Hello all,
The Astros were on a high flying out to Anaheim. They had just swept a good Seattle Mariners teams. The bats had finally showed up, especially the bottom of the lineup, the clutch hits were there, our left on base numbers were lower and the starting pitching was outstanding. All hoped we could match this three game performance against the Angels, who had the 2nd best record in the majors behind Boston Red Sox. Result, Angels end up taking 2 out of 3. So what happened? Well, apparently the bullpen missed the flight.
Game one we had a 5 run lead going but the bullpen could not hold the lead, giving up 5 in the seventh (Qualls) to tie and the winning run in the 9th, angels win 10-9. Ok, so it happens, can’t happen twice in the same series, can it? Let’s skip to wednesday, Wandy pitch a very good game, giving up 2 runs on a homerun early. But in the 7th, as his pitch got high, he started to lose control and walked a couple. Now Garner could’ve left in for that inning, let him find a way out of the inning but instead, we go to the bullpen. In comes Borkowski, walks 3 consecutive hitter, then gives a homer to Guerrero, Astros lose 8-4.
So, what are we going to do. These kind of losses feel like getting punched in the face. No, getting punched in the face, you can see coming. This is like expecting to be punched the face but instead getting kneed in the groin. I’m sure that’s somewhat how our starting pitchers feel. They are going out there and doing there jobs, finally getting the run support.
To make matters worse, how do does the bullpen show their frustration, by either taking out on a starter, shoving him ala Wheeler or throwing their glove chucking the ball in the stands ala Qualls. He’s suspended for that tirade by the way. Anyways, I come back to my question, what do we do? Can we, dare we ask our starting pitching to go the distance? Is there any possibility of getting some news from our farm system? Is it worth the trouble? Maybe a trade?
I’m at a bit of a loss folks, this teams SHOULD’VE swept a very good Angels team. Now, I feel like punching someone in the face. Where’s Michael Barrett when you him?
3 Comments
To answer your question, Barrett has been traded to the Padres.
My thoughts exactly. Loss for words and ideas mainly because deep down you know the players are capable. We knew our batting was better than what they were putting out in the begining. We knew Lidge would come back around and that he is capable of more. Same with Biggio and Berkman. I feel the same with our closers. But we are running out of time. The trade deadline gets closer and closer.
I know I saw that when I wrote the article. I guess he really wanted to get away from Zambrano.