[Official] Astros @ Braves

[Pocket Rockets]

garbage :mad:

[WhoMikeJames]

Thanks Astros, see ya next year.

[TMac#1]

Thanks Astros, see ya next year.


Yep. No way they'll score 3 off Smoltz. Cards will probably win anyway.

What a play by Sampson.

[MR. MEOWGI]

wow, what a catch.

[WhoMikeJames]

Yep. No way they'll score 3 off Smoltz. Cards will probably win anyway.

What a play by Sampson.

I say things when i get mad :)

[TMac#1]

need to start capitalizing on these base hits. Cmon Luke

[TMac#1]

bases loaded, please deliver a hit!!!

[TMac640]

our clutch hitting is mind-boggling this afternoon :cool:

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[WhoMikeJames]

Can we score a run PLEASE

[Zac D]

Good news: Smoltz's pitch count up to 58 through three innings.

(Bad news, of course, is that simply bringing in Macay McBride takes care of spots 2-5 in our lineup, but hey...)

[TMac#1]

This Braves lineup is stacked, with Smoltz and Hudson, how the hell are they a losing team?

[Pocket Rockets]

anybody surprised sampson still in this game?

[TMac#1]

unreal....

[Pocket Rockets]

This Braves lineup is stacked, with Smoltz and Hudson, how the hell are they a losing team?

theyre bullpen was horrible

[TMac640]

how about those..... local sports teams?

[Pocket Rockets]

what happened to any sign of trouble they will throw another pitcher in there? i think giving up a run every inning so far qualifies as that!
looks like we will just give them the division!

[Zac D]

Six-pitch inning. Forget I said anything.

[Roxfan73]

what happened to any sign of trouble they will throw another pitcher in there? i think giving up a run every inning so far qualifies as that!
looks like we will just give them the division!

Only 1 run was earned. It's the crappy fielding that's costing us.

[TMac#1]

2-0 Brewers, Prince Fielder HR

[DaDakota]

Nice of the Braves to start Smoltz.....it is taking the pressure completely off the Cards.

DD

[htownballa23]

Game - Set - Match

[Nashvegas]

4-0 Brewers in the top of the 1st and they have already gone to their bullpen.

[WhoMikeJames]

Brewers are winning can we start winning in this game.

[ruddy]

Just BS Brewer up 3-0 and we are 0-3 like a bunch of mf, f*** that!

[TMac#1]

4-0 Brewers, they will do their part.

Please come up with a clutch inning.

[Surfguy]

Isn't this a bitch? Come on, guys.

[Aceshigh7]

Why bring in Nieve? Is Garner giving up???
Nieve has been horrible lately.

[desihooper]

I wonder if the Braves will celebrate if they win today?

The way they've been playing this series, it's like they've got their consecutive division winning streak on the line.

Cox played for a run in the first inning rather than going for a big inning. I applaud them for their integrity, and can only hope the Brewers/Giants show the same kind of integrity.

[TMac#1]

OMG Wandy to face McCann :eek: :( :mad:

[Aceshigh7]

It's about ****ing time. Gar left Nieve in there way too long, after he shouldn't even have brought him in in the first place.

Oh god, Wandy? This game is over.

Where are Oswalt or Clemens? I hope Garner realizes this is the last game of the season.

[desihooper]

Gar must feel that Wandy is due :eek:

[Aceshigh7]

Ohh Willy, you are the MAN!

[desihooper]

Go Willy T... SEASON SAVING PLAY?!?!? :D

[codell]

Renteria should be embarassed

what a weak ass slide that was

[TMac#1]

That is why Willy T will be the CF for this team for yrs to come. Maybe that'll get the bats goin. Brewers are kivkin the sh!t out of the Crapholes. Come on Assblows!!

[ruddy]

Willy T!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zac D]

It's about ****ing time. Gar left Nieve in there way too long, after he shouldn't even have brought him in in the first place.

Oh god, Wandy? This game is over.

Where are Oswalt or Clemens? I hope Garner realizes this is the last game of the season.

Or at least Qualls or Wheeler. Somebody's arm had best be falling off before we concede another run in this game. Unless Garner saw an angel massaging Wandy's shoulders, that was a really badly-managed inning that worked out really, really well.

I'll take it...

[WhoMikeJames]

2 more innings of nothing and i thnk its over.

[Uprising]

Man, WIlly T has a canon for an arm.

We really need to score some of these base runners.

Brewers are doing their part....now we need to put up some numbers.

[TMac#1]

2 on 1 out

Come on Stros - I know yall don't want this season to end.

[Uprising]

We have 2x as many hits as the Braves. And yet NO runs.

We really need to put up some runs now. Go Stros! Season is on the line!

[WhoMikeJames]

LETS GO ORLANDO

[TMac#1]

cmon OP, 1 more time

[DaDakota]

Palmiero is great, but why not got for a heavy hitter here? Where one blast can even it up?

DD

[magnetik]

Smoltz has almost a 100 pitches so far... time to start nailing him..

[WhoMikeJames]

Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnit

[Uprising]

Ugh....Smoltz is going to end our season. That bastard.

[TMac#1]

Its over, once again the failure to score will be our downfall.

[ruddy]

Season over, thanks for the effort Astros.

[DaDakota]

Season over, thanks for the effort Astros.

This team just doesn't have the right chemistry........

Next year come back strong...GO ROCKETS !

DD

[Zac D]

I'm thinking that's it for Smoltz, and we're approaching the McBride inning. We're going to have to do some damage lefty-on-lefty to win this one.

[kaleidosky]

Season over, thanks for the effort Astros.


after all the comebacks, you're gonna assume the season's over with 1/3 of the game left and smoltz likely done? you're a genius. then again, you're ruddy

[ruddy]

This team just doesn't have the right chemistry........

Next year come back strong...GO ROCKETS !

DD

DaDa, Are u including the coach in the chemistry thing? I know they got hot at the end but I'm not with Phil's decision making in all of the season.

[Roxfan73]

I predict this game will go extras.

[TMac#1]

Smoltz is done...we need to hammer the bullpen with the top of the order, this is our inning. Please don't let this season end today.

[desihooper]

let's get it started :D

[TMac#1]

Leadoff man on

[ruddy]

after all the comebacks, you're gonna assume the season's over with 1/3 of the game left and smoltz likely done? you're a genius. then again, you're ruddy

Maybe if I write some s*** they will make me eat crow. :D

[TMac#1]

2 on 0 out....Lets go Big Puma!!!!!

[WhoMikeJames]

YEAH BIG PUMA

[desihooper]

in the word's of Jimmy V., "Don't give up, don't EVER give up."

[htownballa23]

hell yea.....3 more to go

[Aceshigh7]

GOOOOO ASTROS!!!!!!!!

[TMac#1]

Astros go away quietly.....I don't think so.

Congrats to Puma on the franchise RBI record.

Luke Scott, remember last saturday against the Cards, lefty on lefty, duplicate it!!!

[redefined]

come on scott

i cant believe we have 9 hits and only one run

[ruddy]

after all the comebacks, you're gonna assume the season's over with 1/3 of the game left and smoltz likely done? you're a genius. then again, you're ruddy

Now you see what I'm talking. :D :) :D see you next season Stros!! Go Astros!

[desihooper]

UNDER P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E

[TMac#1]

Mario got a sack...hey Astros miracles do happen :D

[redefined]

OMG GODAMNIT

3-0 and then you SO?!?!

[desihooper]

come on blue... make him throw a real strike

[redefined]

huff needs to come through

this is why we essentially got him and this is probably the closest he'll get to post season

plus, hes already left three runners on base

[htownballa23]

missed it...i had to watch Mario wreck for two plays. Huff can still come through

[Jebus]

dammit, the Cards are even losing!

come on, Huff!

[DaDakota]

That was ball 4....Garner getting outmanaged a bit here.

DD

[TMac#1]

dammit Huff, you have really screwed us this series.

[redefined]

damnit those 4 pitches in the strike zone were in the same location...

[wrath_of_khan]

At least they're going down swinging ... :(

[ruddy]

Sh... this really suck, our big bats letting the team down...

[desihooper]

5-0 Brewers... Burke has to pick this team up tonight right now.

[redefined]

this is burke's favorite situation

[TMac#1]

Brewers now lead 5-0

Makes it even more painful, on the virge of 11 LOB

[Aceshigh7]

I feel sick.

[redefined]

oops

:mad:

[desihooper]

pssst, what a beautiful pass by Carr

[TMac#1]

At least the Texans are gonna win..... :rolleyes:

[kaleidosky]

very sick

[desihooper]

i wish that cocky-@$$ jones would drop a fly ball just once when he hot dogs like that.

and Aubrey, feel free to get a hit with RISP just once today!! Nice knowing ya...

[ruddy]

At least the Texans are gonna win..... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :confused: :mad:

[TMac#1]

i wish that cocky-@$$ jones would drop a fly ball just once when he hot dogs like that.

and Aubrey, feel free to get a hit with RISP just once today!! Nice knowing ya...

Jones, a hot dog just like Edmonds. Bastards! :mad:

[kaleidosky]

i wish that cocky-@$$ jones would drop a fly ball just once when he hot dogs like that.

and Aubrey, feel free to get a hit with RISP just once today!! Nice knowing ya...


i wonder if they cut Aubrey in the offseason.

And if he woulda been re-signed if he had come through in that situation. Not that 1 situation makes a contract..but in this case..maybe. FA#$K

[redefined]

well we have two more chances

damn lidge blowing all those save opportunities this season...

[Zac D]

So who pinch-hits for Lidge in the top half - Biggio or Ensberg?

[kaleidosky]

if they have a wicked slider, Ensberg. else bidge

[DaDakota]

If you can't beat the Braves, you don't deserve the playoffs.....

DD

[kaleidosky]

If you can't beat the Braves, you don't deserve the playoffs.....

DD

agreed. just annoying.

[Aceshigh7]

So who pinch-hits for Lidge in the top half - Biggio or Ensberg?

Wow. Ausmus....

[kaleidosky]

god i'm depressed

[DaDakota]

The team looks like it has no energy no oompfff....I think they have finally packed it in for the year.

DD

[TMac#1]

sigh 1 inning left...

[kaleidosky]

all down to the top. I assume the Braves will walk Berkman regardless of teh situation? I sure would based on the rest of the team today.

[Zac D]

?!?!?!?!!

YEAH, YOU DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO LET A DO-OR-DIE GAME GO BY WITHOUT GIVING AUSMUS A CHANCE TO BAT. GOOD THINKING.

[redefined]

we still got one more chance

just need taveras or lamb to get on and let berkman take care of the rest

:cool:

[ruddy]

I guess that this is the real end. Leting the Braves ruins ours chance in this way is unacceptable. Losing the key series, the last series. Nothing to say, they were just making some noise, winningn 8 or 9 games in a row just for fall flat down in the end.

[desihooper]

This game was a microcosm of the Astros season thus far: no timely/situational hitting and a weak bottom of the order.

[nWo34Life]

Are we going to see the 9-game winning streak Astros or the 1st half Astros in the 9th inning?

[kaleidosky]

need the 'pen to hold it at 2 first.. and then hope for berkman to be superman

[desihooper]

Cox won't let Berkman beat him... something about managing 101 or something

[TMac#1]

it would only be fitting to have this go extra innings, however, Wickman not gonna blow 2 games in 2 days

[desihooper]

It's now or next year!

[Aceshigh7]

My rally cap is now ON.

[Surfguy]

We need a miracle.

[redefined]

a total of 21 men LOB for the astros hitters

:mad:

[kaleidosky]

ONE last time guys. please.

[desihooper]

STOP THE CHOP!!!

[redefined]

this is what it comes down to

DO OR DIE

[ruddy]

Let see if this team have some life yet, if not thanks for the good time this season(not so much).

[Surfguy]

Look at this guy! We're *****ed!

[TMac#1]

2 out left- this is such a horrible feeling.

[WhoMikeJames]

What a pathetic performance for the game that matters the most

[TMac#1]

1 more

[Aceshigh7]

Come on Lance.

[DaDakota]

The season goes out meekly which underlines the problems with this team... a lack of fire.

Overhaul these panzies and get some killers in here.

DD

[redefined]

:mad:

[ruddy]

Well at least this is the end for the agony. time to shut down until Rockets start. Good bye guys.

[WhoMikeJames]

Booooooooooooooooooooooooo

Nice season, oh well.

GO TWINS

[TMac#1]

That's it...................this sucks!!!!!

[MR. MEOWGI]

over. :(

Go Rockets!

[redefined]

THE END

[VesceySux]

Well, that was ridiculously underwhelming.

Thanks for the memories, Stros (good and mostly bad). Come back strong next year.

[magnetik]

At least David Carr is at the top of the efficiency charts... and the Rockets start soon!!!

[BALLhog 247 365]

i feel like crying.... :(

[nWo34Life]

There is a lot of what ifs w/ this team. I hope they go out during the baseball offseason and get an offense.

[WhoMikeJames]

What a season for Lance

[Roxfan73]

C'mon, this was just a bonus. At least we made the Cards sweat and exposed them for the hacks they really are. These last several days really felt like the playoffs. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now let's go get Carlos Lee!

[pgabriel]

well, jeff bagwell's career is officially over.

[Aceshigh7]

Now let's go get Carlos Lee!

I hear that.

[BigM]

C'mon, this was just a bonus. At least we made the Cards sweat and exposed them for the hacks they really are. These last several days really felt like the playoffs. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now let's go get Carlos Lee!

agreed. 2 weeks ago no one figured we'd be playing a meaningful game today. it certainly was fun and held us over a couple weeks till the rockets start up.

we still have oswalt and berkman, we'll be back in the hunt next year.

[Surfguy]

Well, it was an exciting end to the season. I don't think many of us thought we would get back to only 1/2 game under St. Louis. We just couldn't pull it out at the end. Too many blown opportunities...which pretty much sums up this entire season. Also, too many individual failures. Clemens failed us for not playing a full year or we would have been a lock. But, I guess you really can't blame him. Obvious individiuals who didn't get it done: Lidge, Ensberg, Lane, Backe, Everett, and Ausmus.

[DaDakota]

I am happy we made a race of it, but the Cardinals did what they had to do in losing 2 to the Brew crew....we should have taken at LEAST 2 of three from the Braves.

DD

[Pocket Rockets]

oh well, magical 3 years are probably done...hope we can pick up carlos lee like the SI.com writer said we would on the radio yesterday....

on to the rockets! i can't wait!

[Rocket Fan]

It was a nice run at least to end with a winning record.

[Nice Rollin]

officially rockets season

[DaDakota]

Baseball? What is that?

GO ROCKETS !!!!


DD

[Surfguy]

Hey...at least I don't have to miss work by taking half days and coming up with excuses to go watch the Astros play day playoff games! Oh well...just trying to look on the bright side. ;) :(

[DieHard Rocket]

Should be an interesting offseason...lots of names out there and lots of money for us.

That's right, no sulking over this. Bring on the Rockets!!!

Oh, I almost forgot...may the Cardinals burn in hell.

[RocketManJosh]

This was a pathetic way to lose, but was certainly a microcosm of the season. Bad defense at the wrong time (see the errors) and horrible hitting with runners in scoring position (1-11 or something like that).

The Cardinals losing makes it doubly tough. It sure would have been nice to force them to use Carp tomorrow to hurt their playoff chances.

Oh well .. At least the Stros carried us closer to the Rockets season than I thought they would.

[hatemavs4life]

Well, this game is a truer representation of our weaknesses and of the fact, we STILL have too many easy outs or inconsistent at bats from our lineup.

Willy T I like the guy but I dont think he should be a leadoff man because his OBP is atrocious. He strikes out too much, must put the ball in play more to legitimize his place as a leadoff man or else he should bat 7th or 8th.

Huff is an iffy, he played well but his play was still inconsistent.

Lastly, what are you going to do with Lane and Ensberg? Lane as reserve fielder maybe, but Ensberg I think its time to ship him. He's a patient hitter, so patient he watches strike 3 go by. :rolleyes:

We need Carlos Lee or Soriano PERIOD! This lineup needs some REAL beef to bolster.

Positives: Luke Scott-without him, we arent even talking about a quasi-miraculous finish. Burke-what a utility man, another year and he only improves his play.

You know the Stros will keep AE as they should because his D is huge for us, but it would be nice if we had a defensive catcher that could really hit. I know I am asking for alot.

Overall, the team just woke up a few weeks late to be a playoff-bound team. Oh well ... offseason should be interesting for Fat boy Timmy's sake it had better be good.

[rrj_gamz]

Well, game wasn't on in Dallas, but just seeing the outcome just means we didn't have anyone step up and magnifies our weak bats...

They made it interesting, but too many things had to happen for us to continue...Don't get me wrong, I would have loved it, but too little too late...If only Lidge would have converted at lest 1/3 of his blown saves...

[Aceshigh7]

officially rockets season

That's even more sad. Jeff Van Gundy is still the Rockets coach. They aren't going to go anywhere until they get rid of that piece of garbage.

[Aceshigh7]

Well, game wasn't on in Dallas, but just seeing the outcome just means we didn't have anyone step up and magnifies our weak bats...

They made it interesting, but too many things had to happen for us to continue...Don't get me wrong, I would have loved it, but too little too late...If only Lidge would have converted at lest 1/3 of his blown saves...

Not fair to single Lidge out like that. How bout if Gallo hadn't blown his handful of games. How bout if Ensberg knew how to get a sac fly in a clutch situation?

[Nick]

officially rockets season

Especially since the Mets look like first round fodder for you.

[solid]

I echo the observation that the last game was a snapshot of the whole season, the lack of timely hitting, something they did well during the nine game win streak. It is a shame because of the Cardinal's loss. You have got to feel for the Card's fans, they can't be all that excited.

[Pocket Rockets]

That's even more sad. Jeff Van Gundy is still the Rockets coach. They aren't going to go anywhere until they get rid of that piece of garbage.

Who else is out there that you would rather have as a coach?

[HayesStreet]

Thanks, 'Stros - for not giving up on the season and for wiping some of the smugness (if only temporarily) off the Cards faces! :)

[JunkyardDwg]

Especially since the Mets look like first round fodder for you.

The NL should just lay down right now...

This postseason is...different. Are there any compelling storylines? I guess it'd be kinda cool to see another Subway series maybe...or Detroit, that would be a good Cinderella story...I guess I'll root for Detroit and definitely against the Cards.

But no real rivalries this year.

[Aceshigh7]

Who else is out there that you would rather have as a coach?

I wanted Dunleavy instead of Van Gundy at the time. The defense was not the problem under Rudy T. It was the offense. Bringing Van Gundy in only made our offense worse. T-Mac and Yao will never be what they could be as long as Van Grumpy is here. People sometimes point out Yao's stamina problems. Maybe part of that is Gumpy's ridiculous defensive scheme and having our 7'6 big man chase little guards all around the court out to the 3 point line.

Right now, i'd take anyone over Van Grumpy. Even a rookie coach like Elie.

[Nick]

I wanted Dunleavy instead of Van Gundy at the time. The defense was not the problem under Rudy T. It was the offense. Bringing Van Gundy in only made our offense worse. T-Mac and Yao will never be what they could be as long as Van Grumpy is here. People sometimes point out Yao's stamina problems. Maybe part of that is Gumpy's ridiculous defensive scheme and having our 7'6 big man chase little guards all around the court out to the 3 point line.

Right now, i'd take anyone over Van Grumpy. Even a rookie coach like Elie.

Yao defends the pick and roll pretty damn good... better than Shaq ever did. Its a big part of why teams can't expose our slow-footed mammoth center as a liability on defense.

Dunlavey wouldn't have done much with last year's team... he probably would have done worse.

This is a dumb argument at this point... especially in this forum.

[Aceshigh7]

This is a dumb argument at this point... especially in this forum.

First of all, Yao would not be a liability on defense if he stayed in the paint. he would be a force.

Secondly, I didn't bring the Rockets into this thread.

[Nick]

First of all, Yao would not be a liability on defense if he stayed in the paint. he would be a force.

He's also not a liability at defending the pick and roll... and his minutes continue to rise.

Also, teams would just continue to go small, and put shooters out there whom Yao wouldn't defend under your scheme, as he'll be just hanging out in the paint doing nothing.

That's all I'll comment on in this forum.

[Fatty FatBastard]

Sorry, Charlies...

I said 12-0 would get us in. Not 10-2...

Ley the birds in with our graces...

[Nice Rollin]

Especially since the Mets look like first round fodder for you.
yeah i woudlnt be suprised if it was 3 and out

[Fatty FatBastard]

162-0 and we still make the playoffs...

[hieuytran]

I wanted Dunleavy instead of Van Gundy at the time. The defense was not the problem under Rudy T. It was the offense. Bringing Van Gundy in only made our offense worse. T-Mac and Yao will never be what they could be as long as Van Grumpy is here. People sometimes point out Yao's stamina problems. Maybe part of that is Gumpy's ridiculous defensive scheme and having our 7'6 big man chase little guards all around the court out to the 3 point line.

Right now, i'd take anyone over Van Grumpy. Even a rookie coach like Elie.

if jvg cant atleast get us to the 2nd rd this year he has to go

[IROC it]

Poop.


At least they kept it interesting. That was the most fun 3 years in Astros history.... I guess, consecutively. We've seen fun moments/seasons before, but that was quite a string of successes.

[Fatty FatBastard]

Poop.


At least they kept it interesting. That was the most fun 3 years in Astros history.... I guess, consecutively. We've seen fun moments/seasons before, but that was quite a string of successes.


My ass.

This year was a speed bump. You can't win them all.

Get your season tix ready! 162-0!

Who's with me?

Woooooooo!

[MadMax]

My worst day of the year every year is the day after the Astros are eliminated. Yes, I live a sheltered life.

Pitchers and catchers report in a little under 5 months.

[Xenon]

My worst day of the year every year is the day after the Astros are eliminated. Yes, I live a sheltered life.

Pitchers and catchers report in a little under 5 months.

Yeah it sucks. Even worse is watching football on Fox and seeing commercials for the playoffs that the Astros won't be participating in. Painful...

[Groogrux]

My worst day of the year every year is the day after the Astros are eliminated. Yes, I live a sheltered life.

Pitchers and catchers report in a little under 5 months.

I had a dream about you and Jackson at the Longhorn game...did you have fun?!?!

[MadMax]

Yeah it sucks. Even worse is watching football on Fox and seeing commercials for the playoffs that the Astros won't be participating in. Painful...

Yeah..that hurts. But it's really not that. Most of my life, the Astros weren't anywhere near the playoffs. It's only been in my adult life that the Astros have been a perennial contender.

I remember the last days of the seasons when I was a kid. When the team was nowhere near the top. But they'd play that last game...and it would end...and it was just sad. Not because they weren't making the playoffs. But because it was just over...and wouldn't be back until spring.