Houston Astros VS Cincinnati Reds : Spring Training Game 14

by Stros Bro on Mar 11, 2008 11:21 AM CDT in News Comment 9 comments

Your Houston Astros send Brandon Backe to the hill today against a split squad version of the Cincinnati Reds and Aaron Harang. Chris Sampson is also scheduled to pitch. Game time is 12:05 PM CST.

Paulino is schedule to meet with Dr. Lintner some time today to see what's going on with his aching right arm.

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Sampson scratched with neck pain

Bourn led off the 4th with a HR that broke up the no-no and one batter later Pence went deep as well. Good news because Harang is fairly hard to take deep when you take into account that he pitches most of his games in Cin and the rest of the NL central ballparks.(little over 1HR/9 last 3 years)

Backe sounds like he is back in form. Got a DP after walking Jr Griffey. I have a real good notion that Backe is going to deliver an ERA right between 3.50-4.00 this year. I really see him giving a solid #3 performance this year.

Pence also hit a 2B off of F Cordero(the $46mil closer).

I still like Jason Hirsh

by Shamus on Mar 11, 2008 1:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

error

make Pence's 2B off Wheathers. They were just talking about Cordero all inning.

I still like Jason Hirsh

by Shamus on Mar 11, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lefties wake up

Randolph finally had a decent outing yesterday, followed by Wright & McLemore for 1 inning each today.

There's a lefty reliever job wide open for the taking if any of those can turn in a few decent performances in a row. If I had to pick one today, it would be to take a flyer on Wright.

Good to see Backe have a great outing. Things are looking up for the rotation.

Things are looking down at 2B. Loretta's got trade value, the Orioles need him, but the Astros may need him now that Matsui's out for awhile. His rumored unreliability is more than a rumor.

Chris Burke is tearing up the Cactus League. Anyone doubt that he's a better deal at $500K than Matsui at $3.5 mil or whatever he's making?

by waiting46yrs on Mar 11, 2008 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

as far as Loretta goes

He is going to end up as the same player as Jose Vizcaino. The question is if it is this year or if he can hang on for a year or two more as a good bench player. He has NO power and he will not be any better in the field this year. It really sucked seeing him at SS last year so I hope the Astros jump at an offer of anything that resembles a young player with upside for Loretta.

I think the chances Burke out OPSs Matsui are about 80%. He won't get too many ABs this year though unless O-Dog is traded or hurt.

I still like Jason Hirsh

by Shamus on Mar 11, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Painful 9th inning...

to listen to...

Astros with 3-0 lead. But DeJean can't find the strike zone after allowing a lead off triple. Game is 3-2 now with no outs.

by clack on Mar 11, 2008 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

DeJean

Bid adieu to DeJean. He's gone.

by waiting46yrs on Mar 11, 2008 2:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Reds score 5 in 9th...

and win 5-4. Astros relievers never got an out in the inning. (My reference to 3-0 in above post was wrong...Astros came in with a 4-0 lead.)

by clack on Mar 11, 2008 2:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

missed most of the game

it's the bottom of the 9th as Ryan Houston gives up a three-run double to unload the bases to end the game 5-4.

Astros blanked 'em for 8 innings, until DeJean, who to date had been faring pretty well in ST, allowed all five hitters he faced to reach base, giving up a leadoff triple to Castro, walking three, then getting chased with a single. Houston didn't help matters, letting the first guy he faced to double to the gap, ending the game.

Backe had a nice outing, going four scoreless, striking out a pair, and stranding a walk and a hit. His GO/AO numbers were 8/2. Very encouraging.

Pence and Bourn homered. Bourn now with 3 of his 10 ST hits for extra bases. He seems to drive the ball much better than Willy T did. He also has 6 walks, so his .370 avg is good for a .485 OBP to go with his .556 SLG. AND he's stolen 5 bases in the 15 times he's been on base (not counting his homer). i think it's safe to say he's having a nice spring.

Not too much else of note... Q with another hit and another RBI. Wright had another scoreless, walkless inning. Not sure how many lefties he faced.

Sucks we lost, but everything up until DeJean strolled to the mound was just peachy.

by littlevisigoth on Mar 11, 2008 2:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

wright

I think it was 2 lhh and a switch. so he faced all situational guys. I think it was actually Dunn, Hatteberg, Valentin so he got in a solid pro inning.

I still like Jason Hirsh

by Shamus on Mar 11, 2008 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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St. Louis Viva El Birdos	91	71	.561	0	Lost 6
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