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Houston Astros at Chicago Cubs, 1:20 PM CDT

Crawfishboxes_m_tiny by Stros Bro on

Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs


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Houston Astros Red-star
@ Chicago Cubs Red-star

Sunday, Apr 6, 2008, 1:20 PM CDT
Wrigley Field

Brandon Backe(0-1, 3.60) vs Carlos Zambrano (0-0, 0.00)

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.

The Houston Astros take on the Chicago Cubs for the last game of this 3 game series.  Series is currently tied 1-1 after the Astros gave up a 3 run lead in the 7th inning yesterday and eventually lost the game 7-9. 
The Astros are sending Brandon Backe to the hill to face Carlos "Evil Z" Zambrano.  Last time out Backe went 5 innings while giving up 2 runs on 5 hits with 3 walks and 3 strike outs.  Hopefully Backe can work at least 6 today and have some of the same success as last time out.  Carlos Zambrano went 6.2 innings without giving up a run, but left the game with a no decision as Ben Sheets had an equally good outing without giving up a run though 6.1.  Carlos then watched from the bench as the Cubs gave up 3 runs in the 9th and then another in the 10th to lose the game. 
The Astros will probably be without Lance Berkman today who hurt his neck in Friday's game against the Cubs while trying to score from 1st on a Miguel Tejada triple.  
If he doesn't improve overnight, it's likely he'll sit for Sunday's game.

"I never want to rule anything out," Berkman said. "I don't want to take myself out of the lineup before I show up and see how it feels. If it feels like it did today, I'm just not going to be able to do it. It's not a question of want to. It's just physically, if you can't turn your head, you can't do it."

The Astros will also be without Ty Wigginton who has a fractured left thumb.  Wigginton made a couple of errant throws in the Astros loss to the Cubs on Saturday, and we'll blame the thumb for that(even though it's on his left hand.. shh). 

With Lance and Ty out of the lineup(presuming Lance is out as well), look for Erstad to take over for 1st and Blum to start at 3rd.  Erstad and Blum are both doing well so far this season with Erstad batting .400 and Blum batting .429.

Game is being broadcast on my20 in Houston.  For those of you who use Comcast(like me) that is channel 4.  Hopefully all of the video issues from the last time my20 tried to broadcast a game are behind them. 

Lineups
Houston Chicago
1. Bourn, CF 1. Soriano, LF
2. Pence, RF 2. Johnson, CF
3. Erstad, 1B 3. Lee, 1B
4. Lee, LF 4. Ramirez, 3B
5. Tejada, SS 5. Fukudome, RF
6. Blum, 3B 6. DeRosa, 2B
7. Perez, T, 2B 7. Theriot, SS
8. Towles, C 8. Blanco, C
9. Backe, P   9. Zambrano, P

0 recs | Comment 156 comments

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Hopefully

we kick Evil Z's ass

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 11:27 AM CDT   0 recs

haha

Yeah. Should have made one for Backe.

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 12:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I remember Backe from last year

against the Brewers and he looked pretty good. The big Zamboni is always a roll of the dice.

Hope you guys get this one.

by ol Pete on Apr 6, 2008 12:07 PM CDT   0 recs

Me 2

Your Brewers are looking good so far? You think this is their year?

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 12:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

sure could be

Worrisome things from the sofa: team's ability to hit junky right handers and management (Yost?) hanging on to favorites, most notably Dave Bush. Based on forums and the like, my disdain for Capuano and Bush are minority opinions, but there it is. Cappy is injured and I'd be shocked if he is able to contribute in any way. One other starter has to do something else when Gallardo comes back in a couple weeks or so. Bush should go to AAA or another team, but there is so much fondness for him, who knows.

by ol Pete on Apr 6, 2008 12:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

If the Astros don't win.. I hope the Brewers do... I have a fondness for overweight first basemen :)

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Looks like Berkman

is, indeed going to miss this game.

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 12:52 PM CDT   0 recs

Perez, Erstad, Blum

are the reserves who start today. Vastly weaker hitting lineup but a better defensive infield.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 12:53 PM CDT   0 recs

Ugh

Cubs pregame show....

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 1:05 PM CDT   0 recs

based on the pre-game

it looks like Chicago is going Fuckudome-crazy.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:11 PM CDT   0 recs

bourne

witth a single past 1b. WGN says they aren't worried about bourne stealing, because Z is impossible to steal on.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:24 PM CDT   0 recs

Pence

with a vicious grounder past 3d for a single.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:25 PM CDT   0 recs

make that a double

for Pence...bourne to 3d.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bourn thrown out

medium fly to LF, Soriano who is terrific on assists from LF throws him out....not very close.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:30 PM CDT   0 recs

well, you didn't expect to actually

score in the first inning did you? that would be un-astros like

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 1:31 PM CDT   0 recs

bad call by 3d base coach

with Soriano in LF and Tejeda coming up.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

WHY????

why on earth would they send bourn on that? that was way too shallow.

by exit53 on Apr 6, 2008 1:32 PM CDT   0 recs

great play by blum

he has looked great in the field

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Apr 6, 2008 1:33 PM CDT   0 recs

Blum throws out

soriano....already shows better range than Wiggy.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:34 PM CDT   0 recs

With 2 out

Lee doubles...ball over Bourn's head. 1-2 count on that pitch which was too high.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:37 PM CDT   0 recs

Sorry I'm late

Lot of things going on for me today... Getting some new breaks put on my truck, about to go pick that up and buy some new furniture(maybe).. so I'll be around off and on for the day.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:38 PM CDT   0 recs

A-Ram walks

and F-man up to bat.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:40 PM CDT   0 recs

Nice K for Backe

Getting Fukudome out early in this season has been tough.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:42 PM CDT   0 recs

F-man K's and

Fukudome Fever subsides for the moment.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:42 PM CDT   0 recs

Backe looks

as good as he ever has. Overall this season he is going to be good if healthy

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Apr 6, 2008 1:43 PM CDT   0 recs

Anyone surprised

That Erstad batted 3rd and they didn't move Lee/Tejada up?

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:46 PM CDT   0 recs

yes.

I was thinking the exact same thing like 1 miunute ago.

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 1:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ok

this hitting back to the pitcher has got to stop

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 1:47 PM CDT   0 recs

Tejada got all of that

He was doing it in attempt to tire out Zambrano who is energy drink-less today.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Zambrano slider

Pretty nice pitch, looks like it's coming inside on you and then curves right back over the inside corner.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:51 PM CDT   0 recs

After Perez single...

that fly out by Towles looked good coming off the bat but it died in LF.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:52 PM CDT   0 recs

Yeah

They said the win is blowing in. Maybe that held it back.

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 1:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So Bourn got on earlier

and no stolen base? What a sham! :)

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:54 PM CDT   0 recs

didn't have much chance

because Pence quickly doubled...but Bob Brenly assured us that he has no chance of stealing on Zambrano.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 1:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah, fine then

I'll let him off.

Him saying he has no chance of stealing on Z would just make me want him to steal more :)

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

BAD CALL!

From the Replay, Perez was well ahead of DeRosa at 2nd.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 1:59 PM CDT   0 recs

got jobbed on that one

very bad call

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Apr 6, 2008 1:59 PM CDT   0 recs

where was COOP

I would liked to have seen him stirrin the drink on that one

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Apr 6, 2008 2:01 PM CDT   0 recs

agreed

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Announcers say Perez

wasn't on the bag. Clearly the umps working for the Cubs today. :p

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 2:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Perez is a shortstop..

and that may have hurt on the play....he slowed down moving toward 2d in order to get his footwork right for crossing bag...it shouldn't have been that close.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 2:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Backe K's Soriano

NICE breaking ball for strike 2

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:02 PM CDT   0 recs

backe has to be upset

good to see he stayed under control

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Apr 6, 2008 2:03 PM CDT   0 recs

Top 3rd

Astros have Backe, Bourn and Pence due up in the inning

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:04 PM CDT   0 recs

Backe

1st pitch strike as he looks to try and bunt. Backe loops 1 into right field as Fukudome somehow misplays it, Backe runs to 2nd for an odd bloop double. Bad spin on the ball causes it to bounce wildly past F

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bourn

1st pitch, grounds to 2nd for an easy out. Backe moves over to 3rd. Time for the 'Stros to get that run back.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Pence

Infield in close to the grass in attempt to try and stop Backe from scoring. Not looking for Pence to hit one to the IF though.

Z kind of all over the place.. slider well in the dirt and then a fastball(only 91?) way high. Mound visit to see what's up.. could be the cramps? Count now 2-1 as Pence flies to right.. Play at home?? No, Backe stops as Fukudome makes a good through that would have gotten Backe at home.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Erstad

Come on Darin! Last time up he struck out.

Erstad has a 2-0 count before hitting a single to left field to score Backe. Game tied 1-1

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lee

Erstad goes and is thrown out by a mile... Wow, he's slow and it was a perfect throw.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Guess it was worth a shot

2 outs and him getting thrown out there brings up Lee and Tejada with a fresh inning... but I still would have liked to see someone with Lee's power up with a runner on. Long ball then scores 2.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's not Soto up there...

slow guys need not apply. :p

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 2:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Erstad has good speed...

but Zambrano/Blanco tandem are very difficult to run on.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 2:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Soriano

What the hell is that shit on Soriano's face? It looks stupid. At least Soriano is an easy out.

by entropic soul on Apr 6, 2008 2:04 PM CDT   0 recs

the coin has been falling bad

so far this year. Seems like they haven't been cashing in on opportunities.

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Apr 6, 2008 2:09 PM CDT   0 recs

Bottom 3rd

Johnson, Lee and Ramirez due up

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:13 PM CDT   0 recs

Johnson

I like the last name :)

Backe quickly ahead 1-2 hangs a curveball that Johnson crushes to left field... but it slices foul a good ways.. I wouldn't hang another though. Backe then gets Johnson to fly to Bourn in center on another curveball.. this one not hanging so much.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lee

Count now 2-2 as Backe looks to have gotten hosed on a good curveball that was called a ball low.. Lee now hits a line drive to centerfield sending Bourn to the warning track. No worries, Bourn hauls it in pretty easily.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ramirez

1st pitch, bloop single to right center

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Fukudome

THey just put a stat up that there are 74000 to 76000 people that are still alive that were alive when the Cubs last won the World series.. seems high to me... but..

Fukudome hits a liner to center that Bourn backs up a few steps but is hit too hard to really go back on, decides instead to leap and makes a nice catch to end the inning.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Top 4th

Lee, Tejada and Blum due up in the inning.

Lee got some extra batting practice on Zambrano in the 3rd and hopefully will use that to his advantage

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:21 PM CDT   0 recs

Lee

1st pitch, breaking ball for a strike.. Lee was taking all the way, didn't even look like he was ready to take a swing.

Next pitch, swinging strike on what looked to be a slider.. now 0-2 and Lee hits a line drive single to left.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tejada

grounds out to short, but for some reason they didn't even try to get Lee running to 2nd who would have been easily out.

Astros signed a minor league catcher.. not sure why.. he's not young, and he hasn't been good in his career(career .244 hitter). I guess they signed him in case Quintero doesn't make it to AAA

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080406&content_id=2497446&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Blum

Pops out to Theriot just behind short for out 2.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Perez

2 outs, Lee still on 2nd. A double would be damn nice(maybe a good single).

2-2 count and Perez strikes out on a fastball that looked to have been well off the plate.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually I kind of wondered...

if the Astros would sign Paul when I saw that he was cut by TB. I thought someone might claim him on waivers first, given the dearth of ML catchers. In his younger days, he was considered an excellent young catcher. That's probably why I thought of him as a decent player. He is 32 now, which is old for catchers, I guess.

I think the Astros realize that Quintero isn't coming back. Apparently the Astros are trying to trade him before he is lost on waivers.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 2:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

interesting tidbit

on Josh Paul, whom the Astros signed. Barzilla at Astrosdaily just reminded me that Paul was the Angels' catcher in the ALCS in 2005 who was involved in the weird and controversial play with Pierzynski. Recall that Paul caught what appeared to be strike 3 and out #3 with Pierzynski at bat. The ump gave what appeared to be a strike out signal. Paul rolled the ball back to the pitching mound and left the diamond, as did the other Angels. Pierzynski ran down to first base. The umpire then ruled that the ball touched the ground before it entered Paul's mit, and called Pierzynski safe at 1st base. That play sparked a White Sox rally which led them to win the game. The call created a controversy which lasted long after the series was over.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 9:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Carlos Lee

is hitting well right now. Caught fire yesterday, still hittin' today.

by clack on Apr 6, 2008 2:23 PM CDT   0 recs

Bottom 4th

DeRosa, Theriot and Blanco due up in the inning.

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 6, 2008 2:28 PM CDT   0 recs

DeRosa

Flies to center field with Bourn charging in hard, while trying to catch it the ball hits the heal of his glove for Bourn's 1st error of the year. DeRosa stays at 1st.

Go 'Stros!

by