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Around SBN: Josh Hamilton Reportedly Seen Drinking In Dallas Bar

ST Game No. 5: Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Grapefruit League Record for 2010 (which is meaningless anyway): 2-2

Today's starters: RHP Bud Norris vs. LHP Ricky Romero

Other pitchers scheduled today for the Astros are Tim Byrdak, Jeff Fulchino, Shane Loux, Chia-Jen Lo, Gustavo Chacin and Polin Trinidad.

The lineup, per Footer's TwitPic:

1) Michael Bourn, CF

2) J.R. Towles, DH

3) Lance Berkman, 1B

4) Carlos Lee, LF

5) Hunter Pence, RF

6) Chris Johnson, 3B

7) Jason Castro, C

8) Tommy Manzella, SS

9) Jeff Keppinger, 2B

You can listen live to the broadcast here and here.

Let the game begin!

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Up and Down first for Norris

He walked one and gave up a home run, but got out of the inning on a strikeout.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:17 PM CST reply actions  

Bourn with his first infield single of the season. He hasn’t shown much power this spring, so be glad he hasn’t gone all Willie Mays Hayes from ML2.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:20 PM CST reply actions  

Strikeout by Towles, possible DP ball by Lance dropped, but inning ended with no runs. Disappointing.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:28 PM CST reply actions  

I like the lineup today. If nothing else, watching these guys bat all year would be interesting, just to see how the young guys do.

That will not, of course, be the case, in all likelihood.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 12:31 PM CST reply actions  

It’s nice to see a Norris/Castro battery today. They could team up for a lot of years.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:33 PM CST up reply actions  

Another strikeout and another walk for Norris

At least he didn’t give up a home run in the second…

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:33 PM CST reply actions  

Talking a little about Bud's fastball

Mention of some late life on it, along the lines of Roy O’s. Bud’s minor league groundball rate was 46% and although he hasn’t replicated that at the big league level yet, perhaps it will be able to go up in greater sample size.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 12:39 PM CST reply actions  

It’s definitely worth watching. Milo seems very impressed with it’s late life. I might try looking at his ML Pitch FX data from last year to see what’s what.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:41 PM CST up reply actions  

I think it’s possible that the sample size isn’t big enough in the big leagues to say that Bud won’t duplicate that groundball rate in the majors. However, someone wrote an article a week or so ago (Dave or Evan? I can’t recall) which showed that all of the young GB pitchers (including Bud) last year regressed in their groundball tendencies when they got to the majors. That was definitely food for thought, and made me think that perhaps big league hitters show more plate discipline / pitch identification ability and make it harder to maintain GB tendencies in transitioning from the minors to the majors.

by clack on Mar 8, 2010 12:53 PM CST up reply actions  

Yes, I remember that article and discussion. I wonder whether pitchers have a tendency to start out with lower groundball rates and gradually regain them as they improve, though, kind of like with their K/BB ratios? Something to think about.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 1:02 PM CST up reply actions  

that was my thought too. perhaps some young pitchers successfully adjust to better hitters in the majors, and others don’t.

by clack on Mar 8, 2010 1:14 PM CST up reply actions  

Byrdak gives up a double to Hoffpauir

What’s odd about this is that Hoffpauir is at third. He hasn’t logged a major or minor league inning at third in his professional career, starting in 2002.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:45 PM CST reply actions  

A two-out double increased Jays lead to 2-0

Overbay hit it over Bourn’s head. How often do you think that happens?

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:47 PM CST reply actions  

Byrdak is struggling. Just gave up a third double, 3-0 Jays.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:48 PM CST reply actions  

His fly ball rate has been going up the past few years… that can bite you, especially when you don’t have good control.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions  

Sounds like the Blue Jays are pretty locked in right now. Will be interesting to see how the next pitcher does (assuming it will be Fulchino).

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:52 PM CST up reply actions  

I just realized something

We’ve talked about infielders covering for each other a lot lately, but one thing I didn’t think about was Manzella and Feliz covering for Carlos Lee. Presumably Manzella is much faster than Tejada was (I don’t know about Feliz compared to Blum, but I would guess the same is true). More range, so maybe a few less fly balls dropping into shallow LF.

Allows Carlos Lee to play deep as he likes to do without sacrificing quite as much.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 12:52 PM CST reply actions  

On that play to end the top of the third for Toronto, Chris Johnson raced down the 3B line to catch a fly ball in foul ground. That’s big too, covering for Lee. Two young, athletic, quick players at short and third could really help Lee’s range.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:54 PM CST up reply actions  

Manzella and Feliz could be risking their health doing that (a la, Everett). I think we all noticed that Tejada frequently slowed down and let balls fall in short LF because of Carlos Lee moving like a buffalo toward him. I can’t say that I blame him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an outfielder who causes more concern on the part of infielders ranging into LF.

by clack on Mar 8, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions  

This catching battle is shaping up to be a good one. Castro is now 4 for 8 this spring.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:57 PM CST up reply actions  

It’s a nice problem to have.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions  

yes, pleased for both guys. Towles seems to be showing more power than Castro, and Castro seems to be showing surprising speed down the line.

by clack on Mar 8, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions  

And excellent defense. Gunning down Gathright is no easy task.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions  

“McDonald lays back, knowing he has time, knowing the runner.”

Oh, Carlos. Is it too late to change his nickname from El Caballo to El Bufalo? Anyone?

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 12:58 PM CST reply actions  

I’m up for it. A horse ought to be fast.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions  

Carlos! Running Catch!

To strand runners on first and second for Fulchino

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:08 PM CST reply actions  

I guess he can keep his nickname at least for today.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 1:09 PM CST up reply actions  

Maybe just for another inning, who knows what’ll happen on his next AB.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:11 PM CST up reply actions  

I didn’t really know much about Daigle, but he sure is getting swings and misses right now. Looks like he had a decent 2009 at Round Rock.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 1:18 PM CST up reply actions  

I thought he might have a shot to get a callup at the end of 2009. He’s a lefty and if he proves more capable than Byrdak, we might see him break camp with the team. He’s also married to former Arizona softball pitcher Jenny Finch. When he was a rookie with Arizona, one of his teammates bought Finch’s uniform off eBay or something and made Daigle wear it on a spring road trip. Probably my favorite spring story of all time.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:20 PM CST up reply actions  

One of the better “rookie hazing” stories. I thought he was right-handed though?

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 1:22 PM CST up reply actions  

Yep, he is. I knew that too. Trying to juggle too many things…

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:23 PM CST up reply actions  

Changes across the board

Osvaldo Navarro in at short, Gustavo Chacin in to pitch, Yordany Ramirez in center

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:28 PM CST reply actions  

Oh, gosh

Chacin misses chance to get out of inning AND a good play by Berkman, doesn’t look back for toss from Berkman at first.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:38 PM CST reply actions  

I am now officially excited about a single

At least it was Towles coming through again. Dude is locked in.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:43 PM CST reply actions  

More changes afoot

Yorman Bazardo in to pitch, Chris Shelton at first, more changes than that but Milo is having trouble by himself. Will update when he figures it out or the box updates.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:51 PM CST reply actions  

Also interesting...

Adam Loewen is the new left fielder for the Jays. He was a sign-and-follow pitcher drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and just recently switched to being a full-time hitter. Seems to be more of these guys lately, doesn’t there?

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:54 PM CST reply actions  

He had some injury issues as a pitcher, which led to his conversion, if I recall. I recall reading some comments from Orioles fans at BBTF who thought he would be a good hitter.

by clack on Mar 8, 2010 1:57 PM CST up reply actions  

Bazardo out of jam

Bases loaded, one out, Bazardo gets out of it clean. Good for him, but not good for his chances of making the team.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:56 PM CST reply actions  

He’s out of options, right? So he’ll have to be placed on waivers if he doesn’t make the team?

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 1:58 PM CST up reply actions  

I think so, since the Astros signed him as a minor league free agent before last season. He probably won’t clear waivers if they put him there.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 1:59 PM CST up reply actions  

yes.

Wade has speculated that he would be claimed on waivers, although I’m not so sure.

by clack on Mar 8, 2010 1:59 PM CST up reply actions  

Early returns are definitely pointing to Towles

Even though Castro is having a nice spring, he’d have to look significantly better than Towles to make the team opening day, I’d think.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 2:00 PM CST reply actions  

That’s the scenario I’d prefer. Towles is more experienced and has a better chance to succeed this season. Castro can go to Round Rock and get some good experience hitting at a high level before making the majors. Plus, Towles becomes great trade bait if the Astros so choose.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 2:02 PM CST up reply actions  

I agree.

I also think Towles might have enough of a bat to play at other positions like second or even third base (.883 career minor league OPS), even though his positional value is highest at catcher. He could also platoon with Castro at C while serving as a utility guy/pinch hitter.

If he succeeds at the MLB level it opens up a lot of options.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 2:10 PM CST up reply actions  

I'm rooting for Towles

He’s suffered through a lot the past few years

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Mar 8, 2010 2:41 PM CST up reply actions  

I think a change in managers may allow Towles to settle in and let his talent take over. I don’t think Towles had the personality to deal with some of the negative public criticism from Cooper.

by clack on Mar 8, 2010 3:10 PM CST up reply actions  

Two walks for Lo

The fastball must be giving him problems.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 2:08 PM CST reply actions  

A Lou Santangelo sighting!

He’s catching for Castro. That brings the total up to six catches used so far this spring.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 2:09 PM CST reply actions  

Very Lo-like line today

1 inning, 1 hit, two walks, 1 strikeout

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 2:17 PM CST reply actions  

Thanks for all the updates

A godsend at work.

The Crawfishboxes
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.

by Stephen Higdon on Mar 8, 2010 2:18 PM CST via mobile reply actions  

Maybe a single, depending on whether there’s an error.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 2:21 PM CST up reply actions  

And the Astros score a run!

Third hit for Towles drives in Kepp. Some debate whether it’s a single and an error or a double. Either way, the young redhead has another good day.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 2:21 PM CST reply actions  

I’m not really too bothered about wins or losses. I’m mostly just keeping an eye on the young players to see how they do, especially the positional battles at catcher and SP5.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 2:43 PM CST up reply actions  

Granted. Just trying to report the details, however meaningless, for those that don’t have access to the game. I know I really enjoyed these game threads a ton as I was in the Great White North this past weekend. Kept me up with the game while still hanging with the inlaws.

by David Coleman on Mar 8, 2010 2:58 PM CST up reply actions  

Oh, I know, I wasn’t saying you shouldn’t mention it or anything like that. Was just commenting that the loss doesn’t bother me. I was mostly just happy to see Towles and Castro have a good game.

by OremLK on Mar 8, 2010 3:16 PM CST up reply actions  

Paulino

Why hasn’t he pitched this spring?

by Snake Diggity on Mar 9, 2010 12:07 PM CST reply actions  

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