Berkman Takes to Six Spot, Stephen's Head Explodes in 6-1 Astros Win
by David Coleman on Jul 27, 2010 10:24 PM CDT
in News
25 comments
That's right, Brad Mills' grand scheme to put Berkman in the sixth spot of the order worked beautifully. He should bat there all the time, obviously. How else will the Astros get that much power out of Lance Berkman? Would Jeff Keppinger or Humberto Quintero been able to hit that grand slam? No way, no how. This is clearly a lineup that works well...
(There, just needed to needle Stephen a little more for leaving us without his usual brilliant posts for so long)
The one thing about the Astros being so bad offensively is we've seen some really great pitcher's duels so far this season. Tuesday night was no exception, as Ted Lilly and Brett Myers combined to throw some unhittable stuff. It wasn't quite Matt Garza-Max Scherzer, but it was pretty darned good. Myers ended up with the victory, pitching a complete game while striking out a season-high 12, giving up four hits and one run with one walk. That was Myers' eighth victory of the season, tying him for the team lead and solidifying his hold on the only winning record for an Astros starter.
As for the offense, it wasn't great, but Chris Johnson did get a hit for the 11th straight game. Carlos Lee provided a little spark himself, going 2 for 3 with a run scored, a stolen base and a walk. The stolen base was one of the goofier plays you'll see this season. Lee was picked off from first, but since he had already broken for second, he kept running. Lilly threw to the first baseman, who relayed on to Ryan Theriot, who put the tag on a sliding Lee. Well, he tried to put the tag on Lee, but when Theriot hesitated for a second before throwing his glove at Lee's foot, El Bufalo slid in safely. He had a pretty sheepish grin on his face afterwards, but I'm sure he'll take it.
As well most Astros fans will take this win. I'd prefer the game weren't left in doubt for so long (check out how even the WPA graph is for most of the game), but it's still a nice victory. I have to say that Myers has really been a nice addition this season and I'd be sad to see him leave if he's traded. I still wouldn't mind picking up some prospects, but it'd be a sad day.
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Go stros go
go stros go! Hey chicago what do you say, the cubs are gonna lose today!
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Jul 27, 2010 10:27 PM CDT reply actions
I agree
Myers has been a pleasant surprise and would like to see him stay but if we can get some prospects in return for him then I say do it. Besides, we could always try to resign him after the season.
I think we would all want that
By the way Myers has a 8 Mil. mutual option and it will likely be picked up by whatever team has him if he keeps pitching this way
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Jul 27, 2010 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions
No doubt
But would he exercise his end? I wouldn’t, he can probably get multiple years for the same amount per season (and maybe more) on the open market.
Screw you, Coleman
I won’t finish the post I have been slaving away on.
On a separate note, Berkman hitting a GS in 6th spot doesn’t lend credence to the value of batting him sixth. Rather, it demonstrates his superior hitting prowess (which were already evidenced in his raw stats) and therefore the necessity to bat him in a more crucial, more PA garnering spot in the lineup.
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 Jul 27, 2010 10:32 PM CDT reply actions
As I intimated allphilla after the Granny
I’ll take it.
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 Jul 28, 2010 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions
i need my peter griffin i was right banner
just for you stephen! :p
"That's funny. You like Samurai Swords, I like Baseball!"
-Hatori Hanzo
This is what I was afraid of
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 Jul 27, 2010 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Take a look at Myers on the year
The similarities between him and Carpenter are within 5% better or worse in important stats. It is very impressive. He is the comeback player of the year and to date maybe the best FA signing(most likely). Saying all that, I still hope that was his last Astro start
My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.
Finally!
Fifth game at the ballpark this year, and first one the Astros win. Also, I’m shocked that Piniella didn’t bring in a lhp to face Berkman in that situation. Myers was great tonight.
It was more a kick up the bum for Berkman than anything too deep from Mills (I think). He was also facing a leftie last night in Ted Lilly.
You can’t praise Myers’ performance enough. The finish on his breaking balls was nasty all night.
Too bad
we don’t have a legit offense. With the two top aces we have plus magic Wandy, we could have been quite a force.
"He’s been following him around for two weeks like his lapdog". - Stan Van Gundy about Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade
which is why I thought the Astros would of been competitive this year. Lance was due for a bounce back year, and Lee had contributed fairly consistently. Plus Pence was supposed to be entering his prime and improving on what he had already accomplished. Unfortunately that was not the case and all three have struggled or are still struggling.
everyone in the rotation has shown glimmers. At points in the season both Wandy and Paulino have shown us glimmers of excellence (Wandy’s last six starts have been very good).
What's the word on Jeff Keppinger?
He left the game last night with lower back problem after being hit by a pitch. This morning ESPN lists him as day-to-day. Anybody have more information on his status or condition?
P.S. – Reminder – day game today
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 28, 2010 10:39 AM CDT reply actions
Haven’t seen anything outside of the note in the Chronicle today. I’ll be looking for that lineup to come out soon, though.
by David Coleman on Jul 28, 2010 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
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Thursday, Sep 9, 2010, 7:05 PM CDT Partly cloudy,rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 90. |
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
79 | 60 | .568 | 0 | Lost 4 |
|
St. Louis
|
72 | 65 | .525 | 6 | Lost 2 |
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Houston
|
66 | 73 | .474 | 13 | Won 2 |
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Milwaukee
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65 | 74 | .467 | 14 | Won 2 |
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Chicago
|
60 | 80 | .428 | 19.5 | Lost 2 |
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Pittsburgh
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47 | 92 | .338 | 32 | Lost 1 |
(updated 9.9.2010 at 9:41 AM CDT)
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