Re: "Moving Forward": Houston Astros Franchise [MLB 13: The Show]
Astros down Rangers on Opening Night
HOUSTON, TX -- Opening Night of baseball concluded with the Houston Astros topping the Texas Rangers in their American League debut, 6-2.
Fernando Martinez slapped an RBI triple in the right-center gap, while Chris Carter and Jose Altuve made sure to provide some late-inning insurance runs, with two RBI's a piece.
"I was just being patient and seeing the ball well tonight." said Martinez, who also drew two walks in tonight's affair.
Bud Norris (1-0) gave up two earned runs on 4 hits with three walks and 5 strikeouts over six innings of work to notch his first win of the 2013 baseball season.
Elvis Andrus and A.J. Pierzynski both drove in a run while Yu Darvish (0-1) took the loss after giving up two earned runs on five hits with two walks over five innings. "They capitalized, it is that simple." said Darvish through a translator in a post-game interview.
It didn't help Darvish considering the fact in tonight's game it seemed the Rangers' defense had holes in their gloves. They committed three errors which would eventually turn into three runs in Houston's favor.
The Astros struck first with a pair of runs in the third inning followed by another run in the fourth. Texas then responded with two runs of their own in the fifth inning, cutting the lead to 3-2. After that it was all Astros baseball when they added three insurance runs between the seventh and eigth innings.
A opening night Astros victory was also the first win in Bo Porter's managerial debut.
"It's not about me tonight, it is about the Houston Astros and their fans. I want to see them win." responded Porter, when asked about his first victory.
Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. is the second game of the three-game series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, as the Astros' Erik Bedard (0-0) takes the mound against the Rangers' Alexi Ogando (0-0).
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
Mar 31, 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Texas (0-1)
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
2
6
3
Houston (1-0)
0
0
2
1
0
0
1
2
x
6
8
1
W: Bud Norris L: Y. Darvish S: E. Gonzalez
Texas Rangers
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
E. Andrus
4
0
0
1
0
1
.000
C. Gentry
3
0
1
0
1
0
.333
A. Beltre
3
0
1
0
1
2
.333
N. Cruz
4
0
0
0
0
2
.000
L. Berkman
4
0
0
0
0
0
.000
D. Murphy
4
1
1
0
0
0
.250
A. Pierzynski
3
0
0
1
1
0
.000
M. Moreland
3
1
0
0
1
2
.000
I. Kinsler
4
0
3
0
0
0
.750
TEAM TOTALS
32
2
6
2
4
7
BATTING: 3B: D. Murphy (1) RBI: E. Andrus (1), A. Pierzynski (1) SF: E. Andrus
BASERUNNING: SB: C. Gentry (1), I. Kinsler (1) CS: C. Gentry
FIELDING: E: E. Andrus (1), N. Cruz (1), L. Berkman (1)
Houston Astros
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
R. Cedeno
4
1
0
0
0
1
.000
B. Wallace
5
0
2
1
0
1
.400
J. Altuve
5
0
1
2
0
2
.200
C. Carter
4
0
1
2
0
1
.250
C. Pena
3
0
1
0
1
0
.333
J. Castro
4
0
0
0
0
2
.000
M. Dominguez
3
2
0
0
1
0
.000
F. Martinez
2
2
2
1
2
0
1.000
R. Ankiel
3
1
1
0
1
1
.333
TEAM TOTALS
33
6
8
6
5
8
BATTING: 3B: F. Martinez (1) RBI: B. Wallace (1), J. Altuve (2), C. Carter (2), F. Martinez (1) HBP: R. Cedeno SF: C. Carter
Re: "Moving Forward": Houston Astros Franchise [MLB 13: The Show]
Pena Homerun Leads Astros To A 6-3 Victory
HOUSTON, TX -- Last-inning heroics by Astros batters turned out to be too much for Rangers' pitching, as Houston beat Texas, 6-3, in the second game of their three-game series. Jarrod Cosart got the win, in his major league debut, after relieving starting pitcher Erik Bedard in the seventh inning. At one point Bedard, who is one of the veterans in the locker room, retired eleven staight Texas batters.
"I'm looking to get back into old form, so I can pass knowledge down to this young locker room. Tonight was a good start for me." said Bedard, when asked about his performance tonight.
It wasn't all roses at the start of the game as Texas' David Murphy doubled and then scored on a Jeff Baker single to rightfield. Houston would end up getting a run of their own in the fifth inning. A Geovany Soto single would put the Rangers back in the lead 2-1 in the 6th inning.
"Our bats were quiet in those first few innings" said Astros manager Bo Porter. But not for long after a Carlos Pena solo-homerun in the sixth inning tied the game, 2-2. It was the first homer for Houston this season. "I think that homerun produced a spark in our dugout." remarked Pena, after being asked about the Houston scoring surge that ensued after the 6th inning.
Erik Bedard was pulled after the sixth inning and rookie Jarrod Cosart was solid coming out of the pen in his debut, pitching two innings, striking out one and holding the Rangers scoreless. He also took home "player-of-the-game" honors.
"Nervousness. That is what I felt when stepping onto that mound. I didn't know what to expect." said Cosart about his debut. "But I just did what I was taught and everything else fell into place. It was a great first taste of the majors."
The Astros would add four more runs in the following innings coming off a double by Brett Wallace and a triple by Jose Altuve. Jose Veras came on in the ninth and gave up a solo homerun to Geovany Soto before closing the game with three strikeouts.
Houston's Phil Humber (0-0) will take the mound against Texas' Matt Harrison (0-0) to end their last game of the series tomorrow at Minute Maid, before the Oakland Athletics come rolling into "Space City".
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
Apr 2, 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Texas (0-2)
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
3
7
1
Houston (2-0)
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
1
X
6
12
0
W: J. Cosart L: J. Soria
Texas Rangers
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
E. Andrus
4
0
0
0
0
0
.000
C. Gentry
3
0
0
0
1
0
.166
A. Beltre
4
1
1
0
0
1
.285
N. Cruz
4
0
1
0
0
1
.125
I. Kinsler
4
0
0
0
0
1
.375
G. Soto
4
1
2
2
0
1
.500
D. Murphy
4
1
1
0
0
2
.250
J. Baker
4
0
1
1
0
2
.250
L. Berkman
3
0
1
0
0
0
.142
TEAM TOTALS
34
3
7
3
1
8
BATTING: 2B: D. Murphy HR: G. Soto RBI: G. Soto (2), J. Baker
FIELDING: E: L. Berkman
Houston Astros
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
R. Cedeno
5
1
3
0
0
0
.333
B. Wallace
5
1
2
2
0
1
.400
J. Altuve
4
1
1
1
0
0
.222
C. Carter
3
0
1
1
0
0
.285
C. Pena
4
1
1
1
0
2
.285
J. Castro
4
0
1
0
0
0
.125
M. Dominguez
4
1
1
0
0
0
.142
F. Martinez
2
1
1
0
1
0
.750
Ankiel
4
0
1
0
0
0
.285
TEAM TOTALS
35
6
12
5
1
3
BATTING: 2B: B. Wallace 3B: J. Altuve HR: C. Pena RBI: B. Wallace (2), J. Altuve, C. Carter, C. Pena HBP: F. Martinez SF: C. Carter GIDP: R. Cedeno
Re: "Moving Forward": Houston Astros Franchise [MLB 13: The Show]
Looking good so far! I've also just restarted the Astros franchise (which I did last year as well). Looking forward to the long grind. I'll be following your progress as well. Good Luck!
Re: "Moving Forward": Houston Astros Franchise [MLB 13: The Show]
I appreciate it, buddy! I plan on finishing the Rangers series tonight. Should have some more updates posted then. Gonna be playing ALL 162 games.
Best of luck in your franchise as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by IK720
Looking good so far! I've also just restarted the Astros franchise (which I did last year as well). Looking forward to the long grind. I'll be following your progress as well. Good Luck!
Re: "Moving Forward": Houston Astros Franchise [MLB 13: The Show]
Stingy Pitching in Astros SWEEP!
HOUSTON, TX -- Houston native Phil Humber was electric in his first outing as the Astros brought out the brooms and swept the Texas Rangers in their opening series. Humber, who got the win pitched 7 scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out four batters. Closer Jose Veras, came into the ninth-inning and closed the door on the Rangers by striking out the side.
It was Veras' first save of the season.
In the post-game locker room, when asked about his performance, Humber was very humble. "It could've gone either way, both sides were pitching great."
It all started in the fifth inning for the Astros, when Chris Carter, legged out a triple on a fly ball to the right-center gap. J.D. Martinez, who struck out in his first at-bat, capitalized with a single, allowing Carter to come across the plate and score the only run of the ball game.
When the sixth inning started for the Rangers, it looked as if they had something going, when Elvis Andrus flied to left for a single and then stole second base. But Andrus' greediness would cost him, as he was thrown out by Carlos Corporan trying to steal third base.
"Neither pitcher from either side was giving much leeway. I'm just glad our bats came out on top. It was an exciting game to coach", mentioned Bo Porter. Porter and the Astros welcome Oakland into Houston for their next series, starting on Friday.
It is a good start for the Houston Astros, as they start their tenure in the American League West Division. "Texas is a divisional rival now, and one of the top teams in the majors, so to sweep them...I bet nobody was expecting that." remarked Astros first baseman Brett Wallace, when asked about the team's performance in the opening series.
Friday, April 5th, Houstons' Lucas Harrell takes the mound against Oaklands' crafty veteran Bartolo Colon in game one of a three-game series against the Athletics. Houston will also be wearing their alternate home uniforms for "Orange Friday".
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
Apr 3, 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Texas (0-3)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
Houston (3-0)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
X
1
4
1
W: P. Humber L: M. Harrison S: J. Veras
Texas Rangers
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
E. Andrus
4
0
1
0
0
1
.083
C. Gentry
4
0
1
0
0
1
.200
A. Beltre
3
0
1
0
0
1
.300
N. Cruz
3
0
0
0
0
1
.090
L. Berkman
3
0
0
0
0
0
.100
D. Murphy
3
0
0
0
0
0
.181
A. Pierzynski
2
0
0
0
0
0
.000
G. Soto
1
0
0
0
0
0
.400
M. Moreland
2
0
0
0
0
2
.000
J. Baker
1
0
0
0
0
0
.200
I. Kinsler
3
0
0
0
0
1
.272
TEAM TOTALS
29
0
3
0
0
7
BASERUNNING: SB: E. Andrus CS: E. Andrus, C. Gentry
Re: "Moving Forward": Houston Astros Franchise [MLB 13: The Show]
Oakland Beats Houston, 8-6
HOUSTON, TX -- Former Houston Astro, Jed Lowrie, hit a two-run homer in the 8th inning to put the nail in the coffin as the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros, 8-6 in their first game of the series.
"I think there were some missed opportunities." said Bo Porter in regards to the Astros impatient batting in the later innings. "We need to find the right pitch and stop chasing." he also said.
It was a rough start for Lucas Harrell whom pitched five innings, surrendering five runs, walking two, and fanning only one batter. "They had my number tonight. Everytime I seemed to adjust, they also adjusted. I just need to get better." remarked Harrell.
The Oakland Athletics were out of the gate in the very first inning when Coco Crisp bunted a ball that deflected off of Houston's third baseman, Matt Dominguez, for a single. It was then followed by a Jemile Weeks walk. They both then proceeded to steal second base, which he did more than once tonight, and score on a Seth Smith double to left making it 2-0, Oakland, after the first inning.
Houston didn't see its first crooked number on the scoreboard until a two-run blast from Rick Ankiel bounced off the rightfield foul pole.
"I was hoping it would stay left." said Ankiel about the homerun.
39-year old veteran Bartolo Colon was very effective, leading 6-2, until the seventh inning when Houston opened the flood gates.
Houston proceeded to score four runs in the eighth inning off of three doubles by Astros' Ronny Cedeno, Brett Wallace, and Matt Dominguez. Carter ended up striking out on a 1-2 slider low and away, to end the Astros run in the eighth. He ended up striking-out three times tonight, giving him the "hat trick".
"I looked lost out their tonight. I hope to redeem myself next game." remarked a disgruntled Carter about his performance in tonight's game.
The bullpen also had a scary night at Minute Maid Park. Jarrod Cosart, who recently came off his first major league win, has quickly also tasted defeat. He took the loss, giving up a Jed Lowrie two-run shot to the rightfield stands. Oakland went up 8-6 and never looked back, as Athletics closer Grant Balfour shut the door on the Astros in the ninth, with two strikeouts, for his second save of the season.
Houston will host Oakland again, tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m., as a pair of youngsters in Houston's Jordan Lyles (0-0) and Oakland's Brett Anderson (0-0) do battle on the mound.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros
Apr 5, 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Oakland (3-2)
2
1
0
0
2
1
0
2
0
8
11
0
Houston (3-1)
0
0
0
0
2
0
4
0
0
6
11
0
Oakland Athletics
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
C. Crisp
4
1
2
2
0
1
.300
J. Weeks
4
1
0
0
1
0
.150
Y. Cespedes
5
1
3
0
0
0
.381
B. Moss
5
1
1
2
0
0
.187
S. Smith
5
0
1
2
0
0
.250
J. Reddick
3
1
1
0
1
0
.294
J. Jaso
3
2
2
0
0
0
.308
C. Young
1
0
0
0
0
0
.000
D. Norris
0
0
0
0
0
0
.500
J. Lowrie
3
1
1
2
1
0
.182
J. Donaldson
4
0
0
0
0
0
.143
TEAM TOTALS
37
8
11
8
3
1
BATTING: 2B: J. Reddick (1), S. Smith (3) HR: J. Lowrie (1), B. Moss (2) RBI: C. Crisp 2 (2), J. Lowrie 2 (3), B. Moss 2 (6), S. Smith 2 (8) SF: C. Crisp
BASERUNNING: SB: C. Crisp 2 (4), Y. Cespedes (1)
Houston Astros
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
R. Cedeno
5
1
1
2
0
1
.235
B. Wallace
5
0
3
1
0
1
.368
J. Altuve
4
0
1
0
0
0
.187
C. Carter
4
0
0
0
0
3
.214
C. Pena
4
0
0
0
0
2
.182
J. Castro
3
0
0
0
0
0
.091
C. Corporan
1
0
0
0
0
0
.250
M. Dominguez
4
2
2
0
0
0
.286
F. Martinez
3
1
2
0
1
0
.500
R. Ankiel
4
2
2
3
0
0
.364
TEAM TOTALS
37
6
11
6
1
7
BATTING: 2B: B. Wallace 2 (2), M. Dominguez 2 (2), R. Cedeno (1) HR: R. Ankiel (1) RBI: B. Wallace (4), R. Ankiel 3 (3), R. Cedeno 2 (2)
04-08-2013, 08:31 PM
