Astros @ Diamondbacks

[Castor27]

All game talk goes in here. Please do not give play by play. If you need play by play go to CBS, ESPN, or Yahoo.

Pitching Proabables:

8-2 Roger Clemens (9-4, 1.46) vs. Claudio Vargas (4-5, 5.26) 8:40 on FSSW

8-3 Ezequiel Astacio (1-4, 7.17) vs. Javier Vazquez (9-9, 4.29) 9:10 on FSSW/ESPN2

8-4 Wandy Rodriguez (6-4, 5.90) vs. Brad Halsey (7-7, 3.81) 8:40 on FSSW

[Groogrux]

WLW

Still holding on to the wild card lead. People still whining. Sunrise, sunset.

[MadMax]

WWW...

[PhiSlammaJamma]

It'll be 49*49 after we get done with them.

[Fegwu]

WwW.

PS. Phislama, can you explain the 49*49 thing?

[rrj_gamz]

I'd love to sweep, but I saw WLW...

They always bring it for Roger...I'm still confused why we didn't bring another bat, but hell, I'm not the GM...

[Groogrux]

I'd love to sweep, but I saw WLW...

They always bring it for Roger...I'm still confused why we didn't bring another bat, but hell, I'm not the GM...

None of the "bats" that were dealt were worth wasting time or players on a deal.

[Harrisment]

None of the "bats" that were dealt were worth wasting time or players on a deal.

How dare you bring facts around here, you should know better.

[Harrisment]

WWW.


The bats come alive and we score over 5 runs in each game.

[Svpernaut]

An easy sweep of the horrible D-Backs.

[RocketMan Tex]

An easy sweep of the horrible D-Backs.

Uh-greed! The D-bax are a joke. 52-55 and leading the NL West. I say we blow them away.

[Baqui99]

Git R Done.

[Harrisment]

Git R Done.

Please don't ever say that again. Please.

[T Rex]

D-Backs have been playing much better as of late (4 out of their last 5), so I don't think we'll go into the BOB and just roll over them. Plus we've got the two rooks pitching.....yes, they have been pitching much better lately, but they're still rookies and susceptible of big inning blowups.

2 out of 3

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Watch sports center to get the payoff. Although, it's not much of a payoff, but you'll be like, ok, I get it. It'll hit you over the head as you are watching.

[DoitDickau]

How dare you bring facts around here, you should know better.

Those aren't facts. They are just his subjective beliefs, which, if anything, are not based on "facts". The fact is that our starting left fielder is hitting 233/300/306 this year. I think he's likely to someday be a productive hitting secondbaseman, but he's not even a replacement level hitting corner outfielder right now and is far from being "productive" with the bat. The fact is that matt lawton was available and producting a 273/380/433 line which is right in line with his career averages. The price the cubs got for him was entirely reasonable, especially considering that next year we have at least have 4 sports in the rotation secure and a surplus of B to B+ quality back-end of the rotation pitchers in the high minors.

Perhaps Lawton isn't beltran or randy johnson, but he didn't need to be. His impact on the team would have been just as great as those were when taking in consideration the player and production he would have been replacing. Replacing burke's production with his, would been about as equivalent with replacing everett's with miguel tejada.

So there was at least one player available on the trade block who woul dhave had a big impact on our offense. and i'm not even considering players would who have been a available for a higher price.

So now we're left with a once in a lifetime top of the rotation (none of clemens, pettite or oswalt has put of an era as low as they have this year) with a top closer and a league average offense with major holes in a couple spots. We're also left with a surplus of B pitching talent in the high minors, which could have been leveraged to fill at least one of those holes.

[Groogrux]

Who would we have given up for Lawton? Also, the Astros did make it clear they didn't want a rent a player. I would've personally liked Lawton, but I'm not convinced he would have put us over the top. I think you're overstating his value, personally.

[candlegreen]

We've never fared well against Javier Vasquez in the past, but we now have some hitters who aren't looking to pound the ball out of the park at the bottom of the lineup. I say Astacio proves that he's all that he was hyped to be at the beginning of the season... W W W!!

[fya]

W
W
W

[DoitDickau]

Who would we have given up for Lawton? Also, the Astros did make it clear they didn't want a rent a player. I would've personally liked Lawton, but I'm not convinced he would have put us over the top. I think you're overstating his value, personally.

I would have put together a package of one or two of our B level starting pitching prospects in the upper minors/majors (think astacio, nieve, bucholtz, hirsch, hernandez, and rodriguez. not backe). With Oswalt, Pettite, Backe and (just my belief) possible clemens coming back next year, basically only the 5 spot and maybe the 4 spot in the rotation will be up for grabs between those guys. and with some potentially A level pitching prospects in the low minor (patton and barthmaeir) it doesn't seem like the best allocation of resources to hold on to potential trade bait when we don't/won't even have spots available for them.

Let me also be clear in that i don't think lawton is a great player on the level of beltran or johnson or some of the other elite player that have changed teams at the deadline in the past, but that's not really the issue. The issue is that this year and at his career averages project he would produce at over .80 points high in on-base-percentage and over .120 points higher in slugging percentage than burke is. That is a substantial and significant increase any way you look at it.

I like burke and i think given playing time that he'll be a productive hitting 2nd baseman who will get on baseball at a 350+ clip and slug 400+ in his prime. But he's not doing it this year, and i think it would be overly optimistic to think that he would all of a sudden start doing it at the end of this year.

Put another way, the value we could have gotten from a trade is not who we would've gotten or who was available relative to the rest of the league, but rather that said player relative to who's playing leftfield for us now.

I think as houston baseball fans we've almost gotten spoiled with always being in contention. There are franchises that go for years without getting to the playoffs much less having a legitimate shot at the championship. The stars have aligned to give us 3 healthy elite starting pitching each performing better than they ever have in their careers; a 27 yr old closer with a severe injury history healthy and pitching lights out; and in berkman and ensberg, two of the best hitters in baseball in the prime of their careers. The only significant part missing in this team is the holes (some excusable, like everett due to the value his defense bring at an important position) at some points of the lineup. If we could filled one of those holes (wiht a player that bring a upgrade of over 200pts of ops) for a reasonable price (i think nieve straight up or even less would have gotten lawton) I think we should have done it. The astros have never had this type of frontline starting pitching before (even in 98 or 04) and i would hate to squander this opportunity and lose in the playoffs cause we couldn't score more than 1 or 2 runs off of jason marquis or mike hampton.

[rikesh316]

WLL. Astros struggle versus lefties and Vasquez is a good pitcher.

[MadMax]

dickau --

lawton's numbers would give you that advantage over Burke's total numbers for the season so far...no doubt about that. but i think that's a bit misleading, because burke seems to be improving. he's narrowing that gap.

[Buck Turgidson]

On Lawton:

But an assistant GM of another NL team totally disagreed, saying: "I don't see him as an impactful guy at all. He can't play defense. And we've had pretty bad reports on him the last two weeks."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2121261&num=2

"But an overriding consideration for the Astros is a player's makeup and how he plays the game on the field, and his approach to competition."

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050801&content_id=1153990&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

and

While clubhouse chemistry is considered by many to be an overrated intangible, there's no arguing that the 2005 Astros are one tight-knit group.
...
This club is simply made up of professional players who respect each other
...
"The makeup of the team is tremendous," Purpura said. "The way these guys go about their business is exceptional."

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050731&content_id=1152211&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

[Major]

dickau --

lawton's numbers would give you that advantage over Burke's total numbers for the season so far...no doubt about that. but i think that's a bit misleading, because burke seems to be improving. he's narrowing that gap.

Sadly, this is a bit of a myth resulting from some quirks in his streakiness. Burke's numbers by month: (avg/slg/ops)

April: 238/262/551
May: (gone to the minors)
June: 244/349/661
July: 244/295/601

He seems relatively consistently bad, although watching him, it does feel like he's improving. Maybe his "clutch" numbers have improved or something? That said, I agree that we should let him stay out there as long as we're winning. He needs playing time to improve, and presuming we'll be contenders for the next year or two, and given that he's our #1 prospect and Biggio is here the next year or two, he has to play somewhere, and he's going to have to do it while we're contending. We can't just let him sit and rot like we did with Lane, Ward, etc - it's just a waste of talent.

If we start losing, you always have the option of moving Lamb into the lineup at 1B and Berkman to left. Or more of Palmeiro or Bruntlett. Or bringing up Luke Scott. But for now, I let him get experience.. his minor league numbers say he'll be better than this in the long-run, he just needs time to get there. Lawton just wasn't worth trading a decent prospect for when we have all these other options that provide pretty similar potential.

[Saint Louis]

I'll be at the game at the BOB on Wednesday night!!!!!!! Go Stros!!!!!!!!

[Buck Turgidson]

given that he's our #1 prospect
The Astros do not agree, not by a longshot.

[Major]

The Astros do not agree, not by a longshot.

Fair enough - Baseball America or some other such organization calls him that. Who is considered our #1 by the Astros?

[Buck Turgidson]

We can't just let him sit and rot like we did with Lane, Ward, etc - it's just a waste of talent.
How are the Astros handling Burke much differently than they did Ward/Lane? All were/are seriously flawed ballplayers, Lane being the best of the bunch by far.

How did the Astros waste Ward's talent?

In hindsight, would you have let Biggio walk 1-2 years ago to open an OF spot for Lane?

[MadMax]

In hindsight, would you have let Biggio walk 1-2 years ago to open an OF spot for Lane?

not in hindsight or foresight or any other kind of sight. no way.

[Buck Turgidson]

Fair enough - Baseball America or some other such organization calls him that. Who is considered our #1 by the Astros?
BA's rankings have always been very heavily stat-based & seriously flawed. They had Einertson ranked #2 after 1 year of short-season ball, not to mention ignoring his off-field problems.

[Major]

How are the Astros handling Burke much differently than they did Ward/Lane? All were/are seriously flawed ballplayers, Lane being the best of the bunch by far.

How did the Astros waste Ward's talent?

In hindsight, would you have let Biggio walk 1-2 years ago to open an OF spot for Lane?

It wasn't necessarily mismanagement by the Astros, but for a prospect to fill their potential, they need the chance to play everyday, without the pressure of feeling like a slump will send them to the minors or cost them playing time. Both Ward and Lane sat on the bench for several years because we always had a full outfield and/or were contending and couldn't afford to throw them out there. Between Alou, Berkman, Biggio, Hidalgo, Everett, etc there was just never any room for them.

Ward was in the majors for most of 3 years, never getting more than 270 at bats. One year (2000), he hit 20 HR's in 260 at bats, and played less the following year. Lane similarly got shuffled up and down between AAA and the majors for the last 3 years. Both of these guys were beyond AAA but had no room to play with the Astros, so just got stuck in between. That lack of everyday playing time in a new league hurts a prospect, and both lost substantial trade value between when they came up to when we finally let Ward go or where Lane is today. Both Hunsicker and Purpura talked a lot about how Lane was a victim of circumstance and it was frustrating not being able to give him the opportunity. The chance was there last year, but we got Kent so Biggio took that spot in the outfield, so Lane played 107 games last year and had 136 at-bats. It's always been something like that which prevented these guys from getting a full chance in the majors.

[Major]

How are the Astros handling Burke much differently than they did Ward/Lane?

Oh - as to the first question, Burke already has nearly as many AB's in the majors this year as Ward or Lane did in any of their first three seasons up here. Essentially, they are just letting him play a lot, good or bad. Not full time, but substantially more than those other guys.

[DoitDickau]

dickau --

lawton's numbers would give you that advantage over Burke's total numbers for the season so far...no doubt about that. but i think that's a bit misleading, because burke seems to be improving. he's narrowing that gap.

I hope you are right and he does start to perform better with the bat, but, as major posted, his numbers last month seem pretty much in line with his numbers all year. I understand the argument that the team has been virtually unbeatable lately and that the chemistry is great, but in the playoffs or down the stretch i am a little afraid of counting on chemistry overcoming a corner outfielder hitting 230 w/ barely adequate plate discpline and no power. what made burke widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the organization, especially in the barren upperlevels of the system, was the increased power he showed in moving to AAA in 04. The low average this year seems forgivable to youth/inexperience, but the lack of power he's shown in the majors has been distressing. At this point i hope palmeiro gets more of his ab's. Orlando's been great this year, though i'm not sure he can keep it up playing everyday, and, imo, is best suited for the pinchhitter/4th outfielder role he's played so well this year and througout his career.

[thacabbage]

Claudio Vargas, today's pitcher, broke Adam Everett's arm last year on August 6 as a member of the Montreol Expos. He needs to be plunked today.

[Puedlfor]

I was kind of hoping Clemens would match up against Halsey.

WWW.

[Uprising]

WWW.

I hate where I'm stuck at.

Back in Houston with no cable, and so many games on FSN.

Or heading back to my house in College Station and having cable but not having COX media pick up the series. :o

[PhiSlammaJamma]

woooo hoooo.

[The Real Shady]

Hell yeah!! Good job by Everett to drive in the run.

[arkoe]

How many times do you see Ausmus get an intentional walk?

[Nick]

I know we're done playing the Mets... but I couldn't help but notice Senor' Beltran's night tonight....

0 for 6 in 11 innings.

[Saint Louis]

You don't see Berkman get mad and throw his bat and helmet very often. DBack announcers think the DBacks got away with one there. FSArizona really didn't show the replay at an angle where you could tell whether it was fair or not.

[Puedlfor]

poor Carlos.

I liked Victor Zambrano's line better - He of the "Easily Correctable Flaw" - the pitching version of the crowing they did over Hidalgo. 1.1IP, 7H, 6ER.

And to get him they only had to give up the best leftie prospect in the Major Leagues. I do not like the Mets.

[Nick]

You don't see Berkman get mad and throw his bat and helmet very often. DBack announcers think the DBacks got away with one there. FSArizona really didn't show the replay at an angle where you could tell whether it was fair or not.

I'm also watching their feed.... isn't it annoying whenever somebody puts the ball in play, they all of a sudden bump up the microphone for the crowd noise, so it always seems that something big and exciting is happening (when really its just a routine fly ball or ground ball).

Also, I think Mark Grace has been drunk since the 3rd inning.

[Saint Louis]

Also, I think Mark Grace has been drunk since the 3rd inning.

I could see Grace sitting in the press box with a bottle of Jack like Bob Uecker in the movie Major League.

[francis 4 prez]

wow, did Justice actually say that about reporters? that is epic.

[Puedlfor]

wow, did Justice actually say that about reporters? that is epic.

Yeah, still up at his blog. Utter, utter hilarity.


Roger's ERA gets lower tonight, though his road ERA balloons from 0.31 up a few ticks.

[Saint Louis]

Lamb says bye-bye baseball! :D

[Puedlfor]

Two thoughts:

1) When I saw the headline "Palmeiro tests positive for steroids", my first thought was "Dammit Orlando!". Now, Raffy's been busted for using the same stuff Ben Johnson used - two weeks after being congratulated for 3,000. Ha. Ha.

2) When Milo retires - Alan Ashby would make a good PbP guy on the radio - I think he does a good job covering for Milo.

[adw]

Come on Brad,lets get another run in for Roger....dont DP here!

[Saint Louis]

Come on Brad,lets get another run in for Roger....dont DP here!

On the bright side, Ausmus won't hit into a DP.

[adw]

Ughhhh out at home? wtf just happened,passed ball?

[Nick]

2) When Milo retires - Alan Ashby would make a good PbP guy on the radio - I think he does a good job covering for Milo.

He's improved EXPONENTIALLY... and he actually seems to have developed some tone inflection when he speaks.

[arkoe]

Ughhhh out at home? wtf just happened,passed ball?

Double steal.

[Nick]

Mike Gallo = Heart palipitations.

He does not get lefties out... not at the rate a "specialist" should/would.

[adw]

Double steal.

Thanks.


Gallo you better not blow this :mad:

[Nick]

I bring in Lidge to pitch to Gonzo.

EDIT: that's a tie game if this was in Houston... phew Gallo.

[The Real Shady]

Phew. Glad that inning is over.

[The Real Shady]

Boy, did Burke look overmatched against 94 mph heat.

[Saint Louis]

Boy, did Burke look overmatched against 94 mph heat.

He's saying here it is, hit it if you can.

[Puedlfor]

I wish we used Qualls against lefties - he just crushes them. I understand the preference for a lefty-lefty match-up; but Qualls is just better against lefties than Gallo is.

[The Real Shady]

ERIC FREAKING BRUNTLETT!!! :D

[Saint Louis]

Nice play, Eric. Good guys win!

[Puedlfor]

oh my. Milo on that last play. . .

[Nick]

Bruntlett is slowly becoming one of my favorite Astros.

Man.... if this was in Houston, that would be a tie game (again).... phew Lidge (lights out...)

[Astro101]

YAWN! Did we win again?

[Nick]

This was a huge win.... we got Rocket the W, we started off the road-trip on a good note (after leaving home on a sour note), and we pick-up a game on the Nats and the Marlins... 2 up in the WC chase.

[adw]

Wooo Stros win :D Back to 10 games over .500 and gained a game on the Nats,Marlins and Phillies and didnt lose any ground.

Roger with another amazing game and gets win #10...finally,cause he deserves it.

[Howyalikemenow]

Man... from his swing, I thought that ball was outta here. Thank you Bruntlett!!

Way to go Stros!!

[Nick]

Man... from his swing, I thought that ball was outta here. Thank you Bruntlett!!

Way to go Stros!!

No kidding... apparently the ball just dies when they have the roof shut... it sure looks like that's what happened there.

Speaking of that... why didn't they just go ahead and build a dome in Phoenix. I don't think I've seen a game played in open-air there since 2000. Its too hot during the day, and now apparently its too hot at night (and even if the temp is fine, the pitchers prefer it to be shut).

They probably shelled out an extra $100 million just for the roof alone... no wonder they were on the verge of bankruptcy.

[bigtexxx]

Not sure if anybody else has noticed this, but Clemens is having a really good season!

[bobrek]

Not sure if anybody else has noticed this, but Clemens is having a really good season!

Yeah, too bad McLane doesn't get the credit for signing him to an $18,000,000 deal.

[Saint Louis]

No kidding... apparently the ball just dies when they have the roof shut... it sure looks like that's what happened there.

Speaking of that... why didn't they just go ahead and build a dome in Phoenix. I don't think I've seen a game played in open-air there since 2000. Its too hot during the day, and now apparently its too hot at night (and even if the temp is fine, the pitchers prefer it to be shut).

They probably shelled out an extra $100 million just for the roof alone... no wonder they were on the verge of bankruptcy.

Living in Tucson I can tell you that only in April is the weather cool enough in Phoenix to have the lid open at the BOB.

[Mr. Brightside]

Not sure if anybody else has noticed this, but Clemens is having a really good season!

and so is tvarez!!

:D

[Kerfeld]

Man, I love this team!

[Fegwu]

and so is tvarez!!

:D


Nice :D

[ruddy5]

Great win astros, ;) we can take the next two with the rookies. WWW ;)

[fya]

Bruntlett is becoming a modern billy spiers.

[Oski2005]

Did anybody see the interview of Gonzo by Biggio's son? I was switching back between the pregame and For a Few Dollar's More on another channel. I heard that Biggio wrote all the questions including a joke about Gonzo's World Series winning hit.

[Groogrux]

Did anybody see the interview of Gonzo by Biggio's son? I was switching back between the pregame and For a Few Dollar's More on another channel. I heard that Biggio wrote all the questions including a joke about Gonzo's World Series winning hit.

Yup, called it the jamshot...Gonzo went to answer it, stopped and looked at Connor and said, "you know, you're just like your Dad". It was hilarious. :D

[Harrisment]

I fell asleep when the game was tied at 1-1, so I missed what was supposedly a great play in the field by Bruntlett. Anybody know where I can find highlights of this online?

[Buck Turgidson]

Harris, front page of astros.com

[Harrisment]

Harris, front page of astros.com

I guess it would make sense to look there. Thanks.

[Uprising]

WOW! I just watched the highlights of the game, amazing play by eric! :eek: :D

I love it! SO awesome to hear all those fans being heart broken, when they thought their team had gotten it done. :D

[Mr. Brightside]

WOW! I just watched the highlights of the game, amazing play by eric! :eek: :D

I love it! SO awesome to hear all those fans being heart broken, when they thought their team had gotten it done. :D


Sadist.. but a nice one.

[Mr. Brightside]

we got my main man zeke pitching tonight.

ugly man.

beautiful game!

[chuichuitrain]

Yup, called it the jamshot...Gonzo went to answer it, stopped and looked at Connor and said, "you know, you're just like your Dad". It was hilarious. :D

anyone happen to have that interview on video or anything?

[Harrisment]

we got my main man zeke pitching tonight.

ugly man.

beautiful game!

Brightside - I know you're a noob and a freaking posting machine, but you're one of the few new guys whose posts I enjoy reading. Keep on rocking and rolling brother.

[Svpernaut]

I fell asleep when the game was tied at 1-1, so I missed what was supposedly a great play in the field by Bruntlett. Anybody know where I can find highlights of this online?

Dude, you have tivo... f'in use it you moron. Lol, jk... you shouldn't have fallen asleep old man, you missed a goodie. Lay off the cosmos at dinner.

[The Cat]

What has Orlando Palmeiro got to do to have Phil Garner acknowledge his play?

Orlando went 2-3 with a walk last night, raising his average above .330 for the season and even higher than that in recent weeks. Chris Burke's last game was another typical 0-4 game where he looked overmatched in every situation at the plate, not to mention his horrid AB in the ninth inning last night. So, against a fairly solid right-hander tonight, it's Burke playing and Palmeiro on the bench?!? :confused:

This is one of the most amazing things I've seen in some time... does Burke have compromising pictures of Purpura and Garner or something? How he makes it into the lineup against righties ahead of guys like Palmeiro is incredible.

[chuichuitrain]

no berkman tonight =\

hopefully lane steps up

[Nick]

This is one of the most amazing things I've seen in some time... does Burke have compromising pictures of Purpura and Garner or something? How he makes it into the lineup against righties ahead of guys like Palmeiro is incredible.

I just see it as trying to keep everybody in the mix, and keep the chemistry that has been working oh-so-well over the last 2 months.

Also, we'll always have Orlando to pinch-hit (where he's probably even more valuable) if this is a close game late.

[The Cat]

I just see it as trying to keep everybody in the mix, and keep the chemistry that has been working oh-so-well over the last 2 months.

Also, we'll always have Orlando to pinch-hit (where he's probably even more valuable) if this is a close game late.

I could understand keeping everybody in the mix if we were facing a long line of righties where Burke might not get many starts. But we're playing a lefty tomorrow in Halsey, so that's an automatic start for Burke then... so I don't see what possible motive Garner has for using him tonight. I know he has "potential", but at some point the Astros need to recognize that he's not going to reach it this season and start giving more PT to better options. I'd actually like to see Bruntlett get a few more starts in left to see what kind of numbers he could produce on a more regular basis.

[francis 4 prez]

so not only does biggio have a son named conor, but the dbacks have a new player with the first name conor. i don't think i've ever seen that name (at least not that spelling but maybe i'm just weird). i feel like i've run into some bort name tags.

[Nick]

I could understand keeping everybody in the mix if we were facing a long line of righties where Burke might not get many starts. But we're playing a lefty tomorrow in Halsey, so that's an automatic start for Burke then... so I don't see what possible motive Garner has for using him tonight. I know he has "potential", but at some point the Astros need to recognize that he's not going to reach it this season and start giving more PT to better options. I'd actually like to see Bruntlett get a few more starts in left to see what kind of numbers he could produce on a more regular basis.

I totally understand what you're saying... I was just trying to come up with some sort of reasoning behind what Garner is thinking. I guess he doesn't want it to seem like its a strict platoon situation (Burke only sees lefties), and overall he's been giving Lamb and Palmeiro a ton of starts against all the righties the last couple of weeks.

Letting Chris try to hit some quality right-handed pitching is part of his development, and the more exposure he gets, the sooner he can get "there"... even if that won't happen till next year.

I predict by October (or if the team starts slumping offensively again), you'll strictly see a platoon-type situation with Orlando getting the nod against all righties... and Burke/Bruntlett getting the lefties.

[chuichuitrain]

I could understand keeping everybody in the mix if we were facing a long line of righties where Burke might not get many starts. But we're playing a lefty tomorrow in Halsey, so that's an automatic start for Burke then... so I don't see what possible motive Garner has for using him tonight. I know he has "potential", but at some point the Astros need to recognize that he's not going to reach it this season and start giving more PT to better options. I'd actually like to see Bruntlett get a few more starts in left to see what kind of numbers he could produce on a more regular basis.

i like the thought of having palmeiro off the bench as a pinch hitter. however, i do agree that bruntlett should get a few more starts in place of burke.

[The Cat]

Well, here's Burke's chance to shut me up for a while... bases loaded none out. C'mon Chris, get it done!

[francis 4 prez]

bases loaded, no outs. i've always maintained the astros are the worst franchise ever in this situation. prove me wrong boys.

plus we always seem to manage to have our worst guys up with the bases loaded. burke, ausmus, astacio? may as well be me, Nick, and The Cat.


hey, burke with the sac fly. about as much as you could hope for.

[francis 4 prez]

seriously, did anyone not see that coming?

edit: and again, other teams play their guys way up the middle and we don't. if we were in the field, that's gets into the outfield b/c we'd have everett halfway to third.

[Nick]

Well, here's Burke's chance to shut me up for a while... bases loaded none out. C'mon Chris, get it done!

No hit, but he did a good job with the sac fly. That should help his confidence somewhat.

With Ausmus, however, we should have squeezed.... or as Baggy says, "We should have Ausmused."

[The Cat]

I'll eat a little crow for that one. Pleasant surprise... he waited for a pitch he could do something with and got it to the outfield. Excellent job of situational hitting... I don't think he could've done that a month ago.

That said, as soon as you get optimistic, there's always Brad with the reliable 6-4-3...

[codell]

death ...taxes ...and Ausmus grounding into a DP

[Nick]

I love ripping into Brad for his total non-hitting too... but I do have to give the guy some love for the way he brings it in the playoffs.

In 2001, he was the only guy that seemed to make contact in that Braves series. Then, last year, he broke the "ice" with his solo homer in game 1 vs. Atlanta... and he would have had the biggest hit in Astro history had the Cardinals not had super-astro-killer Jim Edmonds playing CF, making one of the greatest catches I'd ever seen. (and they got him for Kent Bottenfield... crimony!)

[MadMax]

I love ripping into Brad for his total non-hitting too... but I do have to give the guy some love for the way he brings it in the playoffs.

In 2001, he was the only guy that seemed to make contact in that Braves series. Then, last year, he broke the "ice" with his solo homer in game 1 vs. Atlanta... and he would have had the biggest hit in Astro history had the Cardinals not had super-astro-killer Jim Edmonds playing CF, making one of the greatest catches I'd ever seen. (and they got him for Kent Bottenfield... crimony!)

my older son gets SI for Kids. There was a piece in there about Jim Edmonds and the greatest catches he's ever made. Some remarkable pictures with commentary from Jim on those plays. He said he didn't think he'd get to Brad's hit...but that he knew as soon as it was hit that it may mean the difference in the game. Great freaking play...I hate him! :)

[francis 4 prez]

what makes ausmus' ability to ground into double plays even better is that it often allows us to start off the next inning with the pitcher instead of the lead off man. excellent.

[MadMax]

what makes ausmus' ability to ground into double plays even better is that it often allows us to start off the next inning with the pitcher instead of the lead off man. excellent.

it's like the gift that keeps on giving :)

[SWTsig]

it's like the gift that keeps on giving :)

now that was funny.

[codell]

it's like the gift that keeps on giving :)

kind of like a bad virus

[MadMax]

kind of like a bad virus

or genital warts.

[francis 4 prez]

i remember that 14 run 1st inning they were talking about. it just wouldn't end. i wanna say eric davis hit a grand slam in that inning. some how we held them to 18 on the game.

[MadMax]

have i ever told you that jason lane is my least favorite astro?

[codell]

or genital warts.

whoa whoa whoa!! hold on .....lets keep this sophisticated

[chuichuitrain]

almost.

[MadMax]

whoa whoa whoa!! hold on .....lets keep this sophisticated

:)

,..

[Nick]

Some REALLY bad luck in this inning for Astacio so far... he's looked really really good too.

[Puedlfor]

Our defense never seems to do Zeke any favors.

[francis 4 prez]

you're telling me that first pitch to vazquez wasn't a strike? after some of the corner calls javier has gotten?

[Nick]

Zeke just told his defense the same thing Cerrano told Jobu right before he hit that bomb against the Yankees in Major League. :)

[Puedlfor]

It's hard to imagine Zeke with a 7.17 ERA when he's pitching like this. His fastball is explosive, and he's putting it where he wants it - and he's breaking stuff is just filthy.

It's like two different pitchers.

[Nick]

Ensberg with a gigantic BOMB!!!

That would have made it out over the CF wall at MMP!!

[Svpernaut]

Holy hell that was a bomb by Ensberg... WOOT, Gonzo just made a boo boo.

[Nick]

It's hard to imagine Zeke with a 7.17 ERA when he's pitching like this. His fastball is explosive, and he's putting it where he wants it - and he's breaking stuff is just filthy.

It's like two different pitchers.

I know he's been a popular man here tonight... but I gotta give a lot of the credit to how Zeke is pitching now to Ausmus. When Astacio first came up, Chamo was handling him... and all of his pitches were up up up.

Brad does a great job of calling for ALL his pitches, and he's stubborn at making him work the outside corner. If Zeke can hit that outside corner with his electric fastball, he can become a very very good pitcher.

He reminds me a lot of Wade Miller when he first came up... without the funky delivery that predisposes him to injury. (speaking of which, did anybody else notice that the Red Sox had to skip Miller's last start because of his still problematic shoulder... he was able to go tonight and still ended up getting the win despite giving up 4 runs in 6 innings.

[thacabbage]

It's hard to imagine Zeke with a 7.17 ERA when he's pitching like this. His fastball is explosive, and he's putting it where he wants it - and he's breaking stuff is just filthy.

It's like two different pitchers.
I've been out of Houston for over a year now, so I've never seen Zeke pitch. Does he have #1 or #2 type stuff? Was he a highly regarded prospect?

[adw]

Mo Berg is strong :cool:

[Nick]

I've been out of Houston for over a year now, so I've never seen Zeke pitch. Does he have #1 or #2 type stuff? Was he a highly regarded prospect?

He was brought along real slowly by the Phillies, and didn't really start pitching full-time till after he turned 22 (he's now 25).

He's got a plus fastball, a sinking fastball, and a plus splitter (or some sort of pitch that dives down... even the announcers aren't sure what to call it). Other than that, he really doesn't throw much else with any regularity. He has a slider that I don't think he can locate... and he may mix in a changeup.

He was sort of a throw-in in the Billy Wagner trade. Then he proceeded to lead the Texas league in K's last year... and with Bucholz floundering with his arm problems/performance issues, the 'Stros were definitely happy to get something of quality in the deal.

Right now, I'd say he's got the potential to be possibly a #2, if he continues to work on his other pitches and continues to work on his control. Its hard to say he could ever be a true #1 guy, given the fact that he's a rookie at age 25... but you never know.

[Svpernaut]

Hope Palmeiro coverts here... Zeke had good stuff to pull him out after 5. Nice game Zeke!

[Svpernaut]

Hope Palmeiro coverts here... Zeke had good stuff to pull him out after 5. Nice game Zeke!

Orlando... YOU SEXY MOFO!

[Nick]

Another hit here would be huge... lets go Willy!

[adw]

Orlando the master PH :D

[DVauthrin]

I've been out of Houston for over a year now, so I've never seen Zeke pitch. Does he have #1 or #2 type stuff? Was he a highly regarded prospect?

Zeke was a part(not the primary acquisition) of the Wagner trade with the Phillies. He had a good K/BB ratio at the time of the trade but wasn't a K artist by any stretch. He also was old for his level. But last year at AA Round Rock, he started striking guys out. And that is why he was given a chance to win a spot in ST and he moved way up on the prospect ladder. From what some people who saw him a lot in Round Rock told me, he has #2 SP potential. Also, having Ausmus catch you instead of Raul Chavez really helps a pitcher. I'm so glad he's catching Oswalt and Zeke now, and Backe when he comes back.

Hope that helps.

[Svpernaut]

HELL YEAH! WILLLLLLY MAYES HAYES!

[bigballerj]

Diamondbacks are doing a great Bad News Bears impersation. :D

[Nick]

HELL YEAH! WILLLLLLY MAYES HAYES!

Lets keep the Major League references going!

"Want me to drag him out of here, kick the sh*t out of him?"

[Svpernaut]

Freaking Phil Garner and his marvelous moves... I know most of us were thinking "WTF?" when he pinch hit for Zeke in the top of the 6th, turns into 3 extra runs.

[Svpernaut]

Lets keep the Major League references going!

"Want me to drag him out of here, kick the sh*t out of him?"

This one is from part two...

"Women, can't lived with em... and they can't pee standing up."

[Nick]

"...and today's game was brought to you by......christ i can't find it, the hell with it!"

[Svpernaut]

"...and today's game was brought to you by......christ i can't find it, the hell with it!"

"It's too high!"

Wow, Biggio showing the arm & range.

[Uprising]

Another good outing for Zeke.

Garner seems to make the right moves at the right time this season.

5-0 Good Guys! :cool:

[Raven Lunatic]

You can't say goddamn on the air!

[Mr. Brightside]

Mr. Burns is in the game, excellllllllent.

[apostolic3]

UGLIEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR AWARD TO:

Zeke's picture on mlb.com. Check it out. Looks terrible even for Zeke.

[Mr. Brightside]

UGLIEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR AWARD TO:

Zeke's picture on mlb.com. Check it out. Looks terrible even for Zeke.


Zeke is beautiful in heart.

[Blatz]

UGLIEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR AWARD TO:

Zeke's picture on mlb.com. Check it out. Looks terrible even for Zeke.

Didn't he have some sort of flesh eating bacteria when he was younger?

[RocketFire]

We win

[moligity]

Zeke is beautiful in heart.

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/images/2005/07/19/wFSg9dbm.jpg

[bigballerj]

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/images/2005/07/19/wFSg9dbm.jpg

How does he shave with all those mini-mountains on his face? :confused:

[apostolic3]

How does he shave with all those mini-mountains on his face? :confused:
Maybe he uses a depilatory like Magic Shaving Powder. I used it years ago but finally found an electric razor that cut close enough.

[Mr. Brightside]

https://www.thepit.com/images/cards/EZQA-02-BWU-E0.jpg


Da man!

[Svpernaut]

He needs to hook up with Jessica Simpson and P. Diddy and grab himself some...

http://www.visionseast.com/images/photo_proactiv.gif

[kaleidosky]

OH YEAH go stros!

[tim562]

He needs to hook up with Jessica Simpson and P. Diddy and grab himself some...

http://www.visionseast.com/images/photo_proactiv.gif


Thats what i was thinking.

[Fegwu]

"It's too high!"

Wow, Biggio showing the arm & range.

Em...that was Super Utility player Eric Bruntlet.

He was brought as a defensive switch and he made a great play immediately. I am not sure Bigde could have executed that play especially going to his left.

[Saint Louis]

It's nearly 1:00 am Arizona time, which is somewhere normally between Pacific and Mountain time, and I just got home from the game. Having the Astros win with a shutout made the two hour drive go very quick.

First trip to the BOB. The place is huge! Fly balls go out and die in the outfield. Sort of reminds me of how they used to die in the Dome. They put too many useless seats high up in the upper deck. I can't see them ever filling the place. There were 23,000 and some change in attendance tonight. The air-conditioning sucks in the place. I was sweating just sitting there. Granted I was in the upper deck, 10th row but geez. They probably have one of those stupid swamp coolers hooked up as a sorry excuse for A/C. A/C the Arizona way, throw some moisture in the air and call yourself cooled.

Ensberg's homerun was a mammoth shot. It's 407 to dead center at the BOB and that was way up the centerfield wall. The DBack fans were evening oooing and ahhing over the homerun.

Besides a rookie throwing five innings of shutout ball; I witnessed Springer, Burns, Wheeler and Harville each throw an inning of shutout ball!!!! :eek:

"Heywood leads the league in most offensive categories, including nose hair. When this guy sneezes, he looks like a party favor. "

[bobrek]

Em...that was Super Utility player Eric Bruntlet.

He was brought as a defensive switch and he made a great play immediately. I am not sure Bigde could have executed that play especially going to his left.

Em...at the time he posted, that was Super Everyday player Craig Biggio. Bruntlett's play came in the 9th. Biggio made a nice play earlier in the game where he ranged to the 2nd base bag, stopped and threw the runner out.

[ruddy5]

Great win good guys, lately this team is incredible.
Tonight is Wandy's turn, hopefully with him we complete the sweep. Go Stros!!! Love for this team. :)

[MadMax]

Astros are gonna put a good deal of distance between themselves and 2nd place fro the wild card this month.

[ruddy5]

mmmmm Why berkman did not play last night? :confused: :confused: :(

[MadMax]

mmmmm Why berkman did not play last night? :confused: :confused: :(

i think they were just giving him some rest.

which is fine when we win 7-0.

[Groogrux]

i think they were just giving him some rest.

Actually, he had a stomach virus.

[juicystream]

[QUOTE=Svpernaut]"It's too high!"
[QUOTE]

"Too high? What do you mean too high?"

"Who cares? It's gone."

[The Real Shady]

If Zeke and Wandy keep pitching this well where does that leave Backe?

[MadMax]

Actually, he had a stomach virus.

too many twinkies.

[Svpernaut]

Em...at the time he posted, that was Super Everyday player Craig Biggio. Bruntlett's play came in the 9th. Biggio made a nice play earlier in the game where he ranged to the 2nd base bag, stopped and threw the runner out.

You are correct my friend... :-)

[kaleidosky]

If Zeke and Wandy keep pitching this well where does that leave Backe?

It gives us a good option out of the pen. Maybe Wandy as a lefty. Cause Backe and his proven big-game ability sure as hell is gonna be back in the rotation come playoff time

[Fegwu]

Em...at the time he posted, that was Super Everyday player Craig Biggio. Bruntlett's play came in the 9th. Biggio made a nice play earlier in the game where he ranged to the 2nd base bag, stopped and threw the runner out.


OKay.

[Saint Louis]

It gives us a good option out of the pen. Maybe Wandy as a lefty. Cause Backe and his proven big-game ability sure as hell is gonna be back in the rotation come playoff time

I say you keep all six starters and let Clemens, Pettite and Oswalt all have a week off before the end of the year for some extra rest.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Backe looks like the better playoff pitcher. The other two guys look like they just throw as opposed to battle and locate. they both do it effortlessly which i like. However, right now I think Backe is more battle ready. Seems like he wants it more.

[fya]

cubs lost and mets lost today.

[Xenon]

cubs lost and mets lost today.

I'm actually beginning to think the Cubs losing today was not a good thing. Phillies are alot closer in the wildcard than the Cubs.


















umm...not really. Let them keep losing. :)

[Puedlfor]

eh, the Phillies have a lot of games against the rest of the NL East - while the Cubs have a number of games against us in September. I believe it is better that they freefall from the race before our spate of games - while the NL East will deal with the Phillies.

[Svpernaut]

The Stros have the weakest August schedule of any contender.... WOOT!

[ruddy5]

The Stros have the weakest August schedule of any contender.... WOOT!
agree :p

[Nick]

Nice to see Burke showing that occasional pop that he was famous for at AAA.

Wandy is frustrating me with his control though... and there's a ball right down the middle that gets crushed by the one guy in their lineup you don't wan tto beat you tonight (with a lefty on the mound).

[Svpernaut]

Burke has been smashing the ball lately, he's just been hitting it right at people. Hopefully he can start finding some more holes.

[The Real Shady]

Does Jim Hickey speak spanish? I was trying to read his lips and that's what it looked like he was speaking.

[Nick]

Does Jim Hickey speak spanish? I was trying to read his lips and that's what it looked like he was speaking.

Yes... he's fluent. That's why he didn't bother to cover his mouth when he was speaking to the pitcher (like most meetings at the mound go).

[Surfguy]

Get Wandy out of there! Gaff!!!!!

Berkman was too busy chewing his gum on that play.

[Svpernaut]

Let's go ahead and pull Wandy shall we? lol...

[rikesh316]

Berkman's knee must still be hurting because he showed no hustle after that error.

[Nick]

Apparently, Berkman called for that pickoff (that's what they were talking about at the mound), but Wandy should have the frame of mind to not throw it right at the base runner (although I don't know where else he would have thrown it... Berkman didn't really give him a target).

Well... sometimes there'll be games like this... better to get them out of the way with your 5th starter on the mound. Maybe we'll get to see Bruntlett get some AB's, Biggio get some rest, and Berkman stop designing plays (and getting mroe rest).

[rikesh316]

I think Bruntlett should play versus lefties instead of Taveras.

[Svpernaut]

I think Bruntlett should play versus lefties instead of Taveras.

After that smash Willy T demands you take that back :-P

[rikesh316]

My bad Willy, didn't mean to diss you.

[Svpernaut]

Ensberg is locked in... he is just pounding the ball.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Don'y worry. We are going to show how complete we are tonight. a 7-spot coming up. The Bats are alive! They're alive!

[Buck Turgidson]

Berkman's knee must still be hurting because he showed no hustle after that error.
Nah, he got down the line well on the combacker. More likely just another Berkman braincramp.

[francis 4 prez]

well that wasn't a strike.

[BigCountry132]

Ensberg has to lead the league in looking at third strikes, great player, just sometimes too patient.

[Puedlfor]

We gave that run right back there.

Nah, he got down the line well on the combacker. More likely just another Berkman braincramp.

possibly, though I don't think his straight line speed is too bad - he's just got the turning speed of the Queen Victoria.

[fya]

Ensberg has to lead the league in looking at third strikes, great player, just sometimes too patient.

He says he "thinks too much" at times.

[fya]

Looks like Wandy's come down to earth tonight. Damn because the cubs and mets both lost.

[Buck Turgidson]

he's just got the turning speed of the Queen Victoria.
No doubt. Kinda surprising he's still so noticably gimpy. Just thought it looked like he was loafing on that play.

Ensberg has to lead the league in looking at third strikes, great player, just sometimes too patient.
Was a problem earlier in the year, he's an incredible hitter when he's aggressive.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Well that was an interesting set of fans.

Rally cap.

[ruddy5]

i hate night like this :mad:

[BigCountry132]

I really wished Garner would give vizcaino more playing time, hes a great situational hitter and has reliable defense. Everett is practically playing everyday and we should start to give Biggio some rest because he tends to slump in september. Maybe is just me, but ive always like viz.

[Svpernaut]

Man, Ensberg got robbed on that called 3rd strike in the 4th... and yay, another bomb for the d-backs.

[ruddy5]

This is incredible, we needing some runs, and the Dback score off the mf Qualls that easy?

[The Cat]

I'm not sure what to think about Qualls. It seems like he has some kind of focus issue. With his sinker, he shouldn't give up that many homers, and for the most part, he doesn't. But he has a terrible habit of giving up homers to batters that don't exactly hit for power. I always think of the Laroche shot in Game 4 last year. But this year, he gave up go-ahead homers to Einar Diaz in St. Louis (the game we lost in 13) and to Miguel Cairo last week in Houston. Earlier in the season he gave one up to Jason Ellison in a close loss to the Giants. Tonight, Tony Clark?

It wouldn't be that noticable if he were prone to giving up homers. But he isn't. He does fairly well against the true power hitters, at least in terms of keeping them in the park. The homers he allows seem to come against the most obscure of players... it's almost like he loses focus if he gets to weaker hitters at the bottom of the lineup.

[chuichuitrain]

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

we gave this game away. how many did we strand? 51?

[Nick]

I'm not sure what to think about Qualls. It seems like he has some kind of focus issue. With his sinker, he shouldn't give up that many homers, and for the most part, he doesn't. But he has a terrible habit of giving up homers to batters that don't exactly hit for power. I always think of the Laroche shot in Game 4 last year. But this year, he gave up go-ahead homers to Einar Diaz in St. Louis (the game we lost in 13) and to Miguel Cairo last week in Houston. Earlier in the season he gave one up to Jason Ellison in a close loss to the Giants. Tonight, Tony Clark?

It wouldn't be that noticable if he were prone to giving up homers. But he isn't. He does fairly well against the true power hitters, at least in terms of keeping them in the park. The homers he allows seem to come against the most obscure of players... it's almost like he loses focus if he gets to weaker hitters at the bottom of the lineup.

Tony Clark has 18 HR's this year... and he's had a couple of 30 HR's seasons before... so I don't think he's that obscure of a player, but I agree with you about Qualls lack of focus sometimes.

He's a lot like Backe in that sense (only getting up for the big moments/big games)... thus, its probably more of a maturity thing than anything else.

[The Real Shady]

Well, at least this will make the decision easier for Garner on who to send down when Backe comes back.

[benchmoochie]

M an, we could have gained a game on St L