It's what you're supposed to do here! But seriously, I thought Hinch did a fine job even after the first walk. Lance had owned trout, and you'd be putting a pitch to contact pitcher in to face trout? Why not let Lance just see if he can get trout to bite on that strike 3. I'm perfectly fine with everything.
A big tip of the hat to P Tucker on his first game back. Had the triple for the first run and then another good at bat with a good play by Choi.
Wasn't terrible. Just poor execution/mechanics on the walk to Calhoun. Made much better pitches to Trout. In the end, bullpen/closer did its job.
Yeah, thought this dumb **** ended when that guy I had in ignore was banned. Dumb to b**** about his choice tonight. I'm am arm chair QBing, but still. I was OK with it.
The way Boston is going, might as well start keeping tabs on the Orioles too... good thing they all get to play each other a few more times (doubtful that all 3 survive that).
Just out of nowhere lol. Loved it. Dude really seems mature and a good professional in his interviews but that dig was nice.
Haha I knew some folks would be whining about Hinch for leaving Lance in the game. I didn't think he would be in for the 9th, but when Brownie read off Harris' stats vs Calhoun/Trout/Pujols, I understood why. McCullers absolutely owned Trout like I've never seen a pitcher own him. Harris did his job this time around. Still wouldn't mind if team went out and rented Chapman (if he becomes available). Beating up on the Yankees when they are in town might help.
The Astros are 2.5 games out of first place with the best record since May 27th. Without a true ace and see shaky bullpen. I think the manager is doing a fine job of managing. Go 'Stros!
Only a fool b****es about hinch tonight... You absolutely bring LMJ back for the 9th. Even after walking Calhoun there's no way you pull him - he owned trout all game and no reliever in our pen was gonna give him a tougher AB.
I agree. The Red Sox are going all in with Ortiz playing his last. I don't see how they don't win that division.
Let's just blow past the Rangers and stretch the lead and not have to worry about the WC. Just can't melt down in the end like last year.
I'm not a Hinch critic, I think people wine far too much about him. But I didn't like the choice to send McCullers out there for the 9th at all. Whether he was fatigued, or just made poor pitches we can never know, but given his arm isn't used to heavy work I would prefer to error on this side of caution. Ultimately, other than hurting McCullers ERA a little, it didn't hurt us so it's no big deal. Some choices aren't gonna work out.
That's the plan... just always good to have fallback options. I don't think the AL East will be a problem. Only 2 out of those 3 teams will keep pace. Astros are very fortunate that most of the AL Central (especially the Royals) are mediocre.
I dunno about fatigue... he looked as good as he ever did in the 8th, and looked damn good in the Trout AB. He's prone to control issues... whether its the 1st inning or the 9th inning. That's largely what happened with Calhoun (who he walked earlier in the game as well)... likely him trying to be too perfect knowing that Trout is up next. Had he not had such a dominant 8th, it would have made the decision easier.
Absolutely. I think it is fun to watch. Hell it gave us something to watch just 4 short weeks ago and now all of a sudden, we're sniffing first place.
