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Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros, Aug 23, 2009 1:05 PM CDT

Lovelance_tiny by Stephen Higdon on in Events

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

Arizona Diamondbacks
@ Houston Astros

Sunday, Aug 23, 2009, 1:05 PM CDT
Minute Maid Park

Jon Garland vs Bud Norris

Mostly sunny. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around .

 

Complete Coverage >

Jon Garland

#52 / Pitcher / Arizona Diamondbacks

6-6

210

R

R

Sep 27, 1979

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Jon Garland 6-11 26 25 1 0 0 0 154.2 173 86 76 17 50 74 4.42 1.44

Bud Norris

#20 / Pitcher / Houston Astros

6-0

225

R

R

Mar 02, 1985

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Bud Norris 3-1 5 4 0 0 0 0 26.2 27 13 12 4 12 26 4.05 1.46

Line-Up:

 

  1. Bourn - CF
  2. Tejada - SS
  3. Berkman - 1B
  4. Lee - LF
  5. Blum - 3B
  6. Michaels - RF (.600 BA against Garland...in 6 PA)
  7. Matsui - 2B
  8. Quintero - C
  9. 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.

 

Comment 107 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Read More: Jon Garland (P - CLE), Bud Norris (P - HOU), Jose Valverde (P - DET), Tim Byrdak (P - NYM), Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros, Aug 23, 2009 1:05 PM CDT

Comments

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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  

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  

now a single to LF by Tracy…runner held a 3d.

by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

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  

he K’s the rookie, Allen. 2 outs.

by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

dunno.

it wouldn’t surprise me. I do think it guarantees he won’t pitch more than a couple of more innings. I’m pretty sure the Astros will hope him below a 100 pitch count.

by clack on Aug 23, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

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  

GIDP

Good start for Paulino

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 1:46 PM CDT reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

Quintero HOMERS

2d time this week

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 2:45 PM CDT reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

Astros are a scary team. Gotta go with your best. :)

by clack on Aug 23, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

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  

'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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

Bases loaded

Byrdak walked a batter

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 3:56 PM CDT reply actions  

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  

Matsui doubled

(after Michaels struck out )

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 23, 2009 4:06 PM CDT reply actions  

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  

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  

lee

owes us something here…sucked all game…takes every good pitch!

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 23, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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Colorado Rockies
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Friday, Apr 6, 2012, 6:05 PM CDT
Minute Maid Park

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Sat 04/07 6:05 PM CDT
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Cincinnati 0 0 .000 0 Lost 0
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