Monday, April 12, 2010

Recap for G7: Astros v. Cardinals

Yesterday I posted a question on Twitter, asking to complete the sentence, "The Astros couldn't __________." My favorites, aside from my own, "The Astros couldn't slug their way out of an opium den" are as follows:

Via PergnutliOliver: "The Astros couldn't generate numbers with a bucketful of dice.
Via Deputy Jason: "The Astros couldn't be less interesting if they tried."
Via Crashburn Alley: "The Astros couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat."

Yes. The Astros failed to score a run again, and lost to the Cardinals, 5-0.

Why They Lost
Yesterday we said the Astros lost because couldn't get the big hit. Maybe it's because they can't hit. The Astros were 7x31 today, and even got a walk from Humberto Quintero! This includes an 0x4 w/RISP (Pence, Lee, Manzella, and Wandy). Meanwhile, Wandy didn't record a strikeout, and missed what's considered a Disaster Start (Same or more ER as IPs) by an out - 4.1IP, 7H/4ER, 0K:2BB. It was the first time since October 1, 2006 (90 starts) that Wandy didn't record at least one punchout. Or it's because Wandy served up a fat one to Pujols, who cranked it for a three-run homer. Pujols now has 14 RBI, and the Astros have 13 runs.

Astros Pitching






NameIPH/ERK:BBPit-StrCS/SS
Wandy4.17/40:265-40 (61.5%)8/0
Lopez1.22/11:127-15 (55.6%)3/2
Byrdak0.10/00:01-1 (100%)0/0
Sampson1.22/01:126-15 (57.7%)3/2


So...yeah. The Cardinals swung and missed at four pitches all day. None by Wandy, and walked more Cardinals than strikeouts.

Astros hitting

Hunter Pence got himself a hit. So that's nice. He and Carlos Lee are now a combined 6x52 with two extra-base hits, and one walk. Bourn led off with an infield single, stole second, and got over to third when Manzella grounded out. So what happens? Pence and Lee leave him right there! They had runners on in five of the first six innings, and got nothing. Then, 11 of the next 12 ABs were outs to conclude the game.

Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn (2x4) and Hunter Pence (1x4) - 18 pitches in four PAs.
Pitch Count Punk: Pedro Feliz (1x3) - 7 pitches in four PAs.

Man of the Match: Michael Bourn. 2x4 and a stolen base (and a blown call that got him picked off first). Dude's hitting .346 on the season. He still can't draw a walk to save his life, but he's doing more than anyone else.

Goat of the Game: I'm not giving it to Wandy, even though he would deserve it. Nope, this one's going to Carlos Lee. You have to start hitting like a cleanup hitter. But right now, I would settle for him hitting like a #8 hitter.

Thank God tomorrow is an off-day.