Cleaning House: A Houston Astros Story

[jknott10]

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[jknott10]

Houston has been playing really good baseball as of late. They dropped the second game of the series to the reds, but in the rubber match they was able to slash the Reds with a 6-5 win, shrinking the division lead to 2.5 games. J.D. carried the team in that game going 2-3 with a home run and knocking in 3 runs. Galarraga picked up the win while only allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and striking out 6 in 7 innings. Skipper Brad Mills was Asked about the game and had this to say

Quote: Originally Posted by Brad Mills

Johnny Cueto's A tough guy to face - unless its our hitters, because we beat him today

The Astros took game one of the three game series against the Cubs and cut into the Braves lead in the wildcard to 1.5 games. Bud Norris was lights out, going the distance giving up 1 run on 4 hits. LoMo went 2-4 with a home run and 3 RBI. When Brad Mills was interviewed he had this to say

Quote: Originally Posted by Brad Mills

It all came together for us today on the sticks, lets just hope we can keep it going

In Game two of the series Lucas Harrell was three hits shy of being perfect (believe it or not) in a 10-0 shutout. Bringing the Stros within a game and a half in the division. J.D. was a force in that game going 3 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBI. But the third and final game of the series didn't go as planned as the Astros fell to the Cubs 8-5 and falling back to 2.5 games back in the division. Jordan Lyles picked up the loss going 6 innings and allowing 5 runs on 7 hits. Brad Mills was asked about the game and had this to say

Quote: Originally Posted by Brad Mills

I dont get caught up in the streak hooplah. We had a good run, but we just didn't have it today.

The Phillies are coming to town next for a 4 game series against Houston. Houston will be hoping to catch the Reds in this series or at the bare minimum keep it within reach. But will be doing it with out the red hot Jordan Schafer.

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Quote: Originally Posted by ESPN Insider

What is the latest on Schafer

Quote: Originally Posted by Brad Mills

Well he has a inflamed hip and will be out for a couple weeks for precautionary reasons. Were looking at the future and don't want to jeperdize hurting him any further.

Quote: Originally Posted by ESPN Insider

Y'all are currently in the middle of a playoff race, how big is his absence to this ball club.

Quote: Originally Posted by Brad Mills

His Absence will be a big blow to us, he's valuable to this ball club. He gets on base and has mad man speed. He creates runs for us, but i think we will be fine. This team has alot of heart and is aware of the situation we are in. They are ready to step up and do what needs to be done.

The Reds are 80-64 and sitting 2.5 Games up on the 77-66 Astros
The Braves are 79-65 and sitting 1.5 Games up on the 77-66 Astros

[jknott10]

Game 1 of a 4 game set against Philly was a game that just proved Houston wants it. Houston Jumped up to a quick 1 nothing lead in the first, then added another run in the second. When the third came around Philly had figured out Wieland and tied it back up. They jumped all over him again in the 4th for another 2 runs before getting pulled with out even recording an out. Wright and Rodriguez was able to shut the Phillies down for the rest of the night as the Astros jumped all over their bullpen for 7 more runs in the late innings. Astros pulled off the win off the bats of Maxwell and Downs, both going 3 for 4 with a homerun. Astros won 9-6. Which brings us to Game 2.
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In the first inning the Astros waisted no time as Lowrie jumps all over Blanton to jump out to a quick 1 nothing lead
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The very next pitch LoMo says "ones not enough, lets go back to back"
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Later on in the 4th inning J.D. finally wakes up and realizes that hes at a baseball game and not walking his dog or playing hop scotch. He decides to praticipate in the Homerun derby as well
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The Astros will go on to win this game 5-2 behind the arm of Galarraga as he proves to be to much for Philly going 7 and a third innings giving up 2 runs in the late innings.
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Game 3 of the series was no different. Houston is on a tear right now and just seams like they cannot lose. Jason Castro provided the offense in this one with three hits including a home run and 2 RBI's. Bud Norris went 6 and two third innings and only allowed 2 runs on 8 hits, however when the game was decided Rhiner Cruz was on the mound and he picks up the win. But in other news Bud did pick up his 200th strikeout on the year. Oh that wasn't part of my other news, sorry.

IN OTHER NEWS-- The Astros trimmed the Reds division lead to just one game over the Astros, and the Astros and Braves are now tied for the top wildcard spot.

[jknott10]

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Look at that, the Dodgers wants to play also. How bought that, we got a three team fight for the NL wildcard

[jknott10]

Yesterday and last night i went on a complete playing games mission as. So im a little ahead of yall for the time being but im here to catch you guys up to where im at.

When we left off we won the first 3 games of the series against the Phillies. Game 4 was just one of those games to where no matter what happened nobody in the stadium felt comfortable. We was able to take a 4-3 lead into the 8th before the Phillies jumped all over our bullpen scoring 4 runs in the 8th and 3 more in the 9th going on to win 10-6.

That brings us to the St. Louis series. Game 1 was a game to forget as we lost 11-8 on the Arm of Lyles as he just got rocked and jerked from the game by the 4th inning. He has just not provided much for us on the year and just simply dont know if he will be back with us for next year. Game 2 of the series was a very strong outing for Weiland as he went 6.2 innings of shutout ball giving up 5 hits. The Astros werent able to get much offense going for majority of the game as we were able to squeeze out only 1 run out of Westbrook but was able to pull out with the 1-0 win. Oh i forgot to mention, in that game, Weiland helped his self out by hitting a solo homerun for there only run of the game. No big deal huh? like a boss. Game 3 the Astros won 4-2 off a strong outing from Galarraga, going 8 innings of 2 run ball. Abreu came in for the save to take the series.

Up next the pirates came to town for a 3 game set. This was a series i just don't want to talk about as the Pirates took the first two games of the series but we was able to avoid the sweep by taking game 3 by a score of 10-2.

St. Louis comes to town for another 3 game set. We took 2 out of 3 against the Cards and we got Schafer back, so hopefully he can create some runs for us.

Next up we went on to Milwaukee. The Astros are just to strong for there own good right now as the take 2 of 3 from the Brewers.

That brings us to today. 3 games left and its a 3 game series against the Cubbies.

So you might be asking yourself, what does the playoff picture look like? Well im here to show you
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Looks life we have a fist fight right to the bitter end. 5 teams are in the mix for the NL wildcard with only 3 games left in the regular season.

[jknott10]

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[jknott10]

Game one against the Cubs featured a matchup between Randy Well and the red hot Armando Galarraga that has a 4-0 record in the last month of baseball.
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In the top of the 1st inning Galarraga got in a quick jam, but was able to escape un harmed. We went scoreless Two and half innings as both pitchers were pretty much lights out. Then with two outs in the bottom of the third inning this happens
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Thats right, Justin Maxwell overruns a two out pop up allowing the batter to go all the way to third on the Error. Next batter, single up the middle. Cubs lead 1-0. Once again we get shut down in the top half and the Cubs put up another run in the bottom of the 4th. Cubs lead 2-0. The 5th was a frame where nothing happen as both teams went 3 up 3 down. The top of the 6th, the Astros were finally able to get to Wells as we were able to get 2 runners on for red hot J.D. and what does he do
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Thats right, 2 run double to tie things up. Astros look like they could pull this win off huh? haha, not so fast my friend. The cubbies put another 2 spot up in the bottom of the 6th to make it a 4-2 game. Go figure. In the bottom of the second, our bullpen is finally working in this game and, as the Cubbies load the bases you'll never guess what happens next.... Well actually you might.......If you guessed a two run single by Castillo then you guessed right.
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Man this game is getting away from us and quick. Off to the top of the ninth we go. Randdy is going for the complete game. He gets one out, but the next batter is Downs and hes been hot, he reaches on a single that actually should have been scored an error. But thats ok, will take it anyway we can right. Next batter, Maxwell.... This kid has a future in Houston
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Brings us within two with a 426 foot bomb. But it was all for not as Castro grounds out to end the game. Astros lose 6-4

So what does that do for the playoff picture?
Well with that loss, the Braves won, so that pushed us to 3 games back in the wildcard with only 2 games left to play. We have no shot there.... Its a damn shame to because this was a hell of a season to just go out like that. But wait, you thought it was over huh? I still have good news.....We have 2 games left to play and only trail the Reds by 1 game in the division. The Reds are taking on the Cards and their 5 games back so we need them to win the next 2. LETS GO CARDS

[jknott10]

After The Astros fell short to the Cubs in game 1, it was time for game 2. The Astros are playing for the possibility of playing deep into October while all the Cubs are looking to do is spoil the Stros chances. That bring's us to this game. Bud Norris Vs. Matt Garza
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The first inning Bud got into some quick trouble. But was able to escape un harmed by a wonderful play by Maxwell in LF. runners were on 2nd and 3rd and the Cubs hit a shot deep down the line. Maxwell jumps up to rob it and comes back down with it. I have a picture of it but not posting it because he has no head in the picture lol. Can post it later if anybody wants to see it. Back to the game. Later in the second inning the Stros struck first as they picked up a run in the second inning. But it was all for not as Cubs get the run back the very next inning

The Cubs and Astros would go on to play shutout baseball up until the 6th inning when the Astros would strike again.
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Maxwell triples to the RF gap and then the very next pitch Downs drives him in with a double
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Later on in the 7th we have a first and third situation and LoMo comes through again...This kid is clutch. 2RBI Double
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The Astros would go on to add a few more runs to there lead and walk away with a 7 to 1 win.
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So the Astros won their game, Lets see what the Reds and Cardinals game looked like..... Nahh i dont even want to bring it up. Made me sick. Reds won 6-3.

ONE GAME LEFT IN THE REGULAR SEASON. THE ASTROS TRAIL THE REDS BY ONE GAME IN THE DIVISION. THE WILDCARD IS OUT OF THE QUESTION.THE ASTROS HAVE TO WIN AND REDS HAVE TO LOSE, IN ORDER TO FORCE A ONE GAME PLAYOFF TO DETERMINE THE ASTROS FATE.