Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros, Jun 7, 2009 1:05 PM CDT

Felipe Paulino taken out of the game in the second inning trailing 1-0 with four strikeouts. Unsure of the injury.

 Russ Ortiz pitching

Vazquez is playing SS for the Bucs, since Wilson was injured yesterday.

as he pitches today.

This time it was Bourn on 1st and Tejada at bat. Bourn running to 2d usually makes DP unlikely, but the Pirates made a nice play, and once Bourn was out, you knew that Tejada would be out.

What’s the record?

Whatever it is, it certainly scrimps the Astros scoring chances

Snell hit a little infield hit which was between Ortiz and Tejada. Then McCutcheon hit a swinging bunt which Ortiz charged, then Quinero ran into him as he was ready to throw.

With 2 on base, JD said it would be justice if the Pirates lined out into a DP. And he got what he asked for. A liner to Keppinger who threw the ball to 2d.

He throws the bat down after hitting a long fly which looked like a possible home run and lands in the glove on the warning track. That is the second time that I’ve seen him slam the bat down on a flyball that was close to a HR.

Makes me wonder whether Astros will PH for Ortiz or not. Ortiz is on deck right now.

Deep double to right center scored Keppinger

2-1. Line drive to RCF, and it seemed like McCutcheon was playing too shallow. Ball went over McCutcheon’s outstretched glove.

nice play by Pirates’ shortstop.

Ortiz is shutting out the Pirates but give him more than a one run lead

3-1 Astros. But Carlos is caught in rundown.

CArlos Lee SinGles. Hunter Pence scored. Carlos Lee caught between first and second

Carlos’ baserunning error looms larger. Watching the replay, Lee’s base running error was not strategic (attempt to allow Pence to score) but rather just an error on his part.

first two batters reached. I was outside but I believe these are Byrdak runners. Third batter singled to load the bases.

Byrdak leaves the game after being highly ineffective.

one run scored

Runners move up

3-2 Astros

This is the huge flaw with pitch counts and heavy reliance on bullpen.

Russ was pulled after 105 pitches in a close game, but by all appearances was doing just fine in the top of the sixth. Byrdak promptly puts runners on and is on track to put the team behind.

I’d like to know what Russ thought about his arm and health and whether he could have gone another inning.

8-7

Matt Cata pinch hitting (where’s Hampton?)

But he isn’t going to scare anyone as a pinch hitter. Come to think of it, he fits right in as an Astros PHer.

Vazquez tried to make a spectacular play to 2d from his belly, but if he hadn’t tried that, the run wouldn’t have scored.

Bourn is at second after a walk before Tejada batted

Erstad to run for Lee

Reds and Cubs in extra innings. Cubs threatened in the 11th but went out on a strike em out throw em out at third double play

pitching the ninth

Clutch win

Bring on the Cubs

It will be interesting to see what happpens to Paulino’s spot in the rotation if he can not stay healthy. Ortiz and Backe are the two logical choices. I wonder if this could also mean a call-up for either Barzando or Norris.

I have heard there is some debates among scouts about Paulino would be better starting or closing. It will be interesting to see if this injury, if serious, causes any changes in the Astros’s plans for his development.

assuming Paulino’s injury is serious enough to make him miss a start. Ortiz was magnificent today. This game could not have been won without him. If Paulino were to go on the DL, I doubt that we see a call up. Geary is close to ready to be put on the roster, and Valverde isn’t far behind him. I would bet that they accelerate the return of one of those two guys.

Yorman Bazordo, would get the call if Paulino is injured…ortiz has been good outta the bullpen