Maybe Another Loss But Fans Entertained

The Memorial Day game between the Astros and Nationals had just about everything except the home team playing well and winning. Normally that would be enough to make the afternoon a complete washout for many fans, but not this time.

The "interesting" afternoon began when Astro pitcher Roy Oswalt was ejected by Bill Hohn in the third inning. Oswalt had been upset by Hohn's strike zone several times--most notably on a pitch to Adam Dunn in which it appeared even Dunn thought he would be called out. Hohn called the pitch a ball. Dunn then ripped a following pitch for a three run double. When Oswalt delivered a 2-2 pitch to the next hitter, Josh Willingham, that was adjudged to be wide (and it did seem to be a proper call by Hohn) Oswalt walked off the mound and motioned something toward the home plate area. Hohn thought it was directed at him and over-reacted. Oswalt told reporters later all he said was when Hohn started coming from behind home plate, "I'm not talking to you." Roy said he was stomping around more mad at himself. Hohn, who has a notorius short fuse--ask the Atlanta Braves-- and confrontational manner would have none of it and thumbed Oswalt.

Two seasons ago Doug Brocail had the same sort of reaction to his own work in a game. It was in Baltimore June 17, 2008.The home plate ump at the time, Ed Hickox, gave the signal as though he had ejected Doug for something he said. But catcher Humberto Quintero jumped in to convince Hickox that and Doug was muttering to himself for not making good pitches. Brocail was famous for yelling at himself when on the mound. Then Hickox, apparently convinced by both Q and Brocail, ignored the apparent ejection. When I ran into him on the elevator after the game said he never ejected Doug. He was only pointing for him to get back to the mound. The explanation was not the same as heard from either Brocail or Quintero.

In any event, the umpire in that case may have realized he was too quick with the hook. Bill Hohn did not. And speaking of Bill, he is persona non grata in Atlanta. In fact if you look him up on the internet there are a couple stories that sound exactly like the same thing that happened in Houston on Monday--only they involved the Braves.

The ejection of Oswalt and the Astros falling behind early 4-2 was not good, of course. The Astros would score only two more runs before the game ended and the Nationals would get 12, but the day was hardly eventful from that point.

In the top bottom of the third inning...in only his 8th major league at bat and first since 2005...Astro pitcher Gustavo Chacin lofted a home run just inside the right field foul pole. It was Chacins first major league homer and first major league hit. That made the game 4-2. It would never be that close again.

The Nationals' Nyjer Morgan did something not seen very often when he led off the 5th with a bunt single that was popped all the way into short right field. It appeared he may have even planned it. If he did it was brilliantly executed. He would later score the 5th Washington run on a single by Willingham.

Fans were very upset with the home team in the top of the 7th when Washington scored nine runs on seven hits. Wacky incidents included a single by Ian Desmond in which the throw back to the infield hit the runner and deflected away. Runners were getting extra bases. While that was going on a fan decided he had had enough (probably beer) and ran onto the field. Feeling he could escape if he ran up Tal's hill and jumped over the low wall. He was wrong. While trying to hide from view he was rousted and toted off the the slammer.

In the bottom of the 8th inning another fan made a spectacle of himself before being caught and setting a date with a county jail booking room. By now a large number of the announced 34,704 who had planned on enjoying an afternoon of Astros baseball had departed.

The greatest danger the Astros face the rest of the season is not fear what their final record may be, but apathy from the local citizenry. We are seeing it creep in on many fronts. This is not a knock on the fans. It is expensive in time and money to follow ANY sports team... Astros, Texans, Rockets, Cougars, Owls or any program. Only the most die-hard fans stick around through thick or thin. With most franchises or schools that is not enough support. The Astros will be trying as hard as they can to recapture the heart of baseball and general sports fans as the season continues. Winning games and playing well is the best way. If it is deemed this group of players no longer can get it done there will be changes. Fans must just remember in this era of big money and long term contracts it is not as easy as it was when many of our older fans were growing up and teams seemed to make multi player trades several times a year. This is a long way from a fantasy league. It WILL get done. There is simply no way to predict how quickly.