Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

What's up with Wieland sitting at 5-10? That doesn't sound "Ace" worthy.

Different pitcher than Royals' Wieland. My guy is Kyle Weiland his is Joe Wieland. But I can see how that may be confusing.

[AC]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

Different pitcher than Royals' Wieland. My guy is Kyle Weiland his is Joe Wieland. But I can see how that may be confusing.

Kyle is like the Tommie Aaron to Joe's Hank Aaron, so to speak.

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

We've been making some progress since the last post, our boys have picked up even more ground on Cincinnati as the Reds have scuffled since the break. We sit 6 games out of first coming into this game against the Cubbies at Wrigley Field. Paul Clemens vs Matt Garza in what shapes up to be a good pitching duel.


Wow, Garza is 4-9 with a low 3 ERA? #teampitcherwinlossisauselessstat (just for you AC) And Clemens has quietly gone about his business since getting the call out of camp. Very solid campaign for him as a rookie and I think its safe to say we made the right call with bringing him up when we did. Without further ado, we head to a rainy Wrigley Field to play this divisional game.


Garza has to face this lineup from Houston


Garza vs Clemens is a match-up we all expected to yield a low final score, things started off shaky for Garza as he allowed a four-spot in the first inning. Capped off by this check swing bloop off the bat of Jason Castro.


It was a well-placed ball and it plated two runs for us to really help put Matt on the ropes early. Paul Clemens had a good day on the mound, but its THIS picture that has been getting all the notoriety after the game today.


He took a swing at an 0-1 breaking ball, and the bat just couldn't stay in his hands. The fan ended up catching the bat and things were fine, but that could have been bad. His teammate Carlos Pena aided the cause by homering off Garza (Pena's former teammate.)


Clemens would bounce around all game, allowing 3 runs over 6 innings before turning things over to the bullpen. That's when things got interesting. Rhiner Cruz allowed 3 earned runs over his inning of work to make it an 8-6 ballgame and the closer Kevin Jepsen allowed a solo jack to Soto to bring this to a one-run game. However, Kevin would find himself and punch out Castro to end the game at 8-7 Houston. The biggest play of the inning may not have been that though, it was probably the throw of one Carlos Gonzalez to gun out a runner tagging for third base with 1 out in the inning. Said runner had just doubled and stood on 2nd base. The next hitter hit a flyball to Gonzalez in center and the All-Star showed off his cannon.


Clutch throw, and it set up Jepsen to punch out the final batter of the game.

[AC]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

I see #teampitcherWLisauselessstat is gaining steam.



(That's the best GIF I could find. Seriously, people? NOTHING of Mr. Burns saying excellent? Sad.)

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)



Welcome to Houston, Texas for another interesting game between our best friend Marlins and our hometown Astros. Miami won 102 games last season and it was due in large part, to us dumping Carlos Lee on them (or so I'm telling myself.) His .217/.244/.313 triple slash line was so good that it pushed them from being a fringe team, to a 102 game winner. So good that it earned him an unemployment check this season of course. Anyways, rants aside we've got a good pitching match-up coming to Houston with Josh Johnson taking the hill for Miami and our guy Folty taking the ball for us.


In all honesty, this game wasn't as good as I thought it would be. We dominated them from end to end in this one. JJ got beat up as evidenced by the photo below.


Also, CarGo FINALLY connected with a HR ball...not once, but TWICE off JJ in this one. His first trot was quick and not really special.



And also, JD connected off JJ as well to make things worse for the 2013 All-Star.


But despite all of that, the offense got outworked by Mr. Folty. He pitched an unbelievable game and we couldn't believe the effort he gave.


That punchout in the top of the 6th inning kept the perfecto in-tact. However, he walked the first batter of the 7th inning and allowed a single to quickly end hopes of a perfect game in Houston. But he would bounce back and only allow a lone run in his complete game effort.


We'd take 3 of 4 from them and it felt good to do it too. Its funny that they've fallen off a little bit without Carlos around. I think its fair to say Carlos Lee is the sole reason for the Marlins success against us and in general last season. Not Ramirez, Stanton, Morrison were all in the MVP talks last season with .280+ averages and 30+ HRs each. No no, it was Carlos Lee...

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)



Welcome to Pittsburgh! For the finale of a series against the Astros' division rival Pirates. Pittsburgh has been average this season and are actually bidding to be over .500 for the second consecutive season...HOWEVER, them Buccos have hit very well against us in every game we've played against them thus far (with the exception of a game started by today's starter, but more on that in a minute.) Onto today's matchup...check the lineups for this game.


Alright, so we've got The Bud facing the Pirates. He's faced them three times this season and is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA with two no-decisions. Which is incredibly frustrating, especially for this commentator...since I bet my partner over here at the All-Star Break that Bud would win the Cy Young this season. Those 2 wins he should have gotten (one in the first game of the season for the Astros) could be huge in the discussion.

Anyways, this game was tied until the top of the 5th inning when CarGo was CarGone!


He's really heating up for us and could prove to be the spark that makes this team go down the stretch. And since that came with 2 men on, it puts us up 3-0. And that was all The Bud would need. He had his best stuff on this day, he was every bit the ace people believed he could be. He punched out our Arch-Nemesis Andrew McCutchen 3 times in the game. He was punching out righties


And lefties


And everyone in between. At the end of the day, Bud and Jason gathered on the mound in celebration as Bud nailed down the CG shutout.




3-0 final and with that, we come within 3.5 games of first place with Cincinatti having an off day. The next time we come to you here, we'll be facing the division leading Reds. Get ready for the Ultimate Showdown

Spoiler

(I hope somebody understands my lame reference)

[AC]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

This dynasty...!

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

This dynasty...!

Of course it is. I'm at home for the weekend for my anniversary on Sunday and the woman is working right now. So I don't have my PS3 and I've got my laptop with about 4 games to post, at the very least I can get a couple done tonight before she gets here.

Like I said, this dynasty will get to the 2013 WS before its done posting for this baseball season AC. That's a promise I intend to keep.

[AC]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

Of course it is. I'm at home for the weekend for my anniversary on Sunday and the woman is working right now. So I don't have my PS3 and I've got my laptop with about 4 games to post, at the very least I can get a couple done tonight before she gets here.

Congrats on the anniversary!

Like I said, this dynasty will get to the 2013 WS before its done posting for this baseball season AC. That's a promise I intend to keep.

You KNOW I'ma hold you to that.

123456LOKO

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

Hold me to it as much as you want, I'm dead serious.



I promise before the Show gets put away for this year I will have the 2013 WS done (and won if things go to plan of course.)

[AC]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

Very optimistic about making the WS. Remember, you ARE the Astros.

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

August 23rd, 2013
Houston Astros Headquarters
11:14 pm



Jeff Luhnow was pacing in his office, frantic and panicked after the news he just heard on his phone. He couldn't believe he had been lied to again!

But...but...I don't understand! You said I had another month before things needed to be finalized

Yes, but things have changed. The Gillespie boy has gained the necessary funds to purchase the team and he's prepared to go to Selig with forms you apparently signed! You've betrayed us Jeff and its time you paid the price. Clearly your family didn't motivate you enough, so its your own life which you've lost.

My family is safe...that's all that matters to me. They've been moved into WitSec by Jeff and Craig and there's no chance you find them again. That's all I care about. Gillespie's going to get this team, the paperwork has been filed and there is nothing you can do about it. Game over.

That's what you think. I've still got a trick or two up my sleeve...you are no longer of any use to me. Good night Jeff.

What the hell does h...

Suddenly, a lone dart sticks into the jugular of Luhnow and he drops to the ground in agony. He doesn't have much time and he knows it. He reaches for a pen and writes three words on a piece of paper and puts it in his shirt pocket.

Jim, if you're out there...this should......help..........you finis....h things foreve............

Jeff Luhnow laid on the floor of his office and slowly faded away, and as he did, he thought about his life as a whole. After everything had finished flashing by, he realized that he wouldn't have done anything differently. And his last thought was of his family's safety, this put a small smirk on his face. That was the face his secretary and eventually the police would find him with the next morning.

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)



Welcome to Cincinnati folks! We're up for an excellent game tonight between two teams battling for first place in the NL Central. On that note, its game time boys and girls. Check this chit out as we head into the biggest game in Astros history (ok maybe not...but its important!)


.5 games separate us from Cincinnati after a torrid month from us, and the first month that Cincinnati didn't go at least 7 games over .500 (that is a real statistic, I have it written down in my notebook.) Well we would send our savior to the mound in this one...and if you don't know who our savior is, let's recap how this season started out:

1. We were average/below average up until the middle of May when we called up one Jeremy Bonderman.

2. Since calling up said pitcher, we've been unbelievable and have taken control of the Wild Card...and hope for the division lead.

3. Said pitcher sports a ridiculous 9-1 record with a sparkling low 2 ERA.

Enough said. Jeremy Bonderman has been the spark plug that drove us so far. Anywho, on to the game!



Mike Leake is the pitcher they send to oppose us tonight, he's got decent numbers and is pitching well for the Reds #5 guy. But he's got a tough task in this one facing the league's hottest hitter...and it isn't who you think it is. Its Carlos Pena of all people. Since being acquired by the Astros from the Reds, he's hitting .400 with double digit homers. Pena and .400 batting average don't belong in the same sentence and the fact that they are tells me that Pena was pissed about his PT in Cincinnati.

Leake would get us 1-2-3 in the first and send Bondo out to face the Reds.


And he would lock them down for awhile today. He showed off his arm talent and how far he's come since his first minor league start this season where he allowed 7 runs to the Cubs minor league affiliates.

And the team would get going off Leake in the 2nd inning with a couple bombs. This first one was off the bat of Carlos Pena.


Immediately afterwards, Leake served one up to Chris Johnson.


Mike Leake wasn't pleased. AT ALL.


Oh, and CJ would strike again off Leake in the 4th.


That HR would make it 4-0. However, our savior wasn't perfect today as he served one up to Phillips who played some longball of his own. Jeremy knew he made a mistake and had a look on his face that showed it.


Fast-forward to the 7th inning, here's the game recap thus far.


We would only tack on from there with a pair of longballs (one from Pena and one from JD) and other miscellaneous offensive outbursts, and another 3 innings of solid ball from Bondo and the pen sealed the win.


With that 9-2 win, we did many things. First off, we beat a division rival senseless and showed them we are the boss of them. An important thing for a team on the rise. But we also took control of first place. Which was a goal that I would admit the team didn't have at the beginning of this year...we were just hoping to finish out of the cellar. But we'll take first place all day.

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

Well...its time to get another game updated and played for our lovable Stros'. This time, they'd head home after a couple successful series to face the Mets. Oh the Mets, the other New York team, the team everyone loves to feel sorry for. They've been having a decent year, they won't be going to the playoffs, but there's a lot of teams that have that same problem.

Oh well, onward to the game!


And this one would be a solid game for all to see with a good pitching matchup. For our Astros we'd send 2nd year pitcher Kyle Weiland to the hill. Kyle's had a much better year this year than last, that's for sure.


He would go up against our favorite righty of all time...RA Dickey. The knuckleballer.


Dickey is the only pitcher on the Mets entire pitching staff with a winning record, which is impressive considering he's a knuckleballer. Anyways, on to the action! Pick it up in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Carlos Pena leading off the inning and...liftoff.


Yeah, another homer for Mr. Pena in an Astros uniform. He may have been the best pickup we've made this season...and we got CarGo this season. That would make it 1-0 and we weren't done in that inning; we got to Dickey for 3 runs and made him throw a ridiculous amount of pitches. He was knocked out in the 5th inning having allowed the 3 runs. Onto our guy now, Kyle was cruising until the 7th inning when he allowed a blast to Josh Thole.


That blast was a grand slam...and it cost us any shot we had of a lead as the Mets bullpen locked us down for the entire time they were in the game. This game wasn't a good one for us, but its a long season and we've played well for most of it.


Oh well, you win some and ya lose some...

[TheNumber35]

Re: Holdin' Onto Hope Part 2: Cranes, Trains, and Auto-Explosions (The Show 12)

The next game that we have to recap is one that was very important in the scheme of things. It was important because it was a game we desperately needed to win. We needed to win it, because we were playing the Brewers who had gone on a run of their own and came within 3.5 games of us. With Cincinnati still being a good team and Milwaukee on a run of their own...we needed to win this one to keep pace ahead of them. With that being said, on we go to the game


As you can see, they've caught up considerably since we showed the division standings at the All-Star break. So in order to win this game, we'd need an excellent pitching performance and some timely hitting. Who are we going to for our pitching you may ask? Survey says...


Ahhh, Paul "Pauly C" Clemens against the Brewers surprising ace, Randy Wolf. The Wolf had us tied up in knots all game long and I am very sad to say this but I lost most of the recap pictures from an epic game that was very highly contested. The pictures I could find were the ones above, this one:


Which highlights how well Clemens tossed the ball all day long. And the most important one of them all...the final score. Drumroll please!






















































































Yessir! We took this one 4-3 behind a dominant performance from Clemens and a good effort from our new closer Kevin Jepsen. We needed that game to hold off Cincinnati for another day and give more hope to our fanbase that we're here to stay for a late season run.