How did Hirsh look to you guys? It seemed to me, though from my angle I couldn't be too sure, that he wasn't really locating his fastball that well from the get go.
Anyone else have this feeling that this is a big loss even though there are a lot more games to play and we are only 2 and a half back?
I thought he had control early...and you knew he was tiring during the long 3rd inning. And I thought he lost the control in the 4th..probably due to energy. (considering the emotions he put in to his first ML start...and then that bases loaded jam in the 3rd with the 345 hitters up)
No, not really. If we lose tomorrow and/or revert back to our losing ways then maybe you can point back to this game and call in the beginning of the end. But we're still playing well and we've got a good schedule. The only series I'm even slightly worried about is the Mets series. We're capable of winning every series we have from here on out. We have a good chance of winning the Wild Card and maybe even the division. I don't think today really changes that.
dude, you need to stop watching baseball like that. the season is 162 games long. the best team in the league can look awful against the worst team in the league on any given night.
You'd think after all the "it's over" crap at the end of July, and especially after that "must-win" Cinci series that we didn't win, this stuff would stop. Did you really expect them to win every single game? And to win a game with a rookie starter vs the other team's ace?
I've maintained that this team can't afford to lose a lot of games started by the big 3 (Oswalt, Clemens, Pettite). They also can't afford to lose many more games where they have a lead after 7, but it gets blown by the bullpen (mainly Qualls-Lidge). Anything else that happens... a blowout, a poor defensive game, terrible middle releif, hitters getting stifled by no-name pitchers, hitters getting stifled by all-star pitchers, etc... is simply what "happens" in baseball from time to time, and will happen with this team (and all teams) multiple times before the season is over. Last night's game was an example of the starting pitcher getting hammered. It hadn't happened in awhile, thus the cause for mini-panic from the fickle Houston fans... just breathe folks. The same thing could happen to Backe today... and the naysayers will come out in full force... but this team still won't be dead.
When you are in a playoff race, every loss is technically a "big" loss. However, as I mentioned in an earlier post, this team has won 8 out of the last 11 games. If the Astros continue to play like that, they'll win the NL Central. The Astros are entitled to lose a game, especially when it is a rookie versus Jake Peavy. I hope we pick it up today and get back to our winning ways. Everything will be fine
nerves & adrenaline = overthrowing = poor command & inability to throw offspeed pitches To be expected in a first big league start.
Exactly, I went into last nights game saying, this is one that we should lose, and if we win it, it is a bonus. If we win the games that we should win the rest of the year, we are going to be in good shape.
Hangover from yesterday? I think not Some nice fundamental baseball early (with some help from a funky flyball from Berkman)
mike lamb with another tremendous defensive play!!! ok, his first tremendous defensive play. but great time to have it.
This is the worst umpire I've seen in an Astros game all season. I know umpiring is inconsistent, so I try not to complain too much, but this is ridiculous. This umpire has continually squeezed Backe all game, including on multiple potential strike three calls, and he rings up Lance Berkman on that low and inside pitch? This guy is both missing the strike zone and inconsistent in how he misses it.
Actually, Tim McClelland is one of the best umps in the game... he may be having a bad day, but I'd rather have him behind the plate over hacks like Angel Hernandez or CB Bucknor.
I didn't know who it was today. If so, you're right, he is usually very strong... but he's certainly having a bad day today. I can't get a handle for what kind of zone he's calling at all. It's changing by the inning.
