi, Dobbs and Utley due up in the inning.
Astros down 6-1 and have given up 11 hits and only registered 5 of their own.
Go 'Stros!
Puma
Looked bad in this at bat, striking out to Myers on 3 breaking balls.. all swung at and all swung over.
Go 'Stros!
Bottom 6th
Howard, Burrell and Jenkins due up in the inning…
I’m assuming Villarreal will be back out; we’ll see.
Go 'Stros!
Burrell's shot
was a pop up… imagine if he actually got good wood on it… probably would have left the building..
Go 'Stros!
Howard
Villarreal indeed in to pitch the 6th.
Howard works the count full before hitting a line drive home run about 15 rows up in right field. Go figure…
Go 'Stros!
Burrell
Works the count to 3-1 and then he goes yard, hitting a towering shot about 2 rows back in left field.
Astros down 8-1
Go 'Stros!
That pitch to Howard was at his shins...
That kid is pretty strong. He might have a future in this game.
Phear T.S.'s Crawdaddies...
considering
he has been ROY and MVP, I’d think so
Haha...
it’s all good.
That was a really good pitch. And an even better hit. That got out in a hurry…
Phear T.S.'s Crawdaddies...
Q's been having a day...
Think he stays around for a while?
Especially if he’s hitting like this…
Phear T.S.'s Crawdaddies...
I bet Blum can't wait for the plane ride...
Hell, he’s alreayd on the plane mentally.
Phear T.S.'s Crawdaddies...
Taguchi
Geary in to pitch. I actually have him on my fantasy team… I don’t know why. Hopefully he can give me a few points today with a good inning or 2.
Taguchi grounds to Berkman who fields and tosses to Geary for out 1.
Go 'Stros!
Dobbs
Tries to repeat Taguchi’s performance, grounds to 1st, Lance fields and takes it to the bag himself for out 2.
Go 'Stros!
Perez
In to bat for Geary, hits the 1st pitch into left field for a single.
Gordon in to pitch for the Phillies and Feleiz taking over for Dobbs at 3rd.
Go 'Stros!
Howard
Valverde in to pitch as the Astros are down 8-1… this is where Valverde should be pitching with his 11.37 ERA.
Howard strikes out on some 95 mph cheese about letters high.
Go 'Stros!
Top 9th
Lee, Tejada and Blum due up in the inning.
Valverde actually managed to raise his ERA to 12.27. Still your closer Cooper?
Werth in to play CF moving Taguchi to left and Burrell leaving the game. Condrey in to pitch
Go 'Stros!
Lee
1-3 on the day, now batting .286 on the season.
Lee smokes a 2-1 fastball to the right field seats. Astros now only need 8 runs to catch the Phillies.
Go 'Stros!

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