Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros, Aug 23, 2009 1:05 PM CDT
by DyingQuail on Aug 23, 2009 11:26 AM CDT
in Events
110 comments
Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros, Aug 23, 2009 1:05 PM CDT
Current Series
Astros lead the series 2-0
| Fri 08/21 | WP: Roy Oswalt (7 - 4) SV: Jose Valverde LP: Yusmeiro Petit (2 - 8) |
1 - 0 win |
| Sat 08/22 | WP: Brian Moehler (8 - 9) SV: LaTroy Hawkins LP: Max Scherzer (7 - 8) |
4 - 2 win |
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Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, Aug 23, 2009, 1:05 PM CDT Mostly sunny. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around .
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Line-Up:
- Bourn - CF
- Tejada - SS
- Berkman - 1B
- Lee - LF
- Blum - 3B
- Michaels - RF (.600 BA against Garland...in 6 PA)
- Matsui - 2B
- Quintero - C
- Norris - P
Sorry for the non-post this AM. With the game thread up early, I figured I'd throw out some tidbits of discussion:
- The Chronicle's recap of last night's game has me wondering if someone has informed Cecil Cooper that Tim Byrdak isn't LOOGY. With his 1.2 IP last night and faced lefties and righties and Coop seems to have planned to use him for a number of outs.
- I was glad to see that Jose Valverde was made unavailable before last night's game, too. Although we're probably going to let Valverde walk to find greener pastures, I still hate the thought of Coop abuse a relief pitcher.
- Just because I love throwing in my favorite site when news is slow: A real gem for anyone who has struggled to find a job recently from This is Indexed.
- Wait for it....wait....Ok here it is: Richard Justice is ready to jump back on the Astros bandwagon. You could probably make a calendar of the summer by Richard Justices moods towards the Astros.
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I am watching a bit of the Rangers-Rays game as I wait for the Astros t start.
And, as I watch David Price pitch to the Rangers, I think think: Price’s stuff reminds me a lot of Norris’ stuff. Although I regularly caution people to hold down over-expectations for Norris, the thought crosses my mind that the “gulf” in perception between Norris is Price is mostly draft position and the fact that Price is somewhat younger.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Norris gets a ground out and then Roberts doubles off Norris…line drive.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
now a single to LF by Tracy…runner held a 3d.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
1-0 D-Backs....
blooper into LF falls in front of Carlos Lee. still 1 out.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
runners advance...passed ball by Quintero
that was a terrible effort by the catcher.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Norris is already 27 pitches into the first inning, and only 2 outs.
He loads the bases with a walk now.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
walks a run in on 3-2....
Umpire squeezed Norris badly. JD is upset.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Key moment in the game already
Bases loaded, two outs
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Add a fullcount to the equation
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ball just foul of left field line
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ball Four
but it looked like a low strike
Run scored
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh yeah - I forgot
Angel Hernandez umpiring home plate today. Anything can happen
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
JD said he even the D-Backs broadcasters were incredulous...
that it wasn’t called a strike.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Diamondbacks merry go round
5-0 and still batting
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Norris finally gets out of the 1st....but he won't be around long, with a 40 some pitch count.
I feel bad, like I may have jinxed him with my initial post in this thread.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I turned back to the Rays-Rangers game at the break.
And maybe my Price-Norris comparison isn’t that much of a jinx. Price is behind 2-0, and has a high pitch count…they say he has the highest pitches/inning of any sarter in the AL. He averages almost 20 pitches per inning.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't there some sort of rule of thumb
that 40 pitches in the first is some sort of danger level?
by ol Pete on Aug 23, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For sure it means
the pitcher faced a lot of batters.
But overall, better to have 40 pitches in the first than later in teh game
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the theory is no
because its the first, its more stressful to the arm or something like that due to not being as warmed up as later. But I’m just going on a memory of something I read. Having Yost as a manager and following the team gives me an honorary associate’s degree in PAP.
by ol Pete on Aug 23, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tried to research it
Couldn’t find anything on point
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did too and failed
could be a memory malfunction or confusion from listening to tv broadcasters.
by ol Pete on Aug 23, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Missed how 2 runners got on base....but Paulino is coming into the game.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Infield single
that looked like Norris may have slowed down and Matsui could not get it to Berkman in time.
Next batter walked
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bud Norris is out of the game
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
GIDP
Good start for Paulino
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Aaron Harang out for the season
Emergency appendectomy last night
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bourn doubled to open the third inning for the Astros
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tejada after 11 or 12 pitches hits grounder to third
Ball over thrown to first
Bourn stayed at third
Tejada stayed at first
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Berkman lines out to second
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
GIDP Lee
um um um
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
after Tejada with 10 pitch at bat gets a hit...
runners on the corners….crazy play, as ball was overthrown by 3d baseman. Clark was signalling Bourn to go home, but he stopped instead.
Now Berkman with a line out to 2d. Maybe Bourn should have gone home.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
GIDP...Astros get nothing.
Bourn failing to follow Clark’s instruction may end up costing a run there.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Paulino looking more comfortable on the mound today
than he did the past few outings
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Paulino taking advantage of the opportunity.
He has looked sharp.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Kaz makes an out on a hard hit liner to the pitcher, and Garland has to protect the family jewels with the catch.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 2:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jason Michaels
two at bats
two strikeouts
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I looked at his mini-stats thing on gameday when he was up
Guy has 48 career HRs and thuh-ree this season and he gets 2 versus the brewers. Man our pitching is bad.
by ol Pete on Aug 23, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he shouldn't be starting against a RHP either.
Unfortunately, Erstad is injured are he would have been the better choice to sub for Pence.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's wrong with Pence?
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
WOW - Carlos Lee makes an over the head catch in the deep left field cutout
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Quintero HOMERS
2d time this week
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Q with a HR....and then Maysonnet with a single.
We forgot you were even on the team, Edwin.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 2:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maysonet pinch hitting singled
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
6-3
as Carlos bloops single to right
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
With Aaron Cook going down with an injury in Colorado...
I imagine that Russ Ortiz may be seeing work at the major level for the Rockies.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
he opted out of his Yankees’ minor league contract when they didn’t call him up after whatever period was specified in the contract. He had a 1.56 ERA in AAA for the Yankees.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he had an option to opt out of the contract if he was not called up to majors
He opted out and signed with Rockies.
He had outstanding ERA in AAA
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Almost a wild pitch called strike
Apparently Q called for a pitch out. but Arias (now pitching) threw a strike over the plate. Q had jumped up and outside for the pitchout and had to lunge backwards to catch the ball
<
Angel Hernandez called it a strike
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
it was definitely a strike (the batter didn't complain)
but I’m surprised the umpire called it a strike, given the fact that the catcher wasn’t in position to catch.
Very odd scene. Arias immediately walked off the mound toward the dugout, even as Quintero was trying to get up off his side on the ground. The batter was flummoxed, not knowing what had happened.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jason Michaels one more try
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
HOMERUN this time
6-4
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
WHATS GETTING INTO HOUSTON BATS
lee GIDP’s in crucial situations while Michaels and Quintero have homered!
Maybe they should be batting 4th
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 23, 2009 3:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
quintero
doubles to deep left…pshhh
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 23, 2009 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Fulchino pitching
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cardinals throwing their three studs
against the Astros. It will be a test
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Astros are a scary team. Gotta go with your best. :)
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Diamondbacks have runners at the the corners with one out
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hard hit GiDP
Astros escape
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tejada grounded out; Berkman walked
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lee popped out to second in short center
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Astros ex- Gutierrez has pitched well in this series for the D-Backs.
The Snake Pit blog noted that Gutierrez’s ERA is is below 3 since mid-season.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Blum struck out
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
another balk I don't understand
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
JD said motion by Q to get ump's attention for time out....
somehow caused Fulchino to flinch.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
D'Backs RBI Single following the Balk
7-4
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
'nother single
runners on the corners
Fulchino not fooling anybody
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bruntlett with Unassisted Triple Play gets Lidge out of jam and nails down win!
Philly fans must have been crapping in their pants…Lidge on the mound with 2 run lead, but with 2 runners on and no outs.
…Lidge then faced Jeff Francoeur, who smashed a liner up the middle as the runners were going. However, Bruntlett was right there to spear the liner, and he stepped on second base to get Castillo out. Bruntlett then tagged Murphy out to complete the triple play, end the game, and give Lidge his 25th save in a truly unlikely way.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
JD and Brownie just mentioned this news.
Only the 3d unassisted triple play to end game in baseball history. last time it happened, 80 years ago.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw Rafael Furcal turn an unassisted triple play against the Cardinals.
They aren’t that hard.
Same situation as Bruntlett’s (except Furcal played short): Runners were going . LIne drive to leaping Furcal, who ran to second for out two (runner already past thrid) and then tagged the runner comng from first to second who was almost at second.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
they may not look hard, but they are extremely rare.
Perfect games are more common than unassisted triple plays. Only 15 unassiisted triple plays in baseball history.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
The conditions must be such that the second and third outs are gimmes
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and isn't it nice
that Eric Bruntlett joins that elite list.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brewers LOST
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bases loaded
Byrdak walked a batter
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
pop out ends the inning
7-4 as Astros send up J-Mike and Q-Love
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cards have Smoltz pitching
1 hit and 4 K through 2 innings.
by ol Pete on Aug 23, 2009 4:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Matsui doubled
(after Michaels struck out )
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Quintero and Erstad stuck out
ninth inning coming up
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Reds beat Pirates
Pirates back in the cellar
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Qualls to face Astros in the ninth
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
maybe he’ll allow a grand slam, and then throw the ball into the stands.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bourn grounded out to first
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tejada doubled to right
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
With no one on
Tejada doubles to the corner
by timmy_ on Aug 23, 2009 4:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
RBI Single off left field wall for Berkman
Tejada scored
7-5
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
lee
owes us something here…sucked all game…takes every good pitch!
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 23, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Now Hernandez calling balls just off the dirt as strikes
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Berkman to second on passed ball (Wild Pitch?)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lee grounded out to third
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
great
lee sucks it up again…
had qaulls not thrown a wildpitch that would have been his 2nd or 3rd DP that game in crucial spots…
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 23, 2009 4:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
its over...
ill put this one on carlos lee and bud norris and the umpire who was just terrible today
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 23, 2009 4:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Angel Hernandez is always terrible
At least he didn’t toss anyone today
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ASTROS LOSE 7-5
Key moment came in the first inning on 3-2 count with bases loaded.
Astros fell behind 6-0 and couldn’t come back.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope the Astros do a lot more probing with Norris in order to determine if he may have been fighting arm soreness or dead arm, and not telling them. Cooper’s comments in his press conference indicated he didn’t do much probing. Cooper said Norris told him, “This is the first time this has ever happened to me.” Cooper said he interpreted that to mean that he threw bad pitches. Then Cooper thought about it, and then said he ddin’t know for sure what Norris meant by that.
It may have been nothing more than normal rookie inconsistency, but given the increase in Norris’ workload this year, the Astros wiould be remiss not to check out the fatigued arm possibility.
by clack on Aug 23, 2009 4:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree again
Clearly Norris did not have the mound presence he showed his first game up. So some of his problem was mental (confidence – concentration – whatever). Whether that was it or it flowed from a fatigued arm I don’t know.
Angel Hernandez’ bad call on 3-2 count with bases loaded didn’t help, either.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 2.9.2010 at 5:43 AM CST)
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