Gameday Thread, #102: 7/28 vs. Astros

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 7:12 PM EDT in News Comment 78 comments

Enrique Gonzalez, RHP (3-2, 4.85)

Brandon Backe, RHP (1-1, 4.50)

With Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens waiting for Arizona on Saturday and Sunday, it becomes almost essential for Arizona to win the series opener against Brandon Backe. He has made just one start since April 13, and lasted only four innings against the Mets on July 22nd. He allowed four walks: something our hitters would do wise to note, given we've managed one base on balls over the past eighteen innings. This guy is very, very fragile, and we should take advantage because, as noted, it isn't going to get any easier.

EnGon takes the mound for Arizona, and his last outing, while not stellar, did give cause for optimism, with a season-high 110 pitch appearance. He allowed three runs over seven innings, on four hits and a walk, while fanning seven. The long-ball hurt him, with two homers, and if he can avoid that today, while still maintaining the same level of performance everywhere else, it should be sufficient to get him the victory.

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Today's lineup

J. DaVanon cf .291
C. Jackson 1b .266
L. Gonzalez lf .286
C. Tracy 3b .276
J. Estrada c .323
S. Green rf .298
O. Hudson 2b .268
S. Drew ss .295
E. Gonzalez p .400

Jackson in the two-hole again, with DaVanon leading off. No spot for Quentin to be found: boooooo...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 7:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

One double for each side...

We get a leadoff hit from DaVanon, but he's left stranded at third. The Astros get a two-out double and then a walk, but they can't capitalize either, so it's scoreless. Backe got through four batters in the inning on 14 pitches, which is less than I'd like to see.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another hit goes nowhere

This time, a two-out single by Hudson drops into left, but Drew can't move him. 13 pitches for Backe this time...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 8:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DaVanon gets on base again

This time with a one-out walk. Let's hope Jackson and Tracy can do a bit more with him second time around.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Better...

CoJack singles. Men in scoring position for Gonzo and Tracy now...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gonzo gets a hit...

Not a double though. :-) Just a single, but brings DaVanon around from first, and we take the lead.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And Tracy follows up with the same...

RBI single for him two. Estrada and Green make outs, but it's a two-run lead for AZ.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The lead evaporates...

On one swing, as even after Jackson adds an RBI single, the Astros get it back on a three-run homer by Scott. We've outhit them 8-4, but it's a tie game.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

D'oh...

Conor brings in Stephen Drew in the top of the 4th (Hellooooo, future!) but a 3 run homer in the bottom of the 4th ties it.

by kishi on Jul 28, 2006 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh-oh

EnGon has allowed five hits this innings, including one to the pitcher. Danger, Will Robinson...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 9:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

EnGon Escapes

But only after hitting an Astro, to load the bases. Not pretty or pleasant, as innings go...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Back come the D'backs

Lead off double by Tracy, RBI single Green, double by Hudson. Men on second and third with one out. Time to blow this open...

I saw the Snakes on a Plane trailer last night...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Snakes on a Plane

Seen it too. Looks like it'll be a classic :)

by William K on Jul 28, 2006 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be...

Drew and Engon go down swinging, and we're kept to one run. Not exactly comfortable.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Amd back and forth it goes...

Scott looks like the designated D'back killer for the Astros, having driven in all four of their runs this far, adding a triple to his homer. However, DaVanon reaches for the third time today, with a walk, and Jackson drives him in with a double, and Arizona takes the lead for the third time today.

Backe is taken out, and it's an old D'back, veteran Russ Springer (26 games in 1998, then again in 2000-2001) who comes in.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BIG double-play ball there for EnGon

Two men on, one out, and Biggio GIDPs. Phew.

And Hudson has just got his fourth hit of the day. The gulf between his #2 hitting and his #7 hitting is more of a yawning chasm these days...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Quentin up for EnGon

Another HR would be too much to expect...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 10:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Carlos for President!

Maybe the team doesn't need to get him at-bats as starter for him to make an impact

by William K on Jul 28, 2006 10:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You got it

Ask and you'll recieve lol

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 28, 2006 10:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Then again

Holy crap. 16 at-bats. Four homers. Nine RBI. Wow...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

but expect away

Jim:

What are the qualifying PAs for ROY? When was Howard called up? Can we replace the Jackson ROY count with one for Quentin?

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RotY qualifications

Currently a player is considered to be a rookie, and thus eligible for the award, if the player has accumulated in prior major league seasons:

Fewer than 130 at bats or
Fewer than 50 innings pitched
Fewer than 45 days on the active roster, excluding time on the disabled list, in military service, or time when the rosters are expanded (currently after September 1)

Q would blow his quota on the last one by September 1st, so won't be eligible for next year, unless he gets sent back down when Tony Clark is well. That might provoke a revolution, especially if we're still in a pennant race...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking

of the comparison to Howard, who was a midyear callup and won last year. But I see his callup was on July 1. It would be very hard I guess to win it with this late a callup (I'm of course assuming that Green is traded by Monday), but not impossible.

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quentin = Gasolina

I would be so fired up to be at the ballpark and see him come in to that song ... I just tie that song to baseball like no other rap song.

Where are the longterm prospects/aspirations of Quentin's hitting spot in the order? I know there were a lot of Aspirations for Conner and Chad to be in the 2,3,4 holes in combination, but I think they are gonna have some competition in that area.

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 28, 2006 10:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy Scott!

He's doing the reverse cycle....

by William K on Jul 28, 2006 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Who is that guy?

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 28, 2006 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Medders escapes further damage

but it's back to a 1-run game. Anyone else dreading the appearance of Julio in the 9th?...

by William K on Jul 28, 2006 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am preparing for...

The Closer Alert Level to be raised to RED if Julio blows this one...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not Plaid?

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 28, 2006 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh-oh...

An error by Drew, followed by a single, puts the tying run at third with one out. Our fielding looks like it might cost us once again...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Astros tie the game

at least there won't be a save for julio to blow

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There's still the top of the 9th

And the D'Backs have shown they can score

by William K on Jul 28, 2006 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the third time

We've lost the lead this game.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 11:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There is some comfort

in knowing that they have never taken the lead.

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Estrada 0-4

Is he cold, or due?

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To be followed by Hudson...

Who has a shot at a five-hit game...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Due!

ground ball single up the middle.

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well, followed by Shawn Green

who hits into a double play.

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dammit...

And Hudson makes the out anyway...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And we get free innings

Good time for Drew to get his first homer....

by William K on Jul 28, 2006 11:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Andy Green

If you've sunk to the level where you're put in to pinch-hit for a pitcher and told to bunt, you had better get it down.

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

okay, so we have

davannon, jackson, gonzo and we need one hit.

let's put it together guys

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

so it's up to CoJack

Prove there is a reason you were called up first, big guy.

Or hit a ground ball that Huff bobbles and can still throw you out with.

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sadly, no 4-hit night for CoJack

Astros turn now. Wonder who's pitching for us?

by Jim McLennan on Jul 28, 2006 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pena

I didn't mean to diss Conor. He's our guy.

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Incidentally

not sure if they are showing this on the AZ broadcast, but since EI is shoing the Houston feed, I've learned that it's 70s night, and the jumbotron has photoshopped all the Astros into 70s outfits and scenes when they come up (Ausmus in Threes Company, stuff like that)

by andrewinnewyork on Jul 28, 2006 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs