Downs' Dramatic Bomb Lifts Astros To 5-3 Win
by Will Bonn on Jun 22, 2011 10:14 PM CDT
in Houston Astros News
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PrintI actually had a good feeling about tonight, thinking that Colby Lewis was the opposing pitcher that we needed to get the offense back on track. He had a 4.62 ERA prior to this game, and he had also allowed 19 home runs this year (1st in the AL). Surely we could get something going and salvage a game in this rough series, right?
Well, I was wrong for eight innings. Lewis threw six scoreless innings, and the offense continued to look lost at the plate until Neftali Feliz came to the mound. Trailing 3-1 in the ninth, the offense exploded with four runs against the Rangers closer. Matt Downs ended the longball drought in dramatic fashion with a pinch-hit tiebreaking two-run shot to give the Astros a 5-3 lead, and Mark Melancon closed the door in the bottom half of the inning.
Brett Myers followed up his complete game with a nice pitching performance, and it's too bad he couldn't get a win tonight. He pitched six strong innings, allowing just two earned runs (one came on a wild pitch). Myers' recent success could go a long way in determining his trade value at the deadline, and he could net the Astros a nice prospect if he keeps this up.
This game was eerily similar to the comeback win at Wrigley several weeks ago. We couldn't get anything going for eight innings, but a big ninth inning against a top-flight closer prevailed the Astros to exciting wins. Unfortunately it doesn't get any easier with the Rays coming to Houston on Friday night, but hopefully Pence should be back in the lineup for the weekend series.
I think it could be time for Downs to take over the starting job at third, anyone else agree?
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Just totally trolled the Rangers blog who was talking so much smack about the Astros
Might be getting banned there…
by Patrick Harrel on Jun 22, 2011 10:33 PM CDT reply actions
What shit could you possibly give them. “Way to lose to the worst team in baseball! Enjoy the playoffs, losers!”
by MadMartygan on Jun 22, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Ha, Ha, ha yeah they have a great owner Nolan Ryan, there lineup is ridiculous with speed and power there bullpen is very good. There farm system is in way better shape then ours they just need a couple of starting pitchers. If i was a starting pitcher in baseball I would have no problem playing in Arlington
I doubt that would be my destination, if I was a starting pitcher. Those dog days seam to chew those guys up.
by MadMartygan on Jun 22, 2011 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I made a pretty innocent joke I thought
And even made some self-deprecating comments, and they’re all up in arms all of a sudden. They do have a point that their games actually mean something, but I thought they could take a joke, you know, being a legitimate baseball team and all.
by Patrick Harrel on Jun 22, 2011 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
They're making fun of my username
Very welcoming fans they have. I’m glad we Astros Fans aren’t as indecent as they are.
Fire Brad Mills
That's why I just stay on my respective teams' blogs.
Most opposing teams’ fans are not very welcoming.
E-5-1-50
Whatever
Just glad TCB is somewhat civil… even if we aren’t as strong in numbers as LSB. Well, I got work super early tomorrow so adios to all.
by Patrick Harrel on Jun 22, 2011 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Survival of the respectful?
Usually respectful fans respect the team in their home city. Douche fans don’t respect the team in their home city & go wherever the winning team goes.
-Just an assumption. But I haven’t seen this with the Yankees SBN forum. Maybe it’s just the rangers. Is that where the rednecks live? And, my first Rangers game years ago (and my only so far), a drunk fan behind me threw their camera at my head.
I love you all guys (in a non-homo kind of way). Y’all are great. When we make it to the world series, we’re going to kick the Rangers’ asses.
Fire Brad Mills
Thanks for backing me up there
But I don’t think it’s worth your time.
by Patrick Harrel on Jun 22, 2011 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions
And I am banned from Lone Star Ball
Reason: He was trolling. So now are you. Bye.
Definition of Troll: a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response2 or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
Don’t think I was trolling. Don’t think it was fair. If he was so radical to think that I was trolling, then he should have banned at least 50 other people for trolling as well. But because I was an Astros fan, he banned me.
That to me, is the definition of a close minded man who abuses his power. Oh well, never liked the Rangers anyway.
Fire Brad Mills
Don't worry about it
I may have misjudged how they would react and perhaps I’m partly to blame, but you didn’t say a single thing that was inflammatory. Considering the Ranger fans were telling me to off myself, it’s pretty clear that the banning/warning procedure is a little broken over there.
by Patrick Harrel on Jun 22, 2011 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I looked in on their game threads a few times during the series. Not one of opposing team game threads I liked visiting. They definitely are not gracious in either winning or losing. I thought about copying some of the comments for amusement, but I would have had to cut out too many F-bombs.
by clack on Jun 23, 2011 7:02 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I disagree with starting Downs.
CJ is starting to come around with the bat. Downs does deserve more at-bats, but he should get them by spelling the starters at 2B, 3B, and SS (3 starts per week sounds about right for him). I just don’t think he’ll have the same kind of success in a starting role.
E-5-1-50
dealing with tiny sample sizes
but Down’s UZR is good at second base, not so good at third base.
Downs numbers, as David posted last week, are ridiculously better than everyone else on the team. 13% BB rate, 5 home runs, joint third on the team, .964 OPS.
Something has to be done about Barmes offense
I would take Adam Everitt offensively over Barmes at this point. Barmes needs to be put in 8 hole indefinately and yes Downs and Sanchez should be getting one start at SS a week.
Nice comeback win Astros...
Sure hope Pence is back for this weekend’s home series against these same Rangers!
Biggio and Bagwell for the HOF!
It was time.
Is Nevarez the last piece remaining from the Pudge trade?
Perconte pitched in the Rangers organization earlier this year.
Fire Brad Mills
I don’t even know if there was another piece. I’ll look it up. Thanks for the heads up on Perconte.
by MadMartygan on Jun 22, 2011 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions
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Current Series
3 game series vs Dodgers @ Dodger Stadium
| Fri 05/25 |
WP: Lucas Harrell (4 - 3)
SV: Brett Myers LP: Clayton Kershaw (4 - 2) |
3 - 1 win |
| Sat 05/26 |
WP: Kenley Jansen (4 - 0)
LP: Wesley Wright (0 - 1) |
3 - 6 loss |
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Houston Astros
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 3:10 PM CDT Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75. |
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
26 | 20 | .565 | 0 | Won 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 22 | .531 | 1.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Lost 1 |
|
Pittsburgh
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22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Won 2 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 27 | .413 | 7 | Lost 1 |
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Chicago
|
15 | 31 | .326 | 11 | Lost 11 |
(updated 5.27.2012 at 1:03 AM CDT)
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