Wow... Puppura must have heard you. Franco gets released so they can put Astacio on the active roster. That's a pretty bold move from this club, considering they had other players with options who they could easily move off the active roster (Burns, Rodriguez). I'm guessing they'll bring Gallo back up after this game and send either Wandy or Zeke back down.
It's Franco. Hurrah! You've had a great career - even if it was for the ****ing Mets, time to ride into the sunset.
Burke is showing the pop now... I've seen enough from him the last 2 weeks to be pretty confident that he can be a very good Astro for a long time.
Astros with 3 early runs. It is about time that Burke started playing like the player we were hoping for. Thank Goodness we got rid of Franco. I hated it when we signed him. The Mets didn't want him anymore. Just scored again. 4-0 early.
That was the most obvious, illegal slide ever performed to break up a double play by Palmeiro there. Couple that with Burke's swan dive earlier, and it's been an interesting game for sliding by the Astros.
I want to let it go, but who really didn't see this happening when they forced us to restart the 2-2 game and forced us to call up Astacio? Considering our bullpen (even without Lidge) is better than the Reds, we stood a good chance of taking that game, especially with Berkman, Ensberg and Lane due up to start the eighth. But, because of these ridiculously idiotic rules that won't allow us to pick up the game in the 8th inning, we're likely going to lose a crucial game that should've been in the win column. Thanks a lot, MLB.
Why did we lose, well, it's not rocket science: era 9.47 Astacio 6.28 Springer 6.13 Harville This is just sad. How does anybody go into game with these pitchers and expect to win. It's a joke to me. We never had a chance.
Why is Harville still on the roster? I know he is out of options but its not like anyone is going claim him. Why does Phil keep using him? Springer was throwing the ball well and Qualls was available.
2-2 game after 7 innings. A rested Qualls and Wheeler. Berkman, Ensberg and Lane due up. Thanks, MLB... what a great rule to force a restart. Is there any logical purpose for that rule? I can't figure out anything... and it's incredibly frustrating when you're trying to rally and lose a game you probably would've won if not for an absurd rule.
To be honest, has anyone else proven that they deserve to be in the bullpen other than Lidge, Wheeler, and Qualls? If manangement really believes in this team then I would think they would be trying to bring in some bullpen help as soon as possible and not wait for the deadline. I can see why they might want to wait to add a bat, but we need bullpen help immediately.
WTF? Just yesterday, you posted this: <I>Why in hell does Garner always bring in Franco or Springer.</I> Do you just sit and b**** about whoever sucked everytime we lose?
If you believe Qualls has proved himself, then you should add Springer to the list. He was much better last year (ERA about 1 less), and has been just as good as Qualls in April and June (all ERAs in the 2s). Springer had a suckier May, but both had ERAs over 10. If you include Springer in that list, you have 4 pretty good bullpen guys. What team has more than that?
