I'm trying to follow it, but it's one of the rare games not on TV here in Austin. Following on the net feels really dramatic, waiting for each update to post. Big game, though. I hope Miceli can get out of this inning....
Arrgh... since this is old-school baseball night, oh how I long for the days of non-one-inning specialist closers. Lidge would be good right now... the fact that he's not even throwing makes me wonder if he's even available... EDIT: Kulpa just BLEW that 2-2 call for Miceli... that ball was right over the inside corner of the plate. I stand by my post earlier in this thread. Kulpa has been a big determinant in this game tonight.
I would think he is since the 'Stros had the day off yesterday. Don't know for sure, though. I know he went 1 inning on Sunday.
Well... Miceli did about all he could do. He did give up the walk (which didn't really figure into anything, since the runner was already at third)... and he induced two grounders and a strikeout. It was Roger's earned run, but Miceli still gets the BS. But, with two men on, and the heart of the Braves lineup with less than 2 outs up... its pretty good that we're still in a tie game. Besides... we GOTTA win a game in our last AB at least once before the year is done...
Yeah, Miceli did about all that could be asked of him. Sux that he gets a blown save, but I guess, by definition, that's what happened. Wow, Lamb has been awesome. Here comes a chance to get that run back....And Lidge is up in the bully!
MAN... what a hard slide by Lamb to break up the double play (even though Viz would probably be safe anyways... it was still fun to see.) Astros now lead 3-2. Miceli gets the BS, but now he can actually get the win...
One of those good, old-fashioned "SCAVENGER" wins, if he can get it. Plus, it's good that Philly and San Diego are playing each other. It means that if/ when we win the next couple of days, we're guaranteed to make up ground on "someone" ahead of us.
HAHA.... I believe the correct baseball term is VULTURE. LIGHT'S-OUT Lidge with another save... struck out the side. Yes... his bbs nickname should be "Light's Out"... has he looked anything but after he's become closer? Man... if only somebody had the foresight to keep Dotel as the setup man (of course, there's no way that would have been possible... he deserved a shot). But, I am defintely a Lidge fan. edit: and the crickets keep chirping in here... did the Rockets make a big trade or something?
Touche....it is "vulture." I just had a brain fart, I guess. Yeah, the hard thing with closers is you just never know if a guy with the "stuff" is going to have the mental makeup to handle the pressure of closing. Dotel obviously had the pitching repetoire, but maybe he couldn't handle the stress there, while he THRIVED and seemed often unhittable as the set-up guy. Hindsight is 20/20, and maybe we don't get Beltran if we aren't willing to give up Duckie. Well, it sure is nice to get a quality win over a good team and good pitcher. Good lord, we need some offense, but at least it feels good to scratch out a win. If we can take this series, and then make some noise against the Expos, we might still have a shot at the wild card.
Agreed... but the only team that I'm really watching in that race is the Cubs. I honestly don't think the Giants have the starting pitching (williams was just put on the DL) or the bullpen (they just made Hermanson closer) to stay in it. I also don't see the Padres staying in it for some reason... The astros have a "chance" but if they have to depend on Oliver, Munro, and Redding as 3/5's of their rotation for an extended period of time... the wc will be a tough order. If we had our expected rotation to start the year healthy right now (w/ the Redding of last year, of course) this team would have more than a fair shot at this thing.
Fun game to watch, even if it was tight to the very end. I'm impressed with the ability to scratch out a win in a tough situation, it's a shame Roger didn't get the win though. How important has Mike Lamb been? I'm so happy to see Garner let him hit for Ausmus and then Chavez finish the game, no way Jimy would've ever made that move. Here come the Astros...
Props to Biggio tonight, the guy has played well all season to this point. if the astros have a legitmate shot at reaching the playoffs late into this season, hopefully he will hit better than last season.
i'm sorry...the ATL Machine?? please, Lil Francis...let's not get out of control. when i hear the word Machine, i think of the Big Red Machine...I think of great teams. This Braves team hasn't proven itself to be that, as of yet. It's spent most of the year under .500, frankly. they're on pace to win about 89-90 games right now. a good season. but a Machine? hardly. and not up to your predicted 96 win total either!
