|
|
 |
|
09-05-2003, 07:13 AM
|
#1
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
2003 Series 46, Sep 5-7, @ Padres
|
|
|
|
09-05-2003, 07:18 AM
|
#2
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
TEAM NOTES
BY ALYSON FOOTER, MLB.COM
Miller gets extra day
Vizcaino gets rare start for Everett
LOS ANGELES -- Manager Jimy Williams allowed Wade Miller to pitch into the seventh inning during his start against the Dodgers on Monday because he knew the right-hander was going to have an extra day of rest during the next go-round of the rotation.
Miller threw 115 pitches through 6 2/3 innings, during which he allowed one run in the Astros' 10-1 win. Williams likely would not have allowed the pitch count to climb so high if the Astros did not have an off day Thursday, which allows everyone to pitch on five days' rest instead of four.
"That's the only reason why I sent him back out there (Monday)," Williams said. "I told him that. I knew he was going to be pitching on his sixth day."
Williams kept a close eye on Miller's pitch counts beginning after the All-Star break after the right-hander was experiencing mild soreness in his elbow in early July. Miller responded by going 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA in August, holding opponents to one run in four of five starts that month.
"We backed off after two games where he threw quite a few pitches," Williams said. "Since that time, I told myself and I told him that I'm going to back off. When we came back after the All-Star break, he was our fifth starter because we wanted to give him more time, give him time to get his arm back. Is that a reason why (he's been successful)? It probably didn't hurt."
The extra day will allow Miller to pitch one of the six games remaining with the Cardinals. Had he pitched on his fifth day, he would have missed both series with St. Louis. For that, the right-hander embraces the scheduling tweak.
"I want to match up with St. Louis," he said. "If that means getting an extra day of rest, it's fine with me."
Vizcaino starts: Adam Everett received a rare day off when Williams slotted in Jose Vizcaino as the starting shortstop Wednesday.
With Kevin Brown slated to pitch for the Dodgers, Williams saw an opportunity to add a left-handed bat and a veteran presence to Wednesday's lineup.
"We're not necessarily giving Everett a night off, we're just playing Vizcaino," Williams said.  "We've got Kevin Brown, right? Vizcaino had a couple of at-bats last night, how did he do? He came in on a double switch, he got a hit, he faced (Eric) Gagne and he hit a bullet to the center fielder."
Familiar setting: The Astros make only one trip to Los Angeles every year, but for Jeff Kent, Dodger Stadium is a very familiar venue.
Kent had plenty of at-bats at Chavez Ravine during his six-year run with the San Francisco Giants, but the second baseman refuted the idea that his recent success against the Dodgers, which includes a .529 average (7-for-19), two homers and 11 RBIs in the first two games of the series, had anything to do with having a comfort level in a familiar setting.
"It's just two games," he said. "In general, I wanted to stay in the National League because I know the facilities, I know the teams. In general, I know the players. I know somewhat what to expect. But to be more specific, no. It's not that easy to play this game. You take the good with the bad and hopefully the good outweighs the bad."
Practice pays off: Morgan Ensberg made a concerted effort to take an extra round of grounders during batting practice throughout much of this season with the hope that he would sharpen his skills fielding his position at third base.
The extra work appears to be paying dividends in the form of a more fluid motion fielding grounders and throwing to first.
"I don't know if it was an arm-angle change as much as it was working with the mechanics of throwing," he said. "It got me to the point where I was more accurate with the throws.
"I don't know what (the throws) look like, but there are some keys that help you become more accurate. The idea was not 'let's change the arm angle,' it was 'just take ground balls and work on fundamentals.' It's what to do with the ball once it goes into glove. I learned how to throw, just use more of your body. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what I learned, I just know it's more accurate."
Hispanic Heritage weekend: The Astros will celebrate their annual Hispanic Heritage Weekend during the St. Louis series from Sept. 12-14 at Minute Maid Park.
Fans will be entertained throughout the weekend with live music from the city's hottest Latin bands. Before each game there will be a special edition of Fiestas in the Park, the Astros regular Sunday-afternoon Latin music performance. Batacha (Sept. 12), Yelba (Sept. 13) and M-Pulse (Sept. 14) are scheduled to perform pre-game from the 9 Amigos Patio in center field.
Prior to the 7:05 p.m. game with St. Louis on Sept. 12, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum will induct two Astros favorites into its Hall of Fame: Dickie Thon and Alex Trevino. Thon, a resident of Puerto Rico, played in 1387 Major League games over 15 seasons including seven (1981-87) with the Astros. Trevino, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, played 13 seasons in the Major Leagues primarily as a catcher including the 1988-90 seasons with the Astros. For the past eight seasons, he has distinguished himself in the field of broadcasting as the game analyst on the Astros' Spanish radio network.
On Sept. 13, the Astros are giving away bobbleheads of first base coach Jose "Cheo" Cruz to the first 10,000 kids, 14 and under.
The weekend concludes on Sept. 14 with a 1:05 p.m. game versus the Cardinals. A poster of the 2003 Astros Team will be given away to all fans. Prior to the game, Anheuser-Busch and the Astros will make a check presentation to the Houston Chapter of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund as part of the yearlong Budweiser "Homerunazo" program. For every home run hit by the Astros during home games this season, Anheuser-Busch pledged to donate $100 to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the nation's largest Hispanic scholarship organization, for an overall donation of $10,000.
|
|
|
|
|
09-05-2003, 07:30 AM
|
#3
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
GAME 1 & SERIES PREVIEW
I've got a bad feeling about this weekend series, either that or maybe I just have gas!
by Alyson Footer @ MLB.com
Astros ready for pesky Padres
Houston (73-66) at San Diego (57-82), 9:05 p.m. CT
HOUSTON - - - The Houston Astros scored four runs off Kevin Brown in the first frame and plated four more in the ninth to take the series finale in Los Angeles, 8-2. The Astros won the season series over the Dodgers, 4-2, and more importantly, regained the top spot in the National League Central division standings.
The West Coast swing continues Friday with the first of three games with the San Diego Padres. Houston dropped two of three to the Padres during the Astros' recent 12-game homestand.
Ryan Klesko and his better than .500 average versus the Astros will not be available during this series. The Padres first baseman will undergo season-ending surgery Thursday. However, San Diego now has former Pirate Brian Giles, who played a key role in the Friars' series win in Houston last week.
"They have as good as any pitching staff in the league," Craig Biggio said. (Adam) Eaton is flat out filthy also. They've got a scary team and they can hurt you. We're in for a battle going in there for the weekend."
The Astros are 31-37 on the road this year and will play 13 of their remaining 23 games away from home.
Pitching matchups:
RHP Jared Fernandez
2-3, 4.50 in 2003
1-0, 1.50 in 2003 vs. SD
1-1, 4.20 lifetime vs. SD
RHP Adam Eaton
8-9, 4.05 in 2003
1-0, 1.29 in 2003 vs. Astros
2-0, 3.05 lifetime vs. Astros
SAT: Ron Villone v. Kevin Jarvis
SUN: Wade Miller v. Jake Peavy
Players to watch: Against Eaton, Jeff Bagwell is 3-for-10 with two homers, Lance Berkman is 2-for-6, Biggio is 4-for-10, Richard Hidalgo is 1-for-6 and Jeff Kent is 3-for-8 with one home run. Against Fernandez, Giles is 2-for-3, Mark Kotsay is 1-for-3, Mark Loretta is 0-for-3 and Phil Nevin is 5-for-7.
Quotable: "They're going to play the game hard, just as we would even if we were out of it. You play the game hard, you respect the game and give it everything you have. They play the game as hard as anybody. It's going to be tough." -- Craig Biggio, on the San Diego Padres
Quick hits: Billy Wagner needs two more saves to tie his own club record of 39, set in 1999 and 2001. ... Jeff Kent is two doubles away from reaching the 400 mark. ... Wade Miller needs one more win to reach 50 for his career.
Weather forecast: Mostly sunny in the day and clear in the evening; high of 78, low of 69.
On deck:
Friday: Astros at Padres, 9:05 p.m. CT
Saturday: Astros at Padres, 9:05 p.m. CT
Sunday: Astros at Padres, 4:05 p.m. CT
Monday: Astros at Brewers, 7:05 p.m. CT
Last edited by PopTop; 09-05-2003 at 07:33 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
09-05-2003, 02:40 PM
|
#4
|
|
Learning Japanese
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: RSN
Posts: 26,898
|
Astros sweep. 
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 08:12 AM
|
#5
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
Astros hang on for 5-4 win
Princess' prognastication is looking much better than mine so far ... This one wasn't on TV last night, at least here in this part of the world ... And by the time it started I was already getting in my jammies and about to call it an evening (That's when you know you're getting old, when you're in bed nodding off at 10 on a Friday night).
But I'm kinda' glad I didn't watch because I just don't see the point in using all those relievers to cover 4 innings of work ...And I'm also of the opinion Fernandez should be the starting pitcher tossing 120 balls per outing right now, so unless they started to really light him up in the 6th or 7th he should've been the one out there pitching when Gallo, Miceli and Lidge were throwing ... Especially since he was cooking along with 8-straight retired just before Jimy yanked him and started his "plan"
Richard Justice, Houston Chronicle
Astros edge Padres, retain lead
Relievers, home runs rescue Fernandez
SAN DIEGO -- Jared Fernandez has been one of the surprise stories of a season that has had more than a couple of them.
The Astros tried 10 starting pitchers before summoning him from Class AAA New Orleans, and perhaps more than any other pitcher in this season of a patchwork rotation, he was sent to the mound on a start-by-start basis.
With Roy Oswalt scheduled to rejoin the rotation Monday in Milwaukee, Fernandez went to the mound Friday night knowing it might be his final turn no matter what.
He once more made the most of the opportunity by surviving five uneven innings and getting the victory as the Astros got home runs from Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio to defeat the San Diego Padres 5-4 in front of 20,738 at Qualcomm Stadium.
The victory was their third in four games on this 10-game trip and allowed them to remain alone atop the National League Central Division another day.
At 74-66, they remained a half-game in front of the second-place Chicago Cubs, but opened a two-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, who lost to the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 in 12 innings.
"We see the scoreboard," Biggio said, "but we still have to win our own game. We got some help from Cincinnati tonight. It was a good day for us."
Fernandez (3-3) won for the third time in six starts, but it wasn't smooth. He went five innings, but allowed three runs, all of them coming on Phil Nevin's home run in the third.
Fernandez retired the final eight Padres he faced, but once he was through the fifth, Astros manager Jimy Williams began a parade of relievers.
"That's how it's scripted," Fernandez said. "I think we've got the best bullpen in the league, and we might as well use them.
"I'm just happy they've given me an opportunity to show what I can do. I'm excited about the opportunity, and I've learned a lot."
Williams used five relievers for the final four innings. Lefthander Mike Gallo ended a potential rally by getting Mark Kotsay to hit into a double-play grounder to end the sixth.
Octavio Dotel struck out Mark Loretta to end the seventh with the tying run on second base. He got the first two outs of the eighth. Closer Billy Wagner got the final four outs of the game for his 38th save.
The Astros trailed 3-2 in the fifth inning when Bagwell came up with two runners on base. That's when he hit his 32nd home run to give the Astros a 5-3 lead, and the bullpen made it stand up despite allowing a run in the seventh.
The win marked the 42nd time Bagwell and Biggio had homered in the same game.
"Nowadays, I have about two good swings a game, and that was one of them," Bagwell said.
Padres starter Adam Eaton (8-10) had allowed one run in seven innings to beat the Astros last weekend at Minute Maid Park. That performance was the latest in a string of good ones that had the Padres so optimistic about him.
In 16 starts before Friday, he was 9-7 with a 3.51 ERA and had pitched at least six innings 10 times.
"I think he's got one of the top 10 arms in the National League," Biggio said. "Obviously, you're in a battle. We were able to get a couple of hits."
But Friday, Eaton lasted just six innings and allowed five runs, including the Bagwell and Biggio home runs.
Eaton fell behind early. Lance Berkman singled with one out in the second inning and came home when Richard Hidalgo lined a double into left-center field.
Biggio hit his 13th home run in the third to make it 2-0.
The Padres jumped on Fernandez in the bottom of the inning when Sean Burroughs drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a Brian Giles single.
Fernandez then left a full-count knuckleball in the middle of the plate, and Nevin crushed it to right-center for his eighth home run and a 3-2 San Diego lead.
But the Astros got those runs right back in the fifth. After Biggio and Geoff Blum led off with singles, Eaton started Bagwell off with a curveball.
The pitch was low and inside, but Bagwell went down and got it, sending a towering three-home run to left to give the Astros a 5-3 lead.
"I'm sure he's upset with the pitch, but it wasn't bad," Bagwell said. "I just happened to go out and get it."
He was right about Eaton being upset.
"It was a good pitch for that upper-cut swing he has," Eaton said. "I wish it had broken side to side instead of straight down."
Williams went to his bullpen at that point. Righthander Dan Miceli got Nevin on a fly to right to open the inning. But when Gary Matthews singled, Williams brought in the lefthander Gallo to face the lefthanded-hitting Kotsay.
Gallo did his job nicely in getting Kotsay on a double-play grounder to third baseman Blum to the end the sixth.
Williams went for Brad Lidge to open the seventh. He wrapped two strikeouts around a walk to Gary Bennett, and Burroughs drove in Bennett, who had stolen second, with a single to right.
Dotel was summoned. He struck out Loretta to end the seventh. He got the first two outs of the eighth, but when he walked Matthews, Williams brought in Wagner to face Kotsay.
Kotsay singled to center, but Khalil Greene flied to right. Wagner got the Padres in the ninth to end it.
"When you get into a one-run game, you can put it under a microscope and pick it apart," Williams said. "Fortunately, we happened to come out on top. Our relievers did a heck of a job."
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 08:15 AM
|
#6
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
Boxscore & Inning Recap
BOXSCORE @ ESPN
HOUSTON 1ST
-Top of the 1st inning
-C Biggio popped out to shortstop.
-G Blum grounded out to first.
-J Bagwell struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, San Diego 0
------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 1ST
-Bottom of the 1st inning
-S Burroughs singled to left.
-S Burroughs stole second.
-M Loretta grounded out to pitcher.
-B Giles walked.
-P Nevin flied out to center.
-G Matthews Jr grounded out to first.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors
Houston 0, San Diego 0
----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 2ND
-Top of the 2nd inning
-J Kent popped out to second.
-L Berkman singled to center.
-R Hidalgo doubled to left center, L Berkman scored.
-B Ausmus flied out to right.
-A Everett intentionally walked.
-J Fernandez struck out swinging.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, San Diego 0
------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 2ND
-Bottom of the 2nd inning
-M Kotsay singled to right center.
-K Greene grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, M Kotsay out at second.
-G Bennett singled to left.
-A Eaton flied out to left.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, San Diego 0
---------------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 3RD
-Top of the 3rd inning
-C Biggio homered to left.
-G Blum lined out to third.
-J Bagwell singled to left.
-J Kent flied out to center.
-L Berkman struck out looking.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 2, San Diego 0
-----------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 3RD
-Bottom of the 3rd inning
-S Burroughs walked.
-M Loretta struck out swinging.
-B Giles singled to right, S Burroughs to second.
-P Nevin homered to right center, S Burroughs and B Giles scored.
-G Matthews Jr grounded out to first.
-M Kotsay flied out to left.
3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 2, San Diego 3
-------------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 4TH
-Top of the 4th inning
-R Hidalgo walked.
-B Ausmus struck out swinging, R Hidalgo stole second.
-A Everett grounded out to second, R Hidalgo to third.
-J Fernandez grounded out to second.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 2, San Diego 3
-----------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 4TH
-Bottom of the 4th inning
-K Greene grounded out to shortstop.
-G Bennett grounded out to second.
-A Eaton grounded out to shortstop.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 2, San Diego 3
-----------------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 5TH
-Top of the 5th inning
-C Biggio singled to left.
-G Blum singled to right, C Biggio to second.
-J Bagwell homered to left center, C Biggio and G Blum scored.
-J Kent struck out swinging.
-L Berkman grounded out to third.
-R Hidalgo flied out to left.
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 3
----------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 5TH
-Bottom of the 5th inning
-S Burroughs flied out to center.
-M Loretta grounded out to pitcher.
-B Giles flied out to center.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 3
------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 6TH
-Top of the 6th inning
-B Ausmus flied out to center.
-A Everett struck out swinging.
-O Merced hit for J Fernandez.
-O Merced flied out to left.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 3
----------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 6TH
-D Miceli relieved J Fernandez.
-Bottom of the 6th inning
-P Nevin flied out to right.
-G Matthews Jr singled to right.
-M Gallo relieved D Miceli.
-M Kotsay grounded into double play, third to second to first, G Matthews Jr out at second.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 3
----------------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 7TH
-S Linebrink relieved A Eaton.
-Top of the 7th inning
-C Biggio flied out to left.
-G Blum singled to right.
-J Bagwell grounded into double play, third to second to first, G Blum out at second.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 3
--------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 7TH
-B Lidge relieved M Gallo.
-Bottom of the 7th inning
-K Greene struck out swinging.
-G Bennett walked.
-D Hansen hit for S Linebrink.
-D Hansen struck out swinging, G Bennett stole second.
-S Burroughs singled to right, G Bennett scored.
-O Dotel relieved B Lidge.
-M Ensberg at third base.
-S Burroughs stole second.
-M Loretta struck out looking.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
------------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 8TH
-T Hoffman relieved S Linebrink.
-Top of the 8th inning
-J Kent flied out to shallow right.
-L Berkman struck out swinging.
-R Hidalgo doubled to left.
-B Ausmus flied out to right.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
-------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 8TH
-Bottom of the 8th inning
-B Giles grounded out to shortstop.
-P Nevin grounded out to pitcher.
-G Matthews Jr walked.
-B Wagner relieved O Dotel.
-R Chavez catching.
-M Kotsay singled to center, G Matthews Jr to second.
-K Greene flied out to shallow right.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
--------------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 9TH
-J Witasick relieved T Hoffman.
-Top of the 9th inning
-A Everett flied out to right.
-M Ensberg fouled out to left.
-C Biggio walked.
-R Chavez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Biggio out at second.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
----------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 9TH
-Bottom of the 9th inning
-G Bennett flied out to right.
-B Buchanan hit for J Witasick.
-B Buchanan flied out to center.
-S Burroughs grounded out to pitcher.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 08:27 AM
|
#7
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
Team Notes
Richard Justice, MLB.com
Who's on third?
Manager Jimy Williams continues to shuffle Morgan Ensberg and Geoff Blum at third base in an arrangement that surely has turned out to be more successful than the Astros could have hoped.
Astros third basemen are second in the National League in hits (152), third in home runs (25), second in runs (91), seventh in RBIs (72), fifth in on-base percentage (.328) and seventh in batting average (.266).
However, the second half has been tougher. Ensberg is hitting .228 since the All-Star break; Blum is at .233.
Counting only their at-bats at third base, they are hitting a combined .231 with five home runs and 20 RBIs since the break.
They are not alone. As a team, the Astros are hitting .246 since the break. That's the third-worst average in the National League.
"For one thing, you're talking about a smaller number of at-bats," Ensberg said, "but if I knew what the problem was, I'd fix it. I haven't felt as comfortable in the second half. I know Jimy is trying to put me in favorable situations, so the only thing to do is keep working.
"I think you have to look at what we've done for the entire season. Those numbers aren't too bad."
They love Loretta
When the San Diego Padres signed second baseman Mark Loretta to a one-year contract last winter, they didn't think it would be a long term relationship. General manager Kevin Towers liked Loretta both as a player and a clubhouse influence, but he figured that some time around the trade deadline he would ship him to a contender in his quest to replenish the Padres' farm system.
The Astros acquired Loretta from the Milwaukee Brewers for the stretch run in 2002, and Towers guessed correctly that other clubs would want him late in 2003.
Instead, Loretta played so well that Towers decided he wanted Loretta around next season when the Padres believe they will be competitive as they move into Petco Park. Last month, the team signed him to a two-year contract extension.
Loretta is hitting .324 and doing his usual solid job at second base.
"I can't say enough about him," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's done an outstanding job. We're lucky to have him."
Rapid rise
When the Padres called up shortstop Khalil Greene this week, he became the third Rotary Smith Award winner to reach the big leagues a year after his selection. Mark Prior and Darren Dreifort also did it. Robin Ventura and J.D. Drew, who were finalists for the award, were also in the big leagues the season following their selection.
Given annually by the Rotary Club of Houston, the Rotary Smith Award honors College Baseball's Player of the Year, as voted upon by college baseball publicists, former winners and the coaches of former winners. It's named for R.E. "Bob" Smith and his wife, Vivian, and benefits Rotary Charities, Texas Children's Hospital and the Karl Young League.
Odds and ends
Since Aug. 19, the Astros are hitting .316 with runners in scoring position. According to Stats Inc., that's the highest in the National League over that period. The Expos (.297), Brewers (.295), Cubs (.284) and Giants (.283) are right behind the Astros over the same period. ... Second baseman Jeff Kent has four games with at least five RBIs. That's the most in the majors. ...
The Padres placed first baseman Ryan Klesko on the disabled list Friday, a day after he had surgery on his right shoulder. Assistant trainer Jim Daniel said that Klesko has arthritic calcification in the shoulder. Klesko was hitting .252 with a team-high 21 homers and 67 RBIs.
Coming up
Lefthander Ron Villone (6-3, 3.28) will continue a stretch in which he has won three of his last five starts. In 14 starts this season, he has pitched at least six innings 10 times and has allowed more than three runs once. He was a 3-1 loser to the Padres last weekend in Houston, allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings. Padres righthander Kevin Jarvis (4-7, 5.75) had a bad August, going 0-5 with an 8.63 ERA in six starts. Last weekend in Houston, the Astros got seven runs in 5 1/3 innings on their way to an 11-6 victory.
By the numbers
.556 -- Jeff Kent's batting average with the bases loaded.
Did you know?
Astros pitchers have held opponents to a .223 batting average after sixth inning.
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 08:38 AM
|
#8
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
Well of course Richard Justice thinks it was a smart question...
I could only wish that ATL was turning it off this week, that would be suhhhhhhhhhhhhh-weet to see the Braves just crumble about now ... And it would also make the prediction of a friend come true ... He said he felt the Braves would taper off before it was over, that their offense couldn't keep it up even though he thought their pitching could get better.
I just wish I could be a beat writer covering any team for a series, if only to prove to myself my questions would be more intelligent.
Richard Justice, MLB.com
Astros familiar with stretch runs
SAN DIEGO -- Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox bristled with anger this week when asked if his team had "turned it off."
The question seemed fair given the fact the Braves essentially had sewn up their division by the All-Star break and had just lost a third straight game to the New York Mets.
"We haven't turned anything off," he said. "That is an idiotic question that I get asked so often. You don't turn it off. You keep it on."
The Astros would love to field a couple of questions as idiotic as that one. They'd love to be asked anything about coping with a big lead and looking ahead to the playoffs.
As they attempt to finish atop the National League Central for the fifth time in seven seasons, they're in a familiar place.
They lead the NL Central by half a game over the Chicago Cubs and two over the St. Louis Cardinals.
They've spent most of the past three months in first place, but except for a few days in late July, they have not led by more than two games or trailed by more than two.
This is ground they know well.
In their four previous first-place seasons, their races have gone to the final weekend three times. Twice, they didn't win until the final day of the season.
This experience could be an advantage for the Astros as they play their final 22 games. Close races? They've been there before.
"If you've been through it before, you know you just have to keep playing," Astros closer Billy Wagner said. "You don't get too wound up about things. If you have a bad game, you can put it behind you and get ready to play again the next day. You understand one game isn't the end of the world."
Only in 1998, when they clinched the division in their 151st game of the season did they have breathing room. That year they ended up winning a franchise-record 102 games and finishing 12 1/2 games in front of the Chicago Cubs.
The only other time they had even a day off was 1997 when they won the division in the 159th game of the season. They wound up finishing five games in front of the Pirates that year.
In 1999 and 2001, they didn't clinch the division until the final day of the regular season. They finished a game ahead of the Reds in 1999 and finished in a tie with the Cardinals in 2001.
Wagner smiles as he remembers the final day of the 2001 season when the Astros went to Busch Stadium needing a victory.
"Really, it felt like a normal game," he said. "You're going to go do what you have all year. I'm not saying you won't have some butterflies, but once you get out there on the field, you're doing what you've been doing the whole year."
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 08:49 AM
|
#9
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
Well of course Richard Justice thinks it was a smart question...
I could only wish that ATL was turning it off this week, that would be suhhhhhhhhhhhhh-weet to see the Braves just crumble about now ... And it would also make the prediction of a friend come true ... He said he felt the Braves would taper off before it was over, that their offense couldn't keep it up even though he thought their pitching could get better.
I just wish I could be a beat writer covering any team for a series, if only to prove to myself my questions would be more intelligent.
Richard Justice, MLB.com
Astros familiar with stretch runs
SAN DIEGO -- Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox bristled with anger this week when asked if his team had "turned it off."
The question seemed fair given the fact the Braves essentially had sewn up their division by the All-Star break and had just lost a third straight game to the New York Mets.
"We haven't turned anything off," he said. "That is an idiotic question that I get asked so often. You don't turn it off. You keep it on."
The Astros would love to field a couple of questions as idiotic as that one. They'd love to be asked anything about coping with a big lead and looking ahead to the playoffs.
As they attempt to finish atop the National League Central for the fifth time in seven seasons, they're in a familiar place.
They lead the NL Central by half a game over the Chicago Cubs and two over the St. Louis Cardinals.
They've spent most of the past three months in first place, but except for a few days in late July, they have not led by more than two games or trailed by more than two.
This is ground they know well.
In their four previous first-place seasons, their races have gone to the final weekend three times. Twice, they didn't win until the final day of the season.
This experience could be an advantage for the Astros as they play their final 22 games. Close races? They've been there before.
"If you've been through it before, you know you just have to keep playing," Astros closer Billy Wagner said. "You don't get too wound up about things. If you have a bad game, you can put it behind you and get ready to play again the next day. You understand one game isn't the end of the world."
Only in 1998, when they clinched the division in their 151st game of the season did they have breathing room. That year they ended up winning a franchise-record 102 games and finishing 12 1/2 games in front of the Chicago Cubs.
The only other time they had even a day off was 1997 when they won the division in the 159th game of the season. They wound up finishing five games in front of the Pirates that year.
In 1999 and 2001, they didn't clinch the division until the final day of the regular season. They finished a game ahead of the Reds in 1999 and finished in a tie with the Cardinals in 2001.
Wagner smiles as he remembers the final day of the 2001 season when the Astros went to Busch Stadium needing a victory.
"Really, it felt like a normal game," he said. "You're going to go do what you have all year. I'm not saying you won't have some butterflies, but once you get out there on the field, you're doing what you've been doing the whole year."
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 08:58 AM
|
#10
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
GAME 2 PREVIEW
by Alyson Footer, MLB.com
Astros remain Central focus
Astros (74-66) at Padres (57-83), 9:05 p.m. CT
SAN DIEGO - - - The Houston Astros edged the San Diego Padres, 5-4, to open a three-game series at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday night. Jeff Bagwell hit his 32nd homer of the year, a three-run shot that gave the Astros the lead in the fifth inning.
After dropping two of three to San Diego last weekend, the Astros are 2-2 versus the Padres with two games remaining in the season series. The current series marks Houston's final visit to Qualcomm Stadium, which will host just a handful of home games before the Padres move to PETCO Park in 2004.
The Astros are 32-37 on the road this year and will play 12 of their remaining 22 games away from home.
Pitching matchup:
LHP Ron Villone
6-3, 3.28 in 2003
NR in 2003 vs. SD
3-3, 5.08 lifetime vs. SD
RHP Kevin Jarvis
4-7, 5.75 in 2003
0-1, 11.81 in 2003 vs. Astros
2-1, 7.08 lifetime vs. Astros
Players to watch: Against Jarvis, Brad Ausmus is 1-for-12, Jeff Bagwell is 1-for-17, Lance Berkman is 3-for-14, Craig Biggio is 9-for-21, Richard Hidalgo is 6-for-16, Jeff Kent is 9-for-21, Orlando Merced is 1-for-10 and Jose Vizcaino is 2-for-10. Against Villone, Brian Giles is 5-for-23, Mark Loretta is 7-for-13 and Phil Nevin is 6-for-21.
Quotable: "I told him, 'Way to charge it.' Those are scary moments because of what happened in Arizona. But he did a nice job in knocking it down." -- Bagwell, on the line shot from Sean Burroughs that bounced off Billy Wagner's glove and knocked the closer to the ground. Wagner recovered in time to field the ball to earn his 38th save.
Quick hits: The Astros have led the National League in hitting with runners in scoring position since Aug. 19. Entering Friday's game, the Astros were batting .316 (50-for-158) with runners in scoring position over that time, ahead of Montreal (.297), Milwaukee (.295), the Cubs (.284) and the Giants (.283).
Weather forecast: Sunny to partly cloudy and warm during the day; mainly clear in the evening; late-night low clouds at night. High of 78, low of 67.
On deck:
Sunday: Astros at Padres, 4:05 p.m. CT
Monday: Astros at Brewers, 7:05 p.m. CT
Tuesday: Astros at Brewers, 7:05 p.m. CT
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 09:19 AM
|
#11
|
|
2006 NL East Champs!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Posts: 12,476
|
__________________
Oh, coulda shoulda Prada, honey." - Karen Walker
-------------------------------------------
Got Pants?
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 09:44 AM
|
#12
|
|
Fartleking in the Bwlch
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,574
|
Silly me, I think I would keep Fernandez in the rotation and demote Jeriome Robertson. Fernandez consistently gives up three to four runs a game while Robertson is either great or terrible. Plus, if Jimy would lengthen his leash on this guy he could pitch seven innings consistently.
__________________
What is this monk beer I'm hearing so much about?
|
|
|
|
|
09-06-2003, 10:39 PM
|
#13
|
|
A Ball Player
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 192
|
Nice write ups Pop.
I think the Cubbies are tied with the Astros, now. They just bested Milwaukee. Waiting to see the outcome of your game.
Good luck.
AA
|
|
|
|
|
09-07-2003, 08:12 AM
|
#14
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
That's a big 10-4, good buddy!
Hmm, so how bad is O.D. hurt? I want to know that before I get too giddy about us winning the first two games of another 3-game road series.
We are now guaranteed to have a 4-2 swing through LA and SD, and a win today gives us the sweep over the Pads that Princess predicted ... Having that kind of success in Californy is very rare, very, for the Astros.
I am sort of pissed off at the Brewers, they're just bending over for the Cubbies this weekend ... But then, if you're going to be pissed at an MLB team, who better than Milwaukee?
Richard Justice, Houston Chronicle
Astros rock Padres late in victory
SAN DIEGO -- The Astros pieced together their 75th victory with contributions from almost every corner of their clubhouse.
Whether the victory came with a steep price tag might not be known for a day or two.
In the end, they won again, rallying from a three-run deficit to defeat the San Diego Padres 10-4 on Saturday night in front of 24,383 at Qualcomm Stadium.
But they suffered a potentially serious injury when reliever Octavio Dotel, one of the key contributors in one of baseball's best bullpens, limped off the mound with a strained left gluteus muscle in the top of the eighth inning.
The severity of Dotel's injury was not immediately known, but if he's sidelined for an extended period of time, it will be a serious blow as the Astros play out their final 21 games.
His injury put a damper on a night when the Astros (75-66) remained atop the National League Central, a half-game ahead of the Chicago Cubs and two games up on the St. Louis Cardinals.
From third baseman Morgan Ensberg's four hits and four RBIs to six relievers stringing together seven shutout innings to a pair of flashy defensive plays, the Astros did a long list of things well in taking the lead with two runs in the eighth and breaking it open with four in the ninth.
After Ensberg departed in a double-switch manuever by manager Jimy Williams in the bottom of the eighth, Geoff Blum entered the game and contributed a three-run double in the top of the ninth.
The victory was the Astros' fourth in five games on this 10-game road trip. This afternoon, they will try to sweep a three-game series from the Padres for the first time since 1982.
They won despite getting just two-plus innings from starting pitcher Ron Villone. Williams went right down his lineup card after Villone departed with no one out in the third and the Astros trailing 4-1. Williams used Rick White for an inning, followed by Dan Miceli for two and Mike Gallo and Brad Lidge for an inning apiece. He called on Dotel to open the eighth, but when he left with one out, closer Billy Wagner was summoned for the final five outs. He gained his 39th save to match his own club record, accomplished twice previously.
The game was tied at 4 when Brad Ausmus led off the eighth inning with a single. Adam Everett was unable to get down a sacrifice bunt, and his infield grounder forced Ausmus at second.
Jose Vizcaino followed with a pinch single, and after Craig Biggio flied to left, Ensberg completed his big night by doubling to right-center to score two runs and make it 6-4.
After Wagner got out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth, the Astros broke it open in the top of the ninth.
Ensberg's hit in the eighth finished an evening when he had a career-high four hits and also drew a walk.
He doubled in the first, beat out an infield single in the third, singled home two runs in the fourth, walked in the sixth and doubled in the eighth.
He also made a nice defensive play in the sixth with a little help from first baseman Jeff Bagwell. Second baseman Jeff Kent also made a first-rate play on a Gary Matthews grounder in the third.
For Villone, it was his worst start since joining the Astros in June. He allowed seven baserunners in two official innings.
Padres starter Kevin Jarvis wasn't sharp, either. He was all over the place, allowing 11 baserunners and four earned runs in 4 2/3innings. He gave up seven hits, walked two and hit the last two batters he faced in the fifth.
Biggio opened the game with his 33rd leadoff home run, and Ensberg followed with a double to left, it looked like Jarvis might have a short night.
He got out of the first without allowing another run, and Villone allowed three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Villone walked Mark Loretta and Brian Giles with out, then threw Phil Nevin a first-pitch fastball that ended up in the middle of the plate.
Giles turned it into a monstrous home run to left to give San Diego a 3-1 lead.
The Padres made it 4-1 in the bottom of the third when Giles singled to lead off the inning and scored on Nevin's double to left.
Williams went to his bullpen. White got the Padres in order in the third, then the Astros tied it with three runs in the top of the fourth.
Richard Hidalgo doubled with one out and went to third on on an Ausmus single. Everett singled to center to score Hidalgo.
Orlando Merced, pinch hitting for White, struck out, but Biggio worked Jarvis for a full-count walk.
Ensberg grounded a single to left to score Ausmus and Everett with the tying runs.
When Giles allowed the ball to get past him in left, third baseman coach Gene Lamont waved Biggio home. Biggio was thrown out by Burroughs, who took the relay throw from Giles.
That play kept the game tied at 4-4.
The Astros loaded the bases in the fifth when Jarvis hit both Lance Berkman and Hidalgo with pitches. Reliever Brandon Villafuerte walked Brad Ausmus, but then struck out Everett to end the inning.
Neither team had a runner in scoring position again until the Astros scored the winning runs in the eighth.
|
|
|
|
|
09-07-2003, 08:27 AM
|
#15
|
|
Beer me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: No Name City
Posts: 15,268
|
BOXSCORE & INNING RECAP
BOXSCORE @ ESPN
HOUSTON 1ST
-Top of the 1st inning
-C Biggio homered to left. (Career Leadoff #33)
-M Ensberg doubled to left.
-J Bagwell lined out to right.
-J Kent fouled out to third.
-L Berkman walked.
-R Hidalgo struck out swinging.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, San Diego 0
-----------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 1ST
-Bottom of the 1st inning
-S Burroughs grounded out to second.
-M Loretta walked.
-B Giles walked, M Loretta to second.
-P Nevin homered to left, M Loretta and B Giles scored.
-G Matthews Jr struck out swinging.
-M Kotsay walked.
-K Greene singled to shallow center, M Kotsay to second.
-G Bennett struck out swinging.
3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, San Diego 3
------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 2ND
-Top of the 2nd inning
-B Ausmus fouled out to right.
-A Everett struck out swinging.
-R Villone grounded out to first.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, San Diego 3
----------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 2ND
-Bottom of the 2nd inning
-K Jarvis flied out to center.
-S Burroughs popped out to first.
-M Loretta struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, San Diego 3
------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 3RD
-Top of the 3rd inning
-C Biggio struck out swinging.
-M Ensberg reached on infield single to second.
-J Bagwell struck out swinging.
-J Kent grounded out to shortstop.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors
Houston 1, San Diego 3
----------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 3RD
-Bottom of the 3rd inning
-B Giles singled to center.
-P Nevin doubled to deep left, B Giles scored.
-R White relieved R Villone.
-G Matthews Jr grounded out to second, P Nevin to third.
-M Kotsay struck out swinging.
-K Greene flied out to left.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, San Diego 4
----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 4TH
-Top of the 4th inning
-L Berkman grounded out to first.
-R Hidalgo doubled to deep left.
-B Ausmus singled to shallow left, R Hidalgo to third.
-A Everett singled to center, R Hidalgo scored, B Ausmus to second.
-O Merced hit for R White.
-O Merced struck out swinging.
-C Biggio walked, B Ausmus to third, A Everett to second.
-M Ensberg singled to shallow left, B Ausmus and A Everett scored, C Biggio to second, C Biggio scored, M Ensberg to second on error by left fielder B Giles.C Biggio thrown out at home attempting to ad
3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error
Houston 5, San Diego 4
-----------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 4TH
-D Miceli relieved R White.
-Bottom of the 4th inning
-G Bennett grounded out to third.
-K Jarvis popped out to third.
-S Burroughs flied out to left.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
---------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 5TH
-Top of the 5th inning
-J Bagwell grounded out to shortstop.
-J Kent lined out to second.
-L Berkman hit by pitch.
-R Hidalgo hit by pitch, L Berkman to second.
-B Villafuerte relieved K Jarvis.
-B Ausmus walked, L Berkman to third, R Hidalgo to second.
-B Villafuerte relieved K Jarvis.
-B Ausmus walked, L Berkman to third, R Hidalgo to second.
-A Everett struck out looking.
-M Loretta walked.
-B Giles flied out to center.
-P Nevin grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, M Loretta out at second.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 5TH
-Bottom of the 5th inning
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
-----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 6TH
-Top of the 6th inning
-E Bruntlett hit for D Miceli.
-E Bruntlett popped out to shortstop.
-C Biggio struck out swinging.
-M Ensberg walked.
-J Bagwell popped out to shortstop.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
-------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 6TH
-Bottom of the 6th inning
-G Matthews Jr popped out to first.
-L Berkman hit by pitch.
-R Hidalgo hit by pitch, L Berkman to second.
-M Gallo relieved D Miceli.
-G Matthews Jr popped out to first.
-M Kotsay flied out to right.
-K Greene grounded out to third.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
---------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 7TH
-S Linebrink relieved B Villafuerte.
-Top of the 7th inning
-J Kent grounded out to shortstop.
-L Berkman popped out to second.
-R Hidalgo walked.
-R Hidalgo caught stealing second, catcher to second.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
----------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 7TH
-B Lidge relieved M Gallo.
-Bottom of the 7th inning
-G Bennett struck out swinging.
-K Lockhart hit for S Linebrink.
-K Lockhart flied out to center.
-S Burroughs walked.
-M Loretta lined out to right.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 5, San Diego 4
--------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 8TH
-J Witasick relieved S Linebrink.
-Top of the 8th inning
-B Ausmus singled to right center.
-A Everett bunted into fielder's choice to first, B Ausmus out at second.
-J Vizcaino hit for B Lidge.
-J Vizcaino singled to right, A Everett to second.
-C Porter ran for J Vizcaino.
-C Biggio flied out to left.
-M Ensberg doubled to right center, A Everett and C Porter scored.
-J Bagwell singled to center, M Ensberg thrown out at home.
2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors
Houston 7, San Diego 4
-------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 8TH
-O Dotel relieved B Lidge.
-Bottom of the 8th inning
-B Giles grounded out to first.
-P Nevin singled to right.
-G Matthews Jr walked, P Nevin to second.
-B Wagner relieved O Dotel.
-G Blum at third base.
-P Nevin to third, G Matthews Jr to second on passed ball by B Ausmus.
-M Kotsay walked.
-K Greene struck out swinging.
-B Buchanan hit for G Bennett.
-B Buchanan fouled out to catcher.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors
Houston 7, San Diego 4
---------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON 9TH
-L Hackman relieved J Witasick.
-H Quintero catching.
-Top of the 9th inning
-J Kent grounded out to shortstop.
-L Berkman walked.
-R Hidalgo singled to right, L Berkman to second.
-B Ausmus walked, L Berkman to third, R Hidalgo to second.
-A Everett hit by pitch, L Berkman scored, R Hidalgo to third, B Ausmus to second.
-M Bynum relieved L Hackman.
-G Blum doubled to deep left, R Hidalgo, B Ausmus and A Everett scored.
-C Biggio walked.
-J Roa relieved M Bynum.
-B Wagner grounded into fielder's choice to second, C Biggio out at second, G Blum to third.
-J Bagwell struck out swinging.
4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 11, San Diego 4
--------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO 9TH
-Bottom of the 9th inning
-H Quintero flied out to deep left.
-S Burroughs grounded out to third.
-M Loretta grounded out to shortstop.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 11, San Diego 4
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|
@ 
