Matchup at Pirates 6:05 CDT

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 3:38 PM CDT in News Comment 151 comments


Matt Albers	Zach Duke
0 - 0, 3.00	1 - 2, 9.00

Another freaking lefty, yikes. And one that's gone 7 while giving up two against us already this year.

The Astros are now 1 - 5 when a lefty starts, and they are reaching base^* against starters throwing from the south at a positively anemic .319 clip.

But if the Astros have had a problem with lefty starters, the problem doesn't seem to extend to their reliever brethren, as the Astros are fourth in the league in batting average against lefties in general at 2.75.

So they must be pounding southpaw relievers.

And if so, if they're getting it right in the 7th, 8th, and 9th, you'd think they'd get it right eventually in the earlier innings.

Tonight may be that eventually, as Duke--who worked around a bunch of baserunners on Opening Day in his no-decision--has been terrible in his last three starts, and before his Opening Day 2007 effort, Duke had been 0 - 3, 5.56 against the Astros.

I have no idea what effect Garner's intentionally publicized talking down might have on his team's play tonight. But my guess is that he made sure The Chronicle had a big story about it so that us fans could be sure that he's In Control and Has The Situation Covered.

Truth is, it's been a very taxing road trip, and after beginning it well, the team has looked tired the last few nights.

Phil can scream all he wants, but what the team needs most is a second wind. That, or an offday.

And you know what else? If I were to make any one change tonight in an effort to shake the team up, I think the move I'd make would be to give Lance Berkman the night off.

_______________
^*Figured as (H + BB + HBP)/BF. Not OBP, but close.

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OT--Nice game for Willy

Had five singles(2 on bunts) and scored two runs. And his new average is .259, which would about tie him for second highest on our team. I'm still a fan of the trade, but it seemed worth noting.

by MG(vers. 2) on Apr 25, 2007 4:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lineups

Biggio, 2B
Burke, CF
Berkman, 1B
Lee, LF
Ensberg, 3B
Lane, RF
Everett, SS
Ausmus, C
Albers, P

Pirates

Duffy, CF
Wilson, SS
Bautista, 3B
Bay, LF
LaRoche, 1B
Paulino, C
Eldred, RF
Castillo, 2B
Duke, P

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Top First

Biggio pops to Bautista on the first pitch.

And here I was hoping that if they beat us tonight, we could at least make them take more than two hours to do so.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Burke

fouls a few off, has a decent AB and walks.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Berkman

smokes one down the first base line.

It hit LaRoche's glove, so was fair before it even hit the ground.

See? I told yopu we had to bench Berkman . . . .

Burke into third, Berkman held to a single.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lee

flie medium deep to Duffy, Burke scampers home, Berkman stays where he is, as the throw is into second.

1 - 0 Astros, our first lead since. . . the first inning in Philly, I think.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ensberg

lined hard to Bautista who goes up in the air to snag it.

Really well hit, but an out.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom First

Duffy, 1 - 2 curveball is popped harmlessly to Everett.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wilson

Pirates broadcast shows an interview with Wilson where they ask him about Everett.

Says something like, he hits a little, but if you hit it his way, you pretty much know it's an out.

Wilson flies softly to Lane

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bautista

little ground ball up the middle, Adam charges, fields on the infield on the right side of second base, throws Bautista out by five steps.

Showoff . . .

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Two

Pirates announcers inform us that Maholm's performacne last night was the first complete game of his career, in the majors or in the minors.

Lane grounds it to Wilson who fields it cleanly but throws--sidearm as he often does-- but wild up the line, and Lane is safe. LaRoche was able to catch the ball fine, so Jason keeps running up the line.

Wilson's first error of the year.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Everett

grounds into a textbook double play, Wilson Castillo LaRoche.

Wilson fielded the ball about fifteen feet from Castillo.

Too easy.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ausmus

grounded somewhat sharply to third, Bautista makes a low throw that LaRoche has to dig out.

but he does, and a promising inning dies a swifter death than warranted.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Two

Bay grounds sharply to Ensberg

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LaRoche

If you think our first baseman is having problems, look at the Pirates'

LaRoche at .098.

But he walks here, first baserunner for Pittsburgh

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Paulino

Paulino chases a breaking ball away at 2 - 2, and that will send you back to the dugout.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eldred

hits a bouncer that Ensberg fields behind the bag. He makes a strong throw across the diamond, but the ball is called foul.

A couple pitches later, a little dribbler is fielded by Morgan 60 or 65 feet from the plate, and he throws across his body and it's a little wild, but Berkman stretches and Eldred is called out.

Crowd kind of disagrees.

Albers strong through 2, in control, unlike the beginning of his last start.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Three

Albers 0 for six lifetime coming in, but there you go, a little 1- 2 bloop that drops in into left center.

Pitch had no reason to be anywhere near as hittable as it was.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Biggio

goes 3- 1 then 3 - 2, and he gets on top of a two seamer and pulls it through the left side.

Biggio marches on.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Burke

had walked, I'll take another.

Burke goes 0 - 2 works it back to 2- 2 then pops up to shallow center, runners hold.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Berkman

flies out to center, Duffy deeper than he'd been when fielding the Burke ball, but still Albers cannot move.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lee

lines it off Castillo's glove into right field.

Ablers appears to be running hard, but they do end up holding him.

Bases juiced for Moberg.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moberg

looks at a strike then stares at at something that drops at his feet.

3 salamis for Mo.

Tried to check his swing, first base ump, says strike.

Barely low and barely away, only a refined eye would take that pitch confidently.

Bounced to third and the bases are left loaded, ouch.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Three

Letting Zach Dukes off the hook, it is becoming a habit in 2007.

Castillo grounds it right at Biggio, easy play

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 6:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Duke

strikes out swinging, and Duffy grounds to Biggio.

You go, Matt.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Fourth

Lane bounces out to third.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Everett

Trivia question for the Pirtes guys is who holds the Astros' record for triples.

They guess Cedeño. Enos Cabell's name gets knocked around, and Biggio's too.

Everett is out somehow, wish I knew how.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ausmus

little flair that lands in front of Castillo, bounces int o his glove, and then gets thrown into LaRoche's waiting glove.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Four

Happy Jack is 0 -2 before looking at 58 foot curveball, outside.

grounded softly between the mound and Biggio. Berkman leaves the bag to field. Albers in a race with Wilson . . . and Wilson wins. Albers fields the throw from Lance, but never actually tags the bag.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bautista

doubles down the right field line, Wilson probably could have scored, but you certainly understand the move to hold him.

Second and third, no out.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bay

in the money spot, he grounds to Biggio, Wilson scores, Bautista to third.

Asumus wanted inside, Albers threw outside.

1 - 1 Pirates, man on third, one out.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LaRoche

flies to shallow center. If Burke was established at all in center, they wouldn't have even run.

But they do, and Burke's throw is reasonably accurate--and somehow late.

Tsk tsk. This wasn't thrown from Willy T territory, it was shallow, and still, no play.

2 - 1 Pirates.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Paulino

grounds out to end the disappointing inning.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Five

Albers grounds to LaRoche unassisted.

The Everett out I couldn't figure last inning?

Popped to first.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Biggio

Dying fly that Eldred came in on and it gets past him, and rolls a long, long way to the wall, Biggio runs and runs and eventually he has a standup triple.

Career hit number 2950 and career triple number 53.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Burke

misses the first pitch, the one he should have flied to right.

then he bounces back to Duke, ARRRGHHHHHHHHHH, and then Duke throws to third, where ARGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH Biggio is caught off the bag.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Burke into first on the terrible, terrible, terrible fielder's choice

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Berkman

is batting when Chris takes off, and he (Burke) is dead to rights.

That's his first caught stealing of the year after five successful attempts, but no matter: I don't like Chris Burke very much right now.

I'm tired of seeing him in the two hole, I'm tired of seeing him in center, truth be told.

How did they even manage this? the number one hitter triple with one out, and the inning is over without scoring a run before the number three guy even gets his hacks.

My goodness.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom five

Eldred homers to very deep left center.

3 - 1 Pirates.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Castillo

hard chop to Albers who throws on.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duke

soft bouncer to Morgan, who soft tosses over to Lance, who gloves it for the out softly, then tosses it back out softly.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duffy

worm burner back up the middle, Albers looking a little spastic trying to stay clear, Adam out of position, therefore a single.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wilson

Albers throws another 58 foot curveball outside, Ausmus appears crossed up, it gets past him, and Duffy is into second, sparing him the effort of trying to steal

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bautista

flies to center, shaded left, and Burke is there.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Six

Berkman a fresh count after watching the debacle with Burke.

And HE promptly chops it back to Duke.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lee

flies to Eldred.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ensberg

strikes out, the first strikeout of the season in 13 IP for Duke while facing Houston

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Six

On a 2- 2 count Bautista flies to Burke three or four steps from the track

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bay

grounded a couple steps behind and to the left of the second base bag, and Everett makes the <irony>routine play</irony&gt.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LaRoche

grounds to Berkman well off the bag, and Albers is a little late getting over, but he does so in time.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Seven

I made a bunch of noise last week about how Albers pitched worse than his results last week, but tonight is the absolute flipside.

Matt has pitched better than his results tonight. He has been in control throughout.

Except for a short two batter interval in the fourth, he's never wavered.

Lane flies to deep center, but Duffy is there

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Everett

grounds to Wilson.

5-6-7-8 in the order is 0 for 11 tonight.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ausmus

swinging bunt between third and the mound.

Duke takes it turns and fires, maybe he should have let the third baseman-=-with momentum in the direction of the first base bag--take it.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lamb

hits for Albers, and we have had quality starts in three of our last four games.

Hasn't done us much good

Lamb a sinking liner moving away from Bay in left, but he is able to catch up with it, just barely.

Albers will remain winless for his major league career, but this was his best career start.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just read your play-by-play Rastro....

Ouch is right concerning a leadoff triple by Biggio and the Astros get no runs. The team is finding new ways to lose!

Of course Duke gets hammered in his previous 3 starts but is now holding the Stros to 5 hits and 1 run! Figures...

Come on Stros!

SeoulStro

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Apr 25, 2007 7:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The offense

is depressing. Before the season, if you'd told me that we'd be getting a quality start about 3 out of 5 times, and that the non-Lidge division of the bullpen would be pitching well, I would have thought that we'd be in total control of the division, and possibly the league. Instead we're struggling to stay above .500, thanks mostly to the bats.

by MG(vers. 2) on Apr 25, 2007 7:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Seven

Lidge in to pitch.

Paulino will start off. 94 mph fastball fouled off to the right. Brad goes 1 - 2 then it is popped to Bidge.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Eldred

had homered off Albers, he goes 1 - 2.

Slider misses well down, well away.

Slider down (two Ausmus fingers down as the Pirates cameraman shows us) is swung at but gets past Ausmus.

but CatcherBrad is alert, finding the ball quickly and he makes the throw to Berkman to complete the strikeout.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Castillo

and I thought Lidge might finally have the 1-2-3 inning that has eluded him all year, but no,Castillo singles up the middle.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

McLouth

pinch-hitting for Duke, and at least we will force the Bucs to use their bullpen tonight :-/

Lidge throws over to hold Castillo, then throws two out of the zone.

2 - 0 pitch is lined hard--right at Adam.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Eight

Let's Get Some Runs!

Pirates haven't beat the Astros five straight since Bagwell's rookie year--when the Astros finished with 97 losses

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Biggio

had 3-hit game April 4th vs. the Pirates at home.

But won;t have on tonight as he is called out looking.

Biggio looking. . .weary . . . with the call.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Palmeiro

pinch-hitting for Burke here, and I say we should see more of this. Not necessarily the "Palmeiro" part, but the "pinch-hitting for Burke" part.

OP walks, and the tying run comes to the plate in the form of our hypothetically best hitter.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

B erkman

bating lefty, yay.

He comes through, a single to right.

Have I mentioned that McLouth stayed in the game after batting for Duke and is playing right?

Or that Matt Capps is pitching?

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lee

ith runners on first and second takes a strike away.

Under it, but fouled back out of play, thankfully.

Yesterday's game was over 24 hours ago exactly . . .NOW.

Driven to center, but Duffy is there.

OP and LB are stones, not moving at all.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ensberg

can be Hero, it's not too late.

Low and away looked at, I love Morgan's eye, it's why I forgive him his faults.

Looks at one away that gets called now.

Grounds to Wilson, he looked Game Herodom in the face, and decided, nah . . . .

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This game &

the Astros play recently is downright disgusting.

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Apr 25, 2007 8:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping

it's the effects of the early road trip. 6 cities in 9 days must be hard.

I just hope they turn it around by Friday--I'm heading to Houston to seemy first game of the year.

by MG(vers. 2) on Apr 25, 2007 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Eight

Cripes, game's almost over.

Once again, we're losing but we're not getting blown out.

Maybe that's somehow a positive, like how they say the really good teams don't win the close ones, they win the blowouts?

If that logic were to hold, the really bad teams would lose the blowouts.

And we therefore would not apply.

Qualls in to pitch, and to Chris Duffy, a good little centerfielder who appears to be everything we hoped Chris Burke would be.

Count goes full. Real good at bat from Duffy, who hangs in until manages to place a ball that tailed over the plate into short right.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wilson

Duffy is running on the pitch, and we pitch out, it was like ESP.

Duffy is dead to rights.

Wilson grounds to the right side, I think it was Moberg.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bautista

way behind a fastball to go 1 - 1 then looks at something low and inside.

Something down and over the plate is grounded to Biggio.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Nine

Solomon Torres--who I seem to recall our having some measure of difficulty with--in to try and close the Pirates' fifth win over Houston this season.

Lane has done nothing in Pittsburgh, need to straight-shoot about that.

Curveball is bounced up the middle--and dropped by Castillo. Lane reaches.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Everett

grounds to Wilson deep in the hole, but he is able to grab it, and flip it to Castillo.

But Catillo then gets all happy about the DP and he throws it in the dugout.

Adam into second.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Luke

batting for Ausmus and can't catch up to the first fastball.

Then he singles and Adam scores.

3 - 2 Pirates.

OK, if we were going to bother scoring at all, then let's just agree we need to tie it up.

None of this falling short crap. For that we should've just gone 1-2-3.

Which is what I expecrted anyway.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Loretta

singles to deep short, might have been fielded by Bautista if he hadn't been guarding the line.

Luke into second.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Biggio

Goes 1 - 1. He's 5 for 23 off Torres.

Lays off low, good Craig, good Craig.

Fouls it back, pitch had been down the pipe.

2 - 2. Gotta say, a changeup would probably devastate Bidge here.

But no, another well-placed ground ball. Biggio DOS have his three-hit game, and we DO tie it.

3 - 3.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh

and 2951.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Palmeiro

up as Tracy pulls Torres, surprise.

going to Grabow.

I think we're starting to see that it's OK to pull your closer more and more.

Certainly we've seen it with the Astros, but waht I mean is leaguewide. I mean Torre won't pull Rivera in a Huge Media place like New York, but it used to be you'd never pull your closer, not unless you were demoting him.

I think that's not so much the case anymore.

Anyway, Grabow is a lefty, and OP is of course the righty-killer and then you get to turn Berkman around so maybe it all makes sense.

the only thing that's different is it's the ninth.

OP 0 for 3 lifetime against Grabow. Quickly 0 - 2 but then Grabow tries to finish Orlando off with something sweeping on the corner, and fails to get it over three times running. 3 - 2 pitch is bounced off the dugout railing on the third base side, I do believe Bautista could have had it.

But OP flies to left on the next pitch.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Berkman

Turned around again, shit.

maybe he busts out anyway.

Popped up a silo to the right side.

Game remains tied.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Way to go...

Bout time the offense woke up! Now let's take the lead!

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Apr 25, 2007 8:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Nine

Now Garner has to figure out how to make all his poinch-hitters fit defensively.

Q catching, Luke in right, Lane moves to center.

Bay fouls it into the stands behind first base, but the thing is Berkman makes the catch anyway. His glove was four feet into the stands, high above any Piratefan mischiefmakers.

Great play.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LaRoche

well hit to right, but Luke only has to take a step.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Paulino

lined to left, and Carlos Lee of all people flashes the leather, diving catch.

by the way, Wheeler has been pitching, and with the heart of the order up, can't say I disagree.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Ten

Carlos Lee validates the old "guy who makes the great defensive play to finish one inning will lead off the next" theory.

Jonah Bayliss strikes him out chasing some shit.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ensberg

I guess has had the most chances to blow things open for the Stros this night.

Will he ever come through?

Popped up to Duffy in short center. His swing kinda fooled me because he had the full extension, I expected to see it go farther than it did.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lane

was given credit for a single in the ninth.

Goes 2 - 0 here. Green light fouled back.

Marte up in the Pirates bullpen.

3 - 1 fastball is swung through.

Flyball drops in, short right center, and as soon as I call Jason Lane out for nonproduction, he starts a hit streak.

A single.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everett

Home run number two, right here.

And if not, then right there.

He does get ahead 2 - 1.

Lined to left in front of Bay, Lane into second, Everett a single.

Goodbye Bayliss, hello Marte.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Luke

Lefty-lefty matchup, what is Luke hitting against lefties this year?

3 hits in 6 atbats with a homer.

Small sample size, but you gotta like the numbers anyway.

Marte wild goes to 3 - 1, then throws it high and Luke inexplicably swings.

He misses.

And then he misses again.

Inning over.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Ten

Don Kelly batting for Marte, and the lefty/lefty matchup looked good, but using Marte for only one batter before burning him won't if we go any deeper into this game.

Wheeler still throwing, and he goes 3 - 0.

Takes, and it becomes 3 - 1, then swings at a middle in fastball and fouls it back.

Strike on the inside corner. Kelly not Barry Bonds or anything, but nice comeback from Wheeler there.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Castillo

pops to Loretta just adrift off second base.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or Should That Be

"adrift just off second base?"

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

McLouth

2 - 1 pitch is swung through very vigorously.

Just missed inside, full count.

Flied to Lane who runs in, catches it, then starts walking.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Eleven

Shawn Chacon in to pitch for the Bucs.

Loretta grounds to Wilson.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Q

1 - 0 curveball is swung at anbd the count is even

After a foul, the 1 - 2 is off the plate away.

Singles into right, nice AB from Humberto.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sampson

hits for Wheeler, no doubt based on his minor league experience as a hitter, and he is able to sac Q up.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Berkman

is intentionally walked

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Morgan

lines out to left on a 2 - 2 pitch, and on a sheer opportunities wasted basis, you gotta say Morgan takes the fucking cake.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Eleven

Borkowski in to pitch and he gets Duffy Wilson and Bautista 1-2-3,
Duffy popped out to Adam,
flied out to right, and Bautista popped lazily out to Loretta.

That's the Super Dave we know and love.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Top Twelve

Lane hits it well, but it is caught by Bay in deep left.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Everett

has a good AB and walks.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Luke

FCs, Adam out at second.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Loretta

pops out to Castillo

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Twelve

Borkowski still in

Bay flied out to deep right but Luke is there.

LaRoche's bat exploded, but he is thrown out by Adam.

Paulino is out somehow, and Borkowski is 6 up 6 down.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Top Thirteen

Chacon still in.

Q grounds out to Wilson, and so does Borks.

Berkman strikes out, couldn't check his swing in time, he hurls the bat in disgust.

My feelings exactly.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Thirteen

'Ski some more.

And Chacon is hitting for himself.

Astros have left 15 on tonight, Pirates have left 3.

Chacon a tapper that Borkowski takes by himself.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Castillo

single up the middle, first Pirates hit since the eighth.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

McLouth

Garner inexplicably pays a visit to remove Borkowski, and since I make it a habit to question Garner's bullpen management, I'll do so here.

You've gotten the game--and the Pirates have as well--to a guy who can pitch 4 or 5 if need be, and you want to remove him for a lefthanded one out guy?

OK, Miller's a little bit more than a LOOGY but still.

I understand that Duffy and McLouth are lefthanders, but if Miller gets 'em THEN what you gonna do?

After a throw over, Miller gets his first roundhouse curve over. That's what he does to lefties, no doubts about that. Same thing but swung through makes it 0 - 2.

Miller throws over some more, crowd beefs but Miller has to. Bucfans'll just have to live with it.

Dropped dpwm, mistake at the belt, foul tip held by Q. Bad pitch gets good result.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duffy

starts off 2 - 0 and I'm not too confident in Miller behind in the count.

Now it's 3 - 0, cripes.

Four pitch walk.

Miller's gone, and I think Borkowski could hve gotten Trever's results.

You have no business using three pitchers in the 13th inning of any game, any time, not unless you're at home and have the lead.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wilson

Brian Moehler in to pitch to Wilson

Moehler's been good in limited work, give him that.

First pitch is in the dirt, gets away from Q for a bit, but he finds it and runners hold.

Down in the zone makes it 2 - 0.

There's a strike, at the knees away, nice pitch.

Grounded to Adam, who sees the play in front of him and throws to Morgan for the force at third.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top Fourteen

will have to take care of itself, as I have things I need to get done so I can be asleep by midnight and awake at 6:30 AM

If no-one's around then no-one'll miss me, and if they are, maybe they'll take over. . . .

Goodnight any and/or all, and Go Astros!

This'd STILL be a nice win, he said, as Carlos Lee hits a double to rightt, Oh! is he hurt?

Don't think so, a bruise, g'night!

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 10:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lane in to bat

fly to right :(

Lee still on 2nd

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the fly might have scored lee

if mo didn't groundout to the left side to complete his 0-7, 10 LOB day.

by MG(vers. 2) on Apr 25, 2007 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yah,

maybe mo can get an 8th at bat to extend his hitting streak!

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

nah

his streak ended last night going 0-1

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 25, 2007 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AE.. EVERYONE SHOUT!! AE!!!

bah..... infield popup to end the inning

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if lee leaves the game

my money is on Woody Williams playing first base and Lance going into the outfield.. that would be awesome although Lee being hurt would be dreadful

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bottom 14th

Moehler still pitching, Bautista leading off.

Looks like some people have left the stadium early tonight. Only 20 or so people left. That means approximately 50% of the fans are still there.... Thats pathetic :)

Bautista flies to Scott in right. 1 down

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bay

I can't believe they haven't used Nady yet. He kicked our butts in the first series and he's riding the pine still.. Is he hurt?

Survey says : Nice play by Ensberg, bare hand grab and throws to Lance for the out

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

still retarded

LaRoche flies to center. Nice job Moehler

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

evidently Moehler

heard Rastro talking smack sometime in the past because he actually put a couple innings together there. Still a lil' sad that Borkowski left so early, he's a real innings eater and if this game goes to 16 or more innings thats going to put a huge burden on the pitchers that really shouldn't be pitching tonight...

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top 15th

The night time is the right time. Approximately 11:20 est.

Mason (or Wason, i can't tell :) )in to pitch for the pirates against LLLUUUUKKKKEEEE....

ground out to 2nd

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Loretta!

bloop into right center for a single.

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q

1 pitch, fly to leftfielder Bay

2 outs Loretta on first

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well if anyone can get a 2 out rally started

It has to be Moehler. I mean he's batting .050! That means he has a hit? Wait... That must be his career.

bah!! K's on one in the dirt and frowns before he realizes that he can jog to first and be safe. Unfortunatly he's thrown out at first to end the inning.. Boy was I wrong

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom 15th

thats great. They are showing clips of the last extra inning game we played against the pirates in which the Pirates won. shakes head and to think they are our color guys!

Paulino in to bat. Grounds to short for out number 1.

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

boy was I wrong on that name

Wasdin (the pitcher who I thought was Mason or Wason :) ) in to bat.

This stupid pitcher is making Moehler throw way too many pitches. He's already fouled off 2 or 3 with a 1-2 count. Grounds to Everett for out number 2!

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Castillo.

If this game goes on much longer Luke is going to have to put his ninja mask back on I think.

Castillo hits its a soft bouncer to Moehler who nicely finishes him off at first for out number 3.

I promise to not say out number ?? anymore.. I promise

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top of the 16th

Wasdin faces Lance. Big Puma looks ready to pounce. He looks hungry. I bet it's been hours since he's eaten...

Swings at ball for to put the count to 3-1. Flies out to right center. Yah thats much better than a walk.

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If this game goes on any longer...

...I'm going to hang myself.

Just look at the number of hits and LOB's for 'stros.

Embarassing.

by pel on Apr 25, 2007 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Swings at ball four"

not "ball for"

Yo soy estupido

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

El Caballo

I got my horse ready, how bout ya'll? Oh yah, you all went to bed thats why I'm doing this.

Lee grounds out to short. Lee ran well to first which is a good sign. OK, OK lets not get crazy! Lee ran normal to first which is a good sign

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ensberg. 0-7 ain't so bad

Walks. Bout time he did something useful!!

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lane up to bat

2 outs w/ Ensberg on 1st.

My mom thinks Lane is the man. I just wish once she was right. C'mon Lane!!!

Yup, he's the man alright. Pop up to Castill right behind first base. He really got ahold of that one.

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom of 16th

McLouth facing Moehler.

3 to 1 for the out at first. Nice play by Berkman tossing to Moehler.

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

18 people in the stands now.

Duffy up to bat.

Singles between Everett and Ensberg. First hit in 8 or so batters

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wilson

Duffy is fast on first, wonder if he's gonna run?
Evidently the stros think so because they are watching him as all 18 fans that are left for the pirates are booing

Awww shit. Duffy steals 2nd, Q throws the ball into center. 1 out, Wilson batting w/ Duffy on 3rd

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you know, one of these days

I'm gonna figure out which frickin post to respond too!!!

Grounder to everett, throws home to get Duffy!!

AE!!!!! NICE PLAY!!!!!

Duffy was out in a run down, so it was somewhat exciting. Too bad you went to sleep :)

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 outs, runner on first

Bautista batting.
I think I just had a heart attack.

Bautista singles to center, Wilson goes 1st to 3rd.

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bay up to bat w/ runners on the corners

This guy scares the crap outta me. He's 0-6 today. And he's still gonna be 0-6 because evidently the Astros are scared of Bay as well beccause they just put him on intentionally to load the bases.

lol

Between balls 3 and 4 Quintero non-chalantly throws to third instead of to the pitcher and damn near caught Wilson sleeping.

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

anyone care who's batting anymore?

LaRoche if your answer was yes.

Game over

Singles off of Everetts glove (no error) to end the game

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Got by that one on the skin of our teeth

A sac could have ended the misery.

I wonder what choice words Garner'll have for this tour de force tonight.

Here's a joke: "Two baseball teams that can't hit for s*** walk into a bar..."

I'll reveal the punchline sixteen posts later.

by pel on Apr 25, 2007 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pirates win

4 - 3 in 16 innings off an Adam LaRoach single w/ bases loaded.

Kudos to Moehler, he pitched fairly well for being underused and not really that good of a pitcher (atleast not consistently)

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 10:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Moehler & Pitching

Well, it -was- his fiftieth relief pitch in one game at the end.

For a minute there earlier, I thought Garner was going to leave Sampson in.

by pel on Apr 25, 2007 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fuck

This loss really really hurt. Of course, it might not have been a loss if Ensberg had managed to drive one of the 10 guys he left on in. Pathetic.

And now we get to hope for a complete game from Wandy. Joy.

by MG(vers. 2) on Apr 25, 2007 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

hah!!!

the post game report guy mentioned only 18 people being in the stands at the end of the game. He must of been reading the blog :)

All in all it's nice to see some of our young pitchers making some good starts. Albers pitched a pretty nice game only giving up 3 runs in 6 innings.

Even better now that Williams is taking cortizone injections as a "precautionary measure". Precautionary means that he isn't fully injured yet. Lets see... Oswalt, Wandy, Sampson, Albers and who else? Wow what an all-star pitching staff thats gonna be.

Good night to all and to all a good night(or something using those same words)

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 11:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I just noticed

the shift the astros put on LaRoche!

Everett was shading way towards 2nd base. If he had been in his normal position it would have been a routine 6 - 1 and the stros would be batting.. Do you really put a infield shift on a guy batting under .100?

Guess it's easy to 2nd guess after the fact, but something so simple to lose a game. Ok really.. G'nite :)

by TimStros on Apr 25, 2007 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Tim!

Nice work.

Astros hitters sure do suck, though.

Sympathy for Ken Johnson

by rastronomicals on Apr 25, 2007 11:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Had to stop following after the ninth...

come back to see we lose in 16. Figures...knew it when it went to extras, Astros lose so many extra inning games, it's not funny anymore!

Like many commenters said tonight ~ "Goat of the Game" honors go to Ensberg...Congratulations!

Pissed and I just read MG's comment above - Wandy tomorrow! Hope I'm wrong but looks like another loss coming!

Prove me wrong Astros!

SeoulStro

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Apr 25, 2007 11:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

White to go on the DL

When it rains, it pours! Just read the ESPN summary of the game and they mentioned Rick White pulled a muscle near his left rib cage and will go on the DL.

Things are looking bleak...

SeoulStro

Bagwell for the Hall of Fame!

by SeoulStro on Apr 26, 2007 12:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Shift on LaRoche....

I didn't notice it. But it is interesting or at least coincidental for me. I had just looked at John Dewan's "Stat of the Week" this morning, which was a statistical look at the best candidates for an infield shift. I remember that I was surprised that Adam LaRoche was among the top 10 candidates in the MLs for an infield shift. The analysis was based upon the percentage of infield grounders which the player pulls. LaRoche was in the 90% range. (Another surprising candidate was Jimmy Rollins.)

by clack on Apr 26, 2007 12:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

thats probably true

but in a normal shift don't you usually put the 3rd baseman closer to where short stop would play as opposed to guarding the line? I just don't think you do it with runners on like that. But i'm sure i'm dumb so it's all good. There was a huge gap between 3rd and short and thats exactly where LaRoche put it.

by TimStros on Apr 26, 2007 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point...I didn't look at the alignment

by clack on Apr 27, 2007 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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