Congratulations to the Royals and their fans on winning the World Series. Last year the Royals won the Pennant, this year they won the Pennant and the World Series. Next year the Royals are seeking to win the Masters and the Sprint Cup Series.
*In a hollow piece, Evan Drellich writes that the Astros came the closest to beating the Royals this postseason.
Ben Zobrist said:
I feel that eighth inning of Game 4 in Houston, I think that was the defining moment for this club. It was the first time I felt this club can win it all. Those things have to happen for you to win championships.
The more I reflect, the higher I rank the 8th inning of Game 4 on my list of Astros-induced heartbreak. It's not quite Pujols/Lidge, but I'll always remember where I was during that 8th inning (I-24, driving from Nashville to Atlanta) in the same way that I'll always remember where I was during the Pujols homer (our apartment in Abilene, standing behind the couch). I'm not ready to talk about it.
*Dallas Keuchel won the pitcher's 2015 Fielding Bible award for the second straight year.
*Astros legend Darin Erstad will interview for the Dodgers' managerial vacancy.
Some important dates this off-season:
*Nov 6: Eligible players file for free agency
*Nov 9-12: GM Meetings
*Nov 16: BBWAA Rookie of the Year award announced
*Nov 17: BBWAA Manager of the Year award announced
*Nov 18: Cy Young Award announced
*Nov 19: MVP Award announced
*Dec 7-10: Winter Meetings
*Jan 7: Hall of Fame balloting announced
*Jan 12: Salary arbitration filings
*Jan 15: Arbitration figures exchanged
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Showing posts with label Darin Erstad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darin Erstad. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2015
Monday, July 5, 2010
Darin Erstad got a job!
Recently-retired former Astro Darin Erstad got himself a job as a Voluntary Assistant Coach (and Hitting Coach).
Erstad was an All-American for Nebraska, as well as being the football team's punter.
Erstad was an All-American for Nebraska, as well as being the football team's punter.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wade, on what to address next
Short version: Third base.
Long version:
Wade:
“We're leaving here with some pieces in place and some flexibility remaining. It was conceivable when we made it here on Sunday night that we would have been leaving here with one or two pieces in place and no flexibility and (some) needs remaining. So I think in that regard we're better off. Now, from a performance standpoint, replacing Valverde and Hawkins and (Miguel) Tejada and all those other guys we're going to have to prove it on the field. But from the standpoint knowing that we had some things we needed to address I think we've done a good job."
On Third Base:
“You got Feliz and Uribe and a couple of other guys out there in a free agent environment that would fit the need at third base. There are some trade possibilities as well. We've had some conversations with some clubs where we might be able to do something. Again, we think Blum's done a terrific job for us and Geoff will get a lot of playing time whether it's being earmarked as the front-line third baseman or getting a lot of playing time at a several different positions. We think he'll get his at-bats and at the same time we think that we can probably do something that will either augment what he does or give us somebody that can step in on a more front-line basis and be a more prototypical third base bat...
...I'd still like to bump the offense a little bit if we could. We know we have potential needs in the outfield, backup outfielders. That particular issue we'll let drift down the road. If something falls on our laps sooner rather than later we'll move on it, but I think having a few dollars to spend and patience could reap some benefits later in December or January. There's a lot of players who are still out there. I'm sure there'll be more players over the weekend with the non-tenders. The market will increase over the weekend.”
No. There aren't needs with backup outfielders. There are a couple of options in Triple-A. Bring them up. Whether it's Abercrombie or Bogusevic, they will suffice as 4th/5th outfielders. Pardon, they will suffice at replacing Darin Erstad as a 4th/5th outfielder.
Long version:
Wade:
“We're leaving here with some pieces in place and some flexibility remaining. It was conceivable when we made it here on Sunday night that we would have been leaving here with one or two pieces in place and no flexibility and (some) needs remaining. So I think in that regard we're better off. Now, from a performance standpoint, replacing Valverde and Hawkins and (Miguel) Tejada and all those other guys we're going to have to prove it on the field. But from the standpoint knowing that we had some things we needed to address I think we've done a good job."
On Third Base:
“You got Feliz and Uribe and a couple of other guys out there in a free agent environment that would fit the need at third base. There are some trade possibilities as well. We've had some conversations with some clubs where we might be able to do something. Again, we think Blum's done a terrific job for us and Geoff will get a lot of playing time whether it's being earmarked as the front-line third baseman or getting a lot of playing time at a several different positions. We think he'll get his at-bats and at the same time we think that we can probably do something that will either augment what he does or give us somebody that can step in on a more front-line basis and be a more prototypical third base bat...
...I'd still like to bump the offense a little bit if we could. We know we have potential needs in the outfield, backup outfielders. That particular issue we'll let drift down the road. If something falls on our laps sooner rather than later we'll move on it, but I think having a few dollars to spend and patience could reap some benefits later in December or January. There's a lot of players who are still out there. I'm sure there'll be more players over the weekend with the non-tenders. The market will increase over the weekend.”
No. There aren't needs with backup outfielders. There are a couple of options in Triple-A. Bring them up. Whether it's Abercrombie or Bogusevic, they will suffice as 4th/5th outfielders. Pardon, they will suffice at replacing Darin Erstad as a 4th/5th outfielder.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Crawfish Boxes want to hear about a plan, and dadgummit, so do I
Excellent post this morning over at The Crawfish Boxes referring to Brian McTaggart's interview with Ed Wade regarding the holes in the Astros (Astr-oles?)
...I can't discern a single line of thought from McTaggart's interview that would indicate there's any kind of plan for the Astros. I don't need a blueprint, but at least some sort of trajectory, and if not a trajectory, and least and indication that our front office is in fact in touch with reality...
...So our main objective for 2010 is to bring back a SS to play 3B at age 35 or 34 (honestly, I'll never get Miggy's age right). And then sign a closer-esque reliever. After that, the goal, ostensibly will be to plug the roster with in house pieces for the league minimum and hope that of Bud Norris, Feliepe Paulino, Yorman Bazardo, and Wesley Wright at least two can perform at or around league average for the course of the season. But wait, we apparently also have a void our outfield. This one was news to me. Of our current corps of minor leaguers, I think the only "stenghth" we might have is in the outfield. Am I wrong?
...The services of two veteran bench warmers who happened to play outfield at some point in their career is really worth a likely $2-3 million in their two contracts? Yordanny Ramirez, Reggie Abercrombie, Brian Bogusevic (just to name our AAA OFers, but not to slight the Gaston's and Locke's of the world) couldn't slot in their spots for less than $1 million? Interesting.
This is absolutely correct. So correct, in fact, I'm ashamed that my righteous indignation didn't bubble up sooner. There's no reason to spend $2-3mil on Erstad and Michaels for a year when we can get Reggie Abercrombie and Ramirez/Bogusevic to play for $900K total. They simply cannot be worse than 09 Erstad and Michaels were, except for a hitting spree Michaels put on from August 5-9 (6x13, .462/.500/1.077).
And it's at the point in the article that I started over, re-read and realized that Wade is literally just slapping duct-tape on this team and hoping it all holds. But with what purpose? I don't know. If Drayton's taking a hard line on the payroll because he doesn't want to lose money this year, why not just hold everyone we have in place? Offer arbitration to our FAs, and then whoever rejects it, take the picks and fill the slots with in house players at league minimum? If everyone rejects arbitration, we have a payroll of $80 million on opening day and we get finally see what are farm system actually has in it, and that seems more entertaining than the Ed Wade duct-tape ball that's being rolled right now. Hell, just throw some money at Hawkins and have someone we trust to close baseball games and still save Drayton a sizable chunk of change to invest in the 2010 draft.
Wade doesn't seem to be trying to make the roster better, he seems like he's trying to plug leaks on a sinking ship—but will still end up taking on water. And I have myself back to, what is the Astros objective for 2010 and beyond? Does anybody see it?
None of this is to say that I don't think the Astros can compete as assembled, or attempted to be assembled, in 2010, but my concern is that is there are plans for 2011, 2012, and beyond? Or is it going to just be duct-tape and prayers for the foreseeable future?
I literally could not have said it better myself. A few days ago, we discussed how the Astros have too much payroll committed to blow it up. But that does not mean that Ed Wade should just screw around until we're done paying Carlos Lee. I am encouraged by the new-found aggression in promoting prospects, but that's not a license to mail it in on the Major League level.
All that's to say, I'm afraid that what we will see is the latter of DyingQuail's questions - duct-tape and prayers for the foreseeable future.
...I can't discern a single line of thought from McTaggart's interview that would indicate there's any kind of plan for the Astros. I don't need a blueprint, but at least some sort of trajectory, and if not a trajectory, and least and indication that our front office is in fact in touch with reality...
...So our main objective for 2010 is to bring back a SS to play 3B at age 35 or 34 (honestly, I'll never get Miggy's age right). And then sign a closer-esque reliever. After that, the goal, ostensibly will be to plug the roster with in house pieces for the league minimum and hope that of Bud Norris, Feliepe Paulino, Yorman Bazardo, and Wesley Wright at least two can perform at or around league average for the course of the season. But wait, we apparently also have a void our outfield. This one was news to me. Of our current corps of minor leaguers, I think the only "stenghth" we might have is in the outfield. Am I wrong?
...The services of two veteran bench warmers who happened to play outfield at some point in their career is really worth a likely $2-3 million in their two contracts? Yordanny Ramirez, Reggie Abercrombie, Brian Bogusevic (just to name our AAA OFers, but not to slight the Gaston's and Locke's of the world) couldn't slot in their spots for less than $1 million? Interesting.
This is absolutely correct. So correct, in fact, I'm ashamed that my righteous indignation didn't bubble up sooner. There's no reason to spend $2-3mil on Erstad and Michaels for a year when we can get Reggie Abercrombie and Ramirez/Bogusevic to play for $900K total. They simply cannot be worse than 09 Erstad and Michaels were, except for a hitting spree Michaels put on from August 5-9 (6x13, .462/.500/1.077).
And it's at the point in the article that I started over, re-read and realized that Wade is literally just slapping duct-tape on this team and hoping it all holds. But with what purpose? I don't know. If Drayton's taking a hard line on the payroll because he doesn't want to lose money this year, why not just hold everyone we have in place? Offer arbitration to our FAs, and then whoever rejects it, take the picks and fill the slots with in house players at league minimum? If everyone rejects arbitration, we have a payroll of $80 million on opening day and we get finally see what are farm system actually has in it, and that seems more entertaining than the Ed Wade duct-tape ball that's being rolled right now. Hell, just throw some money at Hawkins and have someone we trust to close baseball games and still save Drayton a sizable chunk of change to invest in the 2010 draft.
Wade doesn't seem to be trying to make the roster better, he seems like he's trying to plug leaks on a sinking ship—but will still end up taking on water. And I have myself back to, what is the Astros objective for 2010 and beyond? Does anybody see it?
None of this is to say that I don't think the Astros can compete as assembled, or attempted to be assembled, in 2010, but my concern is that is there are plans for 2011, 2012, and beyond? Or is it going to just be duct-tape and prayers for the foreseeable future?
I literally could not have said it better myself. A few days ago, we discussed how the Astros have too much payroll committed to blow it up. But that does not mean that Ed Wade should just screw around until we're done paying Carlos Lee. I am encouraged by the new-found aggression in promoting prospects, but that's not a license to mail it in on the Major League level.
All that's to say, I'm afraid that what we will see is the latter of DyingQuail's questions - duct-tape and prayers for the foreseeable future.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wade, on the holes in the lineup...and the rotation
Expanding on the blog post earlier, Brian McTaggart has a full-length article addressing the holes in the Astros' lineup and rotation:
On the extra outfielder situation:
"From the standpoint of position players with both Jason Michaels and Darin Erstad being free agents, our extra-outfield situation at this point is an issue. I'm not saying we wouldn't bring both guys back, but both are free agents, and we have to recognize we have a void now."
What about adding a pitcher, despite really having only one spot open for Paulino, Wilton Lopez, and the newly-converted SP Wesley Wright?
"But at the same time, if we have an opportunity to make a deal that brings us a starting pitcher [it will be considered]. But everybody is looking to add starting pitching."
Oh, and what about catcher?
"I thought J.R. caught better for us at the end of the season last year. Q has established himself at the very least as a solid backup catcher at the big league level, so we have two guys we like. Whether we add onto that or not remains to be seen. Castro we think at some point in time will be here, whether it's April or some point beyond. I certainly don't see us going out and adding a front-line starting catcher. We do believe with J.R. and Q already here and Castro on the horizon that we've got coverage there. Our resources are better used in other areas to try to improve."
On the extra outfielder situation:
"From the standpoint of position players with both Jason Michaels and Darin Erstad being free agents, our extra-outfield situation at this point is an issue. I'm not saying we wouldn't bring both guys back, but both are free agents, and we have to recognize we have a void now."
What about adding a pitcher, despite really having only one spot open for Paulino, Wilton Lopez, and the newly-converted SP Wesley Wright?
"But at the same time, if we have an opportunity to make a deal that brings us a starting pitcher [it will be considered]. But everybody is looking to add starting pitching."
Oh, and what about catcher?
"I thought J.R. caught better for us at the end of the season last year. Q has established himself at the very least as a solid backup catcher at the big league level, so we have two guys we like. Whether we add onto that or not remains to be seen. Castro we think at some point in time will be here, whether it's April or some point beyond. I certainly don't see us going out and adding a front-line starting catcher. We do believe with J.R. and Q already here and Castro on the horizon that we've got coverage there. Our resources are better used in other areas to try to improve."
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Reactions from Bourn
Alyson Footer has a series of tweets with quotes from Michael Bourn's press conference:
"I've always been proud of my defense. It's something I like to do. I like to work on my all around game, work on it all, because it's a total package to do what you can do on the field. In the Dominican (Winter League, in 2008), I tried to work on my defense as well as offense. It worked better over there, the ground's rough and there are tougher bounces. When you get to a regular field it made it a little easier. Everybody knows in baseball you have to show a little offense to get a Gold Glove. We know it doesn't have to do with offense, but that's what it is in baseball. You have to roll with the punches."
Footer also points out that the first Astro Bourn heard from was Darin Erstad, as well as receiving congratulatory calls from Matt Kemp, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins.
"I've always been proud of my defense. It's something I like to do. I like to work on my all around game, work on it all, because it's a total package to do what you can do on the field. In the Dominican (Winter League, in 2008), I tried to work on my defense as well as offense. It worked better over there, the ground's rough and there are tougher bounces. When you get to a regular field it made it a little easier. Everybody knows in baseball you have to show a little offense to get a Gold Glove. We know it doesn't have to do with offense, but that's what it is in baseball. You have to roll with the punches."
Footer also points out that the first Astro Bourn heard from was Darin Erstad, as well as receiving congratulatory calls from Matt Kemp, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Justice: Bring back Blum and Erstad, too
I can't handle it. This is too much. First, championing Moehler's return, and then being in favor of bringing back Blum and Erstad, because they're good at chemistry. (I guess the unspoken implication is that Roy and Lance aren't so good at clubhouse chemistry).
The Astros picked up his $3-million option for 2010 on Tuesday, and it's the right thing to do. In 2007-2008, he was healthy and a very decent back-of-the-rotation starter, going 12-12 with a 4.42 ERA in 26 starts. He didn't get deep enough into games in 2007, but turned in nine quality starts and a 4.56 ERA in 2008...
...Part of what the Astros hope to build for 2010 is a club constructed around pitching, defense and the right clubhouse chemistry. Hiring the right manager is huge beyond words...
...But it's also important to have the right mix of veterans. That means Geoff Blum, Brian Moehler and maybe even Darin Erstad. I'm not sure how much Erstad has in the tank, but if the people in charge think he can produce, he certainly adds something in the clubhouse...
... Now about that rotation. Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris and Brian Moehler appear to have four of the five sports locked up. In a perfect world, the Astros would be able to count on one more young guy coming through. At the moment, though, there's not a guy you could point to and feel good about his production. The Astros seem likely to attempt to re-sign Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins, but let's hope Drayton McLane is feeling real generous this off-season and will give Ed and Tal enough sawbucks for one starting pitcher...
...One pitcher would dramatically change the shape of the club.
If the Astros don't trust the development of their pitchers, then it's time to make some coaching/instructional changes. They're asking Wesley Wright to become a starter. For Bazardo and Lopez, this was their first taste of Major League action. They didn't come out and go all Porcello on the league, but who's expecting them to? Paulino is still figuring his stuff out, and with an off-season to recap and prepare, two of them ought to be able to replace a Brian Moehler and a Mike Hampton. And if Ed signs Carl Pavano or Brett Myers, I seriously might commit a crime.
The Astros picked up his $3-million option for 2010 on Tuesday, and it's the right thing to do. In 2007-2008, he was healthy and a very decent back-of-the-rotation starter, going 12-12 with a 4.42 ERA in 26 starts. He didn't get deep enough into games in 2007, but turned in nine quality starts and a 4.56 ERA in 2008...
...Part of what the Astros hope to build for 2010 is a club constructed around pitching, defense and the right clubhouse chemistry. Hiring the right manager is huge beyond words...
...But it's also important to have the right mix of veterans. That means Geoff Blum, Brian Moehler and maybe even Darin Erstad. I'm not sure how much Erstad has in the tank, but if the people in charge think he can produce, he certainly adds something in the clubhouse...
... Now about that rotation. Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris and Brian Moehler appear to have four of the five sports locked up. In a perfect world, the Astros would be able to count on one more young guy coming through. At the moment, though, there's not a guy you could point to and feel good about his production. The Astros seem likely to attempt to re-sign Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins, but let's hope Drayton McLane is feeling real generous this off-season and will give Ed and Tal enough sawbucks for one starting pitcher...
...One pitcher would dramatically change the shape of the club.
If the Astros don't trust the development of their pitchers, then it's time to make some coaching/instructional changes. They're asking Wesley Wright to become a starter. For Bazardo and Lopez, this was their first taste of Major League action. They didn't come out and go all Porcello on the league, but who's expecting them to? Paulino is still figuring his stuff out, and with an off-season to recap and prepare, two of them ought to be able to replace a Brian Moehler and a Mike Hampton. And if Ed signs Carl Pavano or Brett Myers, I seriously might commit a crime.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Recap for G160 - Astros @ Mets
Well, that couldn't have gone much worse, huh? The Astros were held to six hits, which is one more than Doug Brocail allowed in the 8th inning of a 7-1 loss to the Mets. Wandy did what's what, getting himself the "quality start," but gave up eight hits, including a two-run homer to Jeff Francoeur. Let's just do the thing:
Wandy: 6IP, 8H/3ER, 3K:1BB, 17/26 first-pitch strikes, 22/72 non-contact strikes (13 called:9 swinging)
Byrdak: 0.2IP, 1H, 2K, 3/3 FPS, 4/9 NCS (3c:1s)
Gervacio: 0.1IP, 1K, 1/1 FPS, 3/3 NCS (1c:2s)
Brocail: 1IP, 5H/4ER, 1/8 FPS, 3/23 NCS (3c)
Nope, that's not a typo. Brocail gave up 4ER in his one inning, needing 37 pitches to get through the 8th inning, with none of them of the "Swinging Strike" variety. How did it happen?
Carlos Beltran: Flyout to left
Francoeur: Single to center
Tatis: Single to right
Santos: Single to right (RBI)
Hernandez: Sac fly to left
Murphy: Pinch-hit homer to right
Pagan: Single to right
Castillo: Flyout to center
Yep, that's eight batters, three outs, and one first-pitch strike to those eight batters on Brocail's part.
And because the offense is predictably terrible, even against John Maine and the Mets, the Astros gave Wandy his 12th loss of the year (putting his record at 14-12, with a 3.02 ERA. Those six hits were spread out among six players, including pinch-hitter Darin Erstad. The other five hits were courtesy of Bourn, Tejada, Berkman, Lee, and Matsui. It takes a lot of factors to make the Mets look good. One of those factors are the Houston Astros. They only had three ABs with RISP (0x3, natch), and Michael Bourn was gunned down at 3rd base, denying him of his 62nd stolen base. And the Astros' one run came in the 4th, when Blum screwed up and grounded out, scoring Berkman.
The Astros seemed to have a good chance in the 5th, with the score tied at 1-1. Matsui reached on a bunt single, and with some grounders, made his way to third, where Bourn left him right there with a swinging strikeout.
Man of the Match: Jeez. This is like congratulating your foot for not smelling as bad as your rear end. I seriously have no idea. 5-8 in the lineup were a combined 1x12. No one did particularly well. How about Wandy, for the quality start?
Goat of the Game: This one goes to Brocail. See above.
Wandy: 6IP, 8H/3ER, 3K:1BB, 17/26 first-pitch strikes, 22/72 non-contact strikes (13 called:9 swinging)
Byrdak: 0.2IP, 1H, 2K, 3/3 FPS, 4/9 NCS (3c:1s)
Gervacio: 0.1IP, 1K, 1/1 FPS, 3/3 NCS (1c:2s)
Brocail: 1IP, 5H/4ER, 1/8 FPS, 3/23 NCS (3c)
Nope, that's not a typo. Brocail gave up 4ER in his one inning, needing 37 pitches to get through the 8th inning, with none of them of the "Swinging Strike" variety. How did it happen?
Carlos Beltran: Flyout to left
Francoeur: Single to center
Tatis: Single to right
Santos: Single to right (RBI)
Hernandez: Sac fly to left
Murphy: Pinch-hit homer to right
Pagan: Single to right
Castillo: Flyout to center
Yep, that's eight batters, three outs, and one first-pitch strike to those eight batters on Brocail's part.
And because the offense is predictably terrible, even against John Maine and the Mets, the Astros gave Wandy his 12th loss of the year (putting his record at 14-12, with a 3.02 ERA. Those six hits were spread out among six players, including pinch-hitter Darin Erstad. The other five hits were courtesy of Bourn, Tejada, Berkman, Lee, and Matsui. It takes a lot of factors to make the Mets look good. One of those factors are the Houston Astros. They only had three ABs with RISP (0x3, natch), and Michael Bourn was gunned down at 3rd base, denying him of his 62nd stolen base. And the Astros' one run came in the 4th, when Blum screwed up and grounded out, scoring Berkman.
The Astros seemed to have a good chance in the 5th, with the score tied at 1-1. Matsui reached on a bunt single, and with some grounders, made his way to third, where Bourn left him right there with a swinging strikeout.
Man of the Match: Jeez. This is like congratulating your foot for not smelling as bad as your rear end. I seriously have no idea. 5-8 in the lineup were a combined 1x12. No one did particularly well. How about Wandy, for the quality start?
Goat of the Game: This one goes to Brocail. See above.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Recap for G151 - Cardinals at Astros
This is getting old. The Astros have now scored nine runs in their last five games, after getting smoked, 11-2 at the hands of St. Louis. The Astros have now lost nine straight for the first time since 2007 (10 straight). Let's just do the thing:
Bazardo: 3.2IP, 6H/6ER, 2K:2BB, 14/18 First-pitch strikes, 14/35 non-contact strikes (9c:5s)
Wright: 1.1IP, 2H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 3/6 FPS, 6/15 NCS (5c:1s)
Brocail: 1IP, 2/3 FPS, 3/8 NCS (3c)
Byrdak: 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 4/5 FPS, 4/8 NCS (2c:2s)
Paronto: 1IP, 4H/2ER, 5/7 FPS, 6/16 NCS (5c:1s)
Valverde: 1IP, 2H/1ER, 4/5 FPS, 4/14 NCS (4s)
Astros pitchers threw first-pitch strikes to 32 of 44 Cardinals batters. And Bazardo actually started this game off dealing - getting the first seven Cards he saw, throwing first-pitch strikes to four of the six batters. Ahh, but then in the third, three runs scored on three hits and two walks. In the fourth, three more runs scored on four hits. It's amazing how quickly this outing imploded for Bazardo, but it's also not as if the bullpen came in and shut the Cardinals down, as St. Louis went ahead and scored five more runs in 5.1IP.
The key to this game could have been in the fourth for the Astros. St. Louis had a 6-0 lead, and if the Astros wanted to make an immediate statement, it would have been here. Miguel Tejada led off the inning with a double. Berkman worked a walk, and Carlos Lee got a single. That's bases loaded with nobody out. Blum hit a sac fly to score Tejada, Pence struck out swinging, and Keppinger grounded out to second to end the inning. Six plate appearances, one run.
Let's give some credit to Darin Erstad, who had a 10-pitch pinch-hit strikeout.
Man of the Match: Miguel Tejada, who went 3x4 with an RBI, and a run scored.
Goat of the Game: Yorman Bazardo. Started strong and completely fell apart. A living, breathing metaphor.
Bazardo: 3.2IP, 6H/6ER, 2K:2BB, 14/18 First-pitch strikes, 14/35 non-contact strikes (9c:5s)
Wright: 1.1IP, 2H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 3/6 FPS, 6/15 NCS (5c:1s)
Brocail: 1IP, 2/3 FPS, 3/8 NCS (3c)
Byrdak: 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 4/5 FPS, 4/8 NCS (2c:2s)
Paronto: 1IP, 4H/2ER, 5/7 FPS, 6/16 NCS (5c:1s)
Valverde: 1IP, 2H/1ER, 4/5 FPS, 4/14 NCS (4s)
Astros pitchers threw first-pitch strikes to 32 of 44 Cardinals batters. And Bazardo actually started this game off dealing - getting the first seven Cards he saw, throwing first-pitch strikes to four of the six batters. Ahh, but then in the third, three runs scored on three hits and two walks. In the fourth, three more runs scored on four hits. It's amazing how quickly this outing imploded for Bazardo, but it's also not as if the bullpen came in and shut the Cardinals down, as St. Louis went ahead and scored five more runs in 5.1IP.
The key to this game could have been in the fourth for the Astros. St. Louis had a 6-0 lead, and if the Astros wanted to make an immediate statement, it would have been here. Miguel Tejada led off the inning with a double. Berkman worked a walk, and Carlos Lee got a single. That's bases loaded with nobody out. Blum hit a sac fly to score Tejada, Pence struck out swinging, and Keppinger grounded out to second to end the inning. Six plate appearances, one run.
Let's give some credit to Darin Erstad, who had a 10-pitch pinch-hit strikeout.
Man of the Match: Miguel Tejada, who went 3x4 with an RBI, and a run scored.
Goat of the Game: Yorman Bazardo. Started strong and completely fell apart. A living, breathing metaphor.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The injuries, oh Lord, the injuries
The Chronicle's Notes column today is more like the church's sick list.
Lance:
"It's just the middle of my back. It's either a spasm of some kind or a tweaked muscle. After (Monday's) game, I went to lift weights. Then I got the dumbbells, and I sat down on the bench to do dumbbell benches, and I had to have Doc (Gene) Coleman come get the weights from me. I couldn't move. It kind of just locked up on me."
Lance isn't expected back (ha) until Friday at the earliest.
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Erstad:
Out until Friday, again, at the earliest, because of right shoulder problems. Erstad had a cortisone shot on his left shoulder a few days ago.
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Valverde:
"I still don't feel good, but they haven't told me exactly what I have. I still have a fever, but it's not as bad as it was. I'll see if I can join the team in Cincinnati (today). If not, I'll go to Milwaukee (on Friday)."
He ran a fever as high as 101 on Monday.
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Arias:
"It's boring, very boring to be on the disabled list. Seeing situations in the game when you know you could help is tough. Now if I'm activated, the pitchers can get some rest."
He'll throw a simulated inning today in a test before becoming eligible to be activated on Friday.
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Sadler:
Sadler, whose contract was dependent on him getting a September Call-Up if he was healthy, is now not healthy. He has shoulder capsulitis, and hasn't pitched since last Thursday.
Lance:
"It's just the middle of my back. It's either a spasm of some kind or a tweaked muscle. After (Monday's) game, I went to lift weights. Then I got the dumbbells, and I sat down on the bench to do dumbbell benches, and I had to have Doc (Gene) Coleman come get the weights from me. I couldn't move. It kind of just locked up on me."
Lance isn't expected back (ha) until Friday at the earliest.
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Erstad:
Out until Friday, again, at the earliest, because of right shoulder problems. Erstad had a cortisone shot on his left shoulder a few days ago.
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Valverde:
"I still don't feel good, but they haven't told me exactly what I have. I still have a fever, but it's not as bad as it was. I'll see if I can join the team in Cincinnati (today). If not, I'll go to Milwaukee (on Friday)."
He ran a fever as high as 101 on Monday.
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Arias:
"It's boring, very boring to be on the disabled list. Seeing situations in the game when you know you could help is tough. Now if I'm activated, the pitchers can get some rest."
He'll throw a simulated inning today in a test before becoming eligible to be activated on Friday.
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Sadler:
Sadler, whose contract was dependent on him getting a September Call-Up if he was healthy, is now not healthy. He has shoulder capsulitis, and hasn't pitched since last Thursday.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Recap for G138 - Braves @ Astros
What the heck does Felipe Paulino have to do to win a game? He had another good game, and the Astros offense was typically awful. McTaggart pointed this out last night in a tweet, but it's worth repeating: Javier Vazquez allowed three hits in his seven innings of work, but had two hits of his own. Braves win, 2-1. Let's do the thing:
Paulino: 6IP, 4H/2ER, 6K:3BB, 14/24 first-pitch strikes, 30/53 non-contact strikes (25 called:5 swinging)
Byrdak: 1IP, 1H, 4/4 FPS, 6/16 NCS (5c:1s)
Brocail: 1IP, 1K, 3/3 FPS, 4/6 NCS (3c:1s)
Fulchino: 1IP, 1K:1BB, 2/4 FPS, 4/8 NCS (2c:2s)
Paulino's two earned runs both came off solo homers by LaRoche and McLouth - meaning in his last two starts, he's given up four earned runs, all of them off home runs (Lee's two-run shot last Wednesday), so that's a little troubling. But basically you're looking at three bad pitches out of 187. And two losses. The Astros have scored a total of one run in his last two starts. Since his last win, on June 27 vs. Detroit, the Astros are 0-7 in the games in which Paulino has pitched, and have scored two runs or more just twice.
Offensively. Jeesh. Hunter Pence has broken out of his little slump, going 2x4 with the lone RBI, and the Astros managed five hits over the rest of the lineup. Maysonet got a sac bunt in the 7th, and Tommy Manzella had a pinch-running appearance in his first-ever Major League action.
The best chance to break the game open came in the 6th, with the Braves up 2-0. Michaels and Bourn walked to lead off the inning, and Matsui sac'ed to the pitcher, putting runners on 2nd/3rd with one out. Berkman struck out looking, Lee walked to load 'em up, and Tejada grounded out to third. Then there was another one in the 7th, with Pence on 3rd and Blum on 2nd with one out. Erstad and Bourn both struck out swinging. In the 9th, with the Braves still up 2-0, Tejada tripled to lead off the inning, Pence knocked him in. And Blum GIDPed. Aaron Boone lined out to end the game, and is still looking for that first hit of the year.
Pitch Count Hero: Hunter Pence - 22 pitches in 4 PAs
Pitch Count Punk - Lance Berkman - 12 pitches in 4 PAs
Man of the Match: Felipe Paulino. Did enough to win the game, but had no help from the offense (Vazquez did have something to do with it), and his record is now 2-8, but he has performed well enough to get an SP spot in 2010.
Goat of the Game: It's difficult. Any thoughts?
Paulino: 6IP, 4H/2ER, 6K:3BB, 14/24 first-pitch strikes, 30/53 non-contact strikes (25 called:5 swinging)
Byrdak: 1IP, 1H, 4/4 FPS, 6/16 NCS (5c:1s)
Brocail: 1IP, 1K, 3/3 FPS, 4/6 NCS (3c:1s)
Fulchino: 1IP, 1K:1BB, 2/4 FPS, 4/8 NCS (2c:2s)
Paulino's two earned runs both came off solo homers by LaRoche and McLouth - meaning in his last two starts, he's given up four earned runs, all of them off home runs (Lee's two-run shot last Wednesday), so that's a little troubling. But basically you're looking at three bad pitches out of 187. And two losses. The Astros have scored a total of one run in his last two starts. Since his last win, on June 27 vs. Detroit, the Astros are 0-7 in the games in which Paulino has pitched, and have scored two runs or more just twice.
Offensively. Jeesh. Hunter Pence has broken out of his little slump, going 2x4 with the lone RBI, and the Astros managed five hits over the rest of the lineup. Maysonet got a sac bunt in the 7th, and Tommy Manzella had a pinch-running appearance in his first-ever Major League action.
The best chance to break the game open came in the 6th, with the Braves up 2-0. Michaels and Bourn walked to lead off the inning, and Matsui sac'ed to the pitcher, putting runners on 2nd/3rd with one out. Berkman struck out looking, Lee walked to load 'em up, and Tejada grounded out to third. Then there was another one in the 7th, with Pence on 3rd and Blum on 2nd with one out. Erstad and Bourn both struck out swinging. In the 9th, with the Braves still up 2-0, Tejada tripled to lead off the inning, Pence knocked him in. And Blum GIDPed. Aaron Boone lined out to end the game, and is still looking for that first hit of the year.
Pitch Count Hero: Hunter Pence - 22 pitches in 4 PAs
Pitch Count Punk - Lance Berkman - 12 pitches in 4 PAs
Man of the Match: Felipe Paulino. Did enough to win the game, but had no help from the offense (Vazquez did have something to do with it), and his record is now 2-8, but he has performed well enough to get an SP spot in 2010.
Goat of the Game: It's difficult. Any thoughts?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Meat Wagon Update
The Meat Wagon is making some additional stops at Minute Maid Park, with an Express to Memorial Southwest.
Roy left his start on Saturday with more back spasms. Ed Wade:
“(Trainer) Nate (Lucero) called me this morning and just said (Oswalt) had some upper-respiratory congestion or whatever. Instead of waiting until the doctor got over here, I think he’s seeing Dr. (Jim) Muntz just to make sure. All indications I’ve gotten from Dewey (Robinson) and Nate are that he should be ready to go in his next start. He just went to the doctor’s office to get checked out.”
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Mike Hampton was moved from the 15-day DL and placed on the 60-day DL (because 60-day DL players don't count towards the 40-man roster), to make room for the Call-Ups. Matt Kata was optioned off the 40-man roster, as well.
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Keppinger wasn't available to pinch-hit, and Erstad could pinch-hit, but has some neck discomfort. Wade:
“Erstad’s had a little bit of a neck thing. He got an injection, I think, after Saturday’s game. He’s feeling better today. He’s available to pinch hit. Keppinger’s probably still going to be a couple of days with his back tightened up on him. Nate (Lucero is) assuming it’s going to be similar to … when it happened previously and it was like a three- to five-day thing. And we’re in day No. 3 now.”
Roy left his start on Saturday with more back spasms. Ed Wade:
“(Trainer) Nate (Lucero) called me this morning and just said (Oswalt) had some upper-respiratory congestion or whatever. Instead of waiting until the doctor got over here, I think he’s seeing Dr. (Jim) Muntz just to make sure. All indications I’ve gotten from Dewey (Robinson) and Nate are that he should be ready to go in his next start. He just went to the doctor’s office to get checked out.”
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Mike Hampton was moved from the 15-day DL and placed on the 60-day DL (because 60-day DL players don't count towards the 40-man roster), to make room for the Call-Ups. Matt Kata was optioned off the 40-man roster, as well.
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Keppinger wasn't available to pinch-hit, and Erstad could pinch-hit, but has some neck discomfort. Wade:
“Erstad’s had a little bit of a neck thing. He got an injection, I think, after Saturday’s game. He’s feeling better today. He’s available to pinch hit. Keppinger’s probably still going to be a couple of days with his back tightened up on him. Nate (Lucero is) assuming it’s going to be similar to … when it happened previously and it was like a three- to five-day thing. And we’re in day No. 3 now.”
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Recap for G117 - Astros @ Brewers
Wow, so it's been pretty bad. The Astros are playing a lot like they were "supposed to" all season long. Piss-poor pitching. No-account hitting. It's all coming together exactly like Baseball Prospectus wanted it to. For a while it felt like this team was at least a little special. But now, it's becoming clear that the 2009 Astros just aren't. Especially after giving up 10+ hits for the 10th time in the last 12 games in a 6-2 loss to the Brewers.
Let's do the thing:
Moehler: 5IP, 10H/3ER, 2K:2BB, 17/26 first-pitch strikes, 26/62 non-contact strikes (19 called:7 swinging)
Arias: 0IP, 3H/3ER, 0K:1BB, 2/4 FPS, 5/10 NCS (3c:2s)
Byrdak: 0.1IP, 1/1 FPS, 1/2 NCS (1s)
Gervacio: 0.2IP, 1BB, 2/3 FPS, 0/2 NCS
Bazardo: 2IP, 1K:1BB, 6/7 FPS, 10/17 NCS (8c:2s)
While Moehler should be shaved bald for letting Craig Counsell get a 2-run triple off him, Arias is on the hook for this one. Down 3-0, Arias faced four batters after Moehler had run up 104 pitches to get 15 outs (12 baserunners). Three of Arias' BFs got hits and one walked. Three runs came in, and Arias didn't record an out. You can be sure that tomorrow we'll take a look at how the bullpen has been affected over the last two weeks, but Arias' ERA has gone from 1.34 to its current 3.50 in his last ten appearances (12ER in 10IP). That said, he was hit for three singles, and Byrdak gave up the sac fly, while Gervacio gave up the FC scoring Counsell.
The Astros' offense came up with only 5 hits, seeing 108 pitches in 33 PAs (compared to 159 pitches in 39 PAs). Two of those hits were courtesy Geoff Blum, with the other three from Pence (2-run homer), Matsui (congratulations on your 2000th professional hit), and Darin Erstad's pinch-hit double. The Astros got two GIDPs, one on an inning-ending GIDP from Pence in the 2nd, and one from Tejada, who managed to kill a nice little rally with Erstad's leadoff pinch-hit double, and a Michael Bourn walk erased. Berkman struck out swinging to finish it off with Erstad on third.
Pitch Count Hero: Bourn - 19 pitches in 4 PAs (two walks)
Pitch Count Punk: Kaz Matsui - 7 pitches in 3 PAs
Goat of the Game: I know I made a case for Byrdak and Gervacio sharing some responsibility for Arias' 3ER, but it's going to Arias. Whether he's also suffering from overuse or is flat-out hurt, I don't know.
Man of the Match: I don't know. How about Yorman Bazardo? Moehler, Arias, Byrdak, and Gervacio were at least minorly responsible for Brewers' runs being scored. Bazardo? Huh-uh. Seven batters faced, six outs, one walk, no hits.
Let's do the thing:
Moehler: 5IP, 10H/3ER, 2K:2BB, 17/26 first-pitch strikes, 26/62 non-contact strikes (19 called:7 swinging)
Arias: 0IP, 3H/3ER, 0K:1BB, 2/4 FPS, 5/10 NCS (3c:2s)
Byrdak: 0.1IP, 1/1 FPS, 1/2 NCS (1s)
Gervacio: 0.2IP, 1BB, 2/3 FPS, 0/2 NCS
Bazardo: 2IP, 1K:1BB, 6/7 FPS, 10/17 NCS (8c:2s)
While Moehler should be shaved bald for letting Craig Counsell get a 2-run triple off him, Arias is on the hook for this one. Down 3-0, Arias faced four batters after Moehler had run up 104 pitches to get 15 outs (12 baserunners). Three of Arias' BFs got hits and one walked. Three runs came in, and Arias didn't record an out. You can be sure that tomorrow we'll take a look at how the bullpen has been affected over the last two weeks, but Arias' ERA has gone from 1.34 to its current 3.50 in his last ten appearances (12ER in 10IP). That said, he was hit for three singles, and Byrdak gave up the sac fly, while Gervacio gave up the FC scoring Counsell.
The Astros' offense came up with only 5 hits, seeing 108 pitches in 33 PAs (compared to 159 pitches in 39 PAs). Two of those hits were courtesy Geoff Blum, with the other three from Pence (2-run homer), Matsui (congratulations on your 2000th professional hit), and Darin Erstad's pinch-hit double. The Astros got two GIDPs, one on an inning-ending GIDP from Pence in the 2nd, and one from Tejada, who managed to kill a nice little rally with Erstad's leadoff pinch-hit double, and a Michael Bourn walk erased. Berkman struck out swinging to finish it off with Erstad on third.
Pitch Count Hero: Bourn - 19 pitches in 4 PAs (two walks)
Pitch Count Punk: Kaz Matsui - 7 pitches in 3 PAs
Goat of the Game: I know I made a case for Byrdak and Gervacio sharing some responsibility for Arias' 3ER, but it's going to Arias. Whether he's also suffering from overuse or is flat-out hurt, I don't know.
Man of the Match: I don't know. How about Yorman Bazardo? Moehler, Arias, Byrdak, and Gervacio were at least minorly responsible for Brewers' runs being scored. Bazardo? Huh-uh. Seven batters faced, six outs, one walk, no hits.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Recap for G112 - Astros @ Marlins
Not going to go to the playoffs like that. But hang on, listen to what Coop said, in ESPN's game recap, after the Marlins had taken a 7-2 lead, on their way to an 8-6 win:
"We're not built to fight back like that. We did give it a pretty good go. We got to two runs down, but we've got to shut it down once we do get back in the game there. We got back in the game 4-2, but we just couldn't close the door and shut them off."
Just let that soak in. For a moment. I'll put it in again, just because it needs to be fully comprehended:
"We're not built to fight back like that."
Moehler let the Marlins get out to a 4-0 lead in the first, and the Astros fought back, and then gave it right back. Let's just do the thing:
Moehler: 5IP, 5H/4ER, 3K:3BB, 15/23 first-pitch strikes, 20/49 non-contact strikes (15 called:5 swinging)
Sampson: 2IP, 4H/3ER, 0K:3BB, 7/11 FPS, 7/18 NCS (6c:1s)
Arias: 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 3/5 FPS, 5/9 NCS (5c)
Alright, I'm not done with Moehler's first inning, and then I'm coming after you, Chris Sampson. Moehler walked the first batter he faced, and then gave up a single. Hanley Ramirez flied out to center, but then there were three hits in a row, and a sac fly. There's your four runs, and ol' Henricus struck out with the bases loaded - so it could have been a lot worse coming out of the first.
A 2-run Erstad homer cut that in half, and then everything stayed pretty much together after that, except for the Astros offense. In the five remaining innings in which Moehler pitched, the Astros stranded five runners, including 0x5 with RISP. And that's just in innings 2-6. Ahh, the 6th.
Chris Sampson came in, gave up a single, a walk, a move-da-runners ovah groundout. Ross Gload was intentionally walked to load the bases, and then in comes Baker on a balk by Sampson. Coghlan singled in Cody Ross - Gload was thrown at home, and then Nick Johnson was intentionally walked...to reach NL batting leader Hanley Ramirez (hmmm...), who prompty singled in Coghlan, and just like that, it's 7-2, and God forbid you ask the Astros to come back from a 5-run deficit with nine outs remaining. You can only ask the Astros to lead a game wire-to-wire. That's how the Astros were built.
Erstad came through with an RBI double in the 8th, and Arias gave it back on a wild pitch. It got a little interesting in the 9th. Carlos Lee doubled in Matsui and Tejada, Lee later scored on a balk of Florida's own, and Pence struck out to end the game. Tejada, Lee, Pence, Pudge, and Erstad had all the Astros' hits.
Pitch Count Hero: Hunter Pence, 25 pitches in 5 PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Miguel Tejada, 13 pitches in 5 PAs (though it's hard to question him, he got three hits)
Man of the Match: Darin Erstad. Three RBIs including a monster two-run shot.
Goat of the Game: It's not going to Moehler. This Goat's for you, Chris Sampson. Seven baserunners (two of the intentional variety) in 2IP and a balk. 37 pitches, and the Marlins swung and missed at one. On July 9, Sampson's ERA was 2.68. Eight appearances, 7.2IP and 12 earned runs later, and it's sitting at 4.36.
"We're not built to fight back like that. We did give it a pretty good go. We got to two runs down, but we've got to shut it down once we do get back in the game there. We got back in the game 4-2, but we just couldn't close the door and shut them off."
Just let that soak in. For a moment. I'll put it in again, just because it needs to be fully comprehended:
"We're not built to fight back like that."
Moehler let the Marlins get out to a 4-0 lead in the first, and the Astros fought back, and then gave it right back. Let's just do the thing:
Moehler: 5IP, 5H/4ER, 3K:3BB, 15/23 first-pitch strikes, 20/49 non-contact strikes (15 called:5 swinging)
Sampson: 2IP, 4H/3ER, 0K:3BB, 7/11 FPS, 7/18 NCS (6c:1s)
Arias: 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 3/5 FPS, 5/9 NCS (5c)
Alright, I'm not done with Moehler's first inning, and then I'm coming after you, Chris Sampson. Moehler walked the first batter he faced, and then gave up a single. Hanley Ramirez flied out to center, but then there were three hits in a row, and a sac fly. There's your four runs, and ol' Henricus struck out with the bases loaded - so it could have been a lot worse coming out of the first.
A 2-run Erstad homer cut that in half, and then everything stayed pretty much together after that, except for the Astros offense. In the five remaining innings in which Moehler pitched, the Astros stranded five runners, including 0x5 with RISP. And that's just in innings 2-6. Ahh, the 6th.
Chris Sampson came in, gave up a single, a walk, a move-da-runners ovah groundout. Ross Gload was intentionally walked to load the bases, and then in comes Baker on a balk by Sampson. Coghlan singled in Cody Ross - Gload was thrown at home, and then Nick Johnson was intentionally walked...to reach NL batting leader Hanley Ramirez (hmmm...), who prompty singled in Coghlan, and just like that, it's 7-2, and God forbid you ask the Astros to come back from a 5-run deficit with nine outs remaining. You can only ask the Astros to lead a game wire-to-wire. That's how the Astros were built.
Erstad came through with an RBI double in the 8th, and Arias gave it back on a wild pitch. It got a little interesting in the 9th. Carlos Lee doubled in Matsui and Tejada, Lee later scored on a balk of Florida's own, and Pence struck out to end the game. Tejada, Lee, Pence, Pudge, and Erstad had all the Astros' hits.
Pitch Count Hero: Hunter Pence, 25 pitches in 5 PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Miguel Tejada, 13 pitches in 5 PAs (though it's hard to question him, he got three hits)
Man of the Match: Darin Erstad. Three RBIs including a monster two-run shot.
Goat of the Game: It's not going to Moehler. This Goat's for you, Chris Sampson. Seven baserunners (two of the intentional variety) in 2IP and a balk. 37 pitches, and the Marlins swung and missed at one. On July 9, Sampson's ERA was 2.68. Eight appearances, 7.2IP and 12 earned runs later, and it's sitting at 4.36.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Recap for G111 - Brewers @ Astros
Two people were responsible for the Astros 2-0 win over the Brewers today: Wandy, and Geoff Blum. Wandy threw seven shutout innings, though the Brewers certainly helped him out, and Blum had two hits - one of them a two-run homer.
Here's the thing:
Wandy: 7IP, 5H/0ER, 3K:2BB, 19/29 first-pitch strikes, 37/72 non-contact strikes (28 called:9 swinging)
Fulchino: 0.2IP, 1H/0ER, 1BB, 1/4 FPS, 0/8 NCS
Valverde: 1.1IP, 1H/0ER, 2K, 4/6 FPS, 10/22 NCS (6c:4s)
The Brewers left 12 men on base (7 hits, 3 walks, and Jason Kendall was plunked twice), going 0x10 with RISP. They had two on in the first before Braun GIDPed; bases loaded in the 2nd before Lopez grounded out to third, and had a baserunner in every inning. Fulchino was brought in for Wandy in the 8th after Wandy allowed a single to Fielder and walked Frank Catalanotto. With Craig Counsell hitting for J.J. Hardy, Coop brought in Valverde, who got Counsell to pop up to second. With two on and nobody out in the 9th, Valverde got Lopez to fly out and Cameron and Braun to strike out looking to end the game.
Blum hit his homer off Gallardo in the 4th, after Lee had walked. The 4th could have been a much bigger inning as Michaels walked after Blum's homer (who then advanced to 2nd on a WP). Erstad struck out, and Quintero was intentionally walked to get to Wandy, on whose infield single Michaels decided to go for it from third, and was promptly tagged out, ending the inning.
Erstad was tagged out at third on Quintero's fielder's choice, which was a questionable baserunning decision (but that's Astros Baseball. Catch the malaise!).
Once again, the Astros were aggressive at the plate, seeing only 119 pitches - compared to the 165 pitches Milwaukee saw.
Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn - 21 pitches on four plate appearances
Pitch Count Punk: Carlos Lee - 10 pitches on 4 PAs (and one of those was a walk!)
Man of the Match: I'm going with Blum. Wandy is the easy decision, but it was Blum who provided the big hit.
Goat of the Game: Darin Erstad? Tagged out at third after hitting a leadoff double, and struck out twice.
Here's the thing:
Wandy: 7IP, 5H/0ER, 3K:2BB, 19/29 first-pitch strikes, 37/72 non-contact strikes (28 called:9 swinging)
Fulchino: 0.2IP, 1H/0ER, 1BB, 1/4 FPS, 0/8 NCS
Valverde: 1.1IP, 1H/0ER, 2K, 4/6 FPS, 10/22 NCS (6c:4s)
The Brewers left 12 men on base (7 hits, 3 walks, and Jason Kendall was plunked twice), going 0x10 with RISP. They had two on in the first before Braun GIDPed; bases loaded in the 2nd before Lopez grounded out to third, and had a baserunner in every inning. Fulchino was brought in for Wandy in the 8th after Wandy allowed a single to Fielder and walked Frank Catalanotto. With Craig Counsell hitting for J.J. Hardy, Coop brought in Valverde, who got Counsell to pop up to second. With two on and nobody out in the 9th, Valverde got Lopez to fly out and Cameron and Braun to strike out looking to end the game.
Blum hit his homer off Gallardo in the 4th, after Lee had walked. The 4th could have been a much bigger inning as Michaels walked after Blum's homer (who then advanced to 2nd on a WP). Erstad struck out, and Quintero was intentionally walked to get to Wandy, on whose infield single Michaels decided to go for it from third, and was promptly tagged out, ending the inning.
Erstad was tagged out at third on Quintero's fielder's choice, which was a questionable baserunning decision (but that's Astros Baseball. Catch the malaise!).
Once again, the Astros were aggressive at the plate, seeing only 119 pitches - compared to the 165 pitches Milwaukee saw.
Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn - 21 pitches on four plate appearances
Pitch Count Punk: Carlos Lee - 10 pitches on 4 PAs (and one of those was a walk!)
Man of the Match: I'm going with Blum. Wandy is the easy decision, but it was Blum who provided the big hit.
Goat of the Game: Darin Erstad? Tagged out at third after hitting a leadoff double, and struck out twice.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Recap for G109 - Brewers at Astros
The Troof has set us free. Bud Norris threw six strong innings and the Astros got some clutch hits from Jason, The Line Drive of Love, Michaels in a 6-3 win over the Brewers. Bud threw strikes three times to seven Brewers in the lineup, at least one every inning.
Norris: 6IP, 3H/2ER, 7K:5BB, 15/25 first-pitch strikes, 36 non-contact strikes (22 called:14 swinging)
Sampson: 0.2IP, 3H/1ER, 2K, 3/5 FPS, 5/12 NCS (3c:2s)
Byrdak: 0IP, 1BB, 1/1 FPS, 0 NCS
Fulchino: 1.1IP, 1H, 2K, 4/5 FPS, 8/13 NCS (5c:3s)
Valverde: 1IP, 1H, 1K, 1/3 FPS, 6/8 NCS (5c:1s)
It could have been ugly in the first. Norris walked Craig Counsell and gave up a Ryan Braun double to left. Counsell ended the play by foolishly running on Carlos Lee and getting nailed at home. Norris then settled in and got the next seven batters in a row. Things got a little hairy in the 4th/5th, when Counsell and Cameron walked, but got Frank Catalanotto to end the 4th. And then in the 5th when J.J. Hardy walked to leadoff the inning and then Jason Kendall gave the Brewers a 2-1 lead wih a homer to left. Anyhow, three of Norris' strikeouts ended the inning.
Reliever of the night is Jeff Fulchino, who came in and got four outs, and had to pick up Byrdak's walked batter.
Offensively, the Astros were aggressive, didn't take many pitches - 104 pitches in 33 plate appearances - but had it going on. Nine hits, two hits from four players - Tejada, Lee, Blum, and Michaels. Five of the Astros' six runs came on homers: Four RBI on two homers from Michaels (who raised his season RBI total from 9 to 13) and a Tejada solo shot, and a slightly different set of five runs came with two outs. Even Erstad came through with an RBI single after being activated from the DL.
But it wouldn't be a game without an Astros baserunning mistake. Carlos Lee was thrown out stretching a single into a double.
Pitch Count Hero: Erstad - 14 pitches in 3 PAs. Although, to be fair, Bud Norris can get a nod as he took 11 pitches in 2 PAs.
Pitch Count Punk: Matsui and Blum - 10 pitches in 4 PAs.
Man of the Match: Jason Michaels. Playing in place of Michael Bourn, comes up with 4RBIs.
Goat of the Game: Kaz Matsui. Leadoff man goes 0x4 and only sees 10 pitches.
Norris: 6IP, 3H/2ER, 7K:5BB, 15/25 first-pitch strikes, 36 non-contact strikes (22 called:14 swinging)
Sampson: 0.2IP, 3H/1ER, 2K, 3/5 FPS, 5/12 NCS (3c:2s)
Byrdak: 0IP, 1BB, 1/1 FPS, 0 NCS
Fulchino: 1.1IP, 1H, 2K, 4/5 FPS, 8/13 NCS (5c:3s)
Valverde: 1IP, 1H, 1K, 1/3 FPS, 6/8 NCS (5c:1s)
It could have been ugly in the first. Norris walked Craig Counsell and gave up a Ryan Braun double to left. Counsell ended the play by foolishly running on Carlos Lee and getting nailed at home. Norris then settled in and got the next seven batters in a row. Things got a little hairy in the 4th/5th, when Counsell and Cameron walked, but got Frank Catalanotto to end the 4th. And then in the 5th when J.J. Hardy walked to leadoff the inning and then Jason Kendall gave the Brewers a 2-1 lead wih a homer to left. Anyhow, three of Norris' strikeouts ended the inning.
Reliever of the night is Jeff Fulchino, who came in and got four outs, and had to pick up Byrdak's walked batter.
Offensively, the Astros were aggressive, didn't take many pitches - 104 pitches in 33 plate appearances - but had it going on. Nine hits, two hits from four players - Tejada, Lee, Blum, and Michaels. Five of the Astros' six runs came on homers: Four RBI on two homers from Michaels (who raised his season RBI total from 9 to 13) and a Tejada solo shot, and a slightly different set of five runs came with two outs. Even Erstad came through with an RBI single after being activated from the DL.
But it wouldn't be a game without an Astros baserunning mistake. Carlos Lee was thrown out stretching a single into a double.
Pitch Count Hero: Erstad - 14 pitches in 3 PAs. Although, to be fair, Bud Norris can get a nod as he took 11 pitches in 2 PAs.
Pitch Count Punk: Matsui and Blum - 10 pitches in 4 PAs.
Man of the Match: Jason Michaels. Playing in place of Michael Bourn, comes up with 4RBIs.
Goat of the Game: Kaz Matsui. Leadoff man goes 0x4 and only sees 10 pitches.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Eddie's Farm: August 5
Round Rock
Got the piss kicked out of them 8-0 at the hands of the Tacoma Rainiers. Like the Astros, the Express drew no walks, and do much in the way of hitting, either. Abercrombie and Bogusevic each had two hits with Chris Johnson and Yordany providing the other two. Yorman Bazardo threw 5IP, 5H/5ER, 4K:3BB. Josh Muecke gave up 2ER in 2IP.
Corpus
Andy Van Hekken got his sixth win for the Hooks with a 5-2win. Drew Locke was 4x5 and got his 100th RBI of the season; Nick Moresi (who is human and he wants to be loved...just like everybody else) was 3x4 with an RBI, while Jhon Florentino provided a two-run triple. Wladimir Sutil and a rehabbing Darin Erstad were both 2x5. AVH threw 7IP, 5H/1ER, 2K:3BB, while C-Lo threw 1IP, 1H/1ER and Evan Englebrook closed it out with a scoreless 9th.
Lancaster
By the end of the 2nd, Lancaster had a 13-4 lead, and closed it out with an 18-5 win. Obviously, that means a lot of hits. Jack Shuck was 5x6 with 2RBI, Brandon Barnes was 4x4 with 3RBI. Ebert Rosario hit his 1st homer for Lancaster with a 3x5, 3RBI day. Clemens and Weston were both 3x6 and Cabral and Corrado had two hits each. The JetHawks were 12x23 with RISP in a good old-fashioned nut-thumping. Shane Wolf threw 7IP, 9H/5ER, 8K:3BB.
Lexington
Brian Pellegrini provided the only RBI as the Legends were shut down by Greenville 3-1. Shortstop Brandon Wikoff got on base more than anybody else with two walks, and he was the only Legend in the lineup with a batting average higher than .295 (now hitting .412). Jordan Lyles' record dropped to 6-10 (with a 3.44 ERA) with 7IP, 7H/3ER, 6K:0BB.
Tri-City
Tri-City dropped another one to Mahoning Valley 5-3. Renzo Tello was 3x4, Erik Castro was 2x4 with an RBI, and Jhonny Medrano hit a two-run homer. Colton Pitkin threw 4IP, 6H/5ER, 3K:3BB. Clark, Schurz, and Modica stopped the bleeding with five scoreless innings in relief.
Greeneville
Greeneville actually had a 7-5 lead going into the 7th. But unfortunately, the game is nine innings long, and Bluefield won 10-7. Our boy Aaron Bray was 2x4 with a double, walk, and an RBI. Kyle Miller posted the same line, and Wilton Infante was 2x5 with a triple. Brutal, though: the Gastros committed four errors leading to five unearned runs. Gabe Garcia threw 3.2IP, 7H/5R (1ER), 4K:0BB, and Jeiler Castillo was charged with the loss with 2IP, 5H/3ER.
GCL Astros
The GCL Marlins threw a 2-hitter and that's a recipe for a 5-0 win. Suniaga and Pedro Feliz got the hits. Ricardo Batista was tagged with the loss after giving up 7H/4ER in 2IP. Garrett Bullock picked up 3IP, 3H/1R (0ER) in relief.
Got the piss kicked out of them 8-0 at the hands of the Tacoma Rainiers. Like the Astros, the Express drew no walks, and do much in the way of hitting, either. Abercrombie and Bogusevic each had two hits with Chris Johnson and Yordany providing the other two. Yorman Bazardo threw 5IP, 5H/5ER, 4K:3BB. Josh Muecke gave up 2ER in 2IP.
Corpus
Andy Van Hekken got his sixth win for the Hooks with a 5-2win. Drew Locke was 4x5 and got his 100th RBI of the season; Nick Moresi (who is human and he wants to be loved...just like everybody else) was 3x4 with an RBI, while Jhon Florentino provided a two-run triple. Wladimir Sutil and a rehabbing Darin Erstad were both 2x5. AVH threw 7IP, 5H/1ER, 2K:3BB, while C-Lo threw 1IP, 1H/1ER and Evan Englebrook closed it out with a scoreless 9th.
Lancaster
By the end of the 2nd, Lancaster had a 13-4 lead, and closed it out with an 18-5 win. Obviously, that means a lot of hits. Jack Shuck was 5x6 with 2RBI, Brandon Barnes was 4x4 with 3RBI. Ebert Rosario hit his 1st homer for Lancaster with a 3x5, 3RBI day. Clemens and Weston were both 3x6 and Cabral and Corrado had two hits each. The JetHawks were 12x23 with RISP in a good old-fashioned nut-thumping. Shane Wolf threw 7IP, 9H/5ER, 8K:3BB.
Lexington
Brian Pellegrini provided the only RBI as the Legends were shut down by Greenville 3-1. Shortstop Brandon Wikoff got on base more than anybody else with two walks, and he was the only Legend in the lineup with a batting average higher than .295 (now hitting .412). Jordan Lyles' record dropped to 6-10 (with a 3.44 ERA) with 7IP, 7H/3ER, 6K:0BB.
Tri-City
Tri-City dropped another one to Mahoning Valley 5-3. Renzo Tello was 3x4, Erik Castro was 2x4 with an RBI, and Jhonny Medrano hit a two-run homer. Colton Pitkin threw 4IP, 6H/5ER, 3K:3BB. Clark, Schurz, and Modica stopped the bleeding with five scoreless innings in relief.
Greeneville
Greeneville actually had a 7-5 lead going into the 7th. But unfortunately, the game is nine innings long, and Bluefield won 10-7. Our boy Aaron Bray was 2x4 with a double, walk, and an RBI. Kyle Miller posted the same line, and Wilton Infante was 2x5 with a triple. Brutal, though: the Gastros committed four errors leading to five unearned runs. Gabe Garcia threw 3.2IP, 7H/5R (1ER), 4K:0BB, and Jeiler Castillo was charged with the loss with 2IP, 5H/3ER.
GCL Astros
The GCL Marlins threw a 2-hitter and that's a recipe for a 5-0 win. Suniaga and Pedro Feliz got the hits. Ricardo Batista was tagged with the loss after giving up 7H/4ER in 2IP. Garrett Bullock picked up 3IP, 3H/1R (0ER) in relief.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
More notes on the sick and afflicted
Some info on our beat-up players.
Wandy:
Optimistic about starting on Saturday, not Friday. He'll throw a bullpen today and know more after that, but his strained right hammy is improving,
I was getting treatment and exercises, and it feels a lot better. The key will be the bullpen because that's when I feel in during my follow-through.”
-
Berkman:
Probably won't come be ready when he's eligible to come off the DL on Friday.
Coop:
“I know (having him back) by Friday I'm not too optimistic."
Ed Wade:
"He was sore today after running in the outfield (Monday). We want to make sure it's resolved before he runs back out there and runs the risk of doing something that makes it even longer.”
-
Roy:
Feels better than he did on Monday, after throwing off flat ground and being examined by the doctor.
-
Aaron Boone:
Will play Monday, and Monday only, in a rehab start.
Boone:
“In a couple of days we'll map out a play (time) schedule. As of right now, just one game on Monday (is set).”
Wade:
“The plan is to run it out for the full 20 days."
-
Erstad:
Played five innings for Corpus last night in his first rehab start.
Wandy:
Optimistic about starting on Saturday, not Friday. He'll throw a bullpen today and know more after that, but his strained right hammy is improving,
I was getting treatment and exercises, and it feels a lot better. The key will be the bullpen because that's when I feel in during my follow-through.”
-
Berkman:
Probably won't come be ready when he's eligible to come off the DL on Friday.
Coop:
“I know (having him back) by Friday I'm not too optimistic."
Ed Wade:
"He was sore today after running in the outfield (Monday). We want to make sure it's resolved before he runs back out there and runs the risk of doing something that makes it even longer.”
-
Roy:
Feels better than he did on Monday, after throwing off flat ground and being examined by the doctor.
-
Aaron Boone:
Will play Monday, and Monday only, in a rehab start.
Boone:
“In a couple of days we'll map out a play (time) schedule. As of right now, just one game on Monday (is set).”
Wade:
“The plan is to run it out for the full 20 days."
-
Erstad:
Played five innings for Corpus last night in his first rehab start.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Meat Wagon posts its schedule
The Meat Wagon, aka: The Long List of Injuries, has posted a new schedule.
Roy, who will not pitch tonight:
“I thought I'd feel a little bit better. I felt pretty decent (Sunday) through (a) flat-ground (session). We'll have to see what happens Wednesday. I'm not 100 percent. It just doesn't feel good. It feels like if I let it go, (the back) is not going to hold.”
When asked to put a percentage on himself:
“Not good.” I guess the "%" is implied.
-
Berkman is optimistic about coming off the DL on Friday:
“I feel pretty good. I definitely still feel the injury, but it's not as sharp as it was. I think it's making some progress.”
-
Erstad will be a Hook today for a quick rehab assignment
-
Sammy Gervacio had a quick cup of coffee and has been optioned back to Round Rock to clear room for Felipe Paulino.
-
And Wandy now "isn't sure" he'll start on Friday, as expected.
Roy, who will not pitch tonight:
“I thought I'd feel a little bit better. I felt pretty decent (Sunday) through (a) flat-ground (session). We'll have to see what happens Wednesday. I'm not 100 percent. It just doesn't feel good. It feels like if I let it go, (the back) is not going to hold.”
When asked to put a percentage on himself:
“Not good.” I guess the "%" is implied.
-
Berkman is optimistic about coming off the DL on Friday:
“I feel pretty good. I definitely still feel the injury, but it's not as sharp as it was. I think it's making some progress.”
-
Erstad will be a Hook today for a quick rehab assignment
-
Sammy Gervacio had a quick cup of coffee and has been optioned back to Round Rock to clear room for Felipe Paulino.
-
And Wandy now "isn't sure" he'll start on Friday, as expected.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Astros possibility of trading pieces based on Free Agent status rankings
Focusing a little on the off-season in light of the Trade Deadline's...deadline this afternoon. Elias Sports Bureau ranks every player over a 2-year period and assigns a status based on their stats.
If a team offers free agent Player X arbitration, and he declines and signs with another team, then the team who signed him owes some draft picks. If Player X is a Type A player, the team who lost him gets that team's first-round draft pick from the team who signed him. It's one sandwich pick between the 1st/2nd round of the draft for a Type B free agent. This is an over-simplified version, because there are also considerations whether or not the team who signs the free agent falls in the 1st-15th picks of the draft, but that's basically it.
All this is to say that, for the Astros to trade an impending Type A free agent, they're going to want more than the equivalent to two of the Top 100 amateurs in the country. Then you get into the problem of offering arbitration, and the possibility of Player X accepting it (cough, Miguel Tejada, cough).
Where do the Astros' impending free agents fall (as of July 30)?
Type A
LaTroy Hawkins
Miguel Tejada
Jose Valverde
Type B
Doug Brocail
Pudge Rodriguez
None
Geoff Blum
Darin Erstad
Mike Hampton
Jason Michaels
Brian Moehler
If a team offers free agent Player X arbitration, and he declines and signs with another team, then the team who signed him owes some draft picks. If Player X is a Type A player, the team who lost him gets that team's first-round draft pick from the team who signed him. It's one sandwich pick between the 1st/2nd round of the draft for a Type B free agent. This is an over-simplified version, because there are also considerations whether or not the team who signs the free agent falls in the 1st-15th picks of the draft, but that's basically it.
All this is to say that, for the Astros to trade an impending Type A free agent, they're going to want more than the equivalent to two of the Top 100 amateurs in the country. Then you get into the problem of offering arbitration, and the possibility of Player X accepting it (cough, Miguel Tejada, cough).
Where do the Astros' impending free agents fall (as of July 30)?
Type A
LaTroy Hawkins
Miguel Tejada
Jose Valverde
Type B
Doug Brocail
Pudge Rodriguez
None
Geoff Blum
Darin Erstad
Mike Hampton
Jason Michaels
Brian Moehler
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