Astros lose in dramatic fashion 2-3.
by Timothy De Block on Sep 28, 2010 9:42 PM CDT
in Houston Astros News
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PrintI had high hopes for this series. Being able to set back the Reds even for one game, would of been bittersweet. It was not to be as Jay Bruce, the first batter of the 9th inning, hit the first pitch he saw from Tim Byrdak to centerfield for a walk-off homerun. Lifting the Cincinnati Reds to their first Division title since 1995. To put it into perspective Bruce was 8 when the Red's last went to the playoffs.
The game itself had a playoff atmosphere to it, which is why I had high hopes for the series. Instead of making the Red's sweat for another game we'll like see some of the regulars getting the day off tomorrow and Thursday. The Astros then play the Cubs for the final three games of the season this weekend.
Wandy Struggled early allowing his first run in the first inning. The Astros offense though responded quickly in the top of the second inning scoring two runs off Edinson Volquez, using small ball. Singles by Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace set up a bunt attempt by Angel Sanchez, who got Johnson thrown at third. Jason Castro then drove in Wallace with a hit to left field. Then with Sanchez on third, and Wandy at the plate preparing to sacrifice bunt, a squeeze play was executed beautifully scoring Sanchez and moving the Astros into the lead.
Both pitchers after their early innings struggles settled in, posting identical pitching lines. Rodriguez got into a bit of trouble in the bottom of the sixth inning, but worked his way out of the inning allowing only one run. Wandy finished with 6IP 4H 2ER 4BB 8SO. Volquez as I mentioned had a similar line 6IP 7H 2ER 1BB 8SO.
It then turned over to the bullpens in the 7th inning, a huge test for a bullpen who has been struggling lately. Wilton Lopez, Fernando Abad, and Matt Lindstrom all passed the test, Byrdak did not absorbing the loss.
With five games left, I'm sure all of us are ready to put this season in the books for good. Their are still things to look for as the season comes to a close, but this series has suddenly become less meaningful. And the playoff atmosphere, at least for Astro fans, has gone into hibernation for the winter. For some it will return Opening Day for others it may be even longer, but it will return eventually.
Congratulations to the Red's and all their fans, it's been a long time coming.
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Dusty Baker takes a lot of flack from the saber and blogger communities. But, as I watched a happy Dusty Baker, doused in champagne last night, I have to face this question: Is it possible that Dusty Baker actually is a good manager? He is the first manager to guide the Reds to a division title in a long time. He had similar success with the Giants. Most of the criticism of Baker is associated with his time in Cubbieland—-and, arguably, that is a difficult, maybe impossible, place to manage.
Clogging up the base paths
Is what put him in the cross hairs of advanced statistic community.
He’s been to the WS before, but that was with Barry Bonds who posted an absolutely ridiculous OPS+ of 268.
by Timothy De Block on Sep 29, 2010 7:25 AM CDT up reply actions
yes, the Giants had an uber-hitter in Bonds, but they also had sub-par hitters like Pedro Feliz. My general impression of Baker during the time period he was managing the Giants is that he seemed to be pretty good at managing the clubhouse aspects of the job. I regarded him as similar to Larry Dierker, in terms of keeping their talented teams on an even keel. Baker was criticized (probably rightfully) with the Cubs for his abuse of pitchers. Baker said a lot of stupid stuff (from base clogging to day games) during his Chicago tenure, which hurt his public image. Although we knew the Reds were a young, talented team, going into this season, that is something we have been saying for several years without the team showing the results when the season started. I’m just saying, maybe Baker deserves some credit for keeping this Reds team on the path to the division championship. For much of the year, most people expected the Reds to succomb to the more experienced Cardinals. The Reds had every opportunity to fold after they lost that fight-marred series to the Cardinals. It’s possible that the strategic stuff which puts Baker at odds with sabermetrics bloggers is relatively minor in the big scheme of things.
If you divide Barry Bonds by two that’s still two players hitting with a 134 OPS+. He also went absolutely nuts in the playoffs. Behind him Jeff Kent was the next best hitter with a 147 OPS+ after that the hitting falls of significantly. The pitching wasn’t anything special with Livan Hernandez, Russ Ortiz, and Jason Schmidt in the rotation. If you change out Dusty Baker that team still has a good chance to make the playoffs. If you take off Barry Bonds that team does not have as good a chance for the playoffs, let alone the world series.
I don’t think he hurts his team chances, but I also don’t think he helps them. He’ll essentially do what you’re supposed to do with the talent on the team.
by Timothy De Block on Sep 29, 2010 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Good to see someone break the Cubs-Cardinals stranglehold
Clogging up the basepaths, I used to love FJM taking the mickey out of that one.
Dusty, well, I was surprised he was hired to a team with a lot of young arms (and to be fair he overused Edison Volquez in his first full season, which immediately led to injury problems).
They have team options on Harang and Arroyo, but the foursome of Cueto, Volquez, Wood and Bailey should see them sitting pretty for a while. And take into account the Reds lead the league in most offensive categories, I think you can expect them to be there or thereabouts in the NL Central for years to come.
Pirates have clinched No. 1 draft choice over Mariners...
But, after watching the Rangers and Mariners play a day game today (Wed.), it’s hard not to believe that the Mariners must be the worst team in baseball. Mariners came into 9th inning, leading 5-2. They brought in a young pitcher who had absolutely no idea where his 97 mph fastball would go. He walked the bases loaded. Then he walked in a run, 5-3. Then he allowed a single to shallow CF. 5-4. Then he threw a wild pitch which scored the tying run. In the bottom of the 9th, the same pitcher was sent out. He got 1 out because Jeff Francouer swung at ever pitch regardless of location. Next he walked another batter. Then Nelson Cruz was the batter. On 3-2, Cruz swung and missed at a wild pitch, which the catcher picked up to throw to first base and complete the strike out—-but he threw the ball away. The ball went all the way to Ichiro in RF, and the runner on first base ran all the way home, ahead of the throw by Ichiro. So, the Rangers ended up with a walk off wild pitch strike out. Unbelievable.
I thought the Mariners were the sixth best organization in baseball.
by Timothy De Block on Sep 29, 2010 4:27 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I enjoyed going back and reading Cameron’s post on the Astros back in March. The comments are especially revealing.
I enjoyed this particularly “and the GM is not exactly a shrewd market analyst or adept at finding bargains on a budget.”
He shouldn’t either especially after a weak mid-season attempt to explain his reasoning and failing miserably.
by Timothy De Block on Sep 29, 2010 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions
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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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