And he never seemed to lose his composure either... those were just some tough luck hits. If it was Wandy out there, Bonds might very well have parked one. 3 Runs in 6 innings is pretty good for a major league debut (could have been 2 if not for the Burke and Munson errors). whoops...scratch that... I didn't see the first part of the game..so Backe left early and then Buchholz came in....well either way he got out of that jam fairly nicely.
At this rate, Matt Morris will pitch a complete game. I can't believe the Astros only have 2 hits. I'm glad I had to work through this one. At least, so far. I'm frustrated watching the box score.
Its all because of Mike Matheny... Morris is totally a rhythm pitcher. If he's going good, he's great... if he gets roughed up a little, it can all fall apart real fast. Mike Matheny is probably better than Ausmus at handling pitchers... he turned guys like Garret Stephenson into double-digit winners, and he could get Morris the confidence to be an all-star pitcher again.
Yea... and he'd still be there if the Giants didn't throw a ridiculous amount of money his way (esp. for a light-hitting catcher). Same goes for Morris... 3 years 27 million at this stage in his career?!? Oh yea, btw, whenever Gallo has a good outing... that actually means something... let me know.
Looks like the Gallo decision is the difference in this game. I seriously vote to limit this guy's appearences to either mop-up duty, or when we're running out of pitchers in extra-innings.... that's it!
Another month of Wily T. doing nothing but hitting fly-balls to RCF might force their hand. EDIT: Haha... love that reverse karma. Winning run coming up to the plate!
That, and putting Lamb in the 3rd spot is EXTREMELY questionable to me. Why wouldn't Lamb be 5th or 6th? Berkman would be up now. I don't get it.
They were trying to bank on Lamb's unbelievable numbers againt Morris... I also thought it was an iffy decision, but he did have a hit against him (while the rest of our lineup was pretty much silent till the end). Also, you know better than to challenge how the "universe" works: can you honestly tell me that this game would be exactly the same (in every way shape and form) if Lamb batted 5th, and Berkman stayed at 3rd... and this same situation would come up, and Berkman would be batting in it? That's how I relieve myself from worrying about such scenarios.
I'm with you, I don't understand why you would move Berkman from his standard position in the lineup to cleanup just because Lamb replaces Ensberg. Berkman is the Astros' best hitter, and should always hit 3rd.
I dont get that either. Despite his numbers against Morris Lamb is not the hitter to hit in the 3 spot. It might have been better to hit him 5th or 6th with Wilson hitting cleanup.
I realize he's had great numbers against Morris, but if you wouldn't bat him 3rd any other day, why would you today? To me, you have to ask yourself who you want up if your top two table setters get on and there are two outs. I don't know... just seems unconventional and more than a questionable call by Garner. If Lamb was batting in Ensberg's spot, I could understand that more. It seems weird pushing Berkman back in the order when he's easily your best hitter and he's playing in the game. Anyway, I honestly feel like Garner lost this game if they don't come back in the 9th.
Munson was this year's Luke Scott. He hit great in Spring Training. I agree he hasn't shown anything yet during the year. Munson's a bigger threat to knock one out than Palmeiro.
