Open Thread Baseball vs Louisville
I'm going to record thoughts here as the game goes along.
Meh Video
Crappy Live Stats
Oaks isn't settled in yet. Gave up a lead off double then a wild pitch that bounced in the grass/dirt border. Lots of stuff in the dirt.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:07 PM ^
Royse is living on the low and away corner. The screen may be blurry, but he looks like he's getting some Maddox calls.
EDIT: Right as I say that, a pitch that Toth struck out on is called ball 4 for Dufek.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:16 PM ^
Oaks is looking a bit better now. Got 1-2-3 in the second with an easy fly out and two ground outs. Louisville is aggressive at the plate despite Oaks' rough first inning. Swinging at a lot of pitches that would be close otherwise. Granted, the way Gillis was calling strikes for Royse, it was probably for the best.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
As an umpire, I don't question strike zones too often. Gillis is killing me though. The Louisville catcher has repeatedly gone to his knees because the ball is right above the dirt and he's anticipating having to block it. They're all called strikes.
I think I'm turning into Tim with my disgust with officials in Michigan games.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
Berset catches him stealing with a gun. Aided by Oaks' quick delivery. 0-1 in mid 3.
Oaks is looking good. He's more of a fly ball pitcher than I'd like, but he has been getting plenty of outs with very few pitches.
Time to get more aggressive at the plate.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:34 PM ^
I don't know if this has been broached, but who has replaced LaMarre? And how badly does his loss kill the lineup?
February 26th, 2010 at 8:44 PM ^
Garrett Stephens is our back up first baseman. He's in left and Biondi shifted to center. Defensively, it's not a very great choice, but offensively, Stephens has a solid bat. I think he's a middle of the lineup guy next whenever Dufek leaves.
Home run Louisville to make it 2-0.
EDIT: Obviously no one can replace LaMarre. Stephens isn't a horrible replacement, but there's no way he'll match half of LaMarre's production. And yeah, that whole defensive liability.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:59 PM ^
I hadn't noticed, but Kevin Krantz is starting in left tonight. He's our backup third baseman (converted from shortstop over his redshirt year last season). He's a bit more of an average guy than power guy like I see Stephens being. He's probably a better defensive option, not sure about his offense yet.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:52 PM ^
Sound's been variable tonight. As has everything else....
February 26th, 2010 at 8:54 PM ^
I'll be glad if that last variable stays out of the booth. What the hell was half of that?
The team gets a pass from me on the strikeouts this game. Gillis has been bad. Louisville has had their catcher block 3 balls that have been called strike-3. It's just ridiculous.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:56 PM ^
I'm grateful, no really, but still, it's pretty hilarious.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^
I am waiting for a "and boom goes the dynamite" comment from this guy. I do appreciate the feed though, since the U of L audio feed wanted a $15 subscription fee.
Also, the live stats look like something out of mgopaint.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
He got excited to end the Minnesota game. Got a little crackly. They were supposed to have CSTV gametracker. That fell through apparently. EDIT: Despite their ugly, they're a lot quicker.... AND FUCKING DAMMIT, THE UMPIRE JUST FOOLED THE ANNOUNCER. EVEN HE THOUGHT IT WAS LOW BUT HE CALLED IT A FUCKING STRIKE. [/caps-angry]
So we've got our like rain on your wedding day moment: Dufek is one of 2 Michigan batters not to strikeout this game.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^
Is that it really is ironic.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^
Oaks strikes out 3 in the 7th. 6Ks total at the stretch. He's still looking strong, getting his fist pump on.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:41 PM ^
Sinnery for Oaks. I guess Oaks made it long enough to not waste Burgoon. My assumption is he starts Sunday.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^
Krantz showed he's the better defensive option in left, getting to a ball quick and throwing out a guy trying to stretch a single to a double. Great play.
Middle of 8, still down 0-2.
Krantz, Dennis, Biondi due up. Time to see if the defensive play picks up Krantz and gets him a leadoff hit.
EDIT: Or we could just pinch hit with Stephens and have him strikeout. Interesting move.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
Strikeouts continue to be a problem for this team. I know Louisville has some very very good college pitching, but I'd like to see the ball in play a little more often. I am very impressed with Oaks tonight. With this tough out of conference schedule, I'd have to say that anything over a .500 record before Big 10 play would be a nice accomplishment without LaMarre. Bot 9, let's see some magic!
February 26th, 2010 at 10:00 PM ^
I'd say at least 4 or so strikeouts I'm pinning on the umpire. There were some BAD calls that were clear even through the crappy video. Louisville had the same problem though, they just at least put balls into play.
Game over. 0-2 final.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
Blah.