We're doing all the little things to win now. Both Roger and Roy were not on their A games, and we still take both.... always a positive sign. It was weird being at the games and seeing the response to Kent's first plate appearances--which was generally nothing. A few cheers and a few boos, but it appeared most people could care less.
I hope these two games are not an indication that we will go back into an offensive slump. I am tired of close games. It's a good thing though when Clemens and Oswalt are just trying to battle through the game and we still get victories. I believe we are now the only franchise to come back from 15 games under .500 to make it back to that mark in the same season two differnt years (this year and 1969). Could anyone imagine Oakland and Houston both having shots at the playoffs when both were 15-30.
I suppose it is a testament to how prickly the guy was when he was in Houston that most fans don't care about him...even considering the guy hit probably the most memorable homerun in Houston Astros history.
This guy was pwned by Oswalt today. Jayson Werth thought the problem was not the opponent's pitcher. "Today for me it didn't make a difference who was pitching," Werth said. "I wasn't having good at bats or a good approach so it didn't matter."
Way to go Stros!!! Now tied for 3rd place in the Wild Card standings. Next to go down will be the Marlins, then the Braves, then the Cards!!! Wishful thinking, but with how things have been going lately how can you not at least hope for a situation like that. Need to take care of business tomorrow and go into the break above .500
I'm off to my 3rd game this week! Sunday 1:05pm Crawford boxes Sec: 102 row:5 My first time in the Cboxes.
I'm hoping that having Ausmus catch Backe again will help him smooth over some of his control problems that he was having with Chavez... but the Dodgers got some good swings off him in that 1st inning. Also, Ensberg looked like he was ready to tackle Kent when he was running to tag him out... Kent also looked like he may have tweaked his knee on that play.
Great example of an area that doesn't get alot of press but is imperative to a winning team: Defense. Ausmus with a quick release, Biggio with a nice short-hop catch and tag and Ensberg with a fine short-hop catch on a bullet hit to his left. A month ago that was at least one run and more likely leads to multiple runs and puts us in an early hole.
And the Dodger's defense in the 1st inning is the perfect antithesis to that: Botching a double-play ball that leads directly to a run and a runner on second (whereas simple execution = 2 outs, nobody on base). Then, failing to keep an eye on Biggio at 2B, letting him swipe 3rd. EDIT: bases loaded now, nobody out... 1 run already in. The Astros have a tremendous opportunity to put this game away early. EDIT (again): Lane hit a screamer that found a glove, Everett looked bad... its up to Burke now to save this "tremendous" opp.
Everett looked really bad in that at-bat. Swung at one way outside and then took one straight down the middle.
He wouldn't be the first MLB hitter who "guesses" a lot of the time up there. Frankly, there are a few "all-stars" who do the exact same thing... they just end up guessing right more often than not.
It looks like both teams already think they're on the all-star break. Some pretty badly botched routine plays on both sides early.
My understanding was always that most batters are up there trying to guess what they're going to get and only looking for certain pitches.
True... but the better ones are able to adjust when they don't get that "certain" pitch, and either go the other way with it or lay off it.
