ST Game No. 7: Houston Astros vs. Florida Marlins
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:01 PM CST
in Events
138 comments
Grapefruit League Record for 2010 (which is meaningless anyway): 3-3
Today's starters: LHP Wandy Rodriguez vs. RHP Hayden Penn
Here's the Astros lineup, per Footer's TwitPic:
1) Cory Sullivan, CF
2) Kazuo Matsui, 2B
3) Hunter Pence, RF
4) Carlos Lee, LF
5) Lance Berkman, 1B
6) Pedro Feliz, 3B
7) J.R. Towles, C
8) Edwin Maysonet, SS
9) Wandy Rodriguez, P
Pitchers listed on the lineup card are Fernando Abad, Wesley Wright, Felipe Paulino, Henry Villar, Gary Majewski and Roy Corcoran. It appears Paulino and Wandy will both throw three innings, instead of Paulino starting a B/split-squad game instead. It'll also be the second outing for Abad, after giving up two hits in his only inning of work in his last outing.
Also interesting that Cory Sullivan is giving Michael Bourn a day off. This is the first time both Bourn and Tommy Manzella have been out of the starting lineup all spring.
Here's the Marlins lineup too, for those that are curious:
1) Chris Coghlan, LF
2) Brian Barden, SS
3) Mike Stanton, RF
4) Dan Uggla, 2B
5) Ronny Paulino, C
6) Wes Helms, 3B
7) Gaby Sanchez, 1B
8) Brett Carroll, CF
9) Hayden Penn, P
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Wandy opens with a strikeout
And then Pence takes a bad route to a ball, runner on first with one out
Stanton hits a HR. Milo had said RHBs would like the way the wind is blowing out….and he points to this an example. But maybe not such a good example, since it was hit so hard.
Now Uggla with a HR.
I won’t be able to listen throughout the game.
Two bouncers end the inning
Let’s just hope there aren’t many more long balls in Wandy’s future. With Paulino pitching next, it could get ugly real quick.
Marlins’ hitters always seem to hit the Astros’ pitching well. I guess it’s the same in the spring as the regular season.
To be fair, their hitters aren’t slouches. Uggla and Stanton both have legit power.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:15 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, Milo
He just referred to Brad Mills as ‘Millsy’ Can you just add “y” to anyone’s name for a nickname? Coleman-y?
I’m not surprised. Just wish we could go back to baseball players having cool nicknames.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
I don't like the name"Millsy"
I know it’s his nickanme but I don’t like it anyway.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Mar 10, 2010 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
So let's start a new one
Some of y’all have suspected that J. D. or Justice have cruised by here before—let’s make up a new nickname for Mills and see if it catches on.
The MillsMan? Millsmaster? Or, -meister?
If going for Military reference (rather than a cereal)
I’d prefer The Colonel or Sarge.
None of the suggestions so far cut it
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Mar 10, 2010 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
Is this the third different 3-4-5 order we've seen from Mills?
With Pence, Lee and Berkman revolving through all three spots?
without looking it seems that way.
Mills must like experimenting in the spring, because he says that is philosophy is to have a set lineup during the season, so that players know where they will hit all the time. (Not that I think it is so important to have a set lineup, but a lot of fans hated the continual movement in Cooper’s lineups.)
It’s an interesting approach. I like it if Mills is trying to get a feel for where these guys can hit best. Rather than taking past approaches, he’s figuring it out for himself when the games don’t matter.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
I have wondered the same thing.
But I think he would have to show that he can handle playing the outfield too (replacing the 5th outfielder). Wade said that Maysonet’s chance to make the 25 man will depend on his versatility, including the outfield. (Maysonet said he needs to get more time in the outfield this spring, if that’s what they expect.)
I wonder if they'll start playing him out there toward the end of the spring
If he keeps playing this well
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:25 PM CST up reply actions
1-2-3 top of the second for Wandy
A better sign than those two home runs. Let’s hope his third inning goes as smoothly
Filed under, 'Things you'll only see in the spring'
Carlos Lee squares to bunt. Popped up for first out in the bottom of the second.
Another good play by Maysonet
He’s apparently acquitting himself well with his first start at short this spring. Hopefully any concerns the Astros have over his makeup will be alleviated.
9-2-6?
That must have been fun to see.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Mar 10, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
I don’t know if I like having Paulino coming into the middle of the game. Last year he showed a negative attitude toward coming out of the bullpen in games.
Not that I endorse Paulino’s crying but I’m a bit concerned about his results coming out of the pen.
Agreed
This isn’t the best outing for him.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
In spring training
don’t starters come in during middle innings – it’s not like a reliever role where they don’t know if they will be called. It’s scheduled . It’s like starting (except in the fourth inning instead of the first)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Mar 10, 2010 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
A double puts men on second and third
Looks like he’s not reacting well to the relief appearance this time too. Not good times. Can a spring game be over by the top of the fourth?
Sensing a little carefully veiled hostility toward Paulino
It’s unfortunate the importance so many media guys put on W/L records, and to a lesser extent, ERA in small sample sizes.
I got that too
They focus on his size and how he hasn’t ‘harnessed’ his potential. Which is crap. Take a few home runs away, give him a few less hits on batted balls, and Paulino would be considered a great success last season, especially coming off the shoulder injury.
As much as I think Milo is getting old, I really have not taken to these two new radio guys.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
I’d love to hear JD and Brownie on the radio, kind of like a Vin Scully thing where they cover both the TV and Radio announcing.
Oh, that'd be awesome
JD on the radio? Yes and yes.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
I don't like the radio guys either (Except I still like Milo's voice)
Last year I realized Bret Dolan is not that bad; but Dave Raymond is terrible. Sadly on casual listen their voices sound the same so I criticize them as a unit.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Mar 10, 2010 1:06 PM CST up reply actions
I’ve actually talked with a friend of mine about this. He agreed one of the guys is pretty good, but could never remember which one it was.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 1:09 PM CST up reply actions
oh, our radio guys are avidly traditionalistic about stats. One of the two “new guys” has expressed hostility toward sabermetrics in last spring training.
Can you even tell the difference between the two yet?
I have trouble and I’ve been listening to them for a while now.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
I was trying to recall the rant had about sabermetrics. I think Bill James’ name had come up or something, and he kind of ridiculed sabermetrics. I recall that he said sabermetrics hates stolen bases and speed on the base path, which he thinks is wrong. What’s wrong is his description of sabermetrics.
Sac fly makes it 7-0
But Paulino now has two outs. That was a LOOONG at-bat by Coughlin and it was good to see him get out of it with an out.
I like Coughlin. I voted for him as NL ROY here at TCB. (I think we had a poll…but I can’t recall if it was just a comment on HLP’s vote). The guy is actually a 2d baseman. If the Marlins ever traded Uggla, they could put Coughlin at 2d base where he would have a lot of value with his offensive ability.
He was definitely impressive last season
The Marlins are a great example of how a bad owner doesn’t have to hamstring your organization. By making smart trades and drafting well, they’ve been able to contend, reload, contend, reload. It’s the goal for all teams not named Yankees or Red Sox.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
Coghlan showed some basestealing ability at AA too, which didn’t show up much in his rookie season at the majors… wonder if that will change this year. It’s obviously far too early to make such lofty predictions, but early returns suggest he has the potential for a Biggio-like career if he moves to 2B. High batting average, fairly patient, doubles power, speed.
Some control issues by Paulino
The radio guys are really hammering him now. Seven consecutive pitches out of the zone.
Inning over
I was wrong, it’s 8-0 Marlins through four. I’m making a Jamba Juice run, so you guys will be out the running commentary for about 20 minutes. Try to contain the disappointment, but feel free to sub for me until I get back.
Sounded like a solid homer for Johnson
Hit it on the first pitch he saw
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 1:53 PM CST up reply actions
To be fair, Pence is pretty quick to first, which was what Milo was discussing at the time (beating out an infield hit). I think his problem is more that he often doesn’t make good decisions on the basepaths.
True
But he also was second on the team last year with 25 GDP which to me seems to indicate he’s not quick enough down the line, but that’s probably just bad luck.
Drayton just said
“were hitting better and pitching better” in a 12 – 1 game….the other team leading.
I leave for 20 minutes...
And the two teams combine for 8 runs? As many runs as had been scored before I left? Ridiculous!
Two outs now
Pretty quick inning so far
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 1:57 PM CST up reply actions
And Drayton doesn't know how old Abad is
Much less what his name is…
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 1:58 PM CST up reply actions
Yep, that's what I heard
I have no idea what he meant, either.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
Base hit for Maysonet
His first hit of the day. Surprised to see him still in there. He’ll probably go the distance, though, with Navarro in at second
Apparently, Kepp pinch-hit for Maysonet
Way to prove me wrong immediately Brad Mills. We will have words this season if it continues
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 2:04 PM CST up reply actions
That's what I meant
Don’t I wish we could edit comments…I’d sound a lot smarter
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
It's a couple innings ago now
But I was very impressed with Villar’s work. Very efficient, got a strikeout on a foul tip and a weak grounder. Looked like he could be better than I thought.
It’ll be interesting to see if that means he still has a chance to start, or if it was due to a lack of arms b/c of Paulino’s short outing.
by David Coleman on Mar 10, 2010 2:21 PM CST up reply actions
Brett Carroll homers off Wright
And the hits just keep on coming. The Astros apparently think, ‘If we’re going to lose, we might as well lose spectacularly’
Lou Santangelo in the game
A second straight appearance. Must be trying to get a couple of home runs out of him.
Now, Drew Locke is in the game
Followed by Chris Johnson, or as I like to call them, Round Rock’s Heart of the Order
I know it probably shouldn’t, but this nice Spring Training has given me some hope that Johnson might just go down and show more power this season at AAA, maybe even earn a call up at some point this year. He’ll really have to find more ISO this year to make up for his shortcomings in plate discipline, though.
I feel their pain
Baltimore lost six in a row after winning its first gme of Spring training,
Washington lost its first eight games.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Mar 10, 2010 6:26 PM CST reply actions
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| Sat 09/04 | 7:10 PM CDT | |
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 55 | .586 | 0 | Won 4 |
|
St. Louis
|
69 | 62 | .526 | 8 | Lost 5 |
|
Houston
|
62 | 71 | .466 | 16 | Won 3 |
|
Milwaukee
|
62 | 71 | .466 | 16 | Lost 3 |
|
Chicago
|
57 | 77 | .425 | 21.5 | Won 1 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
44 | 89 | .330 | 34 | Lost 1 |
(updated 9.2.2010 at 9:47 AM CDT)
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