The last few games have been really frustrating to watch. Averaging 1.6 runs on 1.3 extra base hits per game over the last 6 games.

Another game by Happ giving up 2 home runs. I seriously can't stand fly ball pitchers. Happ can't last more than 5 or 6 innings and he gives up home runs all the damn time.

Bring up Lyles.

Dear god wtf is wrong with jd? I don't even think it has anything to do with pitchers having the book on him. his swing has slowed down and his patience has gone to hell. Send him down and bring up ruggiano until he fixes it. Letting him embarrass himself line this its ridicilous.

My god this stupid ball park has now robbed about 5 astro home runs. Thank god we scored anyway.

Wish we could have gotten more runs there but at least we have the lead.

Just have to hope wandy keeps pitching well and doesn't get lazy.

Wandy is only sitting at 71 pitches after 6 so maybe he could go 8 possibly 9.

I have never seen a team make more non routine plays than the pirates. Every inning is a new ridiculous play or a "look what I found"

Wandy ready to go the distance and mills over coaches again. I know myers has been doing well, but why ruin a good thing?

It was a coin flip decision IMO. Hindsight is 20/20 but prolly should have stayed with Wandy

[This message has been edited by Mr.Bond (edited 5/13/2012 3:36p).]

I'm ready for mills to go. His baby sitting view on coaching has lost us at least 5 games already and might be another here.

At least he was smart enough to realize that the pirates are little league after their third batter mccutchen.

Mills biggest and pretty much only flaw is over thinking and being "too much by the book" a habit for a guy at his point in career sadly won't change.

Mills will have less coaching to do next year in the AL. Maybe he'll be better with less on his mind.

"Gotta go with the closer no matter what!"

-Stupid Managers

Just missed 3 easy outs on fielding mistakes. Blame the rain?

Not sure how I've stayed awake watching this team lately. No rallies, just a couple stray hits here and there.

Agreed,

They have not been fun to watch lately.

Lyles is back up. Starts today.

[This message has been edited by blinnboy83 (edited 5/15/2012 11:18a).]

Hunter Pence walk off home run.

We just cant win close games.

At least Martinez is back. 2-4 with a huge bottom of the 9th RBI.

in just a few days...suddenly back to 6 games under .500

We need another run like that homestand we had just over a week ago...

We have three huge problems that are losing us games.

1. Our manager and coaches suck.
A. He is a babysitter. There is no reason for Altuve, Lowrie, or Johnson to sit. The guys we put in behind them are not capable of making up for what we lose with them. And does he really think these guys cant handle playing every day? Retarded. Same with his pitchers and bullpen. HE plays way too much by the book and not at all by results.
B. Dave Clark is a piece of ****. The motto of this years team is to put the pressure on the other team.. except when they are rounding third. Like today, top of the 9th, right fielder doesnt even have the ball, and we are very unlikely to get another hit.. so what should we do? Definitely hold up the runner at third.. a runner who is very fast.

2. We have no relief outside of Rhiner Cruz, who is so young that Im afraid we are ruining him. With the hopefuls we have in AAA, anyone outside of Cosart not a starter by July needs to be preparing to become a reliever for the Astros. That list includes Clemens and Sosa. We have to do something to get the trash like Fernando Rodriguez, Del Rosario, Carpenter, Abad, and Wright out of our system. They are worthless with no future. Carpenter is the one I have the most hope for and he is three years away from having any chance at being below average.

3. We are too young and inconsistent as hitters with no veteran leadership (ahem mr big worthless money) to survive bad pitching. Thankfully it looks like Martinez pulled his head out of his ass, but we really need an upgrade at 1st base. The problem is that our power position starters have a total of 10 HR's. Bogey has to find more power or he will be delegated to PH duty (better than Downs, minus a few HR's every now and then he is worthless). We have hitched out future to Altuve, Martinez, Castro, Lowrie, and Schaefer. Thats a decent start.. but we really need George Springer and Jonathan Singleton to completely pan out if we want to compete in the next 3 years. Either that or luck into elite pitching.

0-5 in extra inning games

What the hell is up with ex-Astros coming back and killing them. For goodness sake Pence hit 2 home runs today.

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The motto of this years team is to put the pressure on the other team.. except when they are rounding third.

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Could not agree more.

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What the hell is up with ex-Astros coming back and killing them. For goodness sake Pence hit 2 home runs today.

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Sad but true. Whether it's coming back and killing the Astros or just having more success with other teams (stat wise or winning wise)

Luis Gonzalez won a World Series and had the series winning hit in '01.

Caminiti played in a world series in 98 and won the mvp in 96 i believe.

Lidge went from being run out of town to being perfect in save opportunities and winning a world series with the Phillies in 08.

Hell, Geoff Blum hit a huge home run in the world series against the Astros.

I'm sure there's more... ugh.

There is still a ton of baseball left to be played, but this team has multiple issues that need to be addressed immediately.

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There is still a ton of baseball left to be played, but this team has multiple issues that need to be addressed immediately.

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You do know we are rebuilding right?

Home sweet home. Astros up 2-0.

Maxwell wearing the old Oswalt jersey. Nice.

It's just been frustrating watching them lose close games

Heres what I want our lineup to look like in 3 years.. and I know that so many things can change..

1B Singleton
2B Altuve / Deshields
SS Lowrie / Villar / Mier
3B Paredes
LF Martinez
CF Wates
RF Springer
C Castro

And thats assuming we dont take that outfielder with the 1st pick. I dont like Villar or Paredes as long term options anymore because neither has any ability to walk and both strike out a ton. Jonathon Meyer could be an option at 3rd, but his ceiling looks like he will be a Chris Johnson. If one of Deshields or Mier pan out, then we can trade Lowrie down the line.. otherwise, I say keep him. We really need to hope Castro either develops more power or that we can find another catcher. As far as outfield, I think its safe to say Springer is the future and the only one in the system with all star potential. I like Wates as a defensive speedy guy who can be another Michael Bourn. The kickers are Jacob Goebbert, Adam Bailey, Fernando Martinez, and Jordan Scott. But all 4 look like future AAAA all stars who wont be much in the bigs.

Ariel Ovando will be 20-21 by then. Who knows how he'll develop but I'd hope he's in the running for an outfield spot by then.

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You do know we are rebuilding right?

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I am well aware of that. I'm talking about personnel/coaching issues. Dave Clark holding runners at 3rd, Brad Mills foolishly believing that JA Happ will one day turn it around, etc. Obviously we will struggle with growing pains as we throw these young guys into the lineup. But there are some things that can't be used as an excuse simply because we are rebuilding