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Houston Astros at Washington Nationals, 12:35 PM CDT

Houston Astros @ Washington Nationals



Current Series

3 game series vs Nationals @ Nationals Park

Fri 07/11 WP: Tim Redding (7 - 3)
SV: Steven Shell
LP: Chad Paronto (0 - 1)
0 - 10 loss
Sat 07/12 WP: Wandy Rodriguez (4 - 3)
SV: Jose Valverde
LP: Collin Balester (1 - 2)
6 - 4 win


W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Brandon Backe 5-9 19 19 0 0 0 0 104.2 119 61 59 22 46 78 5.07 1.58


W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Odalis Perez 2-6 16 16 0 0 0 0 83.2 89 39 34 11 32 56 3.66 1.45

This is the last game for the Astros before the All-Star break.  It would be really nice to go into the 4 day break with a win.  A win today also means a win in the series.



NL Central Standings

WLPCTGBSTRK
Chicago 57 37 .606 0 Won 2
St. Louis 52 43 .547 5.5 Lost 1
Milwaukee 51 43 .542 6 Lost 2
Cincinnati 46 49 .484 11.5 Won 3
Pittsburgh 44 49 .473 12.5 Won 1
Houston 43 51 .457 14 Won 1

(updated 7.13.2008 at 8:30 AM CDT)



0 recs | Comment 108 comments

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Wiggy makes it a 1-0 lead for the Astros.

Stays 1-0, going to the 3d.

FSN broadcasters have Jason Castro in the booth. Nice to hear from the Astros’ 1st round choice, who is in transit to the rookie league team (Tri Cities).

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 1:11 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

glad to see

that castro will continue the astro’s trend of bad interviews. why on earth did they ask him to stay for another inning? painful to listen to.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 1:24 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yes.

JD asked him if Ausmus took off his gear and asked him to take over. Jason said that Ausmus offered himself as a resource to learn about the catching position.

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 1:18 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Backe doubles.

hehehe.
Backe one of our best hitters.

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 1:16 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Backe scores on a Berkman grounder (not sure if error or hit)

Backe was hitting .500 against LHP before that hit against Perez. JD joked that he is better than Ted Williams.

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 1:20 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

now Berkman scores on a grounder up the middle by Lee.

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 1:21 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Game Update

Astros do not score the first. Erstad and Matusi singled to start the game in good form; then Berkman hit into a double ptay and Carlos Lee struck out.

Astros scored one in the second in a familiar scenario: Tejada flies to cetner , Wigfgonont Homers, Pence struck out , Towles flied to right.

Pirates threaten in the second but leave the bases loaded without scoring.

One interesting play in the second. With Pirate runnerse on first and second, Erstad makes a diving try for a ball. The runner on second thought Erstad caught the ball and ran back to second. The runner on first thought it was shorthopped and raced to second. With two men on second base Matsui is tagging every body. The ump (Probably wrong) called it a short hop.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 1:18 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Doh

Lead off double and Erstad and Matsui both get outs. Both got hits in the 1st.

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 1:19 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Berkman

gets a hit up the middle.
2-0 Astros

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 1:20 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he hit it in exactly the same spot both times

only diff is the first time they were playing in DP position, so the 2nd baseman was right there. now it goes for a single.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 1:26 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2-0 Astros

Berkman weak single up the middle drving in Backe.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 1:20 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

After the steal

Carsso Lee drives Berkman in

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 1:22 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tejada out.

Wigggy should be batting in front of him.

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 1:25 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Futures Game
Astros lefthander Polin Trinidad faced two of the top 25 prospects on Baseball America’s midseason prospect list, and didn’t have problems with either of them.

After striking out Giants outfielder Nate Schierholtz on three pitches (swinging at a 79 mph curve for strike three), Trinidad engaged in a six-pitch battle with Brewers Indians outfielder Matt LaPorta. Trinidad attacked LaPorta with a high-80s fastball and a low-80s changeup, finally getting LaPorta to ground out to the left side of the infield, though a misplay led to LaPorta getting on first base.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1327

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 1:27 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Broadcasters were just saying that Marmol would replace Kerry Wood...

on the All Star team. Maybe they were trying to keep all the Cubs’ fans happy. But Marmol, who was lights out early in the year, has been blowing up in recent games. He gained about 2 full runs on his ERA over the last couple of weeks.

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 1:28 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He will.

Hurdle says it’s because he was next in the player balloting.

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 1:33 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Marmol yesterday per mlb.com

On Saturday, Marmol gave up five runs on five hits and one walk, and hit a batter in the ninth inning as the San Francisco Giants rallied to tie the Cubs, 7-7.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 2:18 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Backe walking tightrope.

He may set a record for men left on base without allowing a run.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 1:40 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

CF had pence played way into right-center

it seems. I guess he’s been driving it that way. It looked like he might have a shot at catching it, otherwise, Wigginton might have had a chance to score.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 1:45 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice work Pence.

Maybe we can get a run out of this 2 men on 3rd and 2nd with no outs thing.

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 1:46 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wigginton does not get enough credit

He’s becomes a valuable part of the Astros offense.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 1:46 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

JD made a vague reference to reading some articles...

which said some contending teams were interested in trading for Wiggy in order to get a RH power bat. I haven’t seen anything (even though it makes some sense).

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 1:56 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think the Dodgers have been rumored

I think their young 3B prospects have been hurt or haven’t performed.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 1:59 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

NO RUNS - NO RUNS - NO RUNS

After having men on 3rd and 2nd with no outs.

Sure it was the bottom of the order… but you’d think maybe somone would get a sac fly or a grounder that could score a man from third. Nope.

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 1:55 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That hurts, for sure.

It would have been the difference between a close game and making the game more of a runaway. With the way Backe has looked on the mound, I think we need the runs.

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lee out

Deep fly ball to center field…................. :/

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 2:13 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

somebody dropped an F-bomb

clearly audible on the TV broadcast, right after LoDuca grounded out weakly to 3B. wonder if it was LoDuca?

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:19 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Backe has settled down to a nice game

I hope I haven’t spoke too soon.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 2:20 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Towles hits into DP....

this has been a disappointing game for Towles at the plate. I wonder if he gets sent back to Round Rock when Quintero comes off the DL?

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 2:28 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dammit

I was kinda hopeful that Towles sojourn in triple A would pay some dividends, but now I think he needs to go back down when Quintero comes up.

Maybe he really does need more seasoning, considering he started at A ball last year.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:29 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice play Wigginton

to start a double play.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 2:34 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

backe having better day at the plate, than the mound

hard to believe this is a shutout. still, it’s nice to see backe have good results, even if the input might not justify it.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:38 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Flipped over to the Cubs-Pirates game

just in time to see Ludwick falling down in LF trying to catch a double. Pirates take the lead 6-5 in the 6th.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:39 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Belliard

Duplicating Wigginton’s catch but only getting one out.

I’ve always thought of Belliard as a defensive player. He has been on a roll offensively in this series, though.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 2:40 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Astros get 2 runs on Lee RBI single...

and then Lee gets tagged out on base paths. I guess Lee figured 2 runs would be enough, because he just stood in middle of base path and let the 2d baseman come to him.

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 2:44 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah, but neither is howard

w/ 28 HR/83 RBI. both of them came on late (and in howard’s case, he has much lower avg w/ ton of strikeouts, but still). of course, either are more deserving than fukodome or griffy

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:47 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What about Philadelphia's Ryan Howard

Leads the league in Home Runs and RBIs —and he wasn’t even on the final fan vote ballot!

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 2:47 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WP/Passed ball helps the 'Stros on Lee's RBI single

carlos doesn’t even bother to get into a rundown.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:46 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

GREAT CATCH ERSTAD

Never thought he’d catch up with that thing.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 2:50 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

NICE play by Erstad

had to go a long way and got a great jump.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:50 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

on a bad breaking ball by backe

left it hanging in the top of the zone and it got mashed

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:51 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

now they've gone ahead 7-6

after 11-10 last night, the pitchers are not getting it done in Pittsburgh this wknd

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:56 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

anyone else get a free preview of MLB.TV this week?

got an email after I voted for the ASG.

that’s how I’m watching cards-pirates. the premium is really nice. They’ve improved it from 2 seasons ago when I had it. now if only they could get rid of the stupid blackout rules.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 2:59 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Backe thru 7 w/ 0 runs

it’s the nationals, but still

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 3:00 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Backe may be a little lucky in this game...but I'll take it.

And Backe’s bat has really made a difference in this game too.

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 3:01 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Has he signed with the Brewers?

Let’s pick him up too. :p
Oswalt, Sabathia, Sheets, Pettitte, Wandy

It’s only $45m extra dollars next year. lol

by entropic soul on Jul 13, 2008 3:21 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it would be hilarious

to see drayton go out and spend a couple hundred million on pitching in the offseason.

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 3:23 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

contracts

I think it’s safe to say most bball contracts are back-loaded, but say the Astros decide to sign someone like Sabathia, would it make more sense to front-load his contract? given his durability, you’d think he’s the most likely to maintain his value for the life of a 5-6 year deal. If you paid him $25m the first few years and then had it drop off whether it might payoff down the road. I guess you’re trading up-front dollars now vs. the perceived value of flexibility in a few years. From a finance perspective, it probably sucks, but what about from a baseball perspective?

by lnewcomer on Jul 13, 2008 3:27 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If the Astros think they might want to trade the player...

frontloading would increase the trading value in the later years of the contract. However, McLane probably prefers backloading from a business standpoint, since it gives him use of the money longer.

by clack on Jul 13, 2008 3:38 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ASTROS WIN 5-0

a steady game

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 13, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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Current Series

3 game series vs Pirates @ Minute Maid Park

Tue 07/07 7:05 PM CDT
Wed 07/08 1:05 PM CDT

NL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
St. Louis 45 39 .535 0 Won 1
Milwaukee 43 39 .524 1 Won 1
Chicago 40 39 .506 2.5 Lost 1
Cincinnati 40 40 .500 3 Lost 1
Houston 39 41 .487 4 Won 1
Pittsburgh 37 45 .451 7 Lost 2

(updated 7.5.2009 at 11:31 PM CDT)


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