Arizona was hot and the Astros lost all three games. So, lets just forget the last three days on the field. (However, if you want to see some of the stuff behind the scenes, I recommend Alyson Footer's blog on Astros.com. Our sometime pre/post analyst has been clicking photos like mad and she has some interesting stuff.)
The Astros got OK pitching from Wandy Rodriguez, but no hitting again. They scored three runs and all were driven in off ground outs! Thats not much offense. No home runs by Houston. Heck, Lance hasn't hit one all month. The team batting average isn't horrid, but the run production continues to be and that is something that is not new to August. Even when the club was still in the race they were't scoring many runs.
This whole thing is causing those with hair to want to tear it out. Manager Cecil Cooper keeps what he still has so closely cropped he doesn'thave that option. Before the game Coop said he enjoys managing, but he hard time putting losses aside. This has been a very hard trip for him in that department although in most of the games there were no strategic decisions that he had to agonize over. The two losses in St. Louis were one runners, but it was the lack of hits that made the difference. In Arizona it was a lack of hits by Houston and way too many by the Diamondbacks in the first two games. And while Sunday was a 4-3 final there were no strategic holes that could really be criticized.
Maybe some thought 3b coach Dave Clark two conservative a couple of times. But if you had been able to see the whole field (which you can't on TV) you would have noted that the runners in question did not get great jumps.
Who would have thought a series between the Astros and Cubs at Wrigley Field as September dawned would have no bearing on the pennant race. Alas, that is the case for both teams starting Monday. No reason is still can't be a good one though.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
What Can You Say When Everything Stinks?
A total meltdown by the Astros in Arizona on Saturday night. How else do you describe a 9-0 defeat?
There was no pitching by the once heralded rookie. And there was essentially no offense by everyone else.
Now I got some Tweets from fans claiming the Astros mailed it in....that they have given up... that all is lost until new bodies are inside most of the Astro uniforms.
I say, "Balderdash!" (Does anyone really say, Balderdash anymore?) What I mean is that this team hasn't given up. They just aren't very good right now. The probably haven't been very good all season, but they were able to win enough games until about a month ago that their weaknesses were hidden. Since then they have all come out in the open. Shall we start the list?
The Pitching was based on a hope and a prayer plus an improving Wandy Rodriguez, a probably beginning to decline (but not that much) Roy Oswalt and a steady vet who doesn't dazzle but can keep a team in most games, Brian Moehler. It was backed up by two pitchers trying to make comebacks after several injury plagued seasons in Russ Ortiz and Mike Hampton. I don't know if Ortiz was Hope and Hampton was Prayer or the other way around, but you get my point.
The offense--after the acquisition of a past his prime Pudge Rodriguez might have been better than 2008, but not much since it involved using a mostly career utilityman in Geoff Blum as the regular third baseman plus an often injured Kazuo Matsui at second base. In the outfield Michael Bourn was not impressive in 2008 and no one knew for sure whether he would make it and Hunter Pence in 2008 declined considerably from his rookie season in 2007.
So what happened? Rodriguez turned into a .250 hitter with some power which was sadly actually an improvement over Brad Ausmus in his declining years, Blum hung in fine at third base but most importantly Bourn developed into a well above average center fielder and leadoff man. Pence was better than in 2008 for most of the season although he has faded considerably in the second half of the season as has Miguel Tejada as was the case in 2008. Lance Berkman got off to a slow start, heated up, then got hurt. Carlos Lee has hit steadily although can't really do anything else at all.
All this adds up to a middle of the road (read that mediocre) team. They are not nor never were a truly good team.
However, what is most distressing right now is that the "youth" that has been brought in to help out the pitching staff and be anchors for the future is failing. Yormin Bazardo has been awful as a starter. Bud Norris has faded from a shooting star to a pot hole in the street. And Felipe Paulino has been good or bad so many times it is hard to know just WHAT he is. These were the pitchers some fans were clamoring for months ago to replace the aging Hampton, Ortiz and even Moehler. Slinging Sammy Gervacio has looked good in the bullpen, but thats about the only system pitching bright spot right now.
Ed Wade loves being a major league general manager. By next spring he may not like the job so much. He is going to have to do so much wheeling and dealing and building and patching to get this team back into contention in 2010 he may lose the ability to tell up from down. He will have to do it all under budget constraints and handicapped by some guaranteed no trade contracts for huge money that will tie his hands in improving in some spots.
While it has been suggested re-signing Miguel Tejada with the idea of improving the defense at shortstop by moving him to third base may have merit, it may have just as much if not more if he is left to move on. That would be a real good idea IF the Astros had anything at all in the top levels of the farm system ready to play in the major leagues. They don't. They have a player named Chris Johnson who may get more of a chance next spring than his achievements or ability may deserve. He is the best they have. Kazuo Matsui may be past his prime, but the Astro system has no second baseman ready to burst in and take over. The same is true at shortstop where Tommy Manzella has improved his bat a great deal and could win the job in the spring. It is no guarantee he is ready for the major leagues either. But, like Johnson, he is the best they've got.
Next season..like the rest of this one...may be rough. But there IS hope. Down on lower levels there appears to be real competition with real prospects. Hopefully, they will grow quickly.
There was no pitching by the once heralded rookie. And there was essentially no offense by everyone else.
Now I got some Tweets from fans claiming the Astros mailed it in....that they have given up... that all is lost until new bodies are inside most of the Astro uniforms.
I say, "Balderdash!" (Does anyone really say, Balderdash anymore?) What I mean is that this team hasn't given up. They just aren't very good right now. The probably haven't been very good all season, but they were able to win enough games until about a month ago that their weaknesses were hidden. Since then they have all come out in the open. Shall we start the list?
The Pitching was based on a hope and a prayer plus an improving Wandy Rodriguez, a probably beginning to decline (but not that much) Roy Oswalt and a steady vet who doesn't dazzle but can keep a team in most games, Brian Moehler. It was backed up by two pitchers trying to make comebacks after several injury plagued seasons in Russ Ortiz and Mike Hampton. I don't know if Ortiz was Hope and Hampton was Prayer or the other way around, but you get my point.
The offense--after the acquisition of a past his prime Pudge Rodriguez might have been better than 2008, but not much since it involved using a mostly career utilityman in Geoff Blum as the regular third baseman plus an often injured Kazuo Matsui at second base. In the outfield Michael Bourn was not impressive in 2008 and no one knew for sure whether he would make it and Hunter Pence in 2008 declined considerably from his rookie season in 2007.
So what happened? Rodriguez turned into a .250 hitter with some power which was sadly actually an improvement over Brad Ausmus in his declining years, Blum hung in fine at third base but most importantly Bourn developed into a well above average center fielder and leadoff man. Pence was better than in 2008 for most of the season although he has faded considerably in the second half of the season as has Miguel Tejada as was the case in 2008. Lance Berkman got off to a slow start, heated up, then got hurt. Carlos Lee has hit steadily although can't really do anything else at all.
All this adds up to a middle of the road (read that mediocre) team. They are not nor never were a truly good team.
However, what is most distressing right now is that the "youth" that has been brought in to help out the pitching staff and be anchors for the future is failing. Yormin Bazardo has been awful as a starter. Bud Norris has faded from a shooting star to a pot hole in the street. And Felipe Paulino has been good or bad so many times it is hard to know just WHAT he is. These were the pitchers some fans were clamoring for months ago to replace the aging Hampton, Ortiz and even Moehler. Slinging Sammy Gervacio has looked good in the bullpen, but thats about the only system pitching bright spot right now.
Ed Wade loves being a major league general manager. By next spring he may not like the job so much. He is going to have to do so much wheeling and dealing and building and patching to get this team back into contention in 2010 he may lose the ability to tell up from down. He will have to do it all under budget constraints and handicapped by some guaranteed no trade contracts for huge money that will tie his hands in improving in some spots.
While it has been suggested re-signing Miguel Tejada with the idea of improving the defense at shortstop by moving him to third base may have merit, it may have just as much if not more if he is left to move on. That would be a real good idea IF the Astros had anything at all in the top levels of the farm system ready to play in the major leagues. They don't. They have a player named Chris Johnson who may get more of a chance next spring than his achievements or ability may deserve. He is the best they have. Kazuo Matsui may be past his prime, but the Astro system has no second baseman ready to burst in and take over. The same is true at shortstop where Tommy Manzella has improved his bat a great deal and could win the job in the spring. It is no guarantee he is ready for the major leagues either. But, like Johnson, he is the best they've got.
Next season..like the rest of this one...may be rough. But there IS hope. Down on lower levels there appears to be real competition with real prospects. Hopefully, they will grow quickly.
Friday, August 28, 2009
You Got to have Pitching
Never was it more evident than in Friday's game vs Arizona. Houston scored 7 runs with a number of extra base hits, but after their 2-0 and 4-3 leads disappeared by the bottom of the third inning the lack of pitching was evident.
If this was to be the start of "Astro Young Pitcher" weekend it was a flop. Yormin Bazardo was awful. His reliever, Wilton Lopez was semi-awful. Actually, he probably deserved the same ranking, but Bazardo was SO bad he looked better in comparison.
Both combined to give up 14 earned runs and 16 hits. Ouch!
At least it gave sports fans in Phoenix something to cheer about. Not only did rookie John Hester homer in his first major league at bat, but he walloped the ball 420 feet to dead center. He is a catcher. The D-Rays already have a good one in Miguel Montero. That depth of farm system is what the Astros simply have to develop....and pronto.
The two pitchers who opened the game are farm system products, although both Bazardo and Lopez were signed after being let go by others this spring. No one with a full Astro system pedigree is yet worthy of advancement.
One who did come up through the ranks, Bud Norris, pitches on Saturday. Bud has been on a spiral downward since his first two or three major league outings. That drop must end on Saturday or the Astros plight will be worse than ever.
Already manager Cecil Cooper has cancelled the "All Rookie Pitcher Weekend" with the announcement following Friday's 14-7 loss that Wandy Rodriguez will pitch on Sunday instead of Felipe Paulino. What he saw on Friday may have given him a fright.
Not only had Coop hoped to give his "Big Three" of Wandy, Roy and Moehler an extra day of rest, he had them set to go against the Cubs. Now, he can use Roy and Moehler, but will still have to use someone else next Wednesday. Will it be Bazardo? Does he dare?
If this was to be the start of "Astro Young Pitcher" weekend it was a flop. Yormin Bazardo was awful. His reliever, Wilton Lopez was semi-awful. Actually, he probably deserved the same ranking, but Bazardo was SO bad he looked better in comparison.
Both combined to give up 14 earned runs and 16 hits. Ouch!
At least it gave sports fans in Phoenix something to cheer about. Not only did rookie John Hester homer in his first major league at bat, but he walloped the ball 420 feet to dead center. He is a catcher. The D-Rays already have a good one in Miguel Montero. That depth of farm system is what the Astros simply have to develop....and pronto.
The two pitchers who opened the game are farm system products, although both Bazardo and Lopez were signed after being let go by others this spring. No one with a full Astro system pedigree is yet worthy of advancement.
One who did come up through the ranks, Bud Norris, pitches on Saturday. Bud has been on a spiral downward since his first two or three major league outings. That drop must end on Saturday or the Astros plight will be worse than ever.
Already manager Cecil Cooper has cancelled the "All Rookie Pitcher Weekend" with the announcement following Friday's 14-7 loss that Wandy Rodriguez will pitch on Sunday instead of Felipe Paulino. What he saw on Friday may have given him a fright.
Not only had Coop hoped to give his "Big Three" of Wandy, Roy and Moehler an extra day of rest, he had them set to go against the Cubs. Now, he can use Roy and Moehler, but will still have to use someone else next Wednesday. Will it be Bazardo? Does he dare?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Its HOT Out Here!
Stepping off the plane in Phoenix Tuesday evening was like entering the proverbial blast furnace! It was 7pm local time and the temperature was still about 105! Man, its a good thing the Diamondbacks play in an air conditioned retractable roof stadium. A viewing reminder on Fox Sports Houston... Friday's Astros Live Pregame begins at 8pm Houston time with the first pitch set for 8:40. Game times are different for Saturday and Sunday.
I know some of your probably tire of me saying it. I'm not really trying to sell baseball, but I appreciate the game so much because it can be so unpredictable in a given game. Consider the Astros won the game in the Cardinal series that Brian Moehler started, but lost the games that had Wandy Rodriguez and Roy Oswalt on the mound. And the Astros also won he game that had Cy Young Award candidate Chris Carpenter starting for St. Louis. You just can't get that sort of thing in any other sport. Occasionally a backup quarterback might lead an NFL team to victory, but not ordinarily if his team is facing one of the best in the league on the other side. In baseball it happens all the time.
Now to the matters at hand. As I indicated yesterday there WAS something afoot with Geoff Blum. Wednesday I didn't know what it was. Thursday we all found out. Geoff was flown back to Houston to confer with Dr. David Lintner about some muscle spasms (pain) between his shoulder and neck. Hopefully it is only a minor and temporary pinched nerve. The club will still be without him for several games.
That, however, was not a bad thing on Thursday. It was none other than his replacement in the lineup--Jeff Keppinger--that hit the game winning homer in the top of the ninth inning. Just another case of why baseball is a great game. Or how about Darin Erstad driving in a tying run in his first start in right field since July 1?
What I liked best about Thursdays win was the way manager Cecil Cooper used Jose Valverde. Instead of saving him for the ninth or a possible closing role, Coop brought him in an inning earlier in a tie game. Why? He wanted his big man to deal with Pujols, Holliday and Ludwick when the game might very well be on the line. With a double switch he was able to keep Valverde in to pitch the last of the ninth as well after Keppinger's homer had given the Astros the lead.
It was the"old school" use of the closer. And it was the right use of the closer. Not only was Valverde fully fresh since had not worked in several days the game WAS on the line in the 8th and not the 9th.
If the Astros were a "dead" team as Roy Oswalt had indicated after Wednesdays game they were not after Thursday's. Roy may have over-stated his case since every team I have ever been around seems "dead" when they are not hitting and losing more than their share. Oswalt's real complaint is not necesarily from lack of effort, but sometimes from lack of skill or concentraton by his defense when he is on the mound. It is no secret most pitchers do not have great confidence in Carlos Lee as a leftfielder or Miguel Tejada as a shortstop. Both have good enough hands, but neither has the range to get to balls that others in their spots can. A lot of hits occur that might not with others on the field. Both can hit and that is why they play.
The Astros are a flawed team. That is why they are not a contender. But the can still play the game. The pitching was quite strong in all three games in St. Louis against what may right now be the best team in the National League. If Yorman Bazardo can show something on Friday and Bud Norris can bounce back on Saturday there may be hope yet. Not really for this season, but for what Ed Wade has to start with when he puts together the 2010 Astros.
I know some of your probably tire of me saying it. I'm not really trying to sell baseball, but I appreciate the game so much because it can be so unpredictable in a given game. Consider the Astros won the game in the Cardinal series that Brian Moehler started, but lost the games that had Wandy Rodriguez and Roy Oswalt on the mound. And the Astros also won he game that had Cy Young Award candidate Chris Carpenter starting for St. Louis. You just can't get that sort of thing in any other sport. Occasionally a backup quarterback might lead an NFL team to victory, but not ordinarily if his team is facing one of the best in the league on the other side. In baseball it happens all the time.
Now to the matters at hand. As I indicated yesterday there WAS something afoot with Geoff Blum. Wednesday I didn't know what it was. Thursday we all found out. Geoff was flown back to Houston to confer with Dr. David Lintner about some muscle spasms (pain) between his shoulder and neck. Hopefully it is only a minor and temporary pinched nerve. The club will still be without him for several games.
That, however, was not a bad thing on Thursday. It was none other than his replacement in the lineup--Jeff Keppinger--that hit the game winning homer in the top of the ninth inning. Just another case of why baseball is a great game. Or how about Darin Erstad driving in a tying run in his first start in right field since July 1?
What I liked best about Thursdays win was the way manager Cecil Cooper used Jose Valverde. Instead of saving him for the ninth or a possible closing role, Coop brought him in an inning earlier in a tie game. Why? He wanted his big man to deal with Pujols, Holliday and Ludwick when the game might very well be on the line. With a double switch he was able to keep Valverde in to pitch the last of the ninth as well after Keppinger's homer had given the Astros the lead.
It was the"old school" use of the closer. And it was the right use of the closer. Not only was Valverde fully fresh since had not worked in several days the game WAS on the line in the 8th and not the 9th.
If the Astros were a "dead" team as Roy Oswalt had indicated after Wednesdays game they were not after Thursday's. Roy may have over-stated his case since every team I have ever been around seems "dead" when they are not hitting and losing more than their share. Oswalt's real complaint is not necesarily from lack of effort, but sometimes from lack of skill or concentraton by his defense when he is on the mound. It is no secret most pitchers do not have great confidence in Carlos Lee as a leftfielder or Miguel Tejada as a shortstop. Both have good enough hands, but neither has the range to get to balls that others in their spots can. A lot of hits occur that might not with others on the field. Both can hit and that is why they play.
The Astros are a flawed team. That is why they are not a contender. But the can still play the game. The pitching was quite strong in all three games in St. Louis against what may right now be the best team in the National League. If Yorman Bazardo can show something on Friday and Bud Norris can bounce back on Saturday there may be hope yet. Not really for this season, but for what Ed Wade has to start with when he puts together the 2010 Astros.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Two One Run Games
The Astros have played the Cardinals tight. Not only in the most recent pair of one-run losses, but all season. But they have also lost 7 of 11 games. That is why the Cardinals have been able to extend their lead in the NL Central and push the Astros to the fringe of the picture. They are better. Simple as that.
All of us home the home town guys can close the gap and ge a real contender for the NL Central top spot in 2010. A lot has already been said about how much will have to be done for that to happen. It is, however, far from impossible.
Hard as it may seem to believe, the Cardinals themselves have had two down years going into 2009 and figured to be in the same position when the season began.
They had no third baseman with Troy Glaus injured. They had moved an outfielder to play second base. They had a new shortstop in Khalil Greene (who early on got hurt.) Two of their starters had not been major players for years. Chris Carpenter had been trying to come back from injuries since the 2006 season. Joel Piniero had not won in double figures since 2003 with Seattle. Their closer?
There were a TON of questions about the Cards. The pitchers came together. Additional aide in Mark DeRosa, Matt Holliday and Julio Lugo were recruited to help the offense. Players who they HOPED would be big--and weren't- like Greene and Ankiel were covered by the development of Colby Rasmus and Brandon Ryan. Viola! Not only a contender, but not a club heading for a runaway division title and a lot of respect when the post season rolls around.
That much change can happen. It can happen with a team like the Houston Astros, too. The perceived weakness in the higher levels of the Astro farm system will make it tougher. There are no Rasmus or Ryan types on the cusp. Ed Wade will have his hands full.
BLUM SITUATION
As I write this I do not have full knowledge of why Geoff Blum was in the orignal lineup then it was changed. It was assumed that his balky knee required him to be scratched. However, I ran into him at the elevator of the hotel after the game and asked how he was. His reply: "Not good." I asked, "Is it the knee?" He answered with a very serious and almost concerned look that it was not the knee. I asked if it would keep him out awhile. He said it would. However, he never said what would be keeping him out of action. Since he did not volunteer I did not pursue it. He obviously was not of a mind to talk any further. There will be more news on this mysterious situation.
FINAL GAME OF SERIES
Remember Thursday is a day game. Pre game airtime on FS Houston is 12:30 with the first pitch at 1:15. Then it is off to Phoenix for three more games in this nine game trip. Brian Moehler meets Chris Carpenter on Thursday. I know what that looks like. But tune in. Those "sure bets" on paper often do not happen.
All of us home the home town guys can close the gap and ge a real contender for the NL Central top spot in 2010. A lot has already been said about how much will have to be done for that to happen. It is, however, far from impossible.
Hard as it may seem to believe, the Cardinals themselves have had two down years going into 2009 and figured to be in the same position when the season began.
They had no third baseman with Troy Glaus injured. They had moved an outfielder to play second base. They had a new shortstop in Khalil Greene (who early on got hurt.) Two of their starters had not been major players for years. Chris Carpenter had been trying to come back from injuries since the 2006 season. Joel Piniero had not won in double figures since 2003 with Seattle. Their closer?
There were a TON of questions about the Cards. The pitchers came together. Additional aide in Mark DeRosa, Matt Holliday and Julio Lugo were recruited to help the offense. Players who they HOPED would be big--and weren't- like Greene and Ankiel were covered by the development of Colby Rasmus and Brandon Ryan. Viola! Not only a contender, but not a club heading for a runaway division title and a lot of respect when the post season rolls around.
That much change can happen. It can happen with a team like the Houston Astros, too. The perceived weakness in the higher levels of the Astro farm system will make it tougher. There are no Rasmus or Ryan types on the cusp. Ed Wade will have his hands full.
BLUM SITUATION
As I write this I do not have full knowledge of why Geoff Blum was in the orignal lineup then it was changed. It was assumed that his balky knee required him to be scratched. However, I ran into him at the elevator of the hotel after the game and asked how he was. His reply: "Not good." I asked, "Is it the knee?" He answered with a very serious and almost concerned look that it was not the knee. I asked if it would keep him out awhile. He said it would. However, he never said what would be keeping him out of action. Since he did not volunteer I did not pursue it. He obviously was not of a mind to talk any further. There will be more news on this mysterious situation.
FINAL GAME OF SERIES
Remember Thursday is a day game. Pre game airtime on FS Houston is 12:30 with the first pitch at 1:15. Then it is off to Phoenix for three more games in this nine game trip. Brian Moehler meets Chris Carpenter on Thursday. I know what that looks like. But tune in. Those "sure bets" on paper often do not happen.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
OK So Sometimes Great Pitching Isn't Enough!
Pitching wins in baseball as top flight defense wins in football. Sometimes both teams have it and somebody still loses.
That is exactly what happened to the Astros in St. Louis Tuesday night. Wandy Rodriguez (and LaTroy Hawkins) could hardly have been better. OK, Wandy could have been slightly better by not allowing a single by Brendan Ryan and a double by Albert Pujols in the first inning. Then the Cardinals wouldn't have scored a run either.
As it was Adam Wainwright didn't allow any runs so the Cardinals won 1-0.
It looked like the Astros might actually score first when Michael Bourn led off the game with a double to deep left center. From high atop the stadium it appeared Michael remembered the rule about not making the first or last out at third base so he wasn't thinking triple all the way. Perhaps after a glance at coach Dave Clark he pulled up at 2nd. Whatever the case the ball was a possible triple but circumstances didn't call for the stretch.
As it turned out getting Michael to third with no outs wouldn't apparently have mattered. The Astros couldn't get him over when Hunter Pence was unable to handle any of the sliders away and hit to the right side. When Wainwright jammed him he hit a routine grounder to third and Bourn had to stay put. When Lance Berkman popped to third and Carlos Lee struck out it was apparent getting to third was not a factor. Wainwright was ready to deal.
In fact he didn't stop dealing until he had retired the next 17 in a row. That was when Bourn singled for his second hit with two out in the 6th. He never moved off first this time.
On the other side the Cardinals never mounted another threat against Wandy. The Astros did get a runner as far as third in the 8th after a lead off single by Geoff Blum. That was it.
It is hard to complain about a loss so close and so dominated by pitching on both teams. If anything it is positive that Wandy hung with Wainwright so well. He actually had fewer well hit outs than did Wainwright who surrendered deep fly outs--two by Tejada and two by Lee--his last coming in the ninth for the final out with a runner aboard.
In fact, Lee thought he had hit two home runs when the balls left the bat. Wind wasn't a factor but perhaps "dead air" was. They ust didn't carry enough.
So the Astros lost and are now 11 games behind the Cards. We all must be realistic. They won't and can't catch them. St. Louis has a better team this season. When the season began not many people were sure of that. Chris Carpenter came back from essentially a two year absence. Other pitchers are doing things they never have or had not for years. Sure, Albert Pujols is still here, but changes at 3b, LF, CF and often at 2b have taken place since the season began and the Cards are a very good club. If they did it almost overnight so can others--including the Astros--in 2010
That is exactly what happened to the Astros in St. Louis Tuesday night. Wandy Rodriguez (and LaTroy Hawkins) could hardly have been better. OK, Wandy could have been slightly better by not allowing a single by Brendan Ryan and a double by Albert Pujols in the first inning. Then the Cardinals wouldn't have scored a run either.
As it was Adam Wainwright didn't allow any runs so the Cardinals won 1-0.
It looked like the Astros might actually score first when Michael Bourn led off the game with a double to deep left center. From high atop the stadium it appeared Michael remembered the rule about not making the first or last out at third base so he wasn't thinking triple all the way. Perhaps after a glance at coach Dave Clark he pulled up at 2nd. Whatever the case the ball was a possible triple but circumstances didn't call for the stretch.
As it turned out getting Michael to third with no outs wouldn't apparently have mattered. The Astros couldn't get him over when Hunter Pence was unable to handle any of the sliders away and hit to the right side. When Wainwright jammed him he hit a routine grounder to third and Bourn had to stay put. When Lance Berkman popped to third and Carlos Lee struck out it was apparent getting to third was not a factor. Wainwright was ready to deal.
In fact he didn't stop dealing until he had retired the next 17 in a row. That was when Bourn singled for his second hit with two out in the 6th. He never moved off first this time.
On the other side the Cardinals never mounted another threat against Wandy. The Astros did get a runner as far as third in the 8th after a lead off single by Geoff Blum. That was it.
It is hard to complain about a loss so close and so dominated by pitching on both teams. If anything it is positive that Wandy hung with Wainwright so well. He actually had fewer well hit outs than did Wainwright who surrendered deep fly outs--two by Tejada and two by Lee--his last coming in the ninth for the final out with a runner aboard.
In fact, Lee thought he had hit two home runs when the balls left the bat. Wind wasn't a factor but perhaps "dead air" was. They ust didn't carry enough.
So the Astros lost and are now 11 games behind the Cards. We all must be realistic. They won't and can't catch them. St. Louis has a better team this season. When the season began not many people were sure of that. Chris Carpenter came back from essentially a two year absence. Other pitchers are doing things they never have or had not for years. Sure, Albert Pujols is still here, but changes at 3b, LF, CF and often at 2b have taken place since the season began and the Cards are a very good club. If they did it almost overnight so can others--including the Astros--in 2010
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Looking on the Bright Side
Felipe Paulino pitched four scoreless innings. The Astros didn't pull up the white flag after they fell behinnd 6-0. Both Miguel Tejada and Kazuo Matsui in deep slumps had two hit games. Humberto Quintero had a homer and double in three at bats. And Edwin Maysonet had a pinch single in his first at bat since his recall from Round Rock.
I think that just about covers them. The good things that is. And really the only truly BAD thing about the ultimate 7-5 loss to Arizona was the work of rookie Bud Norris.
That, however, may be the most troubling of all. Bud Norris has to be part of the 2010 Astros that mix more youth in with a few veterans and return to serious contention in the NL Central. His recent work on the mound is not promising. After Norris' three innings of relief in Chicago and first start against the Cardinals folks were talking about him being next seasons #2 or at least #3 starter. Now, however, he may be in danger of falling in with Paulino as a "better start to show me" guy.
In his last three starts Norris has pitched a total of 11.2 innings and allowed 25hits and 15 earned runs! That is scary.
From the crow's nest where I watch games it appears his velocity is the same as in his debut. He has a fast ball that can be in the mid 90s when he uses a four seamer...and in the low 90s with his best two seam sinker. He also has a change and a slider. On Sunday it appeared command and thus confidence in his slider was spotty. His command was off with everything as evidenced by the 55 pitches he threw to get just three outs.
The Astros needed him to show more to reach .500 and have a sense of starting pitching depth before heading on the nine game trip that starts in St. Louis on Tuesday. If the Astros are not out of the picture now, they certainly can easily be after this trip since six of the games feature the Cards or Cubs.
Oh well, just take 'em as they come and hope for good games on a daily basis. Most of them will be good. Let's just hope more of the "good" games include the Astros winning. That always makes them better.
TV UPCOMING
The whole nine games on the trip will be seen on FS Houston. Pre game on Tuesday is 6:30 with first pitch at 7:15.
I think that just about covers them. The good things that is. And really the only truly BAD thing about the ultimate 7-5 loss to Arizona was the work of rookie Bud Norris.
That, however, may be the most troubling of all. Bud Norris has to be part of the 2010 Astros that mix more youth in with a few veterans and return to serious contention in the NL Central. His recent work on the mound is not promising. After Norris' three innings of relief in Chicago and first start against the Cardinals folks were talking about him being next seasons #2 or at least #3 starter. Now, however, he may be in danger of falling in with Paulino as a "better start to show me" guy.
In his last three starts Norris has pitched a total of 11.2 innings and allowed 25hits and 15 earned runs! That is scary.
From the crow's nest where I watch games it appears his velocity is the same as in his debut. He has a fast ball that can be in the mid 90s when he uses a four seamer...and in the low 90s with his best two seam sinker. He also has a change and a slider. On Sunday it appeared command and thus confidence in his slider was spotty. His command was off with everything as evidenced by the 55 pitches he threw to get just three outs.
The Astros needed him to show more to reach .500 and have a sense of starting pitching depth before heading on the nine game trip that starts in St. Louis on Tuesday. If the Astros are not out of the picture now, they certainly can easily be after this trip since six of the games feature the Cards or Cubs.
Oh well, just take 'em as they come and hope for good games on a daily basis. Most of them will be good. Let's just hope more of the "good" games include the Astros winning. That always makes them better.
TV UPCOMING
The whole nine games on the trip will be seen on FS Houston. Pre game on Tuesday is 6:30 with first pitch at 7:15.
A Little Bit of Everything
A whole lot of Houston area sports fans bought tickets to professional action Saturday night. The listed attendance at the Texans' miserable performance NFL exhibition (OK, NFL police--PRE SEASON) game was over 70,000. I know. I know. Far less than that were actually on hand. That is a positive sign for the football fan in Houston. Even if the Texans had WON 38-14 instead of losing by the same score it would not have mattered. Folks are more than willing to stay home and forfeit the price of the ticket the NFL forces season ticket holders to pay than watch a game in which neither team has to win.
In the NFL preseason the teams want to win. But they want to win only under the games plans they have devised. In other words no matter what the score player A will only work for so long. Player B will come in for X number of plays, etc. Its the same really in all sports. Only thing is, instead of playing on a small field in Kissimmee, Florida, it is the big stage of an NFL stadium and at the same NFL regular season prices.
While the total of over 70,000 fans was announced at Reliant Stadium a crowd total of over 39,000 was on hand at Minute Maid Park for the Astros who won their fourth straight real game. They downed the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 with strong pitching again the key. Funny how strong pitching seems to make all the difference--especially in winning streaks.
In the mean time the odds on favorites to win the NL Central-- St. Louis Cardinals--could have a shaky finish to their title run. They are starting 42 year old John Smoltz today in San Diego. Smoltz in eight starts this year for Boston had an 8.32 earned run average. The Cards are hoping he can return to a bit better form back in the National League. If he can cut three runs off that ERA he might help. St. Louis has enough offense in most games to score five or more runs. With Smoltz joining the team, however, Kyle Lohse leaves. He has been placed on the 15 day DL. That leaves the team STILL short one starter.
The only way any of this applies to the Astros is if they keep getting the sort of pitching they have over the last few games. Odds are they can't. Still, in baseball you never know.
Has everyone heard of the problem at Jerry World in Arlington? It seems the giant video board may be too low. Punters are certain if it stays where it is now they will hit it during a game. I've not been inside Jerry World (Cowboys Stadium) but there was a great photo posted on the Sunday edition of The Sporting News On-Line. First thought is--as far away as some of those seats are from the field--why even watch the field? Just watch the video board.
And another note from Arlington. Jerry's neighbors--the Texas Rangers-- are in a fight for the American League wild card. They may be in a fight greater than that. There are rumors afoot that the financial situation of owner Tom Hicks is not good. Tied into the financial collapse of many businesses last fall, the Rangers have major league baseball itself monitoring their situation very closely. On top of that attendance has been down for several years with the average under 30,000 this season despite one of the better clubs in a number of years. The Astros may have some problems but nothing like the Rangers are facing it would seem.
COMING UP
Astros vs D-Backs final game set for 1:05 Sunday. Bud Norris who has been a bit more hittable with each start (ERA up to 4.05) faces Jon Garland--almost an Astro a couple years back. Astros Live Pregame on Fox Sports Houston starts at 12:30. One of the features will be my interview with pitcher Wesley Wright about his upcoming re-hab schedule.
Monday is sort of an off day. There is no game, but the 60 plus members of the traveling party will be meeting at Minute Maid Park in late afternoon to begin a three city trip to St. Louis, Phoenix and Chicago. It seems like every series is listed as a key one. Going to both St. Louis and Chicago would certainly qualify this one. The Astros just can't afford to lose many more games...and certainly not to the Cards and Cubs. The club will likely face Chris Carpenter late in that St. Louis series so there will be no easy way out.
In the NFL preseason the teams want to win. But they want to win only under the games plans they have devised. In other words no matter what the score player A will only work for so long. Player B will come in for X number of plays, etc. Its the same really in all sports. Only thing is, instead of playing on a small field in Kissimmee, Florida, it is the big stage of an NFL stadium and at the same NFL regular season prices.
While the total of over 70,000 fans was announced at Reliant Stadium a crowd total of over 39,000 was on hand at Minute Maid Park for the Astros who won their fourth straight real game. They downed the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 with strong pitching again the key. Funny how strong pitching seems to make all the difference--especially in winning streaks.
In the mean time the odds on favorites to win the NL Central-- St. Louis Cardinals--could have a shaky finish to their title run. They are starting 42 year old John Smoltz today in San Diego. Smoltz in eight starts this year for Boston had an 8.32 earned run average. The Cards are hoping he can return to a bit better form back in the National League. If he can cut three runs off that ERA he might help. St. Louis has enough offense in most games to score five or more runs. With Smoltz joining the team, however, Kyle Lohse leaves. He has been placed on the 15 day DL. That leaves the team STILL short one starter.
The only way any of this applies to the Astros is if they keep getting the sort of pitching they have over the last few games. Odds are they can't. Still, in baseball you never know.
Has everyone heard of the problem at Jerry World in Arlington? It seems the giant video board may be too low. Punters are certain if it stays where it is now they will hit it during a game. I've not been inside Jerry World (Cowboys Stadium) but there was a great photo posted on the Sunday edition of The Sporting News On-Line. First thought is--as far away as some of those seats are from the field--why even watch the field? Just watch the video board.
And another note from Arlington. Jerry's neighbors--the Texas Rangers-- are in a fight for the American League wild card. They may be in a fight greater than that. There are rumors afoot that the financial situation of owner Tom Hicks is not good. Tied into the financial collapse of many businesses last fall, the Rangers have major league baseball itself monitoring their situation very closely. On top of that attendance has been down for several years with the average under 30,000 this season despite one of the better clubs in a number of years. The Astros may have some problems but nothing like the Rangers are facing it would seem.
COMING UP
Astros vs D-Backs final game set for 1:05 Sunday. Bud Norris who has been a bit more hittable with each start (ERA up to 4.05) faces Jon Garland--almost an Astro a couple years back. Astros Live Pregame on Fox Sports Houston starts at 12:30. One of the features will be my interview with pitcher Wesley Wright about his upcoming re-hab schedule.
Monday is sort of an off day. There is no game, but the 60 plus members of the traveling party will be meeting at Minute Maid Park in late afternoon to begin a three city trip to St. Louis, Phoenix and Chicago. It seems like every series is listed as a key one. Going to both St. Louis and Chicago would certainly qualify this one. The Astros just can't afford to lose many more games...and certainly not to the Cards and Cubs. The club will likely face Chris Carpenter late in that St. Louis series so there will be no easy way out.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tempted to Say "Ditto"
Virtually all the points I tried to make yesterday apply again after Friday's game. Pitching is the most important single aspect of baseball if a team wants to win. The Astros offense wasn't in the ballpark on Friday, but the team won anyway thanks to a second straight starter (Roy Oswalt) not allowing any earned runs. Then, with the bullpen in their designated (and best) roles the game was put away.
No, the Diamondbacks are not one of the league's brighter lights. So, I won't claim beating them is the same as knocking off the Cardinals, Phillies or Dodgers. Still, they are a major league team and the win was good enough. It counts.
This Astros team does not hit in the clutch nearly well enough, but with better pitching they would certainly have had enough offense to be in the hunt or maybe even on the top of the NL Central.
It is a bother that Hunter Pence has been an automatic out when hitting with the bases loaded. He has gone 0-11 leaving 33 runners on base. Why? Most feel he tries to hard. Hunter Pence is an intense baseball player. He appears to have trouble relaxing in that spot. His season RBI total is way too low for a player who is counted on to be one of the "big three or four" in the offense.
Miguel Tejada continues to slump. One can only hope it is not because of his game load. But he is only 2-30. Miggy would like to come back to Houston in 2010. At least two things must happen. He can't finish on a down. That is when doubts arise regarding his age. He must also agree to a contract with likely at least a 50% lower value that what he plays for now. And he must acknowledge that he likely would be a third baseman in 2010 with Houston.
First and foremost however is that he must finish the season strong.
Players like Miguel Tejada and Doug Brocail bring far more to a baseball team than just their numbers. Both are well respected leaders. The reality is, however, that leaders fall--be they political or baseball players if they don't get the job done in government or baseball.
SERIES CONTINUES
The second game of the Astros-Diamondback series will be played Saturday with Astros Live Pregame beginning at 5:30 and the first pitch set for 6:05. As usual it will be available on Fox Sports Houston.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
And don't forget Twitter and Facebook during games. I will Tweet every half inning with an occasional "in game" note or on scoring plays. And Fox Sports Houston Facebook is a place for fans to gather and discuss all phases of Astros baseball among themselves and with me. See you on-line Saturday.
No, the Diamondbacks are not one of the league's brighter lights. So, I won't claim beating them is the same as knocking off the Cardinals, Phillies or Dodgers. Still, they are a major league team and the win was good enough. It counts.
This Astros team does not hit in the clutch nearly well enough, but with better pitching they would certainly have had enough offense to be in the hunt or maybe even on the top of the NL Central.
It is a bother that Hunter Pence has been an automatic out when hitting with the bases loaded. He has gone 0-11 leaving 33 runners on base. Why? Most feel he tries to hard. Hunter Pence is an intense baseball player. He appears to have trouble relaxing in that spot. His season RBI total is way too low for a player who is counted on to be one of the "big three or four" in the offense.
Miguel Tejada continues to slump. One can only hope it is not because of his game load. But he is only 2-30. Miggy would like to come back to Houston in 2010. At least two things must happen. He can't finish on a down. That is when doubts arise regarding his age. He must also agree to a contract with likely at least a 50% lower value that what he plays for now. And he must acknowledge that he likely would be a third baseman in 2010 with Houston.
First and foremost however is that he must finish the season strong.
Players like Miguel Tejada and Doug Brocail bring far more to a baseball team than just their numbers. Both are well respected leaders. The reality is, however, that leaders fall--be they political or baseball players if they don't get the job done in government or baseball.
SERIES CONTINUES
The second game of the Astros-Diamondback series will be played Saturday with Astros Live Pregame beginning at 5:30 and the first pitch set for 6:05. As usual it will be available on Fox Sports Houston.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
And don't forget Twitter and Facebook during games. I will Tweet every half inning with an occasional "in game" note or on scoring plays. And Fox Sports Houston Facebook is a place for fans to gather and discuss all phases of Astros baseball among themselves and with me. See you on-line Saturday.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Pitching Isn't Sexy, but you Win With It
Nothing brings more oohs and aahs from a baseball crowd than long fly balls and home runs. Unless a pitcher is a power guy who strikes out a lot of hitters he can never get the same reaction.
But good pitching wins games and pennants. Wandy Rodriguez effort on Thursday night was another example. When a pitcher can totally control a team with as solid a hitting attack as the Florida Marlins you have something. The Astros have that in Wandy and Roy Oswalt and maybe Bud Norris. They simply have to have more of it next season to be back in the pennant race.
They have to have starters that can contend with the very best the opposition throws out like Josh Johnson of Florida. Johnson was 12-2 with a 2.85 ERA heading into the game. No one knew he would not be at his best. That is why Wandy had to be at his. He was.
In modern baseball complete games or near complete games can't be expected every time out. But being consistently good three out of every four starts is a requirement to win. The Astros haven't had that this year. And that is why they have floundered under .500 most of the season and are the team many forecasters saw before the season began.
Sometimes it requires failure before success. The Astros have been one of the better teams in baseball since the late 1990s. They have had some down years, but never more than one in a row. Thanks to some strong finishes seasons that did not have "contention" apparently part of them got to that point in the closing weeks.
This franchise needs to be good from opening day to restore confidence in the club by those who put down their money to buy tickets. To do that they must have better pitching and not a "hope and a prayer staff" as they began this season sporting.
There is another reality that must be addressed. Roy Oswalt while still a solid major league starter is no longer on the level he was two or three years ago. Wandy Rodriguez continues to improve, but on a top flight major league staff neither are really at the point where they could be considered top dogs. The Astros need a new top dog. Could Bud Norris develop into that pitcher in 2010? Its far too early to tell. He does have good stuff and better than average command. He has to be even better than we have seen so far. And there has to be at least one more starter who probably will have to be acquired from outside to get this team back into real contention and NL Central leadership in 2010.
It will be a real test for Ed Wade and Drayton McLane. But both again saw what top notch starting pitching can do on Thursday night. Let's hope they don't forget.
But good pitching wins games and pennants. Wandy Rodriguez effort on Thursday night was another example. When a pitcher can totally control a team with as solid a hitting attack as the Florida Marlins you have something. The Astros have that in Wandy and Roy Oswalt and maybe Bud Norris. They simply have to have more of it next season to be back in the pennant race.
They have to have starters that can contend with the very best the opposition throws out like Josh Johnson of Florida. Johnson was 12-2 with a 2.85 ERA heading into the game. No one knew he would not be at his best. That is why Wandy had to be at his. He was.
In modern baseball complete games or near complete games can't be expected every time out. But being consistently good three out of every four starts is a requirement to win. The Astros haven't had that this year. And that is why they have floundered under .500 most of the season and are the team many forecasters saw before the season began.
Sometimes it requires failure before success. The Astros have been one of the better teams in baseball since the late 1990s. They have had some down years, but never more than one in a row. Thanks to some strong finishes seasons that did not have "contention" apparently part of them got to that point in the closing weeks.
This franchise needs to be good from opening day to restore confidence in the club by those who put down their money to buy tickets. To do that they must have better pitching and not a "hope and a prayer staff" as they began this season sporting.
There is another reality that must be addressed. Roy Oswalt while still a solid major league starter is no longer on the level he was two or three years ago. Wandy Rodriguez continues to improve, but on a top flight major league staff neither are really at the point where they could be considered top dogs. The Astros need a new top dog. Could Bud Norris develop into that pitcher in 2010? Its far too early to tell. He does have good stuff and better than average command. He has to be even better than we have seen so far. And there has to be at least one more starter who probably will have to be acquired from outside to get this team back into real contention and NL Central leadership in 2010.
It will be a real test for Ed Wade and Drayton McLane. But both again saw what top notch starting pitching can do on Thursday night. Let's hope they don't forget.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Brett Favre... Brett Favre... Brett Favre
I am now officially qualified to be a radio talk show host. Apparently that is the only name I need to know. (Does he spell it one "T" or two?)
The state of radio sports talk not just in Houston is atrocious. I will let the "national" guys off the hook somewhat since it is sort of a national story....sort of. It is NOT a Houston or local story. But its easy. I think that is the major criteria. Doesn't take any work.
There are a lot of local stories. Let us start with the Astros. Trading Pudge Rodriguez for players that can't help this year is a big deal. It might be a good deal eventually. But right now, no matter the spin, it simply means this team is worse that it was and the folks on top recognize (correctly) that it cannot win. For the players remaining on the team with expiring contracts that is little consolation. For long termers like Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee who are locked in changes are more acceptable. They will still be here next year and the year after when the new guys might help. There was some discussion on this but it often missed the point. Trading aging veterans for young talent is a good idea as long as all recognize that much of that young talent may never make it.
The Texans are still prepping for the season. How about some intelligent analysis untempered by the fervent hope the team will make the playoffs. Will they really? Are they really improved enough to make the jump? Or do they still have too many holes in the secondary and offensive line? Let's hear both the pros and cons.
Or the Rockets. Maybe there is no talk about them much because many feel 2009-2010 is a disaster waiting to happen. But lets hear some scouts from other teams tell us what they really have.
How about coming up with some original reporting. Dig up some interesting guests not just the folks who are essentially trying to plug their fantasy or scouting website. Find the interesting and unusual on the national and world sports scene. Everything does not have to be football, baseball and basketball. It is not hard to find (thanks to the internet) some worthy and maybe quirky stories
Can't get people to be on early in the morning or late at night or during the day? Thats why they invented the tape or digital recorder. (I will give John Lopez of 790 kudos on this. He has done some recording and brought it in to air on his show.) Few others do. They rely on their sports news guy in his 2minute updates to have all the "sound" on the show.
Do you know how many interesting stories or conversations that would be wonderful for local sportstalk radio if those on or running the shows just did some research then went out and had them recorded?
Oh yes, they might want to talk about the Astros 6-3 win over the Marlins Wednesday night. Whether it meant anything in the pennant race or not is irrelevant. It was a good game with some outstanding plays. Worth talking about if you ask me.
Of course, if we started hearing all that there wouldnt be enough room for Brett Favre.
The state of radio sports talk not just in Houston is atrocious. I will let the "national" guys off the hook somewhat since it is sort of a national story....sort of. It is NOT a Houston or local story. But its easy. I think that is the major criteria. Doesn't take any work.
There are a lot of local stories. Let us start with the Astros. Trading Pudge Rodriguez for players that can't help this year is a big deal. It might be a good deal eventually. But right now, no matter the spin, it simply means this team is worse that it was and the folks on top recognize (correctly) that it cannot win. For the players remaining on the team with expiring contracts that is little consolation. For long termers like Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee who are locked in changes are more acceptable. They will still be here next year and the year after when the new guys might help. There was some discussion on this but it often missed the point. Trading aging veterans for young talent is a good idea as long as all recognize that much of that young talent may never make it.
The Texans are still prepping for the season. How about some intelligent analysis untempered by the fervent hope the team will make the playoffs. Will they really? Are they really improved enough to make the jump? Or do they still have too many holes in the secondary and offensive line? Let's hear both the pros and cons.
Or the Rockets. Maybe there is no talk about them much because many feel 2009-2010 is a disaster waiting to happen. But lets hear some scouts from other teams tell us what they really have.
How about coming up with some original reporting. Dig up some interesting guests not just the folks who are essentially trying to plug their fantasy or scouting website. Find the interesting and unusual on the national and world sports scene. Everything does not have to be football, baseball and basketball. It is not hard to find (thanks to the internet) some worthy and maybe quirky stories
Can't get people to be on early in the morning or late at night or during the day? Thats why they invented the tape or digital recorder. (I will give John Lopez of 790 kudos on this. He has done some recording and brought it in to air on his show.) Few others do. They rely on their sports news guy in his 2minute updates to have all the "sound" on the show.
Do you know how many interesting stories or conversations that would be wonderful for local sportstalk radio if those on or running the shows just did some research then went out and had them recorded?
Oh yes, they might want to talk about the Astros 6-3 win over the Marlins Wednesday night. Whether it meant anything in the pennant race or not is irrelevant. It was a good game with some outstanding plays. Worth talking about if you ask me.
Of course, if we started hearing all that there wouldnt be enough room for Brett Favre.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Has the Towel Been Thrown?
The Astros rather pitiful performance on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park perhaps was not unexpected since before the game many players felt the management had written off the rest of this season. When Pudge Rodriguez was traded for players that will not be on this team the inference was that the people in the front office have waved the white flag on any hopes for success in 2009.
Many fans had felt there was no chance for this team for several weeks...some as early as spring training. The players never felt that way until possibly today. Oh, they knew the odds were getting longer and longer. They knew the Cardinals and maybe the Cubs and even the Brewers might have better teams. Yet the players weren't concerned about who might be on the team next year. All they know is this season. Pudge was part of the Astros THIS season and now he is gone for future hopes that one or two of those players will be Astros down the line. That means little to the players who are Astros now for most of them won't be here in two or three years. Some won't be here even next season.
Was Pudge Rodriguez still a great player? Of course not. He is just a shell of the future Hall of Famer that started his career with the Rangers, was able to pick up a winning World Series ring while a Marlin and have solid seasons with the Tigers. He wouldn't have been here next year. But he was here NOW.
He was still the best hitter/catcher combined the team had. Now he is gone. Mike Hampton has gone back on the DL... Norris is in the rotation, Paulino is coming back, Bazardo will be pitching. Next year is starting early.
That is not all bad. But it will likely mean the Astros will finish this season in very disappointing fashion. Achieving a .500 record will be a real long shot. Totally forget getting back into contention.
The Chris Coste/Humberto Quintero catching tandem won't last long. By September J.R. Towles may be getting one more shot to stick. Next spring it is almost inconceivable that Jason Castro won't be given a long look.
You won't find a single Astro staffer that would agree that the towel has been thrown in on the 2009 season. You will find some players who will. Hopefully, they will remain professional enough to give their best effort every night just the same. That may not have been the case on Tuesday. We will give them a break this time, though. But just this time.
Many fans had felt there was no chance for this team for several weeks...some as early as spring training. The players never felt that way until possibly today. Oh, they knew the odds were getting longer and longer. They knew the Cardinals and maybe the Cubs and even the Brewers might have better teams. Yet the players weren't concerned about who might be on the team next year. All they know is this season. Pudge was part of the Astros THIS season and now he is gone for future hopes that one or two of those players will be Astros down the line. That means little to the players who are Astros now for most of them won't be here in two or three years. Some won't be here even next season.
Was Pudge Rodriguez still a great player? Of course not. He is just a shell of the future Hall of Famer that started his career with the Rangers, was able to pick up a winning World Series ring while a Marlin and have solid seasons with the Tigers. He wouldn't have been here next year. But he was here NOW.
He was still the best hitter/catcher combined the team had. Now he is gone. Mike Hampton has gone back on the DL... Norris is in the rotation, Paulino is coming back, Bazardo will be pitching. Next year is starting early.
That is not all bad. But it will likely mean the Astros will finish this season in very disappointing fashion. Achieving a .500 record will be a real long shot. Totally forget getting back into contention.
The Chris Coste/Humberto Quintero catching tandem won't last long. By September J.R. Towles may be getting one more shot to stick. Next spring it is almost inconceivable that Jason Castro won't be given a long look.
You won't find a single Astro staffer that would agree that the towel has been thrown in on the 2009 season. You will find some players who will. Hopefully, they will remain professional enough to give their best effort every night just the same. That may not have been the case on Tuesday. We will give them a break this time, though. But just this time.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Musings on a Off Day
Sometimes fans wonder what it is like to travel with a major league baseball team...especially the so-called "mood" of the team. Following the just concluded seven game road trip to Florida and Milwaukee where the club lost both series and won only two of seven games falling out of the pennant race one might think the "mood" would be poor. We used to have an inside joke among the broadcasters because one local Houston sportscaster would invariably ask about the "mood" of the team when it hit a rough stretch.
Actually, in all my years traveling in professional basketball and with both the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros in baseball I can honestly say with very few exceptions the "mood" is one of professionalism. The teams are on business trips. Some sales are made (games won) and others are not (games lost). Once one game or series is over it is time to move on to the next one.
Are busses generally quiet on the way back to the hotel or off to the airport for the next city after losses? Sure, but not as if in mourning. A game is still a game regardless of what it may mean in the standings or financially. Once it is over its over. Generally the members of the broadcast/telecast teams and team staffers and some players may discuss some of what may have occured in the game, but essentially once the game is over it is time to look ahead to the next one.
Is there a difference when a team is on a good stretch? That is always more fun since things are always light. There is more joking and laughing. (In my business that means more suitable choices for pre game or post game interviews. Losing cuts the options.)
It is human nature for players to feel better about themselves when they team wins and when the players are contributors. Sunday's double come from behind win over Milwaukee was well placed. It ended the poor road trip on a positive note. It also sent everyone home with a good memory to going into the Monday off day.
But baseball leaves little time for retrospect. There is another game coming. Everything positive about Sunday's win is forgotten when the club steps on the field Tuesday against the Marlins.
Other sports are so much different. The Texans for instance won what was essentially a meaningless exhibition game on Saturday at Kansas City. Fans are happy with what they saw. They saw a win by the team with the Texans logo--even though a good percentage of those who did most of the playing won't be playing or maybe even with the team when the real games start. And they also have all week to celebrate the victory. In baseball there is always a game tomorrow or the next day at the longest. No matter how great it was to have Geoff Blum drive in four runs or Hunter Pence hit a key two run homer the time for pride fades quickly. It will be back to work on Tuesday.
Whether the Astros have a realistic hope to be a post season team or not remains to be seen. It would take a finish better than any in team history. It certainly is not likely with this group of players.. some of whom are walking DL cases...others who would have to play above their skill level for six weeks. Still with a game every day there is a chance everyday. In the words of Astro icon Craig Biggio, "That's baseball."
Actually, in all my years traveling in professional basketball and with both the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros in baseball I can honestly say with very few exceptions the "mood" is one of professionalism. The teams are on business trips. Some sales are made (games won) and others are not (games lost). Once one game or series is over it is time to move on to the next one.
Are busses generally quiet on the way back to the hotel or off to the airport for the next city after losses? Sure, but not as if in mourning. A game is still a game regardless of what it may mean in the standings or financially. Once it is over its over. Generally the members of the broadcast/telecast teams and team staffers and some players may discuss some of what may have occured in the game, but essentially once the game is over it is time to look ahead to the next one.
Is there a difference when a team is on a good stretch? That is always more fun since things are always light. There is more joking and laughing. (In my business that means more suitable choices for pre game or post game interviews. Losing cuts the options.)
It is human nature for players to feel better about themselves when they team wins and when the players are contributors. Sunday's double come from behind win over Milwaukee was well placed. It ended the poor road trip on a positive note. It also sent everyone home with a good memory to going into the Monday off day.
But baseball leaves little time for retrospect. There is another game coming. Everything positive about Sunday's win is forgotten when the club steps on the field Tuesday against the Marlins.
Other sports are so much different. The Texans for instance won what was essentially a meaningless exhibition game on Saturday at Kansas City. Fans are happy with what they saw. They saw a win by the team with the Texans logo--even though a good percentage of those who did most of the playing won't be playing or maybe even with the team when the real games start. And they also have all week to celebrate the victory. In baseball there is always a game tomorrow or the next day at the longest. No matter how great it was to have Geoff Blum drive in four runs or Hunter Pence hit a key two run homer the time for pride fades quickly. It will be back to work on Tuesday.
Whether the Astros have a realistic hope to be a post season team or not remains to be seen. It would take a finish better than any in team history. It certainly is not likely with this group of players.. some of whom are walking DL cases...others who would have to play above their skill level for six weeks. Still with a game every day there is a chance everyday. In the words of Astro icon Craig Biggio, "That's baseball."
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Maybe Some Rest...or Maybe Not
The Astros offense was dragging as bad as much of the pitching has been over the last week on Saturday night. For five innings the only hit they had was the infield hit off the glove of the Brewer shortstop Alcides Escobar by Kazuo Matsui. Escobar might have had time to get Kaz at first with a perfect throw. It was Matsui's 2000 major league (Japan and MLB) hit. So that qualified him for the meikyukai (Golden Player's Club).
He got the hit in the third and as the Astros continued to flail away at Mike Burns I suggested to Jim Deshaies that what if Burns never allowed another hit and the official scorer decided to change Matsui's hit to an error to preserve a no hitter? What a mess that would have been.
No problem. Even though the Astros wound up with only five hits off three Milwaukee pitchers Darin Erstad's solid pinch hit double ended worry about a no hitter. Later Geoff Blum doubled and Hunter Pence hit a two run homer. The homer was nice. It put the Astros on the scoreboard, but Hunter seems to have hit a number of his homers after games are out of reach and not come through earlier in games in key spots. Statistically that might not prove true but it is a current perception.
Brian Moehler was Moehlerish. Not awful, but not outstanding. He had a bad 2nd inning in which he allowed three runs. Those were the only runs he allowed in five innings. He said he could have pitched the sixth and wanted to. But his pitch count was at 104 and he was due to lead off the top of the 6th. He is a very bad hitter. The Astros were still trailing 3-0 and the club needed to get something going.
Brian's pinch hitter--Darin Erstad did. He doubled. Then Michael Bourn walked. The potential rally died when Miguel Tejada hit into his team leading 19th double play and Lance Berkman struck out.
The OTHER person who replaced Moehler, pitcher Alberto Arias, let the game get away. He failed to get anyone out. Three runs would be charged to him. He gave up the first on a bloop single by Craig Counsell. Tim Byrdak surrendered a sacrifice fly for the second. Sammy Gervacio saw the third run in on a ground out.
Now it was 6-love and game, set and match.
After the game a ceremony was held on the field to honor Matsui for making it into the Japanese Hall of Fame. Coop stood next to Matsui with former Seibu manager Osamu Higashio on the other flank. Unless you spoke Japanese you had no idea what was being said. But it was a nice honor.
Now Coop can give Kaz a day off. He needs to give Miguel Tejada a day off, too, but the club is short an extra infielder. One of them will have to play Sunday. Let us just hope the rest of the team does too.
He got the hit in the third and as the Astros continued to flail away at Mike Burns I suggested to Jim Deshaies that what if Burns never allowed another hit and the official scorer decided to change Matsui's hit to an error to preserve a no hitter? What a mess that would have been.
No problem. Even though the Astros wound up with only five hits off three Milwaukee pitchers Darin Erstad's solid pinch hit double ended worry about a no hitter. Later Geoff Blum doubled and Hunter Pence hit a two run homer. The homer was nice. It put the Astros on the scoreboard, but Hunter seems to have hit a number of his homers after games are out of reach and not come through earlier in games in key spots. Statistically that might not prove true but it is a current perception.
Brian Moehler was Moehlerish. Not awful, but not outstanding. He had a bad 2nd inning in which he allowed three runs. Those were the only runs he allowed in five innings. He said he could have pitched the sixth and wanted to. But his pitch count was at 104 and he was due to lead off the top of the 6th. He is a very bad hitter. The Astros were still trailing 3-0 and the club needed to get something going.
Brian's pinch hitter--Darin Erstad did. He doubled. Then Michael Bourn walked. The potential rally died when Miguel Tejada hit into his team leading 19th double play and Lance Berkman struck out.
The OTHER person who replaced Moehler, pitcher Alberto Arias, let the game get away. He failed to get anyone out. Three runs would be charged to him. He gave up the first on a bloop single by Craig Counsell. Tim Byrdak surrendered a sacrifice fly for the second. Sammy Gervacio saw the third run in on a ground out.
Now it was 6-love and game, set and match.
After the game a ceremony was held on the field to honor Matsui for making it into the Japanese Hall of Fame. Coop stood next to Matsui with former Seibu manager Osamu Higashio on the other flank. Unless you spoke Japanese you had no idea what was being said. But it was a nice honor.
Now Coop can give Kaz a day off. He needs to give Miguel Tejada a day off, too, but the club is short an extra infielder. One of them will have to play Sunday. Let us just hope the rest of the team does too.
Let's Play 'Em One at a Time
The Astros baseball season has come down to this. They HAVE to equal their greatest finish of all time to have a chance to make the playoffs. As Saturday dawns they are 56-60 and 8 1/2 games off the NL Central lead and about the same out of wild card contention. They would have to finish 36-10 to match that great run five years ago.
They won't because they can't.
The 2009 Astros are showing all the weaknesses that were predicted for them in the off season and spring. It took a long while for them all to be factors, but here they are.
The starting pitching is not good enough. It never has been, but for a time pitchers like Mike Hampton, Brian Moehler and Russ Ortiz were performing well. Remember before the All Star break with SIX starters were going so well the club used a six man staff for about two weeks?
That is now long gone. Not only did Roy Oswalt have to miss some starts, Wandy Rodriguez missed time and is one out of two in the good start department since coming back. Russ Ortiz is gone, Felipe Paulino still has not learned how to harness his stuff or the mental side of pitching, Mike Hampton has not been dependable and Brian Moehler has had too many starts where he does not have the location he must have. Oswalt, when healthy, has been typically strong in the second half of the season, but he is the only starter who can say that.
Well, I could add rookie Bud Norris, but I want to wait till his next start. He broke in very strong, but has been less effective in each of his three starts. Maybe it is him or maybe the scouting reports are seeing something. He'll be facing Forida at MMP next week. We can with hold an update on him till then.
The offense will also keep this team from coming anywhere close to a 36-10 finish. Miguel Tejada is in a dry spell. Kazuo Matsui, despite needing just one hit to enter Japan's prestigious "Golden Player Club" is only hitting in the low .240s for the year and only .182 for August.
The club also is lacking real power. Three players will hit home run totals in the 20s this season, but it will be a stretch for anyone to hit as many as 30. Power makes up for the need to string as many hits together as needed for big innings. This club needs some big innings to counter the ones the opposition has been having. In Florida the Astros had some offense, but some of it came after the pitching had already essentially decided the game was going to be won by the Marlins.
The Astros too often are down 1-2-3 in the first.
What do you do? Lance Berkman put it best after Friday's 11-2 loss in Milwaukee. "All you can do is show up and play. It's hard to make up eight games to a Cardinal team that may be better than we are. It's not impossible, but its very difficult."
The only thing I would change in that statement is substitute the word "unlikely" for difficult. Many would prefer the word "impossible."
THE SHOW ROLLS ON
Game two of the Milwaukee series starts on Fox Sports Houston with Astros Live Pregame at 5:30 Saturday. First pitch set for about 6:05. The series wraps on Sunday afternoon with the key times 12:30 and 1:05.
They won't because they can't.
The 2009 Astros are showing all the weaknesses that were predicted for them in the off season and spring. It took a long while for them all to be factors, but here they are.
The starting pitching is not good enough. It never has been, but for a time pitchers like Mike Hampton, Brian Moehler and Russ Ortiz were performing well. Remember before the All Star break with SIX starters were going so well the club used a six man staff for about two weeks?
That is now long gone. Not only did Roy Oswalt have to miss some starts, Wandy Rodriguez missed time and is one out of two in the good start department since coming back. Russ Ortiz is gone, Felipe Paulino still has not learned how to harness his stuff or the mental side of pitching, Mike Hampton has not been dependable and Brian Moehler has had too many starts where he does not have the location he must have. Oswalt, when healthy, has been typically strong in the second half of the season, but he is the only starter who can say that.
Well, I could add rookie Bud Norris, but I want to wait till his next start. He broke in very strong, but has been less effective in each of his three starts. Maybe it is him or maybe the scouting reports are seeing something. He'll be facing Forida at MMP next week. We can with hold an update on him till then.
The offense will also keep this team from coming anywhere close to a 36-10 finish. Miguel Tejada is in a dry spell. Kazuo Matsui, despite needing just one hit to enter Japan's prestigious "Golden Player Club" is only hitting in the low .240s for the year and only .182 for August.
The club also is lacking real power. Three players will hit home run totals in the 20s this season, but it will be a stretch for anyone to hit as many as 30. Power makes up for the need to string as many hits together as needed for big innings. This club needs some big innings to counter the ones the opposition has been having. In Florida the Astros had some offense, but some of it came after the pitching had already essentially decided the game was going to be won by the Marlins.
The Astros too often are down 1-2-3 in the first.
What do you do? Lance Berkman put it best after Friday's 11-2 loss in Milwaukee. "All you can do is show up and play. It's hard to make up eight games to a Cardinal team that may be better than we are. It's not impossible, but its very difficult."
The only thing I would change in that statement is substitute the word "unlikely" for difficult. Many would prefer the word "impossible."
THE SHOW ROLLS ON
Game two of the Milwaukee series starts on Fox Sports Houston with Astros Live Pregame at 5:30 Saturday. First pitch set for about 6:05. The series wraps on Sunday afternoon with the key times 12:30 and 1:05.
Friday, August 14, 2009
We're Here...and the Auxiliary Writers are Coming
At about 2:15AM all 61 members of the Houston Astros traveling party had checked into their rooms in Milwaukee. However, that is not all that will be with the club when the series with the Brewers begins Friday night.
Another 20-25 Japanese writers, photographers and TV people will be coming to town sometime Friday afternoon. You see, the coverage of Kazuo Matsui's quest for 2000 professional hits and automatic selection into the Golden Player's Club continues. Much to the dismay of those same media followers Kazuo like the Astro team was shut down in the final game of the four game series in Florida Thursday night. The final score was Matsui 0-4 and the Astros losers 9-2.
For Matsui perhaps it had to be that way. He struck out his first two at bats perhaps pressing a bit with his former manager from Seibu on hand waiting to take part in a televised post game ceremony once he got his 2000th hit.
For the Astros did not have to end that way. Mike Hampton started and gave up his customary runs in the first inning on a two run homer. He only gave up one more run during the five innings he worked and was 2-2 with an RBI at the plate. All three runs scored off him were from home runs. But between those two long balls he was actually sharp. A large number of ground ball outs which is an indication he is on his game were seen. However, a shoulder strain took him out of the game after five innings. He was trailing at that point, but with any luck would not have been. In the top of the 5th with the Marlin's lead just 2-1 the Astros had two runners in scoring position with two out. Miguel Tejada hit a screaming line drive that was headed toward right field. Unfortunately it did not miss outfielder Cody Ross. Unlucky placement of that liner ended the inning costing the Astros two runs and the lead.
Once Hampton left the game it was soon over. Chris Sampson gave up six runs in the 6th which after the game resulted in his being optioned to Round Rock. Sammy Gervacio has been recalled to help strengthen a banged up and overworked bullpen.
In no game during the Florida series did an Astro starter work more than five innings. No wonder the pen is beat and so was the team in three out of four.
Unless sleep deprivation becomes a factor of Friday at least the Astros will have a pitcher who should be able to go longer than five innings on the mound. Its Wandy Rodriguez' turn. He went seven shutout innings against the Brewers last Sunday.
Well time for me to wrap this up. Its 2:30 AM and I should be able to go claim by bags downstairs about now. See you on FS Houston Friday. Pregame starts at 6:30
Another 20-25 Japanese writers, photographers and TV people will be coming to town sometime Friday afternoon. You see, the coverage of Kazuo Matsui's quest for 2000 professional hits and automatic selection into the Golden Player's Club continues. Much to the dismay of those same media followers Kazuo like the Astro team was shut down in the final game of the four game series in Florida Thursday night. The final score was Matsui 0-4 and the Astros losers 9-2.
For Matsui perhaps it had to be that way. He struck out his first two at bats perhaps pressing a bit with his former manager from Seibu on hand waiting to take part in a televised post game ceremony once he got his 2000th hit.
For the Astros did not have to end that way. Mike Hampton started and gave up his customary runs in the first inning on a two run homer. He only gave up one more run during the five innings he worked and was 2-2 with an RBI at the plate. All three runs scored off him were from home runs. But between those two long balls he was actually sharp. A large number of ground ball outs which is an indication he is on his game were seen. However, a shoulder strain took him out of the game after five innings. He was trailing at that point, but with any luck would not have been. In the top of the 5th with the Marlin's lead just 2-1 the Astros had two runners in scoring position with two out. Miguel Tejada hit a screaming line drive that was headed toward right field. Unfortunately it did not miss outfielder Cody Ross. Unlucky placement of that liner ended the inning costing the Astros two runs and the lead.
Once Hampton left the game it was soon over. Chris Sampson gave up six runs in the 6th which after the game resulted in his being optioned to Round Rock. Sammy Gervacio has been recalled to help strengthen a banged up and overworked bullpen.
In no game during the Florida series did an Astro starter work more than five innings. No wonder the pen is beat and so was the team in three out of four.
Unless sleep deprivation becomes a factor of Friday at least the Astros will have a pitcher who should be able to go longer than five innings on the mound. Its Wandy Rodriguez' turn. He went seven shutout innings against the Brewers last Sunday.
Well time for me to wrap this up. Its 2:30 AM and I should be able to go claim by bags downstairs about now. See you on FS Houston Friday. Pregame starts at 6:30
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Golden Players Club Awaiting New Member
Second baseman Kazuo Matsui is not likely going to be remembered as one of the Astros All Time Greats when his contract expires at the end of next season. Last year he hit a major league career high .293 with the Astros, but injuries kept him from playing as many as 100 games. This season he has been hurt less, but his numbers are lower. He is has hit less than .250 for much of the season.
Even so, he is on the verge of history and a momentous day in his career and will be wearing a Houston Astros uniform when he achieves it.
With one more hit he becomes an automatic member of Japan's Golden Player Club--the equivalent of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He will have qualified by compiling 2000 career hits--a feat for a Japanese player about the same as a MLB player reaching 3000 for his career.
Japanese fans don't care if some of the hits were in Japan and some in MLB. The total is the thing. Actually, Kazuo has not been helped by playing in North America since his frequent injuries have kept him from taking advantage of the longer schedule. That, by the way, is why 2000 are so revered in Japan. The average schedule over the years has included from 130 to 140 games not the 162 used in MLB.
Up to 24 members of the mostly U-S based Japanese sports media has been covering Kazuo for the entire visit to Florida. Video and still cameramen are shooting shots of everything he does. He heads to the field early to meet with them daily. The reporters and photographers have been pulled away from covering Hideki Matsui in New York and Ichiro Suzuki in Seattle among others to record the quest for 2000 by Kazuo Matsui.
Yashushi Kakuchi has been on the Matsui beat ever since he joined the Astros last season. He has been covering him every game since then. After each game no matter whether Matsui was a factor or not...or even if he did not play Kakuchi will be asking questions and filing a story for the Kyoda News Agency. Now he has a lot of competition.
Finding an actual list of all the Japanese players who have achieved 2000 hits has not been possible so far. However, I counted 26 in a list of top players and have been told the total may be near 40. For comparison there have been 27 players record 3000 hits in MLB.
Only two Japanese stars have registered 3000 hits. One of those, Isao Harimoto, had 3085 and did it all in Japan. The other, Ichiro Suzuki, has 3251 hits, but 1973 of them have been collected while playing for the Seattle Mariners in MLB.
On Wednesday night Kazuo Matsui had two doubles and a single...three hits...moving him within one of the 2000 club. That was a game in which he looked like the Matsui of his great Japanese career where he was a seven time all star shortstop, 1998 MVP and winner of four Gold Gloves. In seven of his nine years with the Seibu Lions he hit over .300. He topped out at .332 with 36 home runs and 87 RBIs in 140 games in 2002. He also stole as many as 62 bases in a season.
Astros fans have not see that Kazuo Matsui. But they will be seeing a Japanese Baseball Hall of Famer with his very next hit.
TV SCHEDULE AND NOTES
Matsui's quest for 2000 continues tonight on FS Houston. Astros Live Pregame begins at 5:30 with the first pitch slated for 6:10. One of the features on the pregame show will deal with how important in Japan what Matsui is striving to achieve is.
ASTRO CONNECTION
Art Howe, who was working as our studio analyst on Wednesday's game was Kazuo Matsui's first major league manager with the New York Mets. He had done some clandestine "recruiting" of Matsui in Japan while in the country with the touring MLB All Stars. When Matsui was signed by the Mets his contract required that he play shortstop at least for the first year. When it turned out that was not his best position in MLB Howe and the Mets received a lot of heat from fans. But they honored the contract terms before moving him to second base the next season. Ultimately Matsui moved to Colorado and played in the 2007 World Series before signing a three year contract with the Astros that runs through 2010.
Even so, he is on the verge of history and a momentous day in his career and will be wearing a Houston Astros uniform when he achieves it.
With one more hit he becomes an automatic member of Japan's Golden Player Club--the equivalent of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He will have qualified by compiling 2000 career hits--a feat for a Japanese player about the same as a MLB player reaching 3000 for his career.
Japanese fans don't care if some of the hits were in Japan and some in MLB. The total is the thing. Actually, Kazuo has not been helped by playing in North America since his frequent injuries have kept him from taking advantage of the longer schedule. That, by the way, is why 2000 are so revered in Japan. The average schedule over the years has included from 130 to 140 games not the 162 used in MLB.
Up to 24 members of the mostly U-S based Japanese sports media has been covering Kazuo for the entire visit to Florida. Video and still cameramen are shooting shots of everything he does. He heads to the field early to meet with them daily. The reporters and photographers have been pulled away from covering Hideki Matsui in New York and Ichiro Suzuki in Seattle among others to record the quest for 2000 by Kazuo Matsui.
Yashushi Kakuchi has been on the Matsui beat ever since he joined the Astros last season. He has been covering him every game since then. After each game no matter whether Matsui was a factor or not...or even if he did not play Kakuchi will be asking questions and filing a story for the Kyoda News Agency. Now he has a lot of competition.
Finding an actual list of all the Japanese players who have achieved 2000 hits has not been possible so far. However, I counted 26 in a list of top players and have been told the total may be near 40. For comparison there have been 27 players record 3000 hits in MLB.
Only two Japanese stars have registered 3000 hits. One of those, Isao Harimoto, had 3085 and did it all in Japan. The other, Ichiro Suzuki, has 3251 hits, but 1973 of them have been collected while playing for the Seattle Mariners in MLB.
On Wednesday night Kazuo Matsui had two doubles and a single...three hits...moving him within one of the 2000 club. That was a game in which he looked like the Matsui of his great Japanese career where he was a seven time all star shortstop, 1998 MVP and winner of four Gold Gloves. In seven of his nine years with the Seibu Lions he hit over .300. He topped out at .332 with 36 home runs and 87 RBIs in 140 games in 2002. He also stole as many as 62 bases in a season.
Astros fans have not see that Kazuo Matsui. But they will be seeing a Japanese Baseball Hall of Famer with his very next hit.
TV SCHEDULE AND NOTES
Matsui's quest for 2000 continues tonight on FS Houston. Astros Live Pregame begins at 5:30 with the first pitch slated for 6:10. One of the features on the pregame show will deal with how important in Japan what Matsui is striving to achieve is.
ASTRO CONNECTION
Art Howe, who was working as our studio analyst on Wednesday's game was Kazuo Matsui's first major league manager with the New York Mets. He had done some clandestine "recruiting" of Matsui in Japan while in the country with the touring MLB All Stars. When Matsui was signed by the Mets his contract required that he play shortstop at least for the first year. When it turned out that was not his best position in MLB Howe and the Mets received a lot of heat from fans. But they honored the contract terms before moving him to second base the next season. Ultimately Matsui moved to Colorado and played in the 2007 World Series before signing a three year contract with the Astros that runs through 2010.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Is the Obvious Starting to Sink In?
After the Astros rough 9-8 loss to the Florida Marlins Tuesday night manager Cecil Cooper was very calm and in control when discussing the game with the media crowded around in the service area outside the Astros clubhouse. He seemed to recognize that the game was over and showing anger or being upset would do nothing to change the fact the game was over and nothing could change it.
He may have also shown signs that he realizes any hopes for this edition of the Houston Astros making a post season appearance are just about gone. So life goes on.
The Astros had just lost one of those games you absolutely cannot lose. You cannot lose games with 7-2 leads and one of your best pitcher's on the mound. But the Astros did. And just maybe that was the sign finally that this season cannot end happily.
If winning the ultimate prize is always the goal, the season is done. However, since only one team will do that there is no reason why baseball on a game to game basis cannot still be enjoyed. Sometimes you get to watch a great game--win or lose-- and sometimes you see a stinker.
Tuesday nights game in Florida was a great game for a non partisan fan to watch. It had big innings. It had comebacks. It had big hits. Of course, only a non partisan or a Marlin fan would have enjoyed it. Certainly not a fan of the Astros.
That, however, is how baseball is. Sometimes you have to take off your "colors" and enjoy the game and not be all consumed with whether your team or city won.
For the rest of this season I suggest Astro fans watch the games with an eye toward what can be done to improve the club for 2010. Which players do you think definitely need to return. Which positions could be improved. Balance all this with the realities of the business. In other words there are monetary and contractural concerns that over-ride fantasy league type team construction.
It would also be realistic to take a look at some of the teams considered stronger and realize that every one of them has some warts. Every one of them has a reliever that their fans can't understand why he is still on the team. Every one of them will have complaints about some of the decisions made by their manager or third base coach or pitching coach. Many of them will think the hitting coach needs to be replaced or that the owner isn't doing everything he can to bring in a winner. This happens everywhere not just with the team you follow.
It is also what makes baseball fun. It is an everyday game. As troubling at Tuesday's loss was there is a chance for a great game on Wednesday. We don't have to wait a week. Stick with us. And stick with the Astros. There will be better days. Wednesday night might be one of them.
TELECAST NEWS
Both Wednesday and Thursdays games begin at 5:30 Houston time with Astros Live Pregame headed by Kevin Eschenfelder and featuring one of our rotating cast of studio analysts-- former player and manager, Art Howe; former pitcher Steve Sparks; former Astro great Jimmy Wynn; sportscaster Dave Harbison or Astro digital media chief Alyson Footer. Game time is slated for 6:10pm. On Friday the scene shifts to Milwaukee for the weekend.
JAPANESE MEDIA COVERAGE OF KAZUO MATSUI
More than 24 members from the Japanese sports media are covering Kazuo Matsui's quest for 2000 career hits like a blanket. Reporters and cameramen have been pulled in from all over the country away from the teams they normally follow (mainly Seattle and the New York Yankees) to be on hand with Kaz picks up his 2000th hit (Japan and MLB combined). In Japan due to the shorter seasons 2000 hits is the equivalent to 3000 in MLB. Only one Japanese only player has ever had 3000 hits--Isao Harimoto with 3085. When that total was passed by Ichiro Suzuki (who garnered his hit total in a Japan/MLB combo) with Seattle Harimoto was on hand to congratulate him.
Matsui's former manager with Seibu is in Florida along with the extra media to congratulate Kazuo personally and welcome him into the Golden Players Club which is essentially the Japan Hall of Fame. Two thousand hits or 200 wins grants a player automatic membership.
Only about 40 players in the history of Japan Pro Baseball have collected at least 2000 hits.
Matsui is four short of 2000 with two games left in Florida. The chances are good that the folks in Milwaukee may have a bunch of additional hotel rooms to fill.
He may have also shown signs that he realizes any hopes for this edition of the Houston Astros making a post season appearance are just about gone. So life goes on.
The Astros had just lost one of those games you absolutely cannot lose. You cannot lose games with 7-2 leads and one of your best pitcher's on the mound. But the Astros did. And just maybe that was the sign finally that this season cannot end happily.
If winning the ultimate prize is always the goal, the season is done. However, since only one team will do that there is no reason why baseball on a game to game basis cannot still be enjoyed. Sometimes you get to watch a great game--win or lose-- and sometimes you see a stinker.
Tuesday nights game in Florida was a great game for a non partisan fan to watch. It had big innings. It had comebacks. It had big hits. Of course, only a non partisan or a Marlin fan would have enjoyed it. Certainly not a fan of the Astros.
That, however, is how baseball is. Sometimes you have to take off your "colors" and enjoy the game and not be all consumed with whether your team or city won.
For the rest of this season I suggest Astro fans watch the games with an eye toward what can be done to improve the club for 2010. Which players do you think definitely need to return. Which positions could be improved. Balance all this with the realities of the business. In other words there are monetary and contractural concerns that over-ride fantasy league type team construction.
It would also be realistic to take a look at some of the teams considered stronger and realize that every one of them has some warts. Every one of them has a reliever that their fans can't understand why he is still on the team. Every one of them will have complaints about some of the decisions made by their manager or third base coach or pitching coach. Many of them will think the hitting coach needs to be replaced or that the owner isn't doing everything he can to bring in a winner. This happens everywhere not just with the team you follow.
It is also what makes baseball fun. It is an everyday game. As troubling at Tuesday's loss was there is a chance for a great game on Wednesday. We don't have to wait a week. Stick with us. And stick with the Astros. There will be better days. Wednesday night might be one of them.
TELECAST NEWS
Both Wednesday and Thursdays games begin at 5:30 Houston time with Astros Live Pregame headed by Kevin Eschenfelder and featuring one of our rotating cast of studio analysts-- former player and manager, Art Howe; former pitcher Steve Sparks; former Astro great Jimmy Wynn; sportscaster Dave Harbison or Astro digital media chief Alyson Footer. Game time is slated for 6:10pm. On Friday the scene shifts to Milwaukee for the weekend.
JAPANESE MEDIA COVERAGE OF KAZUO MATSUI
More than 24 members from the Japanese sports media are covering Kazuo Matsui's quest for 2000 career hits like a blanket. Reporters and cameramen have been pulled in from all over the country away from the teams they normally follow (mainly Seattle and the New York Yankees) to be on hand with Kaz picks up his 2000th hit (Japan and MLB combined). In Japan due to the shorter seasons 2000 hits is the equivalent to 3000 in MLB. Only one Japanese only player has ever had 3000 hits--Isao Harimoto with 3085. When that total was passed by Ichiro Suzuki (who garnered his hit total in a Japan/MLB combo) with Seattle Harimoto was on hand to congratulate him.
Matsui's former manager with Seibu is in Florida along with the extra media to congratulate Kazuo personally and welcome him into the Golden Players Club which is essentially the Japan Hall of Fame. Two thousand hits or 200 wins grants a player automatic membership.
Only about 40 players in the history of Japan Pro Baseball have collected at least 2000 hits.
Matsui is four short of 2000 with two games left in Florida. The chances are good that the folks in Milwaukee may have a bunch of additional hotel rooms to fill.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Decisions
I don't know which sport is toughest to coach or manage. Some might think football for the seeming complexities of offense and defense. While football may have one head coach the modern game is actually only overseen by the head man. His top assistants on offense and defense do most of the actual coaching.
In basketball the head coach does run the show, but the show only involves five players at a time and the game being in nearly constant motion does not call for many direct strategic decisions. During time outs coaches can instruct players exactly what they want done. Once play begins it is the players that have to make the decisions.
Baseball is a little different. The manager can have hand in everything but making the actual plays or swinging the actual bat. He can decide where he wants the defense positioned. He can decide who is going to pitch and against whom. He can decide not only the starting lineup, but who and when bench players are used. Inside the game he decides when to steal, bunt, hit and run, change pitchers, call for intentional walks and position the defense.
A good manager has a feel for all of the above while having the confidence of his players that he has a reason and knows what he is doing.
Some managers eschewed the traditional and were big winners. Earl Weaver during his big years in Baltimore rarely used a sacrifice bunt. His pitchers might bunt, but hardly ever anyone else. He did not believe in giving away an out. While modern sabermaticians claim there is little value in stealing bases, Walter Alston with the Maury Wills, Willie Davis teams stole bases with abandon. Al Lopez had the "Go-Go" White Sox of the late 50s and early 60s. And Whitey Herzog used the stolen base with Lou Brock and other Cardinals in the early 70s.
The point is that there are different ways of using the talent on hand in the most effective way. But the most important factor of all may be having that talent have confidence in the manager and coaching staff calling the shots.
It is evident that many of the managerial calls by Astros skipper Cecil Cooper befuddle his own team. The fact that Coop does not manage by "hunch" but uses standard tradition to make moves, but often fails to take into account exceptions to those traditions often mystifies.
More often than not he will manage based on the old lefty-righty concept. That simply means a lefthanded pitcher has a better chance of getting a lefthanded hitter out than a righty with the reverse also true.
Statistics from baseball history show that to be true. But statistics don't take into account the variables that alter them in individual cases. There are some pitchers than defy the stats and do better agains those they should have more trouble with. Its the same with hitters. Then there are the truly great players for whom the statistics don't apply.
Monday night in Florida was one of those exceptions. In the 4th inning with two out and runner on second base he elected to walk lefthanded hitter Nick Johnson to face a righthanded hitter with his righty reliever Chris Sampson on the mound.
Using the old percentage theory that might not have been so bad. Except it was horrid. He walked a pretty good hitter for a GREAT hitter. In fact he walked Johnson to face the National League's leading hitter. He was going to put an extra man on base to pitch to all star shortstop Hanley Ramirez who was hitting right at .350 with 74 runs batted in.
After the game at least three players approached broadcasters wonderingwhat what said about that. Actually little was said in a critical manner on the air. The move made for some raised eyebrows. The fact that some players wondered what may have been said tells a lot.
The bad part about all of this is that this team would not likely be any better or worse with a different manager. There are holes in the club. There are injuries with the club. There are players who are not doing their job well. Sometimes the manager and coaches don't either. But they don't make the pitches and swing the bats. The onus still has to rest with the guys that do.
In basketball the head coach does run the show, but the show only involves five players at a time and the game being in nearly constant motion does not call for many direct strategic decisions. During time outs coaches can instruct players exactly what they want done. Once play begins it is the players that have to make the decisions.
Baseball is a little different. The manager can have hand in everything but making the actual plays or swinging the actual bat. He can decide where he wants the defense positioned. He can decide who is going to pitch and against whom. He can decide not only the starting lineup, but who and when bench players are used. Inside the game he decides when to steal, bunt, hit and run, change pitchers, call for intentional walks and position the defense.
A good manager has a feel for all of the above while having the confidence of his players that he has a reason and knows what he is doing.
Some managers eschewed the traditional and were big winners. Earl Weaver during his big years in Baltimore rarely used a sacrifice bunt. His pitchers might bunt, but hardly ever anyone else. He did not believe in giving away an out. While modern sabermaticians claim there is little value in stealing bases, Walter Alston with the Maury Wills, Willie Davis teams stole bases with abandon. Al Lopez had the "Go-Go" White Sox of the late 50s and early 60s. And Whitey Herzog used the stolen base with Lou Brock and other Cardinals in the early 70s.
The point is that there are different ways of using the talent on hand in the most effective way. But the most important factor of all may be having that talent have confidence in the manager and coaching staff calling the shots.
It is evident that many of the managerial calls by Astros skipper Cecil Cooper befuddle his own team. The fact that Coop does not manage by "hunch" but uses standard tradition to make moves, but often fails to take into account exceptions to those traditions often mystifies.
More often than not he will manage based on the old lefty-righty concept. That simply means a lefthanded pitcher has a better chance of getting a lefthanded hitter out than a righty with the reverse also true.
Statistics from baseball history show that to be true. But statistics don't take into account the variables that alter them in individual cases. There are some pitchers than defy the stats and do better agains those they should have more trouble with. Its the same with hitters. Then there are the truly great players for whom the statistics don't apply.
Monday night in Florida was one of those exceptions. In the 4th inning with two out and runner on second base he elected to walk lefthanded hitter Nick Johnson to face a righthanded hitter with his righty reliever Chris Sampson on the mound.
Using the old percentage theory that might not have been so bad. Except it was horrid. He walked a pretty good hitter for a GREAT hitter. In fact he walked Johnson to face the National League's leading hitter. He was going to put an extra man on base to pitch to all star shortstop Hanley Ramirez who was hitting right at .350 with 74 runs batted in.
After the game at least three players approached broadcasters wonderingwhat what said about that. Actually little was said in a critical manner on the air. The move made for some raised eyebrows. The fact that some players wondered what may have been said tells a lot.
The bad part about all of this is that this team would not likely be any better or worse with a different manager. There are holes in the club. There are injuries with the club. There are players who are not doing their job well. Sometimes the manager and coaches don't either. But they don't make the pitches and swing the bats. The onus still has to rest with the guys that do.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Pitching...and One Big Hit
All it took for the Astros to win their series from the Brewers was outstanding pitching and a two run homer. Wandy Rodriguez, Jeff Fulchino and Jose Valverde provided the pitching... Geoff Blum provided the two run homer.
Blum who declined to tell fans on FS Houston or Astros radio about his heroics immediately following the game, claiming he needed to be iced down and still have time to say good-bye to his family before the week long road trip commenced, was able to find time in the clubhouse to speak. He acknowledged hit hit was the single biggest blow in the game in which the Astros squandered some chances to score more. The real story, though, was the pitching of Wandy Rodriguez and those that followed. Rodriguez got his 11th win and Valverde his 15th save although he made things scary in the ninth. A couple of questionable third strike calls against Mike Cameron and Ryan Braun with the tying runs on base helped a great deal.
Oh, and the Astros won the series. At 55-56 still under .500 and only in a tie with Milwaukee behind both the Cubs and Cards, but it was still progress.
Pitcher Mike Hampton was diagnosed with some torn tissue in his knee area, but right now that it is not bad enough to disable him or for him to miss a start. That could change in the next couple days. If it does the Astros could have 40% of the Round Rock staff in the Astros rotation with Norris and Bazardo two of the five.
Lance Berkman? Expected to return sometime during this four game series in Florida. He still feels discomfort in the left calf, but the waiting period may have to end. His bat is needed. You DID notice that although the Astros won on Sunday they only scored two runs.
As I write this waiting for bags to be delivered to the hotel the travelling party is ensconced in the hotel in the Sunny Isles area. Four big games even though out of the division. The only way to stay close to the Cubs and Cards is to win and hope one or both loses a few.
ASTROS TV
Pregame for the games from Florida all start at 5:30 Houston time with first pitches set for 6:10. As usual all games on Fox Sports Houston. Please join myself, Bill Brown, Jim Deshaies along with our crew in Houston headed by Kevin Eschenfelder.
Blum who declined to tell fans on FS Houston or Astros radio about his heroics immediately following the game, claiming he needed to be iced down and still have time to say good-bye to his family before the week long road trip commenced, was able to find time in the clubhouse to speak. He acknowledged hit hit was the single biggest blow in the game in which the Astros squandered some chances to score more. The real story, though, was the pitching of Wandy Rodriguez and those that followed. Rodriguez got his 11th win and Valverde his 15th save although he made things scary in the ninth. A couple of questionable third strike calls against Mike Cameron and Ryan Braun with the tying runs on base helped a great deal.
Oh, and the Astros won the series. At 55-56 still under .500 and only in a tie with Milwaukee behind both the Cubs and Cards, but it was still progress.
Pitcher Mike Hampton was diagnosed with some torn tissue in his knee area, but right now that it is not bad enough to disable him or for him to miss a start. That could change in the next couple days. If it does the Astros could have 40% of the Round Rock staff in the Astros rotation with Norris and Bazardo two of the five.
Lance Berkman? Expected to return sometime during this four game series in Florida. He still feels discomfort in the left calf, but the waiting period may have to end. His bat is needed. You DID notice that although the Astros won on Sunday they only scored two runs.
As I write this waiting for bags to be delivered to the hotel the travelling party is ensconced in the hotel in the Sunny Isles area. Four big games even though out of the division. The only way to stay close to the Cubs and Cards is to win and hope one or both loses a few.
ASTROS TV
Pregame for the games from Florida all start at 5:30 Houston time with first pitches set for 6:10. As usual all games on Fox Sports Houston. Please join myself, Bill Brown, Jim Deshaies along with our crew in Houston headed by Kevin Eschenfelder.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Unfair To Judge Bazardo
While it will take quite a while for Yorman Bazardo to get his earned run average down to a comfortable number his nearly total ineffectiveness shown in his Astro debut must be discounted. Not only was there no plan for him to pitch on Saturday--his skipper, Cecil Cooper, had told the media and presumably Bazardo that he would not see any action until Sunday at the earliest. The fact that he had been a starting pitcher as recently as Wednesday was behind that decision.
When Mike Hampton had to leave the game with a strained knee after just two innings plans had to change. Had Mike simply continued to be ineffective he likely would have stayed in the game to save the bullpen. But when he had to come out so early, Hello Yorman, let us show you the mound.
He faced ten hitters in the Milwaukee third giving up five runs...only three earned,but since it was his own error that made two of them unearned it was still on him. He walked three and threw 41 pitches. We won't see Bazardo for a few days now. It will take that long for him to bounce back.
While the Astros still hang around the pennant race they are slowly losing ground. Apparently no starting pitchers other than Oswalt, Rodriguez and now Bud Norris are capable of keeping games close enough to win. At least Rodriguez returns on Sunday and Roy Oswalt is expected back on Tuesday.
Lance Berkman should be playing again during the Florida series. Hope his bat will be up to speed right away. The Astros need it.
Will Mike Hampton's strained knee cause problems with the rotation? The way things have been going? Of course it will. Stay tuned.
When Mike Hampton had to leave the game with a strained knee after just two innings plans had to change. Had Mike simply continued to be ineffective he likely would have stayed in the game to save the bullpen. But when he had to come out so early, Hello Yorman, let us show you the mound.
He faced ten hitters in the Milwaukee third giving up five runs...only three earned,but since it was his own error that made two of them unearned it was still on him. He walked three and threw 41 pitches. We won't see Bazardo for a few days now. It will take that long for him to bounce back.
While the Astros still hang around the pennant race they are slowly losing ground. Apparently no starting pitchers other than Oswalt, Rodriguez and now Bud Norris are capable of keeping games close enough to win. At least Rodriguez returns on Sunday and Roy Oswalt is expected back on Tuesday.
Lance Berkman should be playing again during the Florida series. Hope his bat will be up to speed right away. The Astros need it.
Will Mike Hampton's strained knee cause problems with the rotation? The way things have been going? Of course it will. Stay tuned.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Nice Nice Win
I'm not going to worry about where the Astros are in the standings for awhile. At five back they have to play well and hope the leaders don't play quite so well. On Friday night the Astros played well. Fans saw a good game. And that is the whole point isn't it?
Bud Norris made his Minute Maid debut and did not disappoint. He wasn't as sharp as in St. Louis, but he was still pretty darn good. In fact had he been playing in St. Louis he would have duplicated his no run outing. The home run hit by Jason Kendall would have been a fly ball and an out in St. Louis. Here it was long enough to reach the front row of the Landry Crawford Boxes for a two run homer--the only runs Norris allowed in six innings.
He could have been better. He walked five and threw 105 pitches in just six innings. But he proved to be very hard to hit. He allowed only three safeties and one of them was that fly ball homer.
Bud Norris is what Astro fans hope Felipe Paulino can be. As good as Bud is Felipe still has greater raw stuff. But he has two glaring differences as a pitcher. Norris' stuff has great movement and most of the time he is ahead in counts. Felipe rarely walks many, but falls behind too often and comes in with pitches that are hittable. Still, give Paulino time and he and Bud may be the next generation leaders on this club in a couple seasons.
Praise must go to Jason Michaels, a favorite whipping boy this season. He has never really hit for the average or power his past major league record would indicate he is capable of. Over the last two games he has.
Filling in for the mildly injured (we hope) Michael Bourn he drove in two runs Wednesday with a key double and Friday he drove in four with a solo and three run homer...only the second time he has hit two home runs in the major league game. Both came with Ed Wade in charge. First time in Philadelphia and now in Houston.
The Astros will have Mike Hampton on the mound Saturday, but there is good news. Wandy Rodriguez has been pronounced fit to start on Sunday. Roy Oswalt may not be on the mound till Tuesday, but on Friday he was optimistic.
As for Lance Berkman he is ready to play, but the club remains cautious and wants to be absolutely sure his injured calf is healed enough.
It was suprising to see Lance catch one of the pre game ceremonial pitches out of a catcher's crouch which is not easy on the calves before the game. So, I suspect he may be about ready to return.
Good win for the Astros Friday. By the way, thanks to all who took part in our in game discussion on Facebook. We will attempt to use that location the rest of the season. We'll pose some questions for response and just talk baseball in general. Meanwhile, since it IS possible to jump between Facebook and Twitter I will continue what I have been doing on Twitter as well.
While baseball is my focus don't forget both sites will be covering other sports when they are in season as well and Facebook already offers Texans news and interviews.
Saturday's Astro game starts at 6:05... Astros Live Pregame on FS Houston commences at 5:30. If you are not at the game we will see you on Fox Sports Houston.
Bud Norris made his Minute Maid debut and did not disappoint. He wasn't as sharp as in St. Louis, but he was still pretty darn good. In fact had he been playing in St. Louis he would have duplicated his no run outing. The home run hit by Jason Kendall would have been a fly ball and an out in St. Louis. Here it was long enough to reach the front row of the Landry Crawford Boxes for a two run homer--the only runs Norris allowed in six innings.
He could have been better. He walked five and threw 105 pitches in just six innings. But he proved to be very hard to hit. He allowed only three safeties and one of them was that fly ball homer.
Bud Norris is what Astro fans hope Felipe Paulino can be. As good as Bud is Felipe still has greater raw stuff. But he has two glaring differences as a pitcher. Norris' stuff has great movement and most of the time he is ahead in counts. Felipe rarely walks many, but falls behind too often and comes in with pitches that are hittable. Still, give Paulino time and he and Bud may be the next generation leaders on this club in a couple seasons.
Praise must go to Jason Michaels, a favorite whipping boy this season. He has never really hit for the average or power his past major league record would indicate he is capable of. Over the last two games he has.
Filling in for the mildly injured (we hope) Michael Bourn he drove in two runs Wednesday with a key double and Friday he drove in four with a solo and three run homer...only the second time he has hit two home runs in the major league game. Both came with Ed Wade in charge. First time in Philadelphia and now in Houston.
The Astros will have Mike Hampton on the mound Saturday, but there is good news. Wandy Rodriguez has been pronounced fit to start on Sunday. Roy Oswalt may not be on the mound till Tuesday, but on Friday he was optimistic.
As for Lance Berkman he is ready to play, but the club remains cautious and wants to be absolutely sure his injured calf is healed enough.
It was suprising to see Lance catch one of the pre game ceremonial pitches out of a catcher's crouch which is not easy on the calves before the game. So, I suspect he may be about ready to return.
Good win for the Astros Friday. By the way, thanks to all who took part in our in game discussion on Facebook. We will attempt to use that location the rest of the season. We'll pose some questions for response and just talk baseball in general. Meanwhile, since it IS possible to jump between Facebook and Twitter I will continue what I have been doing on Twitter as well.
While baseball is my focus don't forget both sites will be covering other sports when they are in season as well and Facebook already offers Texans news and interviews.
Saturday's Astro game starts at 6:05... Astros Live Pregame on FS Houston commences at 5:30. If you are not at the game we will see you on Fox Sports Houston.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Oh Well, Is only a Game
Thank goodness that sports is supposed to be a diversion and not the average person's life. Otherwise there might be more people than normal needing medical attention. The Astros are sick, but they are only a sports team. The concern for their health should be mostly a matter for the ownership, management and players. The fans? Just enjoy what you can get. Its a game after all.
I know, that analysis really doesn't cut it with those who live and die with the success for failure of our sports teams. There just are no quick fixes in sports no matter how much money a team can spend or how astute a general manager or field manager or coach is.
The Texans are just starting training camp and have lost a key defensive back to a broken leg. The Astros are still playing without their top hitter, Lance Berkman and have their two top starting pitchers in various degrees of injury. So, when the team suddenly starts playing sub .500 baseball it should be no surprise.
Thats not to say it still doesn't hurt! Tuesdays loss to the Giants was one of the longest 2:49 games ever played. It seemed to drag and drag. That was primarily because the Astros were never in the 8-1 loss.
The Wednesday afternoon game was different. The Astros actually led 3-0 after two on some great play by seldom used Jason Michaels. His double drove in two and his hustle scored the third. He scored from second base on an infield hit with two out by Kazuo Matsui because he did what every player is supposed to do, but many don't. He started running hard on the crack of the bat and never stopped.
Unfortunately that was the the highlight of the game. A five run 6th off Brian Moehler turned the game the other way permanently. The big hit...and one of few hit hard off Brian the whole game was a grand slam homer by Eli Whiteside. It was his first homer and obviously his first grand slam. It also won the game.
The Giants got more runs off Tim Byrdak thanks to a triple surredered by Chris Sampson with Tim's runner (Freddy Sanchez) on first with two out. They got two more off a wild Alberto Arias in the top of the 9th and took a 10-4 lead to the home half.
Hunter Pence hit a two run two out homer to close the final score to 10-6. So fans saw some offense, but also another Astro loss to drop the club two games under .500.
If Bud Norris can be strong again on Friday and Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez are ready to resume their solid seasons and if Lance Berkman can get back in action by the end of the weekend this club still has a lot of wins in them. Catching the Cards and Cubs will be a long shot since now they have to falter to help. Both appear to be about to go in the other direction.
NEXT UP ON FOX SPORTS HOUSTON
We will the the Brewer series starting Friday with Astros Live Pregame at 6:30... Saturday will be as usual an hour earlier and Sunday will commence with Astros Live Pregame at 12:30. Have a day off from baseball on Thursday and be with us on the air and on the internet (Twitter and Facebook resuming Friday.)
I know, that analysis really doesn't cut it with those who live and die with the success for failure of our sports teams. There just are no quick fixes in sports no matter how much money a team can spend or how astute a general manager or field manager or coach is.
The Texans are just starting training camp and have lost a key defensive back to a broken leg. The Astros are still playing without their top hitter, Lance Berkman and have their two top starting pitchers in various degrees of injury. So, when the team suddenly starts playing sub .500 baseball it should be no surprise.
Thats not to say it still doesn't hurt! Tuesdays loss to the Giants was one of the longest 2:49 games ever played. It seemed to drag and drag. That was primarily because the Astros were never in the 8-1 loss.
The Wednesday afternoon game was different. The Astros actually led 3-0 after two on some great play by seldom used Jason Michaels. His double drove in two and his hustle scored the third. He scored from second base on an infield hit with two out by Kazuo Matsui because he did what every player is supposed to do, but many don't. He started running hard on the crack of the bat and never stopped.
Unfortunately that was the the highlight of the game. A five run 6th off Brian Moehler turned the game the other way permanently. The big hit...and one of few hit hard off Brian the whole game was a grand slam homer by Eli Whiteside. It was his first homer and obviously his first grand slam. It also won the game.
The Giants got more runs off Tim Byrdak thanks to a triple surredered by Chris Sampson with Tim's runner (Freddy Sanchez) on first with two out. They got two more off a wild Alberto Arias in the top of the 9th and took a 10-4 lead to the home half.
Hunter Pence hit a two run two out homer to close the final score to 10-6. So fans saw some offense, but also another Astro loss to drop the club two games under .500.
If Bud Norris can be strong again on Friday and Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez are ready to resume their solid seasons and if Lance Berkman can get back in action by the end of the weekend this club still has a lot of wins in them. Catching the Cards and Cubs will be a long shot since now they have to falter to help. Both appear to be about to go in the other direction.
NEXT UP ON FOX SPORTS HOUSTON
We will the the Brewer series starting Friday with Astros Live Pregame at 6:30... Saturday will be as usual an hour earlier and Sunday will commence with Astros Live Pregame at 12:30. Have a day off from baseball on Thursday and be with us on the air and on the internet (Twitter and Facebook resuming Friday.)
Its Game Time Wednesday vs SF
All right now... let's see if this running blog will get responses from fans. Astros about to go against the Giants in game three of the series. Even with the bad taste from last night we must not forget a win today gives the Astros the series two games to one.
Looks like Wandy will probably be OK to pitch on the weekend, but not Roy... His next target is Tues or Wed of next week at Florida...keep your fingers crossed.
As the game unfolds I will offer some thoughts. I would look forward to hearing from you, too.
Looks like Wandy will probably be OK to pitch on the weekend, but not Roy... His next target is Tues or Wed of next week at Florida...keep your fingers crossed.
As the game unfolds I will offer some thoughts. I would look forward to hearing from you, too.
I've Slept on It
After Tuesday night's 8-1 loss to the Giants, one of the most dreadful games played by the Astros this season I wanted to wait till morning to put my thoughts in print. You know, let a little time pass for a less emotional and more reflective look.
You know what? That game STILL was dreadful. However, it does deserve analysis because the starting pitcher, Felipe Paulino, has too good an arm to give up on prematurely.
Paulino has a fastball that while straighter than desired can hit 96-98 miles an hour regularly. He has a hard biting slider, a nice breaking curve and a changeup. His slider, curve and change have just the right speed differential from his fastball to be effective. One thing he does not have is what makes Brian Moehler an effective pitcher without the stuff of Felipe. Paulino cannot consistently control or command any of those pitches.
Like a man who gets a new power tool for Christmas every year and has a fully equipped garage but has yet to build so much as a bird house because he doesn't know how--that is Felipe Paulino. He has every tool needed to be a major league winning pitcher. He doesn't appear to have the foggiest idea how. Or of more concern doesn't have the physical skill to use those tools.
He can learn how to pitch. He can learn what he should be doing. Can his body develop the mechanical consistency to be able to place his pitches in areas smaller than just the actual strike zone is the question.
I suppose he needs to start with the strike zone in total then go for spots within. Right now he is not commanding the strike zone as rookie Bud Norris did so impressively in his first start. Simply put that just means Paulino has to learn how to throw strike one and get ahead of the hitter. All the "stuff" in the world does no good if hitters can start to eliminate much of it due to low percentages of strikes thrown.
That was often what happened and still does when Brad Lidge has problems. He is a two pitch pitcher... fastball and slider. While both are outstanding Brad often has stretches where one or the other is just not hitting the strike zone. Hitters recognize that and just look for whichever they know he will likely throw when he has to have a strike.
In Paulino's case they generally wait for his fastball. Hitting a 97 mile an hour fastball is not easy even if you are waiting for it. Sometimes a hitter will start that swing, think he is right on the ball and it will just dip or move just enough it still is not squared up...or hit at all.
With Paulino since his fast ball does not have much movement if it is coming down the heart of the plate it will likely still be in that plane when it gets to the hitting zone. That is one of the reason why a pitcher with as much total stuff as Felipe can give up so many hits over such a short period as he did in the first couple innings Tuesday.
When Paulino has his arsenal hitting the strike zone he can be as tough as any pitcher in the game even with a straight fast ball. It just doesn't often enough.
But he is young. Players do get it. The Astros hope Paulino is one of those.
Then there is Brian Moehler. That man is a pitcher. His fastball rarely gets to 90, but 80% of the time when he pitches he hits spots. He throws his stuff to spots and he hits them. When he misses he is easier to hit than hurlers like Paulino because he doesn't throw as hard. Yet that doesn't happen often because Moehler knows all he has to do is throw the ball where the hitter can't get the fat of the bat on it and he will win the battle. His opponents hit some long flys, some solid grounders, and he will occasionally have a rough inning. He rarely has a rough game. The hard throwers when they don't have control often have both as long as they stay in.
An ideal pitching staff would have some of everything... righthanders, lefthanders, hard throwers, control pitchers. There would be some older vets and some young guns. The Astros have all of that, but they also need all five starters give the club a chance to win every night.
That will be the goal the rest of this season. If an NL Central pennant can somehow miraculously come out of it too...that will be a pleasant bonus.
FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
Join me later today on Facebook as we try to bring more action to this site as well as Twitter. I will probably pose some questions for response on a new blog that I will post before game time. We will try to utilize the "comments" section at the bottom of the blogs to start the dialogue. I admit I am experimenting with where and how to handle fan interaction that is most convenient and easy for me to deal with during game since I will be manning both this site and Twitter. I used the main body of Facebook Tuesday night. It worked OK, but I want to try working off this blog on Wednesday. The main advantage of the dialogue on Facebook is the lack of keystroke limits. Fans--and I--can be more expressive. Hope I can hear from you later today. Remember Astros Live Pregame on FS Houston starts at 12:30. I will have Geoff Blum as my pregame guest. Kevin Eschenfelder will anchor the show with input from me, BB and JD and Patti Smith among other voices and faces. Game time itself is 1:05, also on Fox Sports Houston.
You know what? That game STILL was dreadful. However, it does deserve analysis because the starting pitcher, Felipe Paulino, has too good an arm to give up on prematurely.
Paulino has a fastball that while straighter than desired can hit 96-98 miles an hour regularly. He has a hard biting slider, a nice breaking curve and a changeup. His slider, curve and change have just the right speed differential from his fastball to be effective. One thing he does not have is what makes Brian Moehler an effective pitcher without the stuff of Felipe. Paulino cannot consistently control or command any of those pitches.
Like a man who gets a new power tool for Christmas every year and has a fully equipped garage but has yet to build so much as a bird house because he doesn't know how--that is Felipe Paulino. He has every tool needed to be a major league winning pitcher. He doesn't appear to have the foggiest idea how. Or of more concern doesn't have the physical skill to use those tools.
He can learn how to pitch. He can learn what he should be doing. Can his body develop the mechanical consistency to be able to place his pitches in areas smaller than just the actual strike zone is the question.
I suppose he needs to start with the strike zone in total then go for spots within. Right now he is not commanding the strike zone as rookie Bud Norris did so impressively in his first start. Simply put that just means Paulino has to learn how to throw strike one and get ahead of the hitter. All the "stuff" in the world does no good if hitters can start to eliminate much of it due to low percentages of strikes thrown.
That was often what happened and still does when Brad Lidge has problems. He is a two pitch pitcher... fastball and slider. While both are outstanding Brad often has stretches where one or the other is just not hitting the strike zone. Hitters recognize that and just look for whichever they know he will likely throw when he has to have a strike.
In Paulino's case they generally wait for his fastball. Hitting a 97 mile an hour fastball is not easy even if you are waiting for it. Sometimes a hitter will start that swing, think he is right on the ball and it will just dip or move just enough it still is not squared up...or hit at all.
With Paulino since his fast ball does not have much movement if it is coming down the heart of the plate it will likely still be in that plane when it gets to the hitting zone. That is one of the reason why a pitcher with as much total stuff as Felipe can give up so many hits over such a short period as he did in the first couple innings Tuesday.
When Paulino has his arsenal hitting the strike zone he can be as tough as any pitcher in the game even with a straight fast ball. It just doesn't often enough.
But he is young. Players do get it. The Astros hope Paulino is one of those.
Then there is Brian Moehler. That man is a pitcher. His fastball rarely gets to 90, but 80% of the time when he pitches he hits spots. He throws his stuff to spots and he hits them. When he misses he is easier to hit than hurlers like Paulino because he doesn't throw as hard. Yet that doesn't happen often because Moehler knows all he has to do is throw the ball where the hitter can't get the fat of the bat on it and he will win the battle. His opponents hit some long flys, some solid grounders, and he will occasionally have a rough inning. He rarely has a rough game. The hard throwers when they don't have control often have both as long as they stay in.
An ideal pitching staff would have some of everything... righthanders, lefthanders, hard throwers, control pitchers. There would be some older vets and some young guns. The Astros have all of that, but they also need all five starters give the club a chance to win every night.
That will be the goal the rest of this season. If an NL Central pennant can somehow miraculously come out of it too...that will be a pleasant bonus.
FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
Join me later today on Facebook as we try to bring more action to this site as well as Twitter. I will probably pose some questions for response on a new blog that I will post before game time. We will try to utilize the "comments" section at the bottom of the blogs to start the dialogue. I admit I am experimenting with where and how to handle fan interaction that is most convenient and easy for me to deal with during game since I will be manning both this site and Twitter. I used the main body of Facebook Tuesday night. It worked OK, but I want to try working off this blog on Wednesday. The main advantage of the dialogue on Facebook is the lack of keystroke limits. Fans--and I--can be more expressive. Hope I can hear from you later today. Remember Astros Live Pregame on FS Houston starts at 12:30. I will have Geoff Blum as my pregame guest. Kevin Eschenfelder will anchor the show with input from me, BB and JD and Patti Smith among other voices and faces. Game time itself is 1:05, also on Fox Sports Houston.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Again the Greatest Game Proves It!
Everyone who knows me is aware I have great respect for every sport played the the athletes who devote hours and years to being the best they can be. I have respect for sports I don't particulary follow or know who some of the top athletes are. Soccer is a great sport. Basketball is a great sport. Hockey is a great sport. Football is a great sport.
But don't anyone ever try to convince me there is a sport BETTER than baseball. On any given game anything can happen. Sometimes a team wins that should have no chance. The Astros did that on Monday night. Mike Hampton who has been pitching slightly better than your grandmother of late defeated one of the top candidates for the 2009 Cy Young Award, Matt Cain. This sort of thing happens in baseball. It was no fluke. The veteran Hampton pulled out of his first inning hell by allowing ONLY one run this time. That turned out to be the only earned run he would give up in pitching six innings. After he had thrown his last pitch in the top of the 6th the Astros trailed 2-1. But when Kazuo Matsui ripped a home run off the right field foul pole Hampton was a leader and a happy man. But he wasn't the only one. Everyone of the 29, 825 fans in the park were too. And not just because the Astros had the lead. The ball by hitting the foul pole made all ticket stubs from tonight worth a free chicken sandwich tomorrow at a local chain.
The Astros bullpen then had the job of holding the lead. Chris Sampson and Alberto Arias each tossed a scoreless inning. In the last of the 8th Hunter Pence tripled with two outs and was driven home on the third hit of the game by Carlos Lee, a single to right field.
Good thing the Astros added that extra run because Jose Valverde gave up a run on two hits in the ninth before he closed things out and picked up his 13th save.
In successive games the Astros have now defeated Adam Wainwright and Matt Cain. Who said this team was dead after their 2-5 road trip through Chicago and St. Louis.
Sure, they've lost some ground in thelast week. But they got a half game of it back against idle St. Louis. The Cubs beat Cincinnati to move into a virtual tie for the top of the NL Central. So the club is not in awful shape.
Of course, they are still playing without Berkman and Erstad. Oswalt and Rodriguez are in "iffy" condition right now. Felipe Paulino is coming back to pitch Tuesday. He had one of his horrid starts against the Giants in early July. He has had some good ones and the Astros need one of those on Tuesday. He may have to stay in the rotation for awhile.
This is the greatest game because you just never know. It is two different teams meeting every single night because there are new men on the mound. We'll see that again on Tuesday.
TELECAST INFO
Tuesday's game is again a 7:05 start. Astros Live Pregame begins at 6:30. Its on Fox Sports Houston.
But don't anyone ever try to convince me there is a sport BETTER than baseball. On any given game anything can happen. Sometimes a team wins that should have no chance. The Astros did that on Monday night. Mike Hampton who has been pitching slightly better than your grandmother of late defeated one of the top candidates for the 2009 Cy Young Award, Matt Cain. This sort of thing happens in baseball. It was no fluke. The veteran Hampton pulled out of his first inning hell by allowing ONLY one run this time. That turned out to be the only earned run he would give up in pitching six innings. After he had thrown his last pitch in the top of the 6th the Astros trailed 2-1. But when Kazuo Matsui ripped a home run off the right field foul pole Hampton was a leader and a happy man. But he wasn't the only one. Everyone of the 29, 825 fans in the park were too. And not just because the Astros had the lead. The ball by hitting the foul pole made all ticket stubs from tonight worth a free chicken sandwich tomorrow at a local chain.
The Astros bullpen then had the job of holding the lead. Chris Sampson and Alberto Arias each tossed a scoreless inning. In the last of the 8th Hunter Pence tripled with two outs and was driven home on the third hit of the game by Carlos Lee, a single to right field.
Good thing the Astros added that extra run because Jose Valverde gave up a run on two hits in the ninth before he closed things out and picked up his 13th save.
In successive games the Astros have now defeated Adam Wainwright and Matt Cain. Who said this team was dead after their 2-5 road trip through Chicago and St. Louis.
Sure, they've lost some ground in thelast week. But they got a half game of it back against idle St. Louis. The Cubs beat Cincinnati to move into a virtual tie for the top of the NL Central. So the club is not in awful shape.
Of course, they are still playing without Berkman and Erstad. Oswalt and Rodriguez are in "iffy" condition right now. Felipe Paulino is coming back to pitch Tuesday. He had one of his horrid starts against the Giants in early July. He has had some good ones and the Astros need one of those on Tuesday. He may have to stay in the rotation for awhile.
This is the greatest game because you just never know. It is two different teams meeting every single night because there are new men on the mound. We'll see that again on Tuesday.
TELECAST INFO
Tuesday's game is again a 7:05 start. Astros Live Pregame begins at 6:30. Its on Fox Sports Houston.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Funny How Great Pitching Covers Up Ills
Rookie Bud Norris was outstanding in his first major league start against the Cardinals on Sunday. That is known as a lead sentence in journalism class that essentially sums up the nature of the story to follow. It also was quite an understatement.
Norris did not allow a hit until his fellow pitcher Adam Wainwright banged one up the middle in the sixth inning. No problem though. Bud never allowed himself to get in big trouble and even when he did find a couple of men on base with big hitters up he simply got them out.
Albert Pujols? No problem. (He actually wasn't a problem for any Astro pitcher as he went hitless in the three games. The Cardinals were able to win two of three because Matt Holliday WAS hitting. Until Bud Norris shut him down today that is.
The Astros didn't do much hitting themselves of course, but did just enough. Michael Bourn's double that scored Pudge Rodriguez was probably the biggest because it gave the Astros a slight bit of breathing room... a 2-0 lead.
Houston is not exactly back in the pennant race yet. The Cubs and Cards are showng signs of moving away. Maybe that is. They appear to be moving away because of what they did to the Astros this week in winning five of seven. Let's see how things play out when all three clubs are playing others.
The Astros open a series with the pitching rich Giants at MMP on Monday night. Mike Hampton is a very important start for the team and maybe even more so for himself will get the start. FS Houston returns with the telecast starting at 6:30 with Astros Live Pregame...
Keep your fingers crossed. Lance WILL return someday. Roy WILL be given a clean bill of health someday. But Bud Norris is here now. Based on his first two major league appearances he is ready to be a major factor in an Astro bounce back.
Norris did not allow a hit until his fellow pitcher Adam Wainwright banged one up the middle in the sixth inning. No problem though. Bud never allowed himself to get in big trouble and even when he did find a couple of men on base with big hitters up he simply got them out.
Albert Pujols? No problem. (He actually wasn't a problem for any Astro pitcher as he went hitless in the three games. The Cardinals were able to win two of three because Matt Holliday WAS hitting. Until Bud Norris shut him down today that is.
The Astros didn't do much hitting themselves of course, but did just enough. Michael Bourn's double that scored Pudge Rodriguez was probably the biggest because it gave the Astros a slight bit of breathing room... a 2-0 lead.
Houston is not exactly back in the pennant race yet. The Cubs and Cards are showng signs of moving away. Maybe that is. They appear to be moving away because of what they did to the Astros this week in winning five of seven. Let's see how things play out when all three clubs are playing others.
The Astros open a series with the pitching rich Giants at MMP on Monday night. Mike Hampton is a very important start for the team and maybe even more so for himself will get the start. FS Houston returns with the telecast starting at 6:30 with Astros Live Pregame...
Keep your fingers crossed. Lance WILL return someday. Roy WILL be given a clean bill of health someday. But Bud Norris is here now. Based on his first two major league appearances he is ready to be a major factor in an Astro bounce back.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The Wheels are Falling Off
The Houston Astros can do no better than win two of seven on their vitally important road trip through Chicago and St. Louis that wraps up Sunday. They have to beat a team they have not been able to down all year in its home park. They will have to do it with a rookie making his first major league start against the number one winner on the St. Louis staff.
Those are not good odds. Then when you add in that the Astros are still playing short handed without Lance Berkman and the Cardinals have the hottest hitter in baseball you see the problem. No, that hot hitter is not Albert Pujols, but recently acquired Matt Holliday. He was four for four on Friday and three for four on Saturday with two home runs. Pujols doesnt have a hit. He is the greater hitter of the two over the long haul, but not right now. The hot man is Holliday and the Astros have not been able to do anything about it.
The Cards took the lead after pitcher Chris Carpenter, who went all the way as the pitcher, doubled down the left field line with one out in he 7th. Two observations on that. Carpenter put the ball inside the third base line where most regular players would hustle out a double. He wasn't apparently of that mind at first. He was just loping down to first and appeared he would be happy with a single. But Carlos Lee was not hustling after the ball and took a long time getting it back to the infield. So, Carpenter decided to make it a double after all. OK he's on second with one out. Fulchino can get Lugo and DeRosa surely. Well, he could and did. But not until Humberto Quintero let a ball get past him to the screen for a passed ball. Carpenter again loped over to third. Now he was there with one out and scored when Lugo flied to center which turned into a sacrifice fly. DeRosa struck out to end the inning. But the Cardinals now led 2-1 on a run the Astros practically handed them.
The run was unearned, but it counted on the board and ultimately made Fulchino the losing pitcher. He did not deserve that. Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa was quite impressed with the job Jeff did after relieving Wandy Rodriguez, who left the game after four with a hamstring strain. Fulchino threw three innings with no earned runs. He only had one inning of mild trouble and an error by Hunter Pence helped set that up. He allowed Lugo to move to third on a two out single by DeRosa which brought Pujols up. Fulchino got Albert to end the inning with a grounder to third.
Cecil Cooper brought in Jose Valverde to pitch the 8th even with the Astros trailing 2-1 and Jose surrendered the insurance run on Holliday's second homer.
Houston's only run came on a solo homer by Lee leading off the 4th. It was a 403 footer and his 18th this season and 299th for his career. He added a single later and was the only Astro with two hits.
Humberto Quintero, however, did him one better. "Q" had a perfect night at the plate- 3 for 3.. but an imperfect one behind it.
NEXT UP
Bud Norris makes his major league starting debut Sunday in the 1:15 finale of this series and trip. He faces the Cards top winner, Adam Wainwright, who brings a 12-6 2.80 record to the table. The Astros will have to pull together quickly to keep from sliding totally out of contention. That will not be easy with Berkman still out, Oswalt still questionable and now Wandy Rodriguez with a hamstring strain. Most fans realize that. They also know that a club can play well and still lose. That has not been the case at all times with this unit.
Those are not good odds. Then when you add in that the Astros are still playing short handed without Lance Berkman and the Cardinals have the hottest hitter in baseball you see the problem. No, that hot hitter is not Albert Pujols, but recently acquired Matt Holliday. He was four for four on Friday and three for four on Saturday with two home runs. Pujols doesnt have a hit. He is the greater hitter of the two over the long haul, but not right now. The hot man is Holliday and the Astros have not been able to do anything about it.
The Cards took the lead after pitcher Chris Carpenter, who went all the way as the pitcher, doubled down the left field line with one out in he 7th. Two observations on that. Carpenter put the ball inside the third base line where most regular players would hustle out a double. He wasn't apparently of that mind at first. He was just loping down to first and appeared he would be happy with a single. But Carlos Lee was not hustling after the ball and took a long time getting it back to the infield. So, Carpenter decided to make it a double after all. OK he's on second with one out. Fulchino can get Lugo and DeRosa surely. Well, he could and did. But not until Humberto Quintero let a ball get past him to the screen for a passed ball. Carpenter again loped over to third. Now he was there with one out and scored when Lugo flied to center which turned into a sacrifice fly. DeRosa struck out to end the inning. But the Cardinals now led 2-1 on a run the Astros practically handed them.
The run was unearned, but it counted on the board and ultimately made Fulchino the losing pitcher. He did not deserve that. Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa was quite impressed with the job Jeff did after relieving Wandy Rodriguez, who left the game after four with a hamstring strain. Fulchino threw three innings with no earned runs. He only had one inning of mild trouble and an error by Hunter Pence helped set that up. He allowed Lugo to move to third on a two out single by DeRosa which brought Pujols up. Fulchino got Albert to end the inning with a grounder to third.
Cecil Cooper brought in Jose Valverde to pitch the 8th even with the Astros trailing 2-1 and Jose surrendered the insurance run on Holliday's second homer.
Houston's only run came on a solo homer by Lee leading off the 4th. It was a 403 footer and his 18th this season and 299th for his career. He added a single later and was the only Astro with two hits.
Humberto Quintero, however, did him one better. "Q" had a perfect night at the plate- 3 for 3.. but an imperfect one behind it.
NEXT UP
Bud Norris makes his major league starting debut Sunday in the 1:15 finale of this series and trip. He faces the Cards top winner, Adam Wainwright, who brings a 12-6 2.80 record to the table. The Astros will have to pull together quickly to keep from sliding totally out of contention. That will not be easy with Berkman still out, Oswalt still questionable and now Wandy Rodriguez with a hamstring strain. Most fans realize that. They also know that a club can play well and still lose. That has not been the case at all times with this unit.
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