Here's the amazing thing about the Astros right now. Two consecutive innings, they've had runners on first with under two outs. Preston and Ausmus have had no problems hitting little choppers to third and second respectively to ground into double plays. In fact, we seem to have a lot of hitters skewed to hitting those kinds of ground balls. However, almost every time we come up with a runner on third with under two outs... we can't make contact or pop out to the infield. See Ausmus last night. This team is so unlucky right now that it's ridiculous... you'd think by chance we'd be able to get one of those infield grounders we're so prone to with a runner on third... not so much.
Good Lord, the man may not be bouncing back from his shoulder injury like people want but that's just life. The man has incredible power up until that injury. He's been a staple in our batting and since he's gone down so has our batting. Right now his BA is the lowest it has ever been so he's 10th on the team. Caused by injury IMO. Still, he has the 3rd highest SLG on the team, 4th highest OBP, the most walks on the team (prior to injury I think b/c pitchers were scared of him so they didn't pitch to him), 2nd highest total bases, 2nd highest RBIs, 2nd highest HR, 6th highest in triples, 5th highest in doubles, 5th highest in hits, he's scored the most runs, all in around 249 ABs.
Come on, I'm sick of hearing about his shoulder injury as an excuse for his performance. Ensberg's hitting was nosediving before he even injured his shoulder. Ensberg is just very inconsistent and streaky. I'm sure if he continues to play he will heat up ala Bagwell and go on a tear where he hits .450 with 4 or 5 homers in two weeks. But right now, his prolonged slumps are costing us opportunities. He needs to become more consistent.
look, i am the president of the "ausmus is dog**** and has no business in the major leagues" fanclub, i have been for the past 4 years, i've been just about the only member, and i am getting sick of all of you jumping on without applying for admission. it cracks me up seeing you all just now start to realize how worthless he is. same people who have been praising him just mere weeks ago. so, as a courtesy, i'd appreciate any and all negative ausmus comments to be prefaced with, "Rocketfat was right....". Thank you.
I've always thought Ausmus was subpar. I'll be the first to admit I love him for his 9th inning homer in game 5, but the guy's never been a good hitter, plus he sucks at throwing runners out, what is it, 5 runners caught out of 39 attempts? That's pathetic. About the only thing he's good at is stopping balls in the dirt, and i'm sure we can find someone else to do that. And no, I wasn't one of the ones praising him when he went on his little hot streak to start this season. I kind of figured he would revert back to his typical performance.
Unreal. First Adam on the throw last night, then Morgan on the bobble, now Eric on the boot. That's three runs in crucial situations that we've absolutely given the Tigers by not making plays that high school kids routinely make. Unbelievable.
Well, that's twice this inning should have been over. That was strike three. This ump is squeezing Pettitte.
I don't advocate starting Bruntlett over Everett at this point, but don't forget that Everett gave up a run himself last night with an awful defensive play of his own at short.
What do you expect with Willy T leading off (yet again)... its almost like Garner is a stubborn little kid, and will keep making the same mistake over and over again, until it works just once... and then he can say "see... its starting to turn around!" Willy is barely even a MLB-calibur hitter, let alone a leadoff one.
of course, it was only his 4th error in 245 attempts....i think bruntlett has 4 errors as well...in about 50 attempts
In all my years, I've NEVER ... never ever, seen an offense this pathetic. I've been a 'Stros fan since 1973 & it's just beyond sad. Get a bat, please sir.
a fan since '73, but you must not have seen last year. you missed a good time...they went to the World Series!!!
Look , I understand that their pitching is good. It's the major leagues. Pitchers are good. & I'm not talking about this game & this game only. We need bats. We have young talent. Go get a bat. This shutout crap has to end. It's a joke. I'm not being impulsive here. Whether it's Ausmus grounding in to inning-ending double plays, or Adam not hitting the sac fly in a crucial low scoring game. It's tiresome. I know what's happening, so please ... Give up some young talent & go out & get some offense for christs sake.
