Well, that's what a 2-7 road trip looks like. The Astros were shutout for the 11th time this season, and the third time on the nine-game road trip. That said, there were two positives: Aaron Boone kept the Cubs in check with at least one great stop at first base, denying extra-bases in one instance. And Paulino, who was basically pitching today for a job next year, definitely rose to the occasion, throwing only one bad pitch. It's a shame that the offense couldn't bail him out for a win. Let's do the thing:
Paulino: 6IP, 4H/2ER, 7K:2BB, 13/23 first-pitch strikes, 37/61 non-contact strikes (20 called:17 swinging)
Byrdak: 1IP, 1BB, 3/4 FPS, 5/8 NCS (3c:2s)
LaHawk: 1IP, 2K, 1/3 FPS, 5/8 NCS (2c:3s)
Offensively...jeez. Tejada was 0x4 to send his batting average (.298) below .300 for the first time since May 8 vs. San Diego. But the Astros only managed five hits, and couldn't take advantage - going 0x7 with RISP. In the 8th, down 2-0, Quintero hit a 1-out double to right. And Berkman and Matsui left him there. In the 9th, the winning run was at the plate twice, with Pence on second and Lee on first - and Tejada and Blum left them both there.
It's just a pretty bad time to be an Astros fan. And help isn't on the way. It's probably going to be 2-3 years before it gets better. This season's Hole-Plug Gamble (which is going to be the name of my new band) didn't pay off, and now it's time to turn it over to the young'uns, who are still pretty far off. I'm happy with a Roy/Wandy/Norris/Paulino/Bazardo rotation in 2010, but even if The Quints at Lexington skip High-A ball, we're still looking at late-2011/2012 before they wear an Astros jersey.
Pitch Count Hero: Pence - 20 pitches in 4 PAs (1x3, walk)
Pitch Count Punk: Boone - 10 pitches in 3 PAs (0x3), but you can't blame him for being excited.
Man of the Match: Felipe Paulino. Had to do a job for the future, and did it.
Goat of the Game: Miguel Tejada. All eyes on you.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Lineup for G133 - Astros @ Cubs
Captip, Alyson Footer:
Matsui 2B
Keppinger 3B
Pence RF
Lee LF
Tejada SS
Michaels CF
Boone 1B
Quintero C
Paulino P.
No Berkman (Boone), and no Bourn (Michaels). Coop knows that Boone has played third in his rehab starts, right? He's not going to crump out playing over there in the 3B spot.
However, the Cubs are running out a getaway lineup, themselves. No Soriano, Theriot, or Ramirez:
Fukudome CF
Blanco SS
Lee 1B
Bradley RF
Fox LF
Fontenot 2B
Baker 3B
Hill C
Lilly P
Matsui 2B
Keppinger 3B
Pence RF
Lee LF
Tejada SS
Michaels CF
Boone 1B
Quintero C
Paulino P.
No Berkman (Boone), and no Bourn (Michaels). Coop knows that Boone has played third in his rehab starts, right? He's not going to crump out playing over there in the 3B spot.
However, the Cubs are running out a getaway lineup, themselves. No Soriano, Theriot, or Ramirez:
Fukudome CF
Blanco SS
Lee 1B
Bradley RF
Fox LF
Fontenot 2B
Baker 3B
Hill C
Lilly P
Justice burns Norris
After it was announced that Bud Norris is the PCL's Top Pitcher, joining Jason Hirsh as the two Triple-A Top Pitchers in Express history (Tim Redding won it in 2001 when Round Rock was a Double-A team), Richard Justice responded. Classy-like:
Bud Norris named PCL Pitcher of Year. Congratulations. Now go learn to command your fastball, or be prepared to be back in the PCL in 2010.
Bud Norris named PCL Pitcher of Year. Congratulations. Now go learn to command your fastball, or be prepared to be back in the PCL in 2010.
Coop, on Paulino
No more silly pitch counts. Via Alyson Footer:
"This is basically an audition. He's one of our young guns. Let him prove himself."
"This is basically an audition. He's one of our young guns. Let him prove himself."
Pence up for Clemente award
Hunter Pence is up for the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award, combining sportsmanship, skillz, and community work.
Biggio won the award in 2007, and Albert Pujols in 2008.
You can vote here. The winner will be announced before Game 3 of the World Series, which I can almost assure you will not be in Houston.
Biggio won the award in 2007, and Albert Pujols in 2008.
You can vote here. The winner will be announced before Game 3 of the World Series, which I can almost assure you will not be in Houston.
Tri-City sets attendance record
Good for them. Those fans put up with a lot of not scoring runs, and still came out to Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy.
Tri-City drew almost 146,000 fans, up about 4% over last year, with 12 sell-outs, and a July 4 game with 6,838 in attendance (more than Reds games. Ha!).
ValleyCats GM Rick Murphy:
“To eclipse the record given this time of economic uncertainty, combined with unprecedented amounts of rain, is truly a testament to our dedicated fans and staff.”
Tri-City drew almost 146,000 fans, up about 4% over last year, with 12 sell-outs, and a July 4 game with 6,838 in attendance (more than Reds games. Ha!).
ValleyCats GM Rick Murphy:
“To eclipse the record given this time of economic uncertainty, combined with unprecedented amounts of rain, is truly a testament to our dedicated fans and staff.”
Lyles has a bunch of different pitches
For instance:
Fastball: 90-92mph
Curve: 75-76mph
Tighter curve: 78mph
Changeup: 80-83mph
Slider: 82-84mph
Lyles, on the fastball:
"When I started the season, I wasn't going inside and out. If I throw a fastball outside, they can put the bat on it, foul it off into the stands. So a couple weeks into the season I learned to go inside and that's why all my strikeout totals have been up. Since then, just working in and out has been really successful."
On the curves:
"There's a couple curveballs I use. I use a show-me curveball early in the count when they're not looking curveball-and that's OK to have a big loopy curveball to show them-but others I like to bury in the dirt."
Pitching coach Travis Driskill, on the slider:
"He came out of high school with it, but we wanted to concentrate on just having one breaking ball to see if we could get that going. He was able to get it going-obviously not tonight-but it's been a real good pitch for him and we just add in that slider to give him a different look."
Driskill, on the changeup:
"For a young guy, he has a lot of confidence in that pitch. His willingness to throw it shows that he'll be able to throw it when he gets to a higher level, and he'll be able to take that to the major leagues and keep guys off his fastball. It's always been there. I had him last year in Greeneville and we had some special rules about how we were trying to use some pitches because we wanted some more changeup use. When we did that and we made him throw it, he found out it was real good. It's just unbelievable for an 18-year-old kid to come out of high school and have a changeup like that."
Driskill, on Lyles:
"Overall, he's been terrific. He locates his fastball as well as anyone should at this level. He does have a real good breaking ball, he's finding a slider and, then again, he has a real good feel for a changeup. For a kid who's only 18, he's got four pitches right there that we're talking about. And we know two of them are outstanding, and the two breaking balls are good and should get better as he matures and becomes a more experienced pitcher."
Fastball: 90-92mph
Curve: 75-76mph
Tighter curve: 78mph
Changeup: 80-83mph
Slider: 82-84mph
Lyles, on the fastball:
"When I started the season, I wasn't going inside and out. If I throw a fastball outside, they can put the bat on it, foul it off into the stands. So a couple weeks into the season I learned to go inside and that's why all my strikeout totals have been up. Since then, just working in and out has been really successful."
On the curves:
"There's a couple curveballs I use. I use a show-me curveball early in the count when they're not looking curveball-and that's OK to have a big loopy curveball to show them-but others I like to bury in the dirt."
Pitching coach Travis Driskill, on the slider:
"He came out of high school with it, but we wanted to concentrate on just having one breaking ball to see if we could get that going. He was able to get it going-obviously not tonight-but it's been a real good pitch for him and we just add in that slider to give him a different look."
Driskill, on the changeup:
"For a young guy, he has a lot of confidence in that pitch. His willingness to throw it shows that he'll be able to throw it when he gets to a higher level, and he'll be able to take that to the major leagues and keep guys off his fastball. It's always been there. I had him last year in Greeneville and we had some special rules about how we were trying to use some pitches because we wanted some more changeup use. When we did that and we made him throw it, he found out it was real good. It's just unbelievable for an 18-year-old kid to come out of high school and have a changeup like that."
Driskill, on Lyles:
"Overall, he's been terrific. He locates his fastball as well as anyone should at this level. He does have a real good breaking ball, he's finding a slider and, then again, he has a real good feel for a changeup. For a kid who's only 18, he's got four pitches right there that we're talking about. And we know two of them are outstanding, and the two breaking balls are good and should get better as he matures and becomes a more experienced pitcher."
Gastros hand out their season awards
The Greeneville Astros hand out two awards prior to the last game of the season each year - team MVP, and the Oscar Padron Award (named for former Gastros pitching coach killed in a car accident in Venezuela in 2005). The Padron Award, is given to the Astros player each year that not only excelled on the field, but more importantly, is considered to be a leader in the clubhouse and an outstanding all-around person with great character off the field.
This year, that honor went to Grant Hogue.
And your 2009 Greeneville Astros MVP award went to Jose Altuve who, despite getting called up to Tri-City on August 11, still managed to lead the team in hits, doubles, runs scored, and stolen bases. This is the second Appalachian League award for the non-Appalachian League player this season.
This year, that honor went to Grant Hogue.
And your 2009 Greeneville Astros MVP award went to Jose Altuve who, despite getting called up to Tri-City on August 11, still managed to lead the team in hits, doubles, runs scored, and stolen bases. This is the second Appalachian League award for the non-Appalachian League player this season.
Eddie's Farm: September 1
Round Rock
The offense went off for 12 runs on 13 hits in a 12-7 win over Albuquerque. With multi-hit games from Towles (2x3, double/homer), Bogusevic (2x5, 2RBI), Manzella (2x3, 2-run homer), Saccomanno (2x5), and Kata (2x5), it would have been hard to lose this game. Yet it almost happened. It took a 6-run 8th inning to push the Express over the top. Mark McLemore only lasted an inning, giving up 4H/3ER. Roy Corcoran came in for the next 4IP and gave up 5H/2ER, 4K:1BB, while Armando Benitez got his first win as an Astro-in-training (anyone else think he's the backup option if the Astros don't re-sign Valverde?).
Corpus
Corpus, behind the hot bat of C Jonathan Fixler, beat up Frisco 6-1. Fixler was 3x4 with two homers and 4RBI. DeLome provided the other 2RBI with a 2x4 night. Tyler Lumsden is showing some late-season return in the Parraz trade, and went 5IP, 5H/0ER (1 total), 2K:4BB. C-Lo closed out the final four innings with 3H/0ER, 5K:0BB.
Lancaster
High Desert shut the JetHawks down, winning 6-2. Koby Clemens was 2x4 with his 21st homer of the year, and Craig Corrado was 2x3 with a double. Shane Wolf threw 4.2IP, 10H/6ER, 1K:3BB while Jose Duran and Ashton Mowdy threw the final 3.1IP, with 1H/0ER, 2K:4BB. Mowdy's ERA at Lancaster currently sits at 9.82, while Duran's is 8.26.
Lexington
Lexington scored in three different innings, and that was enough to beat Asheville 3-1. Jay Austin was 2x5, Albert Cartwright was 2x3 with an RBI, and Brian Pellegrini hit his 25th homer of the year. Robert Bono improved to 9-8 with a 3.35 ERA after giving up 6H/1ER, 5K:0BB in 5IP. Henry Villar threw 2.2IP in relief, striking out five, and Matt Nevarez got another save for the Legends.
Tri-City
Despite scoring three runs in the bottom of the 9th, it was one run short as Aberdeen beat the ValleyCats 4-3. Erik Castro was 2x5 with a 2-out 3-run homer. Brandt Walker dropped to 1-6, after allowing 7H/4ER in 3.1IP, and Nathan Pettus, Dan Sarisky, and Max Fearnow threw the final 5.2IP, allowing just 3H/0ER, 4K (all Sarisky's):0BB.
Greeneville
And it's with sadness that we bring you the final Greeneville recap of the season, as the Gastros finished the season last night with a 6-2 win. Jiovanni Mier was 2x3 with 3RBI, Bubby Williams was 2x3 with a homer and 2RBI, Kyle Miller was 2x4, and Our Boy Aaron Bray was 2x3 with an RBI - finishing the season hitting .278. Angel Gonzalez threw 5IP, 3H/1ER, 3K:2BB, Murillo Gouvea threw 3IP, 1H/0ER, 4K:1BB in relief. We'll have a full season recap of the Gastros in the coming days, but the Gastros finished the season 27-40, 17.5GB of APP West winner Elizabethton.
The offense went off for 12 runs on 13 hits in a 12-7 win over Albuquerque. With multi-hit games from Towles (2x3, double/homer), Bogusevic (2x5, 2RBI), Manzella (2x3, 2-run homer), Saccomanno (2x5), and Kata (2x5), it would have been hard to lose this game. Yet it almost happened. It took a 6-run 8th inning to push the Express over the top. Mark McLemore only lasted an inning, giving up 4H/3ER. Roy Corcoran came in for the next 4IP and gave up 5H/2ER, 4K:1BB, while Armando Benitez got his first win as an Astro-in-training (anyone else think he's the backup option if the Astros don't re-sign Valverde?).
Corpus
Corpus, behind the hot bat of C Jonathan Fixler, beat up Frisco 6-1. Fixler was 3x4 with two homers and 4RBI. DeLome provided the other 2RBI with a 2x4 night. Tyler Lumsden is showing some late-season return in the Parraz trade, and went 5IP, 5H/0ER (1 total), 2K:4BB. C-Lo closed out the final four innings with 3H/0ER, 5K:0BB.
Lancaster
High Desert shut the JetHawks down, winning 6-2. Koby Clemens was 2x4 with his 21st homer of the year, and Craig Corrado was 2x3 with a double. Shane Wolf threw 4.2IP, 10H/6ER, 1K:3BB while Jose Duran and Ashton Mowdy threw the final 3.1IP, with 1H/0ER, 2K:4BB. Mowdy's ERA at Lancaster currently sits at 9.82, while Duran's is 8.26.
Lexington
Lexington scored in three different innings, and that was enough to beat Asheville 3-1. Jay Austin was 2x5, Albert Cartwright was 2x3 with an RBI, and Brian Pellegrini hit his 25th homer of the year. Robert Bono improved to 9-8 with a 3.35 ERA after giving up 6H/1ER, 5K:0BB in 5IP. Henry Villar threw 2.2IP in relief, striking out five, and Matt Nevarez got another save for the Legends.
Tri-City
Despite scoring three runs in the bottom of the 9th, it was one run short as Aberdeen beat the ValleyCats 4-3. Erik Castro was 2x5 with a 2-out 3-run homer. Brandt Walker dropped to 1-6, after allowing 7H/4ER in 3.1IP, and Nathan Pettus, Dan Sarisky, and Max Fearnow threw the final 5.2IP, allowing just 3H/0ER, 4K (all Sarisky's):0BB.
Greeneville
And it's with sadness that we bring you the final Greeneville recap of the season, as the Gastros finished the season last night with a 6-2 win. Jiovanni Mier was 2x3 with 3RBI, Bubby Williams was 2x3 with a homer and 2RBI, Kyle Miller was 2x4, and Our Boy Aaron Bray was 2x3 with an RBI - finishing the season hitting .278. Angel Gonzalez threw 5IP, 3H/1ER, 3K:2BB, Murillo Gouvea threw 3IP, 1H/0ER, 4K:1BB in relief. We'll have a full season recap of the Gastros in the coming days, but the Gastros finished the season 27-40, 17.5GB of APP West winner Elizabethton.
Levine: Concerned about Pence
Which I think we all should be. Anyhow, Levine's blog post this morning has to do with a surging Michael Bourn and a fading Hunter Pence.
"The right fielder is in a tailspin, both in the lineup and the statistics. He's now a No. 7 hitter and since the All-Star break, he's hitting .245 with a .753 OPS compared to .295 and .839 before.
He's healthy and has been streaky his whole brief career, and as such, we still don't really recognize a true Hunter Pence. If he continues this slide, I'd be a little more concerned if I'm an Astros fan about the true Hunter Pence.
Pence is looking at arbitration eligibility after this season, and the last month could have a lot to do with his value and whether it might make more sense to lock him up through his arbitration years."
What's he been doing on this road trip?
Sept 1 @CHC
9th inning: Single to CF
7th inning: Groundout to 3B
4th inning: Walk
2nd inning: GIDP to SS
Aug 31 @ CHC
8th inning: Lineout to SS
6th inning: Single to CF
4th inning: Walk
2nd inning: GIDP to 2B
Aug 30 @ ARI
8th inning: K (swinging)
7th inning: Single to CF
4th inning: K (swinging)
2nd inning: Flyout to RF
Aug 29 @ ARI
9th inning: K (looking)
7th inning: Walk
5th inning: Single to CF
2nd inning: Flyout to RF
Aug 28 @ARI
8th inning: HR to left-center
6th inning: Double to LF
4th inning: Groundout to SS
2nd inning: K (looking)
Aug 27 @StL
9th inning: Groundout to SS
Aug 26 @StL
8th inning: Flyout to CF
6th inning: Groundout to SS
4th inning: Single to CF
1st inning: Lineout to 2B
Aug 25 @StL
9th inning: Groundout to SS
6th inning: Groundout to 1B
4th inning: K (swinging)
1st inning: Groundout to 3B
First, here are your basic stats. 29 PAs: .269/.345/.423. 5K:3BB. Nine groundouts, three flyouts, two lineouts. 21 balls in play, 14 to the middle of the field, four to the left side, and three to the right side.
Of his seven hits in this road trip, five were singles to CF, one was a homer to left-center, and one was a double to left (notice a trend?). He's had nine groundouts: Six to the middle of the field, two to the left side, and one to the right side.
So it looks like, from here, that he's hitting the ball squarely, or pulling it. There's just nothing to the right side. To say that, in 29 PAs, he has had three ABs that he has taken the ball to right field is pretty incredible.
"The right fielder is in a tailspin, both in the lineup and the statistics. He's now a No. 7 hitter and since the All-Star break, he's hitting .245 with a .753 OPS compared to .295 and .839 before.
He's healthy and has been streaky his whole brief career, and as such, we still don't really recognize a true Hunter Pence. If he continues this slide, I'd be a little more concerned if I'm an Astros fan about the true Hunter Pence.
Pence is looking at arbitration eligibility after this season, and the last month could have a lot to do with his value and whether it might make more sense to lock him up through his arbitration years."
What's he been doing on this road trip?
Sept 1 @CHC
9th inning: Single to CF
7th inning: Groundout to 3B
4th inning: Walk
2nd inning: GIDP to SS
Aug 31 @ CHC
8th inning: Lineout to SS
6th inning: Single to CF
4th inning: Walk
2nd inning: GIDP to 2B
Aug 30 @ ARI
8th inning: K (swinging)
7th inning: Single to CF
4th inning: K (swinging)
2nd inning: Flyout to RF
Aug 29 @ ARI
9th inning: K (looking)
7th inning: Walk
5th inning: Single to CF
2nd inning: Flyout to RF
Aug 28 @ARI
8th inning: HR to left-center
6th inning: Double to LF
4th inning: Groundout to SS
2nd inning: K (looking)
Aug 27 @StL
9th inning: Groundout to SS
Aug 26 @StL
8th inning: Flyout to CF
6th inning: Groundout to SS
4th inning: Single to CF
1st inning: Lineout to 2B
Aug 25 @StL
9th inning: Groundout to SS
6th inning: Groundout to 1B
4th inning: K (swinging)
1st inning: Groundout to 3B
First, here are your basic stats. 29 PAs: .269/.345/.423. 5K:3BB. Nine groundouts, three flyouts, two lineouts. 21 balls in play, 14 to the middle of the field, four to the left side, and three to the right side.
Of his seven hits in this road trip, five were singles to CF, one was a homer to left-center, and one was a double to left (notice a trend?). He's had nine groundouts: Six to the middle of the field, two to the left side, and one to the right side.
So it looks like, from here, that he's hitting the ball squarely, or pulling it. There's just nothing to the right side. To say that, in 29 PAs, he has had three ABs that he has taken the ball to right field is pretty incredible.
Call up clues
In JJO's Notes column, we get some updates (which, I suppose, is the purpose of doing it):
Coop, on more call-ups:
“There might be one name or two on Friday and the others will come after they finish (the minor league season). We're not going to bring the whole house. It's going to be limited. I think if we were a younger team, we might see a lot of guys.”
-
Depending on how this stint goes off the DL, Brocail may try to come back next season, or he may retire:
“We'll see how it goes. Hopefully everything is better and I'll finish out the year and see if I'll retire or have another chance to come back. … Well, it's definitely pride. I don't know if it's important because they have guys they have to look at for next year.”
-
Wright, who was not required to throw until his body ran out of electrolytes (unlike his last visit to Wrigley):
"My shoulder feels great. I'm back to pretty much full strength. It's just now getting my arm back to where it was before as far as game shape and everything like that. I'm close to being back to where I was before the injury.”
Coop, on Wright:
“I’m going to do my best to try to stay away from (long relief) this time around for (Wright). That’s what really got him, I think, the last time, a couple three-inning stints.
Let's give him a hand for leaving the park on the team bus, and not an ambulance. But here's an idea, how about we bring up some more of the Round Rock pitchers (Muecke, Daigle) so that Coop won't be forced to rely on one reliever to pitch three innings?
-
Dewey, on what the heck they're doing with Norris:
“He's going to throw a light pen (today) and see how that feels. If that goes OK, he'll throw a little more intensive one on Friday to see where he's at. We don't think at this point he's going to miss a start, but we can juggle some things so he gets two or three extra days because of the off day and keeping Wandy and Roy on five days.”
-
And Alberto Arias and his jacked-up hammy played catch (though not with each other) for the first time since going on the DL.
-
And finally, consider today an audition for Paulino: 2010. What does he need to do? Let's ask Coop:
“Hopefully he’s kind of settled in and he’s got some consistency with his fastball down in the zone. I thought last outing that he had with the relief appearance he was down in the strike zone, really good with his fastball. He actually did throw some pretty good breaking balls. If I could see that on a pretty consistent basis (today) that would be pretty good.”
Coop, on more call-ups:
“There might be one name or two on Friday and the others will come after they finish (the minor league season). We're not going to bring the whole house. It's going to be limited. I think if we were a younger team, we might see a lot of guys.”
-
Depending on how this stint goes off the DL, Brocail may try to come back next season, or he may retire:
“We'll see how it goes. Hopefully everything is better and I'll finish out the year and see if I'll retire or have another chance to come back. … Well, it's definitely pride. I don't know if it's important because they have guys they have to look at for next year.”
-
Wright, who was not required to throw until his body ran out of electrolytes (unlike his last visit to Wrigley):
"My shoulder feels great. I'm back to pretty much full strength. It's just now getting my arm back to where it was before as far as game shape and everything like that. I'm close to being back to where I was before the injury.”
Coop, on Wright:
“I’m going to do my best to try to stay away from (long relief) this time around for (Wright). That’s what really got him, I think, the last time, a couple three-inning stints.
Let's give him a hand for leaving the park on the team bus, and not an ambulance. But here's an idea, how about we bring up some more of the Round Rock pitchers (Muecke, Daigle) so that Coop won't be forced to rely on one reliever to pitch three innings?
-
Dewey, on what the heck they're doing with Norris:
“He's going to throw a light pen (today) and see how that feels. If that goes OK, he'll throw a little more intensive one on Friday to see where he's at. We don't think at this point he's going to miss a start, but we can juggle some things so he gets two or three extra days because of the off day and keeping Wandy and Roy on five days.”
-
And Alberto Arias and his jacked-up hammy played catch (though not with each other) for the first time since going on the DL.
-
And finally, consider today an audition for Paulino: 2010. What does he need to do? Let's ask Coop:
“Hopefully he’s kind of settled in and he’s got some consistency with his fastball down in the zone. I thought last outing that he had with the relief appearance he was down in the strike zone, really good with his fastball. He actually did throw some pretty good breaking balls. If I could see that on a pretty consistent basis (today) that would be pretty good.”
Recap for G132 - Astros @ Cubs
Make that 21IP. Randy Wells has thrown 21IP against Houston this season without allowing an earned run, and the defense sunk the Astros in a 4-1 loss to the Cubs at Miller Park South. Let's do the thing:
Moehler: 5.1IP, 6H/1ER (3 total), 2K:0BB, 17/23 first-pitch strikes, 21/52 non-contact strikes (19 called:2 swinging)
Gervacio: 0.2IP, 2K, 2/2 FPS, 5/7 NCS (1c:4s)
Fulchino: 2IP, 2H/1ER, 1K:2BB, 6/9 FPS, 8/18 NCS (3c:5s)
I have no idea why Moehler was pulled. Ramirez was on first, Lee was on third (after Pence's error), and Moehler had struck out Fukudome. With Soriano up, Coop pulled Moehler after 80 pitches. Soriano, who was due up, was 1x2 with a single on the night coming into that at-bat, and while Moehler had allowed two singles in the 6th, he had retired eight of eleven batters (I'm counting Cubs who reached on errors as being "retired.") after giving up the homer to Milton Grouchy. Nevertheless, Gervacio came in and finished the inning, and his ERA now sits at a nice round 1.00.
Offensively...they had their chances. The Astros had a runner on base in eight innings, and even got the leadoff man on in five innings. To no avail. None of them scored. Michael Bourn got three hits, and Miguel Tejada took him off the basepaths and ended the inning, respectively, grounding out in the first inning (though, to be fair, moving Bourn over to third in the process). Blum had two hits, and Pence, Matsui, and Coste contributed the other three hits. Meaning the Astros had eight hits, and one run. Even worse, Houston was 0x7 with RISP. The Law Offices of Tejada, Berkman, and Lee were a combined 0x11.
Pitch Count Hero: Carlos Lee - 19 pitches in 4 PAs (0x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Michael Bourn (3x4) and Kaz Matsui (1x4) - 13 pitches in 4 PAs
Man of the Match: I'm giving this one to Moehler, because he deserved to at least finish the inning. Getting pulled after 5.1IP and 80 pitches was silly.
Goat of the Game: Pence is certainly deserving of the goat with the defensive error, but he got on base twice. So it goes to Miguel Tejada. He did draw a walk in the top of the 8th, and the line-out double play wasn't completely his fault. But he had Bourn on base three times in front of him three times, and was only able to move him over on a groundout once.
Moehler: 5.1IP, 6H/1ER (3 total), 2K:0BB, 17/23 first-pitch strikes, 21/52 non-contact strikes (19 called:2 swinging)
Gervacio: 0.2IP, 2K, 2/2 FPS, 5/7 NCS (1c:4s)
Fulchino: 2IP, 2H/1ER, 1K:2BB, 6/9 FPS, 8/18 NCS (3c:5s)
I have no idea why Moehler was pulled. Ramirez was on first, Lee was on third (after Pence's error), and Moehler had struck out Fukudome. With Soriano up, Coop pulled Moehler after 80 pitches. Soriano, who was due up, was 1x2 with a single on the night coming into that at-bat, and while Moehler had allowed two singles in the 6th, he had retired eight of eleven batters (I'm counting Cubs who reached on errors as being "retired.") after giving up the homer to Milton Grouchy. Nevertheless, Gervacio came in and finished the inning, and his ERA now sits at a nice round 1.00.
Offensively...they had their chances. The Astros had a runner on base in eight innings, and even got the leadoff man on in five innings. To no avail. None of them scored. Michael Bourn got three hits, and Miguel Tejada took him off the basepaths and ended the inning, respectively, grounding out in the first inning (though, to be fair, moving Bourn over to third in the process). Blum had two hits, and Pence, Matsui, and Coste contributed the other three hits. Meaning the Astros had eight hits, and one run. Even worse, Houston was 0x7 with RISP. The Law Offices of Tejada, Berkman, and Lee were a combined 0x11.
Pitch Count Hero: Carlos Lee - 19 pitches in 4 PAs (0x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Michael Bourn (3x4) and Kaz Matsui (1x4) - 13 pitches in 4 PAs
Man of the Match: I'm giving this one to Moehler, because he deserved to at least finish the inning. Getting pulled after 5.1IP and 80 pitches was silly.
Goat of the Game: Pence is certainly deserving of the goat with the defensive error, but he got on base twice. So it goes to Miguel Tejada. He did draw a walk in the top of the 8th, and the line-out double play wasn't completely his fault. But he had Bourn on base three times in front of him three times, and was only able to move him over on a groundout once.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Purpura drops some knowledge on Lidge
Scott Lauber, of Delaware Online, is worried about Brad Lidge. So naturally, who do you ask? Tim Purpura.
Here's the verdict:
"When he throws his slider for strikes, it's tough to hit him. Watching him from a distance, it seems like goofy things have happened. A bloop, a flare, a double down the line, and now, that changes the pressure gradient. Now, instead of throwing the slider down and away, it ends up over the heart of the plate."
Interesting. So, throwing your breaking ball for strikes. That's the key. Who knew?
Here's the verdict:
"When he throws his slider for strikes, it's tough to hit him. Watching him from a distance, it seems like goofy things have happened. A bloop, a flare, a double down the line, and now, that changes the pressure gradient. Now, instead of throwing the slider down and away, it ends up over the heart of the plate."
Interesting. So, throwing your breaking ball for strikes. That's the key. Who knew?
Let the September call-ups begin, the Red Mist Descendeth
The Astros have made their first official call-ups and activations in this young September:
Welcome back, Doug Brocail, Wesley Wright, and Aaron Boone.
But can I share something disgusting with you? (This is normally the part where there is some hideous YouTube clip. Not here, though.)
The reaction to Aaron Boone and Doug Brocail's rejoining the team among commentators - a ridiculous term, because you don't commentate. You comment - is despicable. Anyhow, allow me to share some reaction:
From cswaff03:
Oh my gosh! I'm SO excited! We're getting back a thirdbaseman (sic) who's batted .252 over the last six seasons, a middle reliever with an ERA over 5.00 and a lefty specialist who can't get lefties out! Oh, this team just went from lousy to awesome overnight! I'm so thrilled! Can I ask again - why are they pimping all these old palyers (sic) and not giving any of the youngsters that might actually be GOOD a chance? This organization is totally lost.
Or this one:
Fast Eddie can't think of any reason to see how young guys do because hey, you can't go by September numbers (guess all they good for is rotting in AAA) and they won't have "roles" because he is gonna continue to use all the crappy Old Guys because we're gonna WIN. Oh yea, we're just in the right position to surge ahead of everyone else in the NL, uh, WC, uh, um, Reds, Pirates and Nats?
They're a little more gracious here, except for terry180, who craptastically wrote:
Dont thank Aaron for that homer. Thank the steroids.
Should we, as fans, be disappointed with this year and this team? Sure. I think we're a little spoiled by the Astros consistently running out a decent team (though that's fading a bit, lately). But we're talking about Brocail, who has been on the DL a lot this year, and hasn't thrown in the towel, continually working to get back to contribute to the club. He hasn't done much of that on the field, either, but a captip to him for at least going through some wacky rehab to try to earn his money. No one was complaining when he, at 41 last year, went 7-5 with a 3.93 ERA. So when his body acts like a 42-year old's does, someone is going to take a swipe?
And Aaron Boone? The guy had open-heart surgery, and was not going to play a role beyond providing leadership and platooning at third base. He wasn't supposed to be Brooks Robinson. So let's grumble about the decisions that have been made another time, and congratulate Brocail and Boone for acting like they want to come back and help a team that needs help out.
Welcome back, Doug Brocail, Wesley Wright, and Aaron Boone.
But can I share something disgusting with you? (This is normally the part where there is some hideous YouTube clip. Not here, though.)
The reaction to Aaron Boone and Doug Brocail's rejoining the team among commentators - a ridiculous term, because you don't commentate. You comment - is despicable. Anyhow, allow me to share some reaction:
From cswaff03:
Oh my gosh! I'm SO excited! We're getting back a thirdbaseman (sic) who's batted .252 over the last six seasons, a middle reliever with an ERA over 5.00 and a lefty specialist who can't get lefties out! Oh, this team just went from lousy to awesome overnight! I'm so thrilled! Can I ask again - why are they pimping all these old palyers (sic) and not giving any of the youngsters that might actually be GOOD a chance? This organization is totally lost.
Or this one:
Fast Eddie can't think of any reason to see how young guys do because hey, you can't go by September numbers (guess all they good for is rotting in AAA) and they won't have "roles" because he is gonna continue to use all the crappy Old Guys because we're gonna WIN. Oh yea, we're just in the right position to surge ahead of everyone else in the NL, uh, WC, uh, um, Reds, Pirates and Nats?
They're a little more gracious here, except for terry180, who craptastically wrote:
Dont thank Aaron for that homer. Thank the steroids.
Should we, as fans, be disappointed with this year and this team? Sure. I think we're a little spoiled by the Astros consistently running out a decent team (though that's fading a bit, lately). But we're talking about Brocail, who has been on the DL a lot this year, and hasn't thrown in the towel, continually working to get back to contribute to the club. He hasn't done much of that on the field, either, but a captip to him for at least going through some wacky rehab to try to earn his money. No one was complaining when he, at 41 last year, went 7-5 with a 3.93 ERA. So when his body acts like a 42-year old's does, someone is going to take a swipe?
And Aaron Boone? The guy had open-heart surgery, and was not going to play a role beyond providing leadership and platooning at third base. He wasn't supposed to be Brooks Robinson. So let's grumble about the decisions that have been made another time, and congratulate Brocail and Boone for acting like they want to come back and help a team that needs help out.
Matchup for G132 - Astros @ Cubs
Alright. Three games back of the Cubs. Brian Moehler versus Astro-killer Randy Wells.
Brian Moehler
Since the All-Star Break, Moehler is 2-4 in eight starts with a 5.36 ERA, and opponents hitting .305/.355/.439 against him.
Last three starts:
Moehler's pitch counts are crazy. He's only made it to 100+ pitches in one of his past seven starts.
Career vs. Chicago: 3-4 (13 games), 5.60 ERA/1.39 WHIP, 54.2IP, 31K:11BB
Career @ Wrigley: 2-0 (4 games), 3.71 ERA/1.18 WHIP, 17IP, 11K:2BB
2009 road record: 5-3 (11 starts), 4.35 ERA/1.45 WHIP, 62IP, 37K:21BB
2009 vs. Chicago: 1-2 (3 starts), 13.97 ERA/2.69 WHIP, 9.2IP, 8K:5BB
Let's do the splits:
vs Righties: .336/.381/.557, 40K:18BB
vs Lefties: .280/.343/.480, 37K:21BB
When swinging at the first pitch (62): .424/.433/.712, 9XBH
After First-Pitch Strikes (283): .288/.320/.464, 50K:11BB
After First-Pitch Balls (211): .267/.367/.439, 27K:28BB
RISP: 38x125, .304/.403/.480, 16K:22BB
Runners on: 67x219, .306/.382/.484, 33K:26BB
2OwRISP: 10x53, .189/.306/.321, 10K:9BB
Randy Wells
Last three appearances:
Wait for it...
2009 vs. Houston: 1-0 (2 starts), 0.00 ERA/1.07 WHIP, 14IP, 5K:5BB
2009 @ Wrigley: 5-4 (10 starts), 3.45 WHIP/1.31 WHIP, 62.2IP, 36K:19BB
Let's do the splits:
vs Righties: .219/.267/.311, 43K:14BB
vs Lefties: .302/.362/.429, 35K:19BB
When swinging at the first pitch (61): .310/.317/.466, 5XBH (2HR)
After First-Pitch Strikes (264): .237/.277/.341, 54K:11BB
After First-Pitch Balls (193): .262/.349/.357, 24K:22BB
RISP: 25x89, .281/.323/.472, 11K:5BB
Runners on: 46x195, .236/.280/.359, 25K:10BB
2OwRISP: 34x113, .301/.360/.416, 18K:11BB
Brian Moehler
Since the All-Star Break, Moehler is 2-4 in eight starts with a 5.36 ERA, and opponents hitting .305/.355/.439 against him.
Last three starts:
| Date-Opp | IP | H/ER | K:BB | GB/FB | Pit/Str |
| 8/15 @MIL | 5 | 10/3 | 2:2 | 13/8 | 104/62 |
| 8/22 vARI | 5.2 | 6/2 | 3:2 | 11/8 | 79/54 |
| 8/27 @StL | 6 | 6/3 | 1:1 | 13/9 | 76/50 |
Moehler's pitch counts are crazy. He's only made it to 100+ pitches in one of his past seven starts.
Career vs. Chicago: 3-4 (13 games), 5.60 ERA/1.39 WHIP, 54.2IP, 31K:11BB
Career @ Wrigley: 2-0 (4 games), 3.71 ERA/1.18 WHIP, 17IP, 11K:2BB
2009 road record: 5-3 (11 starts), 4.35 ERA/1.45 WHIP, 62IP, 37K:21BB
2009 vs. Chicago: 1-2 (3 starts), 13.97 ERA/2.69 WHIP, 9.2IP, 8K:5BB
Let's do the splits:
vs Righties: .336/.381/.557, 40K:18BB
vs Lefties: .280/.343/.480, 37K:21BB
When swinging at the first pitch (62): .424/.433/.712, 9XBH
After First-Pitch Strikes (283): .288/.320/.464, 50K:11BB
After First-Pitch Balls (211): .267/.367/.439, 27K:28BB
RISP: 38x125, .304/.403/.480, 16K:22BB
Runners on: 67x219, .306/.382/.484, 33K:26BB
2OwRISP: 10x53, .189/.306/.321, 10K:9BB
Randy Wells
Last three appearances:
| Date-Opp | IP | H/ER | K:BB | GB/FB | Pit/Str |
| 8/14 vPIT | 6 | 7/2 | 3:2 | 10/10 | 86/58 |
| 8/21 @LA | 6.2 | 7/0 | 3:2 | 12/11 | 106/66 |
| 8/27 vWSH | 6.1 | 5/5 | 4:4 | 7/13 | 110/65 |
Wait for it...
2009 vs. Houston: 1-0 (2 starts), 0.00 ERA/1.07 WHIP, 14IP, 5K:5BB
2009 @ Wrigley: 5-4 (10 starts), 3.45 WHIP/1.31 WHIP, 62.2IP, 36K:19BB
Let's do the splits:
vs Righties: .219/.267/.311, 43K:14BB
vs Lefties: .302/.362/.429, 35K:19BB
When swinging at the first pitch (61): .310/.317/.466, 5XBH (2HR)
After First-Pitch Strikes (264): .237/.277/.341, 54K:11BB
After First-Pitch Balls (193): .262/.349/.357, 24K:22BB
RISP: 25x89, .281/.323/.472, 11K:5BB
Runners on: 46x195, .236/.280/.359, 25K:10BB
2OwRISP: 34x113, .301/.360/.416, 18K:11BB
Post-season All-Star teams begin to come in
As we're coming up on the end of the minor-league season, post-season All-Star teams are starting to get named. Let's get to the ones we know about:
Pacific Coast League
Bud Norris was named the top right-handed pitcher in the Pacific Coast League as the Express' only post-season All-Star.
Texas League
Confirming what we heard yesterday, Wladimir Sutil and Drew Locke were named to the Texas League PSAST.
South Atlantic League
Unbelievably, no Legend, not even Lyles/Seaton/Dydalewicz/Greenwalt, were named to the SAL's PSAST.
Pacific Coast League
Bud Norris was named the top right-handed pitcher in the Pacific Coast League as the Express' only post-season All-Star.
Texas League
Confirming what we heard yesterday, Wladimir Sutil and Drew Locke were named to the Texas League PSAST.
South Atlantic League
Unbelievably, no Legend, not even Lyles/Seaton/Dydalewicz/Greenwalt, were named to the SAL's PSAST.
Houston Press: Hammering Miguel Tejada since 2001
Brutal story recapping Tejada's alleged pitch-tipping to friends, Dominicans, countrymen:
Now I keep reading and hearing things about how Tejada is a great clubhouse guy, and how he's a great team leader. And I think this is something that ought to be thought about for a moment. The team leader of the Houston Astros is a convicted liar who purchased HGH and lied about his age. And one of his former teams thought he was tipping pitches to opposing batters. Is this really the type of guy who should be allowed to be a team leader?
As I write this, the Houston Chronicle has been silent on this story though, as always, Astros.com and MLB.com had a story on it. So I'm assuming the Chron, as usual when it comes to Tejada, thinks there's nothing to the story and that he's telling the truth with his denial. Which leads me to ask why it is that Tejada, a known liar, keeps getting a pass when allegations like this come his way? Barry Bonds wouldn't get a pass like this, and he's never been convicted of anything. Neither, for that matter, has Roger Clemens, and his denials are mocked just like Palmerio's denials are mocked.
So there you have it. Miguel Tejada, known and convicted liar. Purchaser of HGH. Probable user of HGH. And a guy whose teammates thought he was tipping pitches. All of that said, I think we owe Rafael Palmerio a big apology. Palmerio probably just thought that Tejada was injecting him with B-12. It's just that Palmerio hadn't learned of Tejada's tendency for lying.
Now I keep reading and hearing things about how Tejada is a great clubhouse guy, and how he's a great team leader. And I think this is something that ought to be thought about for a moment. The team leader of the Houston Astros is a convicted liar who purchased HGH and lied about his age. And one of his former teams thought he was tipping pitches to opposing batters. Is this really the type of guy who should be allowed to be a team leader?
As I write this, the Houston Chronicle has been silent on this story though, as always, Astros.com and MLB.com had a story on it. So I'm assuming the Chron, as usual when it comes to Tejada, thinks there's nothing to the story and that he's telling the truth with his denial. Which leads me to ask why it is that Tejada, a known liar, keeps getting a pass when allegations like this come his way? Barry Bonds wouldn't get a pass like this, and he's never been convicted of anything. Neither, for that matter, has Roger Clemens, and his denials are mocked just like Palmerio's denials are mocked.
So there you have it. Miguel Tejada, known and convicted liar. Purchaser of HGH. Probable user of HGH. And a guy whose teammates thought he was tipping pitches. All of that said, I think we owe Rafael Palmerio a big apology. Palmerio probably just thought that Tejada was injecting him with B-12. It's just that Palmerio hadn't learned of Tejada's tendency for lying.
Juri Perez: Arm injury
Earlier this morning we found out about Greeneville's Juri Perez leaving last night's game against Princeton. Let's turn it over to the Greeneville Sun's Wayne Phillips:
It sounds like a broken record, but the same problem that has tormented the Astros all season, pitching woes, continued to plague them Monday. This time, the starting pitcher, Juri Prez, never made it past the second batter of the game before he apparently suffered an arm injury and left the mound with the trainer on his way to the locker room. He struck out the first batter he faced, then on the first pitch to the second hitter he sustained the injury.
Tonight is the season finale for the Greeneville Astros.
It sounds like a broken record, but the same problem that has tormented the Astros all season, pitching woes, continued to plague them Monday. This time, the starting pitcher, Juri Prez, never made it past the second batter of the game before he apparently suffered an arm injury and left the mound with the trainer on his way to the locker room. He struck out the first batter he faced, then on the first pitch to the second hitter he sustained the injury.
Tonight is the season finale for the Greeneville Astros.
ESPN: Why Roy won
Courtesy, Buster Olney:
1. He had the Cubs chasing pitches all night; they swung at 23 of 47 pitches outside the strike zone (49 percent, MLB average 25 percent) and 13 of 19 2-strike pitches off the plate (68 percent, MLB average 38 percent).
2. He threw just 3.3 pitches per hitter (average 3.7 pitchers per hitter entering the game).
Or, because he's awesome.
1. He had the Cubs chasing pitches all night; they swung at 23 of 47 pitches outside the strike zone (49 percent, MLB average 25 percent) and 13 of 19 2-strike pitches off the plate (68 percent, MLB average 38 percent).
2. He threw just 3.3 pitches per hitter (average 3.7 pitchers per hitter entering the game).
Or, because he's awesome.
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