This game featured everything, and by everything I mean everything you want to see in an Astros game. Let me count the ways:
- Felipe Paulino produced an amazing line of: 7IP with 9K, 0BB, 3H (1 HR) using 96 pitches. That is a phenomenal line: 11.57 K/9, an infinite K:BB, 9.37 K/100 (strike outs per 100 pitches). We literally could not have asked for more from Paulino who probably just had his national coming out game (tune into the talking heads on the networks to see if that holds true).
- Every Astros starter, except Paulino, reached base.
- Every Astros starter, except for Paulino and Keppinger), had a hit.
- Every Astros starter, except for Paulino, had a run or an RBI.
- Kaz Matsui had a HR. I repeat, Kaz Matsui hit a HR.
- Michael Bourn was in 30 second run down that he almost wiggled out of it.
- Lance Berkman had a multi-hit game (one of which was a 400ft. LD to Tal's Hill).
- Carlos Lee had a multi-hit game.
- Michael Bourn had a multi-hit game.
- Lance Berkman stole 3rd.
- Darin Erstad crushed a pinch hit double. Inconsequential, but still nice to see.
- Paulino, Jeff Fulchino, and Welsey Wright combined to retire the final 17 Tiger's batters.
- The Astros secured a series victory and have a possible sweep to go for tomorrow.
- The Astros are two games below five hundred now and a scant half game behind the Chicago Cubs.
Nothing went wrong for us it seemed and more importantly it was a tidy two hour and seventeen minute ball game—enjoy your newly freed up Saturday night...I know I will.
Postgame presser:
Coop says that Maysonet was optioned to RR. Well, I guess that’s better than him just sitting on the bench.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
well, I'm disappointed.
Maysonet doesn’t gain much going back to Round Rock, other than becoming a AAAA player.
clack - June 27, 2009
I'm dissapointed with how Coop used Maysonet.
Seemed to be a lack of flexibility on Coops part to play a good young player and to see what he could do. I was hoping to see more of him this year not less.
Cor - June 27, 2009
When I was in Round Rock
In the press box, there were rumblings that Maysonet is not liked by a few of the Astros brass. But regardless, this is a waste of a talent…so we can keep Kata and Blum?
Stephen Higdon - June 27, 2009
Not liked...for what reasons?
His speed,defense,offense, attitude? From what I saw there wasn’t too much to not like in this kid.
Cor - June 27, 2009
The guys who were talking about it
Made it seem like it was arbitrary in that illogical baseball kind of way. There was no talk about specifics, but they said RR had been ordered to play him all over the infield to see if he had versatility as a utility guy; something to add to his value either for us or as a trade chip later.
Stephen Higdon - June 27, 2009
Hmmm
so why wouldn’t the “brass” use Matsui or Blum who are veteran known players, as trade chips and have Maysonet become a cornerstone in the infield of the future along with Meirs. We can all see the future of this team Castro, Meirs,Bourn,Pence, hopefully Maysonet, Arms of Wandy,Paulino Trinadad These guys along with key Vets like Berkman and Oswalt are our future. Just don’t understand why not look at him more on the big stage instead of in RR.
Cor - June 27, 2009
Because Matsui has a shitty contract and is injury-prone
and Geoff Blum is…Geoff Blum. Nobody wants a PH/utility IF at his age who can only hit righties.
jonthefon - June 28, 2009
Alright I kept this open as I watched Baseball Tonight
I shit you not this is what was recapped of the game:
1) Bourn’s run down got criticized by Buck.
2) In about five seconds: Paulino 3 hits, 9 Ks in 7 innings.
3) Lance Berkman’s 400ft+ double.
4) Kaz Matsui was literally referred to as “the former Mets great.”
Stephen Higdon - June 27, 2009
I imagine (hope) that #4 was more of a sarcastic jab at Phillips.
But yeah, they’re retards. What’s Joe Buck doing on BBTN, anyways? I though Fox owned his awful little career.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
Buck Showalter
Who probably ranks in there as worse than Joe on my list.
Stephen Higdon - June 27, 2009
oh yeah
forgot they have him. ugh.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
Why was Bourn's rundown criticized?
Like Joe Buck could do better?
AstroAndy - June 27, 2009
It was criticized because
(and it’s kinda true) it didn’t need to happen because Matsui was going to make home it home. But there was no praise, marvel, or anything positive to be said about Bourn’s pure athleticism on display during that segment. They did, however, show that it was like a 9-3-6-4-1-6….etc. play.
I’m just pissed because Paulino just had a career game for a young guy coming off an injury shut down year, and ESPN mentions it as an after thought, but laments whatever Figuroa (sp?)’s shaky start for two minutes.
Stephen Higdon - June 27, 2009
I missed the Astros' highlights....
as I only saw the 2d half of BBTN. So, I’m glad they showed something…I was beginning to wonder. They briefly showed a Paulino 98 mph FB on “nastiest pitches” segment.
BTW, did you see the embarrassing outfield play by an Orloles LFer (don’t know who)? He lost the flyball while he was on the warning track, and the ball landed in the seats behind him for a HR. But the outfielder doesn’t know that, and he continues to look up at the sky waiting for the ball to come down to him.
clack - June 27, 2009
also, I was frustrated, because I didn't know they showed the Astros game...
highlight earlier, but they did show the game 2 of the Astros-Royals series which was lost by the Astros, as part of Kurkjian’s segment about the oddity of the Royals scoring a run against the Astros in the 9th, 10th, and 11th inning. I was wondering if that would be all we would see of the Astros?
clack - June 27, 2009
And the comment was:
Congratulations to the Royals!
Cor - June 27, 2009
Hey, it's BBTN
what do you expect other than a pile of dogshit?
jonthefon - June 28, 2009
Cardinals made a good trade.
Cards traded Chris Perez and PTBNL for Mark DeRosa.
clack - June 27, 2009
lol
spites the Cubs, as well.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
I had to sleep so I could work overnight...
pissed I missed the game. Anyone have a link or video that shows Bourn’s rundown? Really want to see it. And some general badassness by Paulino.
divinebovine - June 27, 2009
Astros.com has the highlights from the game posted
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
It looked a lot like one he did not long ago
ol Pete - June 27, 2009
yes, if it's the one I'm thinking of...
he was successful getting back to 1st base after doing the same kind of number on the run down.
clack - June 28, 2009
yes, both rather remarkable
ol Pete - June 28, 2009
Hey, I just saw this on Bourn's profile page:
http://www.pinstripealley.com/2009/6/27/927360/interested-in-an-outfielder
So what do y’all think? You want a middling pitching prospect and bullpen help for either an above-average center-fielder or all-star caliber right fielder? Both of whom are under club control?
Fucking yankees.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
The fact that there is a reliever involved and it's Ed Wade
Could probably elicit a few jokes, but that right there, is why trade speculation wears on me.
Stephen Higdon - June 27, 2009
some of the commenters seem to think the trade proposal gives up too much.
gimme a break. I’m with DQ on my general irritation with most trade proposals made on fan blogs.
clack - June 27, 2009
yeah, fan trade proposals tend to be
(for lack of a better word than what you’ve already used) irritating.
But both of y’all should see the crap proposed over at the Dream Shake. Christ, I hate the NBA offseason.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
The problem, I think,
is that fans tend to simply assume that other teams are stupid. Or maybe they simply overvalue the players on their own teams and undervalue the ones they want on other teams.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
Agreed.
I haven’t seen many proposals over there that didn’t make me cringe at the utter stupidity.
divinebovine - June 27, 2009
Since no one has broached the subject
I will.
That AP photo of Paulino is the balls.
Stephen Higdon - June 27, 2009
Paulino leads the Houston Shiny Happy People to victory.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
#14 makes me chuckle
It makes me wonder when a pitcher like Figaro handles the Brewers and then gets incinerated by another team. I confess having some pleasure watching the highlights as he was cocky against the Brewers.
ol Pete - June 27, 2009
I think it's hilarious
that the Cubs spent all that money and are still below .500 almost halfway through the season.
Only_A_Lad - June 27, 2009
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