Houston Astros at New York Mets, Aug 29, 2010 12:10 PM CDT
by David Coleman on Aug 29, 2010 12:00 PM CDT
in Houston Astros Events
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PrintHouston Astros at New York Mets, Aug 29, 2010 12:10 PM CDT
Current Series
3 game series vs Mets @ Citi Field
| Fri 08/27 | WP: Mike Pelfrey (13 - 7) SV: Hisanori Takahashi LP: Nelson Figueroa (3 - 2) |
1 - 2 loss |
| Sat 08/28 | WP: Brett Myers (10 - 7) SV: Brandon Lyon LP: Johan Santana (10 - 9) |
4 - 1 win |
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Houston Astros Sunday, Aug 29, 2010, 12:10 PM CDT Sunny. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 90.
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For more info on the Mets, check out Amazin' Avenue.
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He shares the record
for most HR allowed in a single game with Wakefield – 6. Let’s hope he is not as sharp as he was in Houston.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
8 pitch inning for Dickey
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
The knuckleball lives...
I’m not sure what kind of hitter is best against a knuckleballer. Maybe one who likes breaking pitches? In the old days, when there were more knuckleball pitchers, some batters felt like they should stand as far forward in the batter’s box as possible, with the idea that they get less of the late movement.
In the pregame show, Steve Sparks said the batter should try to crowd the plate because it makes the knuckleballer uncomfortable and tends to push him outside, and cause him to try to be more fine with the knuckeball. As a result, the knuckleballer gets less movement.
Sparks’ suggestion makes sense. Also, I think batters really have to avoid swinging unless the pitch is clearly in the zone (easier said than done, given the movement). The hard part of knuckleball success is control. Dickey has been fairly impressive because he has good control of the pitch. But I would still try to get walks.
That’s what I think too. I would try to work as many deep counts as possible. Maybe even try to foul off pitches instead of putting them in play.
This team is poorly built to face a knuckeballer. Lots of young hitters, who typically struggle with breaking balls. Lots of impatient hitters who like to swing early.
In the 70’s/80’s, I recall teams which would leave their best hitters out of the lineup against a knuckleballer. The fear was that the hitter might screw up his timing or mechanics trying to adjust to hitting the knuckleball.
Wallace not starting
I may not be as upset about him sitting today. Considering he’s struggling I’m sure the last kind of pitcher you want to see is a knuckleballer. However I still take issue with him getting pinch hit and sat this series.
by Timothy De Block on Aug 29, 2010 12:20 PM CDT reply actions
My issue is more that he didn’t start yesterday either. I can deal with him not starting today, but if that was the plan, he should have started yesterday.
Since Left field is so expansive
JD or Brownie thought is the reason Carlos Lee is at first. carlos leads the major since July 28 in RBIs. On a weak offensive team,. Lee must play. He plays a decent first base.
My surprise is Blum at seccond. I would have thought if he’d play at all he would relieve Chris Johnson at third.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I wish CJ were given a day off. He needs it.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Is there a possibilty that Lee moves to 1st permanently, and Wallace learns 2nd or we use him at 3rd if Johnson isnt the real deal. I mean for all we know Wallace isnt either. BUT we do know Lee is an impossible contract to move and he puts up 1B like numbers. Hmmm…
Also, lol at JD saying Lee likes it over there “he gets to talk to people”
by Logan Haire on Aug 29, 2010 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Bud Norris with control problems early
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:40 PM CDT reply actions
Bases loaded on
2 walks and a double
nobody out
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:40 PM CDT reply actions
2 strikeouts are possible
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
He could of dove for it
which begs the question.
Why is Blum playing if he can’t dive for a ball?
by Timothy De Block on Aug 29, 2010 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Dickey singled in two runs
Second game in a row he’s hurt the Astros with his bat
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:44 PM CDT reply actions
SO
Is there a possibilty that Lee moves to 1st permanently, and Wallace learns 2nd or we use him at 3rd if Johnson isnt the real deal. I mean for all we know Wallace isnt either. BUT we do know Lee is an impossible contract to move and he puts up 1B like numbers. Hmmm…
Wallace could maybe play a below average third base, but CJ has that locked down for now. I talked about this a lot with cactusjake in the other thread who was espousing the same idea.
It’s not a good one. Wallace needs a chance to adjust and prove himself as the first baseman. We unfortunately don’t have any better options than Lee available for LF yet.
Then
Why arent they playing wallace at 1st? I agree he needs at bats, he’s learning. Bogu could possibly be the LFer.
by Logan Haire on Aug 29, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess because he has been struggling with breaking stuff and Dickey is a tough knuckleballer. I also have the impression he struggled last time we faced Dickey but I could be wrong.
I think he should have played yesterday.
I like Bogey a lot but I doubt he has enough bat to start in LF. I mean, there is a chance, but I doubt it.
Gotcha
I just read the post about sitting player against knuckleballers. I think Wallace will turn it around, I just hope he is the future at 1st. Hes been unlucky alot thus far.
by Logan Haire on Aug 29, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
all I know is he’s starting every game next year.
In whatever baseball video game I decide to buy.
by Timothy De Block on Aug 29, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
First time this road trip the opposition scored more than 2 runs
4-0
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:47 PM CDT reply actions
You're right
Marlins bested 2 runs twice.
Now I’m bugged. I read somewhere yesterday that the Astros had not given up more than two runs this road trip. Maybe that writer thought the road trip began in Philadephia
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Castro with an angry laser throw to end the inning
But not before Bud gave up four runs on walks, one liner, and soft grounders/bloopers.
Castro throws out the basestealer
I missed the play but Brownie sounded excited
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:48 PM CDT reply actions
Bud didn't learn the lesson from Figgy's start:
Walks hurt you big time.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
Speed infield single on grounder to second
Castro scored
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:55 PM CDT reply actions
I'd think base stealers would salivate to see
a knuckleball pitcher on the mound
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 12:57 PM CDT reply actions
you would think so…but Brownie said at the beginning of the broadcast that Dickey hasn’t been that easy to run on.
Bourn looks to be still trying to figure out his move.
by Timothy De Block on Aug 29, 2010 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Via Twitter
FSHouston
R.A. Dickey is getting the ball to the plate in as low as 1.13 seconds from start of motion to catcher’s glove. Very quick
by Timothy De Block on Aug 29, 2010 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Ed Wade responds to talk about his ex-Phillies love:
“Pure happenstance,” assured Wade.
I find that very hard to believe, especially in light of all the recent talk about how long he knew Myers, watching him grow up, etc…
Danny Heep
I never would have guessed Heep. Iwas thinking right fielder whose name I couldn’t recall, but not Heep
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Castro second hit of the day
Infield hit this time. Ah, regression. Nice when it goes your way instead of biting you in the arse.
Bases loaded 2 outs for Bud Norris
grounded out – oh well
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 1:21 PM CDT reply actions
Wonder if they could be trying to demonstrate Blum is healthy, for a trade. I doubt it, but I suppose it is possible.
That sounds
like the only half decent reason to play Blum today. I can’t find any other possible logic.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
He also had a homer against Dickey last time we faced him, a week or two ago (I forget exactly when the series was against the Mets).
Mills has put as many experienced players in there
as possible I think to counter the knuckleballer.
Hence Michaels and Blum.
You are right. That must be it.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
this reminds me of that series
in the first week of the 2005 season when the Mets swept us at Shea, when bloopers and groundballs kept finding gaps.
good memory, and now that you mention it, I do recall that series. It was unseasonably cold, and half the Astros team subsequently came down with the flu, which probably has something to do with that 16-31 start to the 2005 season.
I only remember it
because Garner ripped up the scouting reports in a post-series press call, and said there was very little he could do against bloop hits.
Cardinals are struggling
They lost 2 of 3 to the Nationals so far this weekend and trail 4-0 early today
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Thole working real hard to frame that knuckler
It’s almost laughable some of the pitches he tries to the frame.
The bad thing about not being able to hit Dickey is that hitting him well is the only way to get him out of there. Pitch count isn’t important for him.
Brewers had him in the minors. I wonder whether he wasn’t doing as well or if the powers that be didn’t like him or what.
I have to think that he has just now found mastery of that knuckleball. He was very inconsistent at the ML level in previous years, as I recall. I think he only recently became a full knuckleball pitcher, throwing it almost 100%. I think he tried to mix the knuckleball with other pitches in previous years.
Ol' Pete, Dickey's numbers weren't bad in Nashville.
3.72 ERA in 179 IP, decent K and BB numbers. His W/L was 13-6 for Nashville.
Mets quick homerun
Thole
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 1:58 PM CDT reply actions
Dickey is killing us on both ends
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
Bud Norris leaves with two outs in the sixth
Runner on first
trailing 5-1
Chacin to pitch
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 2:01 PM CDT reply actions
Even a 2 run lead would seem insurmountable at this moment
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I don’t think he can make this even if he was 100% healthy. That ball required a diving stop and immediate flip to the bag – not exactly Blum’s territory.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Parnell in after a Manzo single
Time to jack one out of the park Pencey.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
ugh...GIDP
He tried for a HR though, swung at all 3 pitches he saw
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Lee singles, Blum doubles
Pence cost us badly with his GIDP
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Astros runners on second and third - 2 outs
Jason Michaels with the chance to make the game interesting
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 2:34 PM CDT reply actions
Astros fail to score
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Mills on Wallace
Astros manager Brad Mills had a long talk Saturday with struggling rookie first baseman Brett Wallace, who was out of the lineup for a second consecutive day Sunday. Wallace is hitting .187 and began Sunday in a 5-for-45 slump.
“He seems to be handling it extremely well and really looking at it from a good angle,” Mills said. “This kid’s got a good head on his shoulders and is really quiet, and observes a lot and listens and pays attention to what’s going. I think he’s going to be OK. Everybody goes through a tough time, and it’s not the first time a young kid is going through issues.”
Wallace on Wallace
“The last few weeks we’ve been working and I’ve felt a lot better, rhythm-wise, and my hands are starting to get back to where they need to be,” Wallace said. “I know I’ll get there. I’m just taking those steps every day, and I think that helps.”
More stuff in McTaggart’s beat notebook.
just turned on the game
shut down by he of the 80 mph fastball again eh?
We had some good chances
Had runners on 2nd and 3rd in the 8th. Also loaded the bases in the 6th or something.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions
AhnHel Pinch single
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 2:55 PM CDT reply actions
Astros LOST 5-1
A Blah game
Astros lost 2 of 3 series on the road trip but went 6-4 overall.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 2:56 PM CDT reply actions
I'm sure this has been brought up before, but...
What is Mills’ thinking behind trying Lee at 1B? Is he testing Brett Wallace? Trying to shake his confidence a bit?
I take it at face value
Mills is thinking of playing Lee more at first next season – not sure how or when – maybe on road trips in big parks; maybe if Wallace needs a season in AAA. Maybe to give ideas to other teams for an off season trade.
I don’t think he does it as slam on Wallace. See OremLK’s post above where MIlls says he likes Wallace’s attitude.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Heh
Turned Gameday to the Cards game. First pitch of the 9th seems to have went behind the back of the batter and now there is a delay on the field.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
Pfft
Feliz homered to cut the deficit to 2 runs.
He thought the wind generated by his bat would carry the ball out of the park. --Braves fan comments on Ryan Howard's 0-7, 5K night vs HOU
by RocketsAstros on Aug 29, 2010 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Pedro Feliz went 2 for 4 today
I haven’t kept up with Pedro Feliz’s stats overall with St Louis;
but he got 2 hits each of his first three games with St Louis; and I presume his fielding has been acceptable. Overall a nice pick -up for the Cardinals.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 29, 2010 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Interesting note about Reds' pitching prospect, Chapman.
He hit 105 on the radar gun today. Confirmed by two different scouts’ guns as well a stadium radar gun. His fastball sat at 103 today. Reported at Yahoo.
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Current Series
Astros lead the series 1-0
| Fri 05/25 |
WP: Lucas Harrell (4 - 3)
SV: Brett Myers LP: Clayton Kershaw (4 - 2) |
3 - 1 win |
|
Houston Astros
Saturday, May 26, 2012, 9:10 PM CDT Bud Norris vs Chad Billingsley Mostly clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 65. |
||
| Sun 05/27 | 3:10 PM CDT | |
NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
25 | 20 | .555 | 0 | Lost 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 21 | .543 | 0.5 | Lost 2 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 23 | .488 | 3 | Won 4 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
21 | 24 | .466 | 4 | Won 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 26 | .422 | 6 | Won 2 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 30 | .333 | 10 | Lost 10 |
(updated 5.26.2012 at 6:14 PM CDT)
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