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Around SBN: The Mourning for Steve McNair Continues (Updated Regularly)


Milwaukee Brewers at Houston Astros, 1:05 PM CDT

Milwaukee Brewers @ Houston Astros



Next Game

Milwaukee Brewers
@ Houston Astros

Sunday, May 4, 2008, 1:05 PM CDT
Minute Maid Park

Ben Sheets vs Chris Sampson

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Complete Coverage >



W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Ben Sheets 4-0 5 5 1 1 0 0 33.0 17 7 6 2 11 26 1.64 .85


W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Chris Sampson 1-3 5 5 0 0 0 0 22.2 33 18 18 1 6 9 7.15 1.72


Sampson has had a rough time lately and has watched his ERA balloon to 7.15.  Unfortunately, he's drawn a tough opponent today in Ben Sheets who has just a 1.65 ERA.  For what it's worth, Sheets is coming off his worst outing fo the season in which he went 5 innings and gave up 3 runs.  Sheets has already shown a little bit of the injury bug this season after having a sore triceps muscle before his last game. 

Sampson appears to be the anti-Wandy.  Sampson's home numbers this season are pathetic.  In 2 games started, Sampson has only lasted 4.2 innings and allowed opposing hitters to hit .480 against him rocketing his ERA at home to 17.36.  In Sampson's last game, he went 4 1/3 inning and gave up 5 runs.  Sampson really needs to step it up today.  He's had 2 good outings this season and 3 miserable outings this season.  Sampson is looking for his 1st win at home today and if he does some how accomplish that... the Astros will be able to take home a sweep of the Brewers and also bring their record back up to .500 for the 2nd time this season.

It doesn't look like Wandy will be able to make his scheduled start against the Nationals.

"He was going to throw a simulated game today, but we decided not to do it," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said Saturday. "The doctor said it was probably better if we hold off on it. We're going to wait and see how he is in a couple of days."

Rodriguez, 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in four starts, is eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday. Cooper was hoping the 29-year-old would be able to make a start against the Nationals during the three-game series at Minute Maid Park from Tuesday-Thursday. Now it appears Rodriguez will miss a third turn through the rotation.

That's a shame... this would have been his last chance to have a home start before the Astros go on a 10 game road trip.

In other unrelated news, Jason Jennings is heading to the DL.

The Texas Rangers placed right-handed starter Jason Jennings on the 15-day disabled list Friday night with soreness in his forearm.

What a shame... we have a series against the Rangers starting on the 16 of this month; I was hoping we would get a chance to inflate his 8.56 ERA and 0-5 record.

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Yikes, Moehler is preparing to make Wandy's start.

He pitched a simulated game in order to try to stay sharp. That is the downside of sending Cassel back down to Round Rock so quickly. He can’t be recalled for 10 days. And it will keep the bullpen short for part of next week if Moehler has to be held back for a start.

by clack on May 4, 2008 12:02 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Who pitches batting practice for the Astos?

Let him start – it’s only the Nationals!

It takes more than pitching to win a pennant, but not much!

by bwhite2323 on May 4, 2008 12:25 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe we should let Wandy

and Sampson switch the 5 spot as starters depending on whether we are at home or on the road?

It takes more than pitching to win a pennant, but not much!

by bwhite2323 on May 4, 2008 12:27 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I dunno about that.

Nats hammered the Astros at MMP last year. The team has been slumping but they have some good talent on the offensive side…Milledge, Johnson, Kearns, Zimmerman. Hopefully their bats stay asleep.

by clack on May 4, 2008 1:08 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

BLT sandwich!??

I hate it.. they need a new moniker for Berkman, Lee and Tejada..

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on May 4, 2008 1:02 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

New Motto For The Astros:

No Lead Is Too Safe

Has a much nicer ring than “Return of the Good Guys”.

It takes more than pitching to win a pennant, but not much!

by bwhite2323 on May 4, 2008 1:22 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sampson gives up RBI hit to Hart

Fielder caught in rundown ends top of 1st.

by clack on May 4, 2008 1:25 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

milo complaining about ump's strike zone

apparently thought we should have had a called strike 3 before the single to score the run in the top of the inning

by lnewcomer on May 4, 2008 1:27 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

man, I keep hoping that Sampson is just in a funk

but it doesn’t look like it. if we had anyone, he’d be out of the rotation, but we don’t

by lnewcomer on May 4, 2008 1:36 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

score would be much worse...

if fielder hadn’t been caught in rundown and Sheets had slid into home plate. Sampson has been very hittable, but those base running miscues helped him out.

by clack on May 4, 2008 1:42 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seems like he's the stop gap...

for Paulino or Nieve… whoever gets healthier first.

by TexSkins on May 4, 2008 2:59 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

RBI double for sheets.

2-0 Astros. Just as JD was saying that Sheets is a bad hitter. Kendall doubles, but Sheets is thrown out at the plate. Sampson doesn’t appear to have anything.

by clack on May 4, 2008 1:37 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

HR to RF for Berkman

2-1 Astros. It barely cleared RF fence….thought for a second it might be caught.

by clack on May 4, 2008 1:43 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Runners 1st & 3d

Wiggy doubled. Towles gets on base on an error….a little comebacker which Sheets fumbled. Towles got a steady does of curve balls and didn’t look good in his at bat. Pence also got a steady does of curveballs and struck out earlier in the inning.

by clack on May 4, 2008 1:49 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

actually his suspension was for a stimulant.

Steroids would have been a longer suspension.

by clack on May 4, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't have a source...

but I seem to remember amphatemines. (I don’t think I spelled that right.)

by TexSkins on May 4, 2008 3:00 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sampson gives up 2 straight singles.

Fielder with a bullet past 1st base, and Hart with a scorched grounder between 3d and shortstop. Sampson always in hot water.

by clack on May 4, 2008 2:03 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sampson gets a flyball and a grounder to Matsui to end inning.

He is skating on thin ice. But Astros may have a short bullpen because Moehler threw so many pitches in a simulated game yesterday. JD said that was a calculated risk, and it may be the reason Moehler didn’t come in the game.

by clack on May 4, 2008 2:08 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's ONLY one run an inning

But if Brewers were anywhere near efficient they could have scored 3 or 4 more runs so far. It seems to me (and I may be misconceiving) Astros are developing a trend of not mounting much of an offensive threat until the second half of the game.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 2:10 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Astros' best chance for offense...

might be to increase Sheets’ pitch count and get him out of the game. He has been battling injuries, and I don’t think the Brewers will want to take any chances on his pitch count.

by clack on May 4, 2008 2:20 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Late to the party

yo, guys. At least we are keeping it close.

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 2:10 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Close thanks to

some sloppy Brewers baserunning.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 2:12 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How does mlb audio keep up with gameday?

Faster, slower? I think I might buy it. Seems more exciting

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 2:12 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I would get mlb tv

but I’m in a blackout area. Blows. SO i get stuck with gameday when it’ not on tv. Which is often.

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 2:14 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Get the video

It’s worth it, especially if you live outside the Houston TV market.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 2:15 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Matsui doubles

Let’s get something going here guys.

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 2:14 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Another ineffective outing by Sampson

Gets Sheets out, but Kendall doubles and Weeks walks so Borkowski comes in. I’m sure the score will change before we bat again.

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 2:28 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Borkowski

is garbage.

Bourn to Run!

by jsams on May 4, 2008 2:30 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

THE FIRST FUCKING BATTER?!!!

Can you fucking get one person out before you give up a damn run, Borkowski?

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 2:31 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Then he gets Braun out

That’s what I hate about him. He gets outs we don’t need that much (relatively) and blows the ones that we really need.

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 2:32 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cameron

did quite a bit of damage in that Jennings start last July, if I remember correctly.

by Triple347 on May 4, 2008 2:32 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Before today, cameron had 5 HRs in 19 games at MMP...

which isn’t bad. After Beltran left, I was in favor of trying to trade for Cameron. Not so much lately, though, given his age.

by clack on May 4, 2008 2:43 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ok, well, I didn't really expect us to win this game anyway

I gotta go get my mom a mother’s day gift. So i’m out. later

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 2:37 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That call

was ridiculous. Horrible.

Bourn to Run!

by jsams on May 4, 2008 2:56 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Noteworthy event: Cruz gets a hit.

But Bourn with a line drive to RF and Hart throws Cruz out at 2d. Close play. At first I thought he was safe, but replay made me think he was out. Something wrong withh his slide. He didn’t slide all the way to the bag. Bourn needed that hit by the way and it is denied.

by clack on May 4, 2008 2:58 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought he was safe...

until I saw the one angle where you see him start to pop up from his slide before the foot touched the bag. At that point, 2d baseman appeared to have the ball. But it was close, and different angles gave me different conclusions.

by clack on May 4, 2008 3:04 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whether he was safe or not.

He shouldn’t have been in that situation. Too bad he finally gets a hit then has a baserunning mistake.

Bourn to Run!

by jsams on May 4, 2008 3:08 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bourn scores on a double by Matsui.

6-3 astros. Berkman batting with 2 out.

by clack on May 4, 2008 3:00 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great day for Berkman

If Astros win, he’s my player of the game no matter what happens from now on.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 3:02 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm finally here

Missed the last two games and just caught highlights. Apparently when I don’t watch, the Astros hit homers back-to-back and more.

Hoping we get something going in the bottom of the 7th.

by BTastros on May 4, 2008 3:22 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It was also awesome to see...

the team get the win for Oswalt the other night.

by BTastros on May 4, 2008 3:23 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bottom 7th...

crucial inning for the Astros’ offense, because they will battle late inning relievers in 8th and 9th.
Sheets gets Loretta on a comebacker. Now Shouse will come in to relieve Sheets.

by clack on May 4, 2008 3:30 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol...

that didn’t go so well.

by BTastros on May 4, 2008 3:35 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think I agree with whoever said

they are tiring of the B LT sandwich references.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 3:44 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stros Bro said it

higher up this thread

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 3:45 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One of the guys at the Chron

suggested “Firing Squad.” I kinda like that one, at least it’s better than BLT.

75% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. . . the other 25% by Michael Bourn

by Danyah on May 4, 2008 7:56 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'll just wait until were in the playoff hunt later in the year

and the people on ESPN give them a nickname. That’s how creative I am.

Bourn to Run!

by jsams on May 4, 2008 8:09 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heh, Berkman is on.

When he’s already walking to the dugout in frustration while it carries to the warning track, you know he’s been hitting well.

by BTastros on May 4, 2008 3:49 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agh.

The only thing I didn’t want to see…

was Hunter turning a good AB into another K on a pitch low and outside.

by BTastros on May 4, 2008 3:52 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Critical inning and nothing happening for Astros

I don’t hold out much hope for the ninth.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 3:53 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

7-8-9 spots up. ugh.

The 8th was the time to get it done. Maybe Backe can pinch-hit a HR.

by BTastros on May 4, 2008 3:54 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pitchers have found the kryptonite to use on Pence

outside slider in the dirt. That swing and miss was so predictable.

by clack on May 4, 2008 3:54 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well, he's been laying off of that pitch...

more than earlier in the season. He’s batting over .300 over the last 10 games before today.

But yeah, it’s still the glaring weakness in his approach.

by BTastros on May 4, 2008 3:55 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lord

that shit really pisses me off.

by exit53 on May 4, 2008 4:06 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

bringing a glove...

to a game where you have front row seats (except behind home plate) should be a crime.

by BTastros on May 4, 2008 4:07 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Astros with their own Bartman?

Matsui would have that ball, but the fan grabbed it before it reached his glove. Matsui looked plenty pissed.

by clack on May 4, 2008 4:08 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not carted out

is it that if the ball is foul – and not ruled as fan interference – the fan is allowed to stay in the game? otherwise, if it had been interference, he would have been kicked out of the game, right?

by exit53 on May 4, 2008 4:09 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not interference...fan didn't reach over railing.

But home fans should understand that they need to let their team catch the ball.

by clack on May 4, 2008 4:11 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh wait

erstad in for towles… cruz in for brocail?

by exit53 on May 4, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it was quite notable.

he made a baserunning mistake wichh was crtiical in this game.

by clack on May 4, 2008 4:14 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cruz singled in an earlier inning pinch hitting

and didn’t know what to do since it’s been so long since he had one and so he kept running and was thrown out at second.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 4:17 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

actually he was on first

and got thrown out at 2d on a line drive by bourn to RF. Otherwise he would have been on base for Berkman’s big hit.

by clack on May 4, 2008 4:20 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's right

My memory isn’t what it was two hours ago

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 4:27 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

gagne

needs a pair of scissors and a razor

by exit53 on May 4, 2008 4:12 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Erstad was a good off season signing

despite my ambivalance about it at the time

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 4:14 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

alright!!

nice hustle by blum!!

by exit53 on May 4, 2008 4:14 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Astros battling in the ninth

I didn’t expect it but it’s exciting!

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 4:18 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tejada walks...bases loaded again

6-5 brewers. I think Brewers are betting that Berkman’s wrist is bad. He hurt it in the last inning.

by clack on May 4, 2008 4:23 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If the game depends on one guy

I’m glad it ’s Lance Berkman

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 4:23 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

3-2 count, bases loaded, two outs

Astros down one run.
AND BERKMAN WALKS to tie the game.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 4:28 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lance is the man!!!

What an AB! It looked as if Gagne was squeezed a bit, but what a great eye does the Puma have.

Pence was the right-handed Ted Williams in 2007.

by backstop8 on May 4, 2008 4:30 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gange really did get squeezed in that inning

but sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Very nice inning.

Bourn to Run!

by jsams on May 4, 2008 4:31 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Extra Innings

TV Guys say it is the Astros’ FIRST of the season. Hard to believe. Surely they’ve won one in the tenth or something.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 4:31 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Berkman's day

inspired me to change my avatar

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 4:38 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Surprising that Valverde works a 2d inning.

He gets two outs, but Weeks is on2d after a steal.

by clack on May 4, 2008 4:54 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Valverde with a strike out on Cameron

to end the 11th. He had a 3-2 count and got a swing and a miss. Valverde shows more emotion than I have seen as an Astro. He jumps off the mound and kind of jumps and lifts his fist. Berkman’s reaction not shown.

by clack on May 4, 2008 4:58 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whew....

Byrdak goes 3-2 on Hardy with bases loaded but finally gets a flyball to the LF warning track.

by clack on May 4, 2008 5:23 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's more fun

when the Astros have the bases loaded and two outs thath it is when the Brewers are in that position.

Luckily Brewers don’t score . . . . And Lance Berkman on Lance Berkman Day (unofficial) leads off.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 5:24 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hunter Pence with 2 run HR....

and you don’t think Pence is excited, do you?

by clack on May 4, 2008 5:32 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow -Hunter Pence Game Winner

Is the same Hunter Pence who looked so bad striking out earlier in the game?

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on May 4, 2008 5:32 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very entertaining

This sure isn’t like watching Astros baseball the last few years.

Back to .500 with 130 left to play. It will be exciting if nothing else.

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

by Shamus on May 4, 2008 5:35 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you can't get excited now...

how could you be an Astros fan? Great game. And the Astros get themselves in better position in the NL Central. Our No. 5 starter against the Brewers’ ace, and we win the game. That is unexpected.

by clack on May 4, 2008 5:45 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Beautiful game.

Beautiful series. Hunter looks horrible at times, but I guess he finds a way to get it done.

Bourn to Run!

by jsams on May 4, 2008 5:53 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Beautiful Day at the Ballpark!

But can’t wait until they close the roof on Sunday afternoon’s! It had to have been 90 degrees on the field and not a cloud in the sky nor a stir of a breeze until the 11th inning!

Unlike last year, I never felt we were out of it. Sampson was not on top of his game, but he was also unlucky—so many groundballs that found the holes today, several to the left of Kaz, couple to the right of Miggy.

Got 4 earned runs off Sheets! WTG Offense! Berkman’s pop-up to the right field stands (lucky)! But Hunter’s HR was a no doubter! For being 6-12 just over two weeks ago - to 16-16 now, having just swept the Brewer’s - I’m looking forward to the rest of the year!

Go ‘Stros!!

by beeleever on May 4, 2008 8:48 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice win!

Listened on the radio while I was out shopping/going to sister’s house for mother’s day. Awesome!

by entropic soul on May 4, 2008 11:28 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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3 game series vs Pirates @ Minute Maid Park

Pittsburgh Pirates
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Monday, Jul 6, 2009, 7:05 PM CDT
Minute Maid Park

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