Thursday, August 20, 2009

Recap for G120 - Marlins at Astros

Michael Bourn dominated this game from start to finish, as the Astros got one back,
winning 6-3 over the Marlins, and overcoming a 2-run deficit in the first inning.

Bourn was 3x4 with 2SBs, and 2 runs scored. But the other big story of the game was that this was Yorman Bazardo's rotation debut, and while he didn't qualify for the win, he pitched decently enough.

Bazardo: 4.2IP, 6H/2ER, 1K:4BB, 16/25 first-pitch strikes, 24/55 non-contact strikes (16 called:8 swinging)
Byrdak: 0IP, 1BB, 0/1 FPS, 0/0 NCS
Gervacio: 0.1IP, 1K, 0/1 FPS, 2/3 NCS (2c)
Fulchino: 2IP, 4H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 4/9 FPS, 8/16 NCS (6c:2s)
LaHawk: 1IP, 1H, 1/4 FPS, 2/8 NCS (2c)
Valverde: 1IP, 2K:2BB, 4/6 FPS, 11/24 NCS (7c:4s)

Bazardo was pretty inefficient: 95 pitches to 25 batters faced, recording 14 outs. Then Byrdak came in to close the 5th, and issued a four-pitch walk, and Gervacio was needed to get the strikeout to end the inning. Valverde had another eventful outing - loading up the bases in the 9th, and needing 38 pitches to get out of the 9th for his 17th "save." The Marlins had 10+ hits for the 15th straight game, which is the highest total for a team since 1937 (St. Louis Browns, if I remember SportsCenter correctly)

Bazardo's pitches by inning:
1st: 32
2nd: 20
3rd: 15
4th: 10
5th: 18

Did anyone who saw the game see why Bazardo was pulled - or was it a pitch count issue?

Let's take a look at Valverde's 9th inning:
Baker: 5-pitch fly-out to left
Uggla: 5-pitch strikeout (swinging)
Ross: 7-pitch walk
Hermida: 6-pitch walk
Helms: 5-pitch HBP
Coghlan: 10-pitch strikeout (swinging), seven consecutive foul balls.

Offensively, it was all happening because of Michael Bourn. Bourn reached on a bunt single to lead off the game, then stole second, then was safe at third on a throwing error on John Baker. He scored one batter later, on an error by Cantu that sent Keppinger to second. Doubles by Berkman and Tejada erased a 2-0 deficit and put the Astros up 3-2, and they wouldn't trail again. Humberto Quintero hit a solo homer in the 4th and Bourn's triple/Keppinger's single scored another two runs for the Astros with the final 6-3 margin.

Pitch Count Hero: Miguel Tejada - 22 pitches in 4 PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Berkman - 9 pitches in 4 PAs (2 hits and a walk)

Man of the Match: Micheal Bourn. The offensive catalyst. Seven total bases (if you count the two SBs).

Goat of the Game: I'm giving this to Jose Valverde. Took a three-run lead and made it to where one swing of the bat could have lost the game. It's been since July 24, 10 appearances, that Valverde didn't allow a baserunner.