The Grapefruit Leagues is over, but there's still a little bit of spring season baseball to be played. The Astros have 2 left; both against the Tigers at the "Juice Box", with the first being today at 7:05PM CST. The Astros send lefty Wandy Rodriguez to the hill against Jeremy Bonderman.
Wandy has had a rough spring training. He's only pitched 8 1/3 innings due to injury problems(strained muscle in his side) and in those 8 1/3 innings gave up 5 runs to give him a 5.40 ERA. A positive note about Wandy though, he's only walked 3 batters and struck out 8. Hopefully Wandy can have a productive outing and puts the injuries behind him.
| Detroit | Houston | ||
| 1 | Rodriguez, C | 1 | Bourn, CF |
| 2 | Polanco, P, 2B | 2 | Pence, RF |
| 3 | Sheffield, DH | 3 | Berkman, DH |
| 4 | Ordonez, RF | 4 | Lee, LF |
| 5 | Cabrera, 3B | 5 | Tejada, SS |
| 6 | Guillen, 1B | 6 | Erstad, 1B |
| 7 | Renteria, SS | 7 | Wigginton, 3B |
| 8 | Thames, LF | 8 | Loretta, 2B |
| 9 | Inge, CF | 9 | Towles, C |
0 recs | 88 comments
Bah
I'm so used to the Astros not being on TV, that I didn't even notice they are on TV today. Probably not going to have time to do any PBP(doing homework), but I'll try to give updates every now and then ;)
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Top 1...
Wandy walks Pudge on 5 pitches, then gets Polanco to fly out to Bourn in C. I'll get the lineups in a sec.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Got em ;)
Using American League rules today
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Shef singles, Pudge to 2nd... Ordonez is up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Brownie on Ordonez
Ordonez says he's growing his hair longer and longer because the fans like it...
Let's see if Lance will listen to us as well.. GET RID OF THE SIDE BURNS!
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
oh no way!
i like 'em
exit53 - March 28, 2008
That makes 1 of us
:)
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Ordonez ground to Wandy...
runners to 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs.
Cabrera up. Man, this is a stcked lineup.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Damn the Tigers are loaded
I never really paid attention to it... but Cabrera batting 5th is sickening...
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
And Granderson's out...
think when he's back at the top and Pudge is down around the 8, 9 spot...
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Wandy walks him...
loaded for Guillen... in the 6th spot. Sickening.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
ooooohhh... almost got him
close pitch, but was a ball for the 3-2 count
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
They said 80 pitches for Wandy...
at this rate, that's be 2 1/3 IP.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
no errors!
1 whole (defensive) inning down and we have no errors!
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Wandy nibbles and walks him...
1-0 Tigers. Dewey to the mound. Wandy's looked pretty good, and he's missing close.
Oh, and they already have the pitchers set for the forst 3 games... Roy, Backe, Wandy.
Wandy gets Renteria to end it.
1-0 Middle of the 1st.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Bourn works the count...
then flies to Inge in center.
First pitch, Pence smacks a double down the line. The ideal #2 hitter.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Bonderman is missing outside...
just like Wandy. 4 pitch walk to Berkman.
1st and 2nd for Lee. NO DP!
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Lee strikes out on 3 pitches...
strike 2 was low (a call Wandy wasn't getting) and he checked his swing on strike 3. It was close, but he probably went.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Tejada hit it too hard...
to score Pence. Thames is coming up throwing just as Pence is getting to 3rd. Good no send.
Bases loaded for Erstad.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
No matter what...
good AB for Erstad. Fouled a few off. Took Ball 2 that looked real close but was up and in. Looks like the low strike is going to get it done tonight.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
He works it full...
Bonderman at 24 pitches. Hard hit to 2nd, good play by Polanco to get out of the inning.
Both pitchers working pretty hard. With these lineups, it feels like a real game. I can't wait.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
With the game
being on TV and having JD and Brownie.. that makes it feel like a real game.
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
This is the first Astros game...
I've seen since the 3rd ST game. They have really come around to season form.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Roy says his dad always said...
"A ground ball don't ever go over the fence"
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
That was priceless.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Thames leads off on second...
I missed it because I flipped to the basketball game (UT up for to Stanford.)
Inge out. Pudge up again.
JD and Brownie talking with Roy. Laughing about Peavy (Roy wonders why he would be developing a change after having a 2 ERA and 18 wins last year.) Also says he's blessed to be able to pitch at that park.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Roy is awesome
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
He's a great interview.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Roy defends his defense some
saying that some of the errors in spring training probably wouldn't have been made on a better field.
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Wandy's at 44 pitches...
32 in the 1st.
K's Pudge. 2 strikeouts in the inning.
Polanco up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Polanco crushes one into the Crawford Boxes...
I didn't know he could hit it that hard. Lee didn't even flinch.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Shef pops to Lee to end it...
I was laughing because Tejada was very aware of Lee coming in.
Tigers 3-0. Mid 2.
Roy concluded his talk by describing how he's lobbying for Ausmus because the two are so familiar. He talks about how Brad has a small target, sort of a finer place to pitch to. He made sure to keep talking about how Towles is doing very well, just he's so comfortable with Ausmus. He described it as having a favorite bat for 6 or 7 years, then getting a new one.
Interesting stuff. Bork's wife was interviewed. I'm sure I've said this before, but he outkicked his coverage.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Outkicked his coverage?
Are you saying she is out of his league?
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Yes...
yes I am.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
I'm kidding...
Borks just doesn't seem to have the same sort of... bubbly personality. Maybe it's just me.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Bottom 2...
Wiggy flies to straight away center. 1 out.
Loretta up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Loretta down.
Nasty slider (I think) in the dirt. 2 out.
Towles up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Towles grounds to 3rd...
pretty easy half of the inning for Bonderman.
As an update, Davidson (who knew) 65-48 with just over 7 left and Texas 56-51 with 11 left.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Top 3...
Ordonez slices one to right for a single on the first pitch.
Coop's laughing about how if the Tiger's aren't the top lineup, they have to be top 3.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Cabrera pops to right...
One out.
Coop talking about how he's liked the baserunning and some of the young kids.
Guillen homes to the first row in right.
5-0 Tigers.
Coop's laughing about how good the lineup is, talking about how you have to be on your A game to face them... I wonder if he really means that, or if he's trying not to let Wandy get to him.
Renteria puts one to the wall. Good play by Pence.
2 out, Thames up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Thames pops to short...
Middle of the 3rd. 5-0 Tigers. Wandy probably has 1 more inning (if he pitches well) before he gets to 80 pitches.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Bourn out quickly to start the 3rd.
Pence bounces to 3rd, quickly 2 out.
Lance up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Berkman (hitting lefty) pokes one to left...
just to the base of the wall. The way he swung, it didn't seem he got much of it.
End of 3, 5-0 Tigers.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Top 4...
Inge up.
Backe's the new interview. Says the arm's great and less soreness than he's had in a few years. Says 30 starts and 200 innings are his goals. I'll take that.
In the middle of the interview, Inge smokes one to left. Backe stops midsentence and says "get foul" and watches it. Then, after it goes foul, he starts right back. Gotta love Backe.
Inge flies to center.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Pudge up...
Backe talks about how success depends on the pitching staff.
Wandy K's Pudge on a high fastball that got by him.
2 out. Polanco up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
E-5
Go figure
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Nice...
hard hit ball gets by Wiggington... waiting on the scorer.
Ruled a hit.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Shef singles, Polanco to 3rd.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Close-up of Bourn
"digging for gold" if you know what I mean.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Ordonez grounds to 2nd...
no harm, no foul for Wiggy.
5-0, middle of 4.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Isn't Woody
supposed to be pitching for his job tonight?
entropic soul - March 28, 2008
Wandy is pitching
Not Woody
exit53 - March 28, 2008
Woody's next up.
Wandy has an 80 pitch count.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
ah ha
didn't realize that.. thought he was going tomorrow. i really wish this was on tv for me, in austin.
exit53 - March 28, 2008
Yes...but in relief.
clack - March 28, 2008
Bottom 4...
Lee up and singles to left center.
JD and Brownie talking about all the HD games. JD lamenting that he has to pluck his eyebrows and shave and all that.
Lee is flashing some of his own signs. JD laughs that he wants the green light.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Tejada beats out a DP ball...
Erstad up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Ball gets by Pudge...
Tejada to 2nd. I'm guessing passed ball.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Woody's up in the pen...
who else is excited?
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Erstad flies to left...
Wiggy up. Make up for the bad play, yeah?
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Works it full...
Bonderman is pounding the dirt with whatever that pitch is.
Wiggy k's.
End 4. 5-0 Tigers.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
I'm guessing slider...
but JD's confused as well, so I don't feel bad.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
I doubt
Woody will do much worse than Wandy...
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
True.
They could have a contest to see who gave up the least amount of feet in home runs.
That would be exciting.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
I wouldn't count on it...
have you been watching Woody this spring? :}
clack - March 28, 2008
Top 5...
Ed Wade's the new interview. Pretty soon, they'll need to have a ballboy on.
Woody's in.
Cabrera fliwes to left. Off Lee's glove, almost to right center, Cabrera to 3rd.
Awesome way to start Woody's night. Ruled a triple.
Infield in. Why not?
Guillen sacrifice to deep left. No throw.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Renteria pops the 1st...
2 out. Thames up.
Still 6-0.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Thames grounds to Woody...
good inning except for an unlucky play ion left.
Middle 5, 6-0 Tigers.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Bottom 5...
Bonderman done. Lefty Seay is on. Loretta up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Bounced over the mound...
another good play by Polanco. One out.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Towles grounds out...
2 away. Bourn up.
Nothing going for the most part.
Bourn grounds to 1st. Quick inning.
6-0, end of 5.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
new comments
can i just reiterate how much i love the auto-new comment little box that pops up? this rules.
exit53 - March 28, 2008
Top 6...
Inge flies to right center, right by the Astros bullpen.
1 out.
Alyson Footer is the interview. She's as bad an interview as she is a writer. She uses the "we" about the team, which bothers me.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Pudge off the wall in left...
nice play by Lee holds him to a single. Lee and Manny were made for having a big green wall behind them in the field.
Polanco up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Works it full...
then walks. 1st and 2nd with Shef coming up. Polanco pitch run for by some guy who's face I don't recognize. Rayburn (sp?). Thanks Brownie.
Shef singles, Pudge scores. Pretty good pitch that Shef just deposits into left center. 1st and 3rd.
7-0.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Jacque Jones for Mags...
which means it's probably time for the PBP to end. Pops out. 2 down.
Cabrera up.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Gets it to 1-2...
crowd gets up. Ball 2. Next pitch is off the all in right center, out near the hill.
Cabrera gets a real triple. I lost count... no wait, 9-0 Tigers.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
so..
is this 5 ER for wandy and 4 ER for woody?
exit53 - March 28, 2008
I think...
the 10 ERs through 6 is evenly split between the 2. 5 ERs a piece.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
damnit
Woody was better, he gave up the same amount of runs... in less innings.
If Woody is the 5th starter, Cooper's got mental problems.
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Some kid from Auburn...
who might or might not make the club smokes one to center. Cleet Thomas. Nice name, kid.
Grounder to short ends it after the force at 2nd. I'm done.
9-0 Tigers. Sorry to anyone who can't see this and wants the play by play. You're not missing much. Wandy and Woody both got hit really, really hard. The Astros offense has been slow... and that might be too nice. Wiggy missed yet another grounder (albiet a very hard hit ball.)
Blum says his heel is feeling good enough. He has his batting gloves on (JD said something) and he says perception is everything. Says Coop might look up and see that and put him in. Then Pence smokes one and Blum stops mid-sentence (a la Backe) and says "and this guy just hits rockets everywhere. I need to start sitting next to him.") I've never heard Blum before... a really good interview. Funny guy who knows his baseball.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Check that... 10-0.
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Astros did nothing...
10-0 through 6 innings.
And I'm retiring to watch the basketball games and flip back to see some of the rest of this game.
Anyone else want to chip in some PBP?
TexSkins - March 28, 2008
Bottom 9th
Astros with one last chance for a comeback. They'd probably prefer a quick 1-2-3 inning to put themselves out of the misery.
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
Well
I turned around to talk to the wife, and I missed the bottom half... so not sure what happened.. Astros still lost 10-0, so evidently I didn't miss much.
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
So what's everyone's guess....
on Woody Williams' fate?
I know it's hard to spin this as a good game for Woody. But somehow I have the feeling that Ed Wade doesn't relish the idea of going to Drayton McLane and telling him that he needs to write a $6 million check to Woody Williams for doing nothing.
clack - March 28, 2008
can they send him down?
I can't remember if they can send him down or not... but if they can, do so.. if he doesn't report.. well, that's his bad ;)
Stros Bro - March 28, 2008
With his salary and peformance...
I don't think the Astros have to worry about any team picking up Woody Williams on waivers. But the Astros don't have the right to order him to AAA. If he agreed to the assignment, he could be sent to Round Rock. If he didn't want to go the minors, he could try to sign with another team, and the Astros would have pay almost all of his contract. I think that it isn't a bad idea for him to go to Round Rock, myself. If he has anything left, he can get himself straightened out there. If he can't get minor league batters out, he might have to admit that he is at the end of the line. Having said that, I doubt that he would accept that assignment.
clack - March 28, 2008
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