7-4 HOUSTON!!! Blum hits one and scores a run. Bagwell hits one...and scores a run Kent hits one...scores a run!!! Bagwell goes to 3rd base!!!
12-4 Astros Kent with a double, scores two more runners. Berkman with a sac fly, baggy scores. 13-4. Astros... BLOW OUT!!! hahaha..
Finally this team is playing up to its potential. For a while there, they were making the Rockets look good.
Well I wouldn't say the entire team is playing up to its potential b/c our starting pitching has been pretty poor thus far and sucked tonight again. But, I will say that the offense is finally stepping up for a change and knocking in some runs. Let's just hope the power surge continues and the starters get their heads cleared up.
I don't understand why Linebrink was pulled at the end of the fifth; he hadn't seen trouble in a couple of innings. I think Williams just gets giddy in the dugout when he realizes that he can pinch hit for a pitcher.
Wow I don't think we will ever pitch a great game in your eyes then. Linebrink gave up 2 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings, got out of a bases loaded jam and had 4 k's to 2 bb's and you call that sucking. I'm not saying he threw a Cy Young quality game but if our pitching sucks like that every night I'll take it. As for Linebrink being pulled I would assume it was due to him throwing 91 pitches and his spot in the order due up. Jimmy seems to have a maximum pitch count for everyone. When they get around 100 they get pulled. He probably reasons it to saving their arms for later in the season. And the bullpen has been fairly decent the last 6 games.
exactly!! particularly pitchers that weren't even in the opening day starting rotation! come on astros pitchers...keep sucking like linebrink did last night!!!
i understand your points, and perhaps i was a bit rash, but i am referring to the fact that linebrink was a disaster waiting to happen all night. he had 11 base runners in 4 innings and at one point, according to the chronicle, allowed 7 consecutive pirates to reach base. that's terrible pitching. in addition, he only lasted 5 innings. sure he only gave up two runs somehow, but there is no way our bullpen will last out there if the starters don't start going deeper in games. he was very lucky too get out of their with just those two runs on us.
Surely, he's doing better than Robertson. Perhaps it's luck, but he has kept the Astros in the game in all 3 starts. You can't say that for Robertson. When Moehler is healthy again, Linebrink is essentially the Astros' 5th starter, so it's unreasonable to expect so much out of him. As long as he keeps the team in the game, then he is doing his job. I understand your concerns, and 11 runners in 4 innings is a huge number, but at least he is pitching out of those jams. I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon until he is seriously giving up runs and losing games for the Astros.
I have to agree that Linebrink's start was not so great tonight. Sure, the results are good, but in the inning when he gave up those 2 runs, two of the three outs in that inning were off of outfield assists. In other words, he only got one legitimate (in that it was an easy play) out that inning. Had he not had some decent defense behind him, that inning could have been a lot worse, and if even 2 more runs scored that inning in addition to what he did end give up, then that start would have to be downgraded from decent-good to poor-fair. But I will definitely agree that Linebrink has done a much better job than Robertson at keeping us in the games.
The 'stros have been winning by making the plays in a timely manner. So, what do we have? The Cardiac Kids of the 7-2 start? The mess of the next three or so weeks? Or the winners of the last seven? As usual, I am being seduced into optimism. 'Intellectually' I still believe that the Reds may finish ahead of our locals, with the Cards and Reds setting the pace. Keep this up, 'stros, let me eat crow.
I'd do any sort of nickname wager with you on the Reds finishing in front of the Astros, Xiki. You can set the rules if you want.
Awesome!! Astros bats have finally come alive!! 7 game winning streak with another sweep. How sweet it is!! I hope the Astros can keep the hot hand, I dont want this to be like the great start at the begining and then it turns to hell again. Keep it up, dont lose any ground on this coming roadtrip!! Come on stros!! Cards keep losing... 2nd place!! and 1 game back...wow.
