Game Seven: Babies @ Astros, 10/21/05

December 6, 2013

MMP TWS

Game Seven: Babies @ Astros, Friday, 10/21/05, 7:30 PM

Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

BABIES CRUSH ASTROS, 9-2, AS BOB STEVENS AND KYLE BURNS EACH CRUNCH 2-RUN HOMERS FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD CAUSE

Unlike most of these big deal sports encounters, the two clubs involved in time travel here were wired into the wisdom that springs from this very deep well. Never make a claim for being the greatest team of all time unless you have traveled through the time warp to play those other clubs from other time dimensions who think they are better than you and yours. Well, we really don’t think that either of these clubs suffered from those delusions of grandeur about their own degrees of greatness, but they both encountered in each other an opponent that came ready to give and take – all that they each could handle.

Game Seven was a surprise that included some bad news. When Marie “Red” Mahoney left early with a sore elbow on her pitching arm, it did not seem so bad, but it turns out that she and Patrick Lopez each have injuries that will require Tommy John surgery before either can hope to make a comeback. It’s either Tommy John now – or back to the future for a more profound approach to orthopedic healing. They will each need to give that alternative some thought too.

Meanwhile, the game itself was quite one-sided after the Babies recaptured an early lost lead in the 5th on a 2-run double by Phil Holland. The Babies added to their margin when Bob Stevens took a 2-run homer deep to dead center in the top of the 6th and Kyle Burns launched a 2-run homer to right field in the top of the 8th. Two more runs by piece work in the top of the 9th finally sealed victory for the Babies at 9-2.

Mike McCroskey got the win in relief after giving up 2 unearned runs in the 4th and only 2 hits over the 2 2/3 innings he worked in early response to the injury loss of Mahoney. Mike Rejmaniak, Marsha Franty, and Tony Cavender worked the last five innings and giving up no runs, not hits, and only 2 walks to 8 strike outs.

Manager Bob Dorrill pushed all the buttons that worked in the big series

Manager Bob Dorrill (R) pushed all the buttons that worked in the big series

All the Babies we spoke to expressed a strong desire to do more time traveling matches in the future and we shall see what we can arrange for around the time the National SABR Convention takes place in Houston. We could play the games live if we can round up the technology to show the game or series in progress on a big screen at the hotel. We could even have a tourney that allowed interested convention attendees to manage their favorite local clubs from history. The APBA game is strictly stat-driven and a lot of fun for those of us who can see the game in our heads unfolding from the way Ernie Harwell describes the action in his play-by-play.

At any rate, the Pecan Park Eagle hopes that some of you with arcane sci-fi hearts may have enjoyed this Time Series just a little bit, if not a lot.

Kyle Burns rests after his big 2-run homer in the 6th.

Kyle Burns rests after his big 2-run homer in the 8th.

Tomorrow we will be posting the player stats so that those who care to vote on the Series MVP may do so.

Now, as per usual ….>

Here’s how the scoring went in Game Seven by Inning (In these line summaries, each new batter is preceded by the “*” sign; outs (1) (2) and (3) are shown in parentheses as they occur; changes of pitchers are noted in bold type; and the new score is indicated in parentheses after each run crosses the plate and again, at the end of the half inning time at bat):

Top of Second: Babies batting, Roy Oswalt pitching ~

* LJ Miggins strikes out (1); * A Hajduk walks; * K Burns beats out an infield hit on slow ball to SS; A Hajduk advances to 2nd; * J Hale fouls out to M Ensberg on 3rd base side (2); runners hold; * B Stevens laces a line drive RBI single to LCF; A Hajduk scores from 2nd (Babies, 1-0); J Hale stops at 2nd; * R Mahoney hits into a 4-6 force out play, C Biggio to A Everett, (3); side retired; (Babies, 1-0).

(Due to injury, M McCroskey replaced R Mahoney as pitcher for the Babies in the bottom of the 2nd.)

Bottom of Fourth: Astros batting, M McCroskey pitching ~

* C Biggio leads off with a bloop single to RF; it is C Biggio’s 8th hit of the Series; * M Ensberg beats out a swinging bunt single to B Hale at 3rd; C Biggio moves up to 2nd; * L Berkman launches a long lazy fly to deep CF; K Burns under it; K Burns drops it; E8; C Biggio scores from 2nd on the error (Babies 1 – Astros 1); M Ensberg scampers to 3rd; L Berkman holds at 1st; infield will play in for M Lamb; * M Lamb hits a sharp bouncer to P Holland at 2nd; P Holland looks M Ensberg back to 3rd and takes the 4-3 out at 1st (1); L Berkman moves up to 2nd; * C Burke draws an intentional walk to load the bases and set up the force and double play opportunities; * A Everett lifts a sac fly to CF (2); M Ensberg scores from 3rd (Astros 2 – Babies 1); L Berkman holds at 2nd; C Burke holds at 1st; * R Chavez strikes out (3); side retired; (Astros 2 – Babies 1).

Top of Fifth: Babies batting, Roy Oswalt pitching ~

* D Jones enters game as pinch hitter for pitcher M McCroskey; M McCroskey leaves game after 2 2/3 innings; he gave up 2 unearned runs and 2 hits and is the pitcher of record in line for the loss, if the Babies remain behind and lose; D Jones draws a walk; * J Disch sends C Burke to the wall in left for a deep fly out (1); D Jones holds at 1st; * B Hale swings and misses to cover D Jones on a steal of 2nd; B Hale works a walk; runners now on 1st and 2nd; P Holland bashes a double down the RF line; D Jones score from 2nd (Astros 2 – Babies 2); B Hale scores from 1st (Babies 3 – Astros 2); P Holland is thrown out 9-4-5 trying to stretch his hit into another triple (2); LJ Miggins strikes out (3); side retired; (Babies 3 – Astros 2).

(Going into the bottom of the fifth, Mark Rejmaniak will now pitch and bat 4th; D Jones will remain in the game, replacing LJ Miggins at 1st, and bat 9th.)

Top of Sixth: Babies batting, Roy Oswalt pitching ~

* Z Hajduk is robbed a single to right on a great 4-3 play by C Biggio (1); * K Burns is retired on a 6-3 pick and throw by SS A Everett (2); J Hale collects her 3rd hit of the Series, a single to LF; * B Stevens crushes a 440 foot HR to dead center; W Taveras climbs Tal’s Hill, but he can only wave goodbye to the ball (Babies 5 – Astros 2); it is B Stevens’ first homer and 5th hit of the Series; * D Jones grounds out to R Oswalt, 1-3, (3); side retired; (Babies 5 – Astros 2.)

(Going into the top of the seventh, Chad Qualls replaces Roy Oswalt as pitcher for the Astros.)

Top of Eighth: Babies batting, Chad Qualls pitching ~

* A Schmelter pinch hits for pitcher M Rejmaniak; in 3 innings, M Rejmaniak gave up 0 runs on 0 hits and 2 walk; A Schmelter doubles down the left field line for his 3rd hit of the Series; * M Gallo replaces C Qualls as pitcher for the Astros; C Qualls leaves on 1 hit and 1 strikeout night in 1 inning of work; he is also responsible for the runner at 1st; * Z Hajduk fouls out to catcher R Chavez (1); A Schmelter holds at 2nd; * K Burns lines a deep fly to left center; it clears the Conoco Pump for a home run (Babies 7 – Astros 2); it is the first Series HR for K Burns; * B Dorrill enters the game as a pinch hitter for catcher J Hale; Dorrill hits a can of corn fly ball ut to L Berkman in RF (2); * B Stevens is retired on a high infield pop fly behind 2nd to A Everett (3); side retired; (Babies 7 – Astros 2).

(Going into the bottom of the 8th, A Schmelter will remain in the game and bat 4th; B Dorrill will remain in the game and bat 7th; and Marsha Franty will now pitch and bat 5th.)

Top of Ninth: Babies batting, Russ Springer pitching ~

* D Jones walks; R Pena flies out to L Berkman in RF (1); D Jones holds at 1st; * M Hudec batting; D Jones out 2-6 attempting to steal 2nd (2); M. Hudec singles to RF; P Holland hits deep fly to CF, but W Taveras drops it (E8) and M Hudec scores all the way from 1st (Babies 8 – Astros 2); P Holland holds at 1st; A Schmelter laces his 3rd double and 4th hit of the Series on a blast into RCF; P Holland scores from 1st (Babies 9 – Astros 2); A Schmelter holds at 2nd; * T Murrah bats for pitcher M Franty and draws a walk; runners now on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs; * R Martin pinch hits for K Burns who leaves the game with 2 hits, a HR, and 2 RBI; R Martin grounds yo Everett and a 6-4 force play at 2nd (3); side retired; (Babies 9 – Astros 2.)

(Tony Cavender pitches to three batters in the bottom of the 9th, striking out 2 {M Lamb and A Everett} and closing the door on the Time Warp Series.)

Mike McCroskey is the winning pitcher for the Babies (W, 1-0); Roy Oswalt (L, 0-1) takes the loss for the Astros.

HB BOX 7

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Game Six: Babies @ Astros, 10/20/05

December 5, 2013
PRIOR TO GAME 6. MIKE LAMB HAD A GOOD TIME AT BATTING PRACTICE. HE HAD AN EVEN BETTER TIME IN THE 5TH INNING WHEN HIS HR GAVE ANDY PETTITTE ALL THE RUNS HE WOULD NEED TO WIN AND FORCE GAME 7 TONIGHT.

PRIOR TO GAME 6. MIKE LAMB HAD A GOOD TIME AT BATTING PRACTICE. HE HAD AN EVEN BETTER TIME IN THE 5TH INNING WHEN HIS HR GAVE ANDY PETTITTE ALL THE RUNS HE WOULD NEED TO WIN AND FORCE GAME 7 TONIGHT.

Game Six: Babies @ Astros, Thursday, 10/20/05, 7:30 PM

Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

ANDY PETTITTE 3-HITS BABIES, 2-0, TO FORCE GAME SEVEN TONIGHT

LAMB’S HOMER AND ENSBERG’S TRIPLE PROVIDE THE 2-RBI MUSCLE POWER

The 2-0 Astros win in Game Six of the Time Warp Series played out with all the precision of endoscopic microsurgery at Minute Maid Park last night. Starter Andy Pettitte (W, 2-0) went all the way, giving up only 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 10 Babies hitters. A lead off homer in the 5th by Mike Lamb and a triple by Morgan Ensberg in the 6th after Craig Biggio had doubled provided all the offense needed to coast the 2005 Astros into a deciding Game Seven tonight at Minute Maid Park against the 1888 Houston Babies. Marie “Red” Mahoney will take the mound for the visiting Babies; Steady Roy Oswalt will go for the Astros. Neither pitcher has a Series record to-date from their previous encounter.

Unlucky Larry Hajduk (L, 0-2) pitched well enough to win most other nights. As the Game Six Babies starter, Larry gave up only 2 runs and 2 hits in 5 innings pitched. He also walked none and struck out 3, but just could not head off the finger of Destiny that kept pointing Mr. Pettitte to the winner’s circle this night. As for how that fickle finger will point in the deciding Game Seven, it’s anybody’s guess. Pitting Pettitte (2-0) against Blair (2-0) is the only match up that could have stoked the fires of betting and anticipation more, but that confrontation is not to be, given what each is now recovering from their great individual efforts in both Games Five and Six.

Mike Lamb, who provided the margin of victory for the Astros in Game Six with his 5th inning solo HR, went 2 for 3 on the night and was the only player in the game from either team that netted more than 1 hit.

THE HOUSTON BABIES KEPT THE LID ON ANY DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE GAME 6 LOSS. "WE'LL HAAVE TO DO DO BETTER TONIGHT," OFFERED OUTFIELDER BOB STEVENS."

THE HOUSTON BABIES KEPT THE LID ON ANY DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE GAME 6 LOSS. “WE’LL HAVE TO DO BETTER IN GAME SEVEN,” BOB STEVENS OFFERED IN A QUIET WHISPER OF THE TRUTH AFTER GAME. SIX.

Here’s how the scoring went in Game Six by Inning (In these line summaries, each new batter is preceded by the “*” sign; outs (1) (2) and (3) are shown in parentheses as they occur; changes of pitchers are noted in bold type; and the new score is indicated in parentheses after each run crosses the plate and again, at the end of the half inning time at bat):

Bottom of Fifth: Astros batting, Larry Hajduk pitching ~

* M Lamb lines a ball deep down the RF line; R Martin back at the wall to leap for it; R Martin misses; it’s gone; HR for M Lamb; his 2nd of the Series; (Astros, 1-0); * B Ausmus hits a soft grounder to M Hudec at 3rd; it’s an easy 5-3 out at 1st (1); * A Everett lines a double into the RCF gap; it’s his 1st double and 2nd hit of the Series; * A Pettitte drops a sac bunt down the 1st base side; he’s retired on a 3-4 play (2) as A Everett moves to 3rd; W Taveras lines out to R Martin in RF (3); side retired; (Astros 1 – Babies 0).

Bottom of Sixth: Astros batting, Larry Hajduk pitching ~

* C Biggio laces a seeing-eye single up the middle into CF; it is C Biggio’s 7th hit of the Series; * M Ensberg slams a triple to deep RCF for his 1st hit and RBI in the Series; C Biggio scores easily from 2nd;  (Astros 2 – Babies 0); Babies manager B Dorrill visits the mound with a hook for starter Larry Hajduk; Ira Liebman is now pitching for the Babies; for I Liebman, it is his 3rd relief appearance; he has worked 1 2/3 previous innings for a 0.00 ERA and one save; * L Berkman walks; Astros now have L Berkman at 1st and M Ensberg at 3rd as runners; still no outs; infield playing shallow; *  J Lane slices a hot grounder to R Pena at SS; M Ensberg is trying to score; R Pena wings a hard true throw to catcher B Dorrill; M Ensberg is tagged out, 6-2 (1); J Lane takes 1st on the play; L Berkman moves to 2nd; * M Lamb lines a fly ball to DCF; center fielder A Schmelter runs it down at the base of Tal’s Hill (2); runners forced to hold by A Schmelter’s mercurial throw to 3rd after the catch; * B Ausmus is retired on a lazy fly ball to RF (3); side retired; (Astros 2- Babies 0).

Houston Astros 2 – Houston Babies 0 holds up as the final score. The Time Warp Series is now tied at 3 games each for both clubs and everything is on the line in tonight’s Game Seven.

HB BOX 6

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Game Five: Astros @ Babies, 10/19/05

December 4, 2013
Archival Photo of Robert "Shirtless Bob" Blair, on the 1909 day he no-hit Ty Cobb and the Detroit Tigers in an exhibition game against the Ford Motormen.

Archival Photo of Robert “Shirtless Bob” Blair, time traveler, on the 1909 day he no-hit Ty Cobb and the Detroit Tigers in an exhibition game against the Ford Motormen. Today’s series “no-no” for the Babies against the 2005 Astros was Blair’s 2nd against a big league club

Game Five: Astros @ Babies, Wednesday, 10/19/05, 7:30 PM

Constellation Field, Sugar Land, Texas

BOB BLAIR NO HITS ASTROS, 1-0! BABIES LEAD SERIES, 3-2!

Last night in Game Five, Shirtless Bob Blair set the Time Warp Series on its ear by pitching the first no-hitter in the entire history of these games. Two walks alone separated Blair from matching the perfect game of Don Larsen of the New York Yankees in their 2-0 win over the Brooklyn Dodgers on October 8th of the 1956 World Series at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. All of Blair’s good stuff was working and it showed. Blair racked up 12 “K”s and needed only a single tally in the bottom of the first to protect his 1-0 triumph in the end.

The madly celebrated Babies win has driven Bob Blair’s record in the Series to 2 wins and 0 defeats in two complete game starts that have seen him surrender only one unearned run in 18 innings. Blair has been touched for 6 hits from his first opening game start and a total of 5 walks. In return, he has struck out 20 batters in his two games. And most importantly, Blair’s 2-0 “Ironman” performance has now given the Houston Babies a 3-2 Time Warp Series lead as everything now goes back to Minute Maid Park for a definite Game Six and a possible Game Seven.

Asked how he does it, Bob Blair explained that he followed the lead of his boyhood hero, Babe Ruth. “I ripped off my shirt the night before I pitched and went out and did a little elbow-bending,” Bob explained. “The exercise strengthens my pitching arm and also seems to sanctify both my mind and my resolve. – Look at today’s results! – I couldn’t have done much better had I tried even six or seven more miracle juice spots.”

Babies Manager Bob Dorrill didn’t exactly endorse Blair’s training regimen, but he conceded that “I can’t argue with his results. We take nothing for granted, but going back to MMP and a 3-2 lead without Blair’s two monster wins would have been impossible.”

Roger Clemens (0-2) wasn’t exactly pitching sliced salami out there in Game Five either. Clemens just has experienced the hard luck of opposing Bob Blair in both of his “run for the ages” wins in Games One and Five. In Game Five, Clemens also went all the way, giving up only a single unearned run in the bottom of the first and 4 hits on the night that included 2 triples by that possessed Babies batter, Phil Holland. Phil’s two distant wallbanger shots were half the game’s hits. Bill and Jo Hale got the other two at a “one each” clip.

Game Six will go tonight, 7:30 PM, Thursday, October 20, 2005, at Minute Maid Park. Larry Hajduk (0-1) will take the mound for the 1888 Houston Babies. Andy Pettitte (1-0) goes for the home club 2005 Houston Astros.

Bob Blair in the early twilight time of Game 5 and a memorable night.

Bob Blair in the early twilight time of Game 5 and a memorable night. The Babies were wearing their alternate home jerseys in the early innings of “The Night of the Big No-No.” In the 7th, the Babies changed to their “good luck” white with dark blue  pinstripe attire.

Here’s how the scoring went in Game Five by Inning (In these line summaries, each new batter is preceded by the “*” sign; outs (1) (2) and (3) are shown in parentheses as they occur; changes of pitchers are noted in bold type; and the new score is indicated in parentheses after each run crosses the plate and again, at the end of the half inning time at bat):

Bottom of First: Babies batting, Roger Clemens pitching ~

* J Disch grounds out unassisted to 1st baseman M Lamb (1); * B Hale strikes out (2); * P Holland triples down RF line; hugs 3rd with 2 outs; * LJ Miggins grounds a ball to 2nd baseman C Biggio; C Biggio flips it to M Lamb at 1st, but it flips off Lamb’s glove for an E3 that allows LJ Miggins to reach and make the turn for 2nd and for P Holland to score from 3rd (Babies, 1-0); M Lamb retrieves the ball and flips it to R Clemens, who is now covering 1st; LJ Miggins is tagged out by R Clemens as he tries to get back to first (3), but the games’s lone run has scored; side retired; (Babies 1 – Astros o) – a score which holds up as the final tally in 9.

Blair’s Run to Greatness ~ How Bob Blair pitched to Every Batter he Faced in his No-Hit Game:

Top of >>>

First ~ * W Taveras flies out to K Burns in RCF (1); * Craig Biggio flies out to A Hajduk in LF (2); * M Ensberg pops out to LJ Miggins at 1st (3); side retired; (no score).

Second ~ * L Berkman strikes out (1); * J Lane strikes out (2); * M Lamb grounds out to LJ Miggins at 1st (3); side retired; (Babies 1 – Astros 1).

Third ~ * B Ausmus strikes out (1); * A Everett is retired on a great 4-3 play up the middle by 2nd baseman P Holland (2); * R Clemens strikes out (3); side retired; (Babies 1 – Astros o).

Fourth ~ * W Taveras strikes out (1); * C Biggio lashes a ball to short right, but B Stevens in RF makes incredible throw to nip him on a 9-3 play to LJ Miggins (2); * M Ensberg grounds into a 5-3 retirement that starts with B Disch (3); side retired; (Babies 1 – Astros 0).

Fifth ~ * L Berkman flies out to B Stevens in deep RF (1); * J Lane walks (1st Astros base runner); * M Lamb flies out to K Burns in deep CF (2); J Lane holds at 1st; * B Ausmus strikes out (3); side retired; (Babies 1 – Astros 0).

Sixth ~ * A Everett strikes out (1); * R Clemens strikes out (2); * W Taveras sends B Stevens to the wall in RF for the deepest kind of FO (3); side retired; (Babies 1 – Astros 0).

Seventh ~ * C Biggio retired on a high fair pop fly to catcher J Hale (1); * M Ensberg walks and becomes the Astros’ 2nd base runner in the game; * L Berkman hits into a 6-4-3 double play (2) (3); side retired; (Babies 1 – Astros 0).

Eighth ~ * J Lane strikes out (1); * M Lamb grounds to P Holland for a 4-3 put-out (2); * O Palmiero pinch hits for B Ausmus; O Palmeiro retired by LJ Miggins on grounder to 1st (3); side retired; (Babies 1 – Astros 0).

Ninth ~ * A Everett pops out to P Holland at 2nd (1); * J Vizcaino pinch hits for R Clemens and strikes out (2); * W Taveras strikes out (3); side retired; game over; no-hitter locked into history; (FINAL SCORE: BABIES 1 – ASTROS 0).

HB BOX 5

Babies catcher Jo Hale was the first to congratulate Bob Blair when he closed out his 1-0 no-hit win over the 2005 Astros with a called strike 3 to Willie Taveras on the outside corner.

Babies catcher Jo Hale was the first to congratulate Bob Blair when he closed out his 1-0 no-hit win over the 2005 Astros with a called strike 3 to Willie Taveras on the outside corner.

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Game Four: Astros @ Babies, 10/18/05

December 3, 2013
The Babies practiced all day at the their Katy base for last night's Game Four and their relentless comeback in the 8th of Game Four was their reward.

The Babies practiced all day at the their Katy base for last night’s Game Four with the Astros and their relentless comeback in the 8th was their reward.

GAME FOUR: ASTROS @ BABIES, TUESDAY, 10/18/05, 7:30 PM

Constellation Field, Sugar Land, Texas

BABIES RALLY AGAINST LIDGE WILDNESS IN 8TH FOR 7-5 COMEBACK WIN

SERIES TIED AT 2 GAMES EACH

It was not a game for memorable starting pitching as both Mike McCroskey of the Babies and Brandon Backe of the Astros gave up 4 runs each in two 5 1/3 mound stints, although one of the Backe runs was unearned. All totaled, both clubs’ pitching staffs gave up 12 runs on the evening (10 earned), 14 hits, 11 walks, 14 strikeouts (8 by McCroskey), 2 wild pitches, 2 hit batters, and one HR (by Jason Lane off McCroskey). There were four lead changes before the Babies finally staged a 3-run comeback inning in the bottom of the 8th off relievers Brad Lidge and Dan Wheeler that would hold in the 9th behind closer Ira Liebman for a 7-5 Babies victory.

On a wind gusting cool night in Sugar Land, Mark Rejmaniak (1-0) took the win for the Babies; Brad Lidge got the loss for the Astros (0-1). Ira Liebman picked up the save (Sv,1) for the Babies.

The Time Warp Series is now tied at 2 games a piece.

Bob Blair (1-0) of the Babies will square off again against the great Roger Clemens (0-1) of the Astros in the last home game for the infantile ones at Constellation Field. After Game Five, the Time Warp Series switches back to Minute Maid Park for a sure Game Six and a Game Seven, if needed. Manager Bob Dorrill stressed that his Babies get up everyday to play a season that is only as long as the next game, but we all know the truth behind the coach-speak: The Babies need Game Five. They don’t want to go back to MMP needing to win two games there to take the Series.

The Babies got no extra base hits in Game Four, but they used the blend of 8 singles, 4 walks, and 2 hit batters to mount the 7 runs they needed for victory. Shortstop Robert Pena of the Babies and 2nd Baseman Craig Biggio of the Astros led all hitters on the day with 3 for 5 numbers. Pena’s hits were all singles, while Biggio’s bashes were all doubles. Jason Lane of the Astros was 2 for 3 with a homer and 3 RBI; and Zach Hajduk was 2 for 5 for the Babies.

Game Four was a sell out gate of 7, 567; Game Five tonight is expected to be the same. – Please come to the 7:30 PM game at Constellation Field and make sure it happens. And remember too, Deacon Jones and Ira Liebman of the Babies are both full-time employees of the Sugar Land Skeeters back in their normal time zone of 2013.

Here’s how the scoring went in Game Four by Inning (In these line summaries, each new batter is preceded by the “*” sign; outs (1) (2) and (3) are shown in parentheses as they occur; changes of pitchers are noted in bold type; and the new score is indicated in parentheses after each run crosses the plate and again, at the end of the half inning time at bat):

Top of First: Astros batting, Mike McCroskey pitching ~

* W Taveras grounds out on a 6-3 play (1); * C  Biggio laces a nasty double to center that eludes Babies CFer A Schmelter; * M Ensberg grounds out on a 6-3 play (2); C Biggio moves to 3rd; * L Berkman walks; runners now at the corners; * J Lane single to RF; C Biggio scores from 3rd (Astros, 1-0); L Berkman goes to 3rd; J Lane holds at 1st; * M Lamb strikes out (3); side retired; (Astros, 1-0).

Bottom of Third: Babies batting, Brandon Backe pitching ~

* R Martin lines out to L Berkman in LF (1); * M McCroskey lines one up middle; it caroms off pitcher B Backe’s leg, but it is picked up by SS A Everett in time for a 1-6-3 out at 1st (2); * M Hudec walks; * R Pena loops a single to LF; M Hudec stops at 2nd; * Z Hajduk singles to RF; M Hudec scores from 2nd (Astros 1 – Babies 1); R Pena moves from 1st to 3rd; A Hajduk stops at 1st; * D Jones grounds out to M Lamb at 1st (3); side retired; (Astros 1 – Babies 1).

Top of Fifth: Astros batting, Mike McCroskey pitching ~

* A Everett strikes out (1); * B Backe walks; * W Taveras batting; B Backe steals 2nd; W Taveras grounds out to R Pena on a 6-3 play at 1st (2); B Backe moves to 3rd; * C Biggio batting; B Bscke scores from 3rd on a wild pitch by M McCroskey (Astros 2 – Babies 1); C Biggio grounds out on weak bouncer to 1st baseman D Jones (3); side retired; (Astros 2 – Babies 1).

Bottom of Fifth: Babies batting, Brandon Backe pitching ~

* R Martin retired on a 4-3 ground out to C Biggio (1); * M McCroskey strikes out (2); * M Hudec walks; * R Pena singles to RF; M Hudec moves all the way to 3rd; R Pena holds at 1st; * Z Hajduk grounds hard to 1st baseman M Lamb; M Lamb tries to start a double play, but throws the ball into LF for an E6; M Hudec scores from 3rd (Astros 2 – Babies 2); R Pena moves from 1st to 3rd; Z Hajduk holds at 1st; * D Jones walks to load the bases; T Murrah grounds into a 6-4 force out at 2nd (3); side retired; (Astros 2 – Babies 2).

Top of Sixth: Astros batting, Mike McCroskey pitching ~

* M Ensberg walks; * L Berkman strikes out (1); * J Lane slams a 2-run homer to LF (Astros 4 – Babies 2); * M Lamb doubles to RCF; Babies Manager Bob Dorrill pulls M McCroskey in favor of relief pitcher M Franty; * B Ausmus strikes out; * A Everett flies out to RCF (3); side retired; (Astros 4 – Babies 2).

Bottom of Sixth: Babies batting, Brandon Backe pitching ~

* A Schmelter walks; * B Dorrill drops a Texas League single to RF; A Schmelter stops at 2nd; R Martin retired on a 3-4 sac bunt play (1); A Schmelter moves to 3rd; B Dorrill moves to 2nd; * P Holland enters the game as a pinch hitter for M Franty; W Rodriguez is the new pitcher for the Astros and will bat 6th; W Rodriguez throws wild pitch to P Holland; A Schmelter scores from 3rd (Astros 4 – Babies 3); B Dorrill moves up to 2nd; P Holland lines out to pitcher W Rodriguez (2) * M Hudec singles over C Biggio to RF; B Dorrill scores from 3rd (Astros 4 – Babies 4); * R Pena lines out to RCF (3); side retired; (Astros 4 – Babies 4).

Top of Seventh: Astros batting, Mark Rejmaniak pitching ~

* J Vizcaino safe at 1st against new pitcher M Rejmaniak as a result of an E6 bad throw from R Pena at SS; * W Taveras retired on a 2-3 sac bunt play (1); J Vizcaino moves to 2nd; * C Biggio lashes a down-the-LF-line double that scores J Vizcaino from 2nd (Astros 5 – Babies 4); * M Ensberg retired on a pop fly to M Hudec at 3rd (2); * L Berkman draws intentional walk; Biggio still on 2nd; J Lane grounds into a 6-4 force play (3); side retired; (Astros 5 – Babies 4).

Bottom of Eighth: Babies batting, Brad Lidge pitching ~

* A Schmelter walks; * B Dorrill takes 1st on a HBP; A Schmelter moves to 2nd; * * R Martin also takes 1st on a HBP; bases now loaded; * LJ Miggins pinch hits for M Rejmaniak and hits a long sac fly to deep right field (1); A Schmelter scores from 3rd (Astros 5 – Babies 5); B Dorrill goes from 2nd to 3rd; and R Martin holds at 1st; * M Hudec is brushed back as R Martin is retired 2-4 on a steal attempt (2); M Hudec still battiing with B Dorrill on 3rd and 2 0uts; M Hudec is intentionally walked; B Dorrill still holding at 3rd; Astros Manager P Garner pulls closer B Lidge in favor of D Wheeler; * R Pena laces a hard single to CF, scoring B. Dorrill from 3rd (Babies 6 – Astros 5); the ball gets by W Taveras in CF, allowing M Hudec to score all the way from 1st on the E6 (Babies 7 – Astros 5); Z Hajduk pops out to 2nd baseman C Biggio (3); side retired; (Babies 7 – Astros 5).

Ira Liebman’s Performance in the Top of the 9th Closing Pinch ~

Ira Liebman did his job in the 9th, After striking out Jose Vizcaino and then getting Willie Taveras on a hot 6-3 play by Robert Pena, Ira gave up Biggio’s third double of the night, but it did no harm. He quickly sealed the deal by getting Morgan Ensberg on a hop bouncer back to the mound. Liebman practically walked the ball to first before completing the closing save with a gentle underhanded toss to a smiling Deacon Jones at first base

HB BOX 4

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Game Three: Astros @ Babies, 10/17/05

December 2, 2013
Constellation Field, Sugar Land,10/17/05: Fans arrived early for last night's Game Three meeting of the 1888 Houston Babies and the 2005 Houston Astros. in the big Time Warp Series.

Constellation Field, Sugar Land,10/17/05: Fans arrived early for last night’s Game Three Contest between the 1888 Houston Babies and the 2005 Houston Astros in the Time Warp Series.

GAME THREE: ASTROS @ BABIES, MONDAY, 10/17/05, 7:30 PM

CONSTELLATION FIELD, SUGAR LAND, TEXAS

ASTROS EDGE BABIES IN 10; 7-6 WIN GIVES THE SPACE GUYS A 2-1 SERIES LEAD OVER THE TIME TRAVEL CLUB

An SRO crowd of 8,500 rabid fans showed up to support the Time Warp Series at Constellation Field last night. They were treated to a roller coaster scoring game in which both starting pitchers, Marie “Red” Mahoney of the 1888 Babies and Roy Oswalt of the 2005 Astros each got roughed up for 4-run innings in the top of the second and the bottom of the third innings. Both starters pinched well, otherwise, but neither survived late enough to be involved in the W/L decisions. With the Astros leading 5-4 in the bottom of the 7th, Mahoney was lifted for pinch hitter Marc Hudec. With the score still rolling at 5-4 ‘Stros, Babies slugger Alex Hajduk got both Mahoney and Oswalt off the decision hook by homering to left as the lead off batter  in the bottom of the 9th. The long home run tied the score at 5-5, chased Oswalt for Qualls, and sent the game into a 10th and deciding inning.

Taveras, Biggio, Ausmus, and Oswalt all had 2 hits each for the Astros in Game Three; Holland and Stevens had 2 each for the Babies. Chad Qualls (1-0) got the Astros win; Tony Cavender (0-1) took the Babies loss.

The two clubs meet again tonight, 10/18/05, in Game Four at Constellation Field. Mike “Piano Legs” McCroskey takes the mound for the Babies, hoping to even that 2-1 deficit that now favors the Astros. Brandon Backe gets the call for the 2005 Astros.

Here’s how the scoring went in Game Three by Inning (In these line summaries, each new batter is preceded by the “*” sign; outs (1) (2) and (3) are shown in parentheses as they occur; changes of pitchers are noted in bold type; and the new score is indicated in parentheses after each run crosses the plate and again, at the end of the half inning time at bat):

Top of Second: Astros batting, Marie “Red” Mahoney pitching ~

* J Lane strikes out (1); * M Lamb drops bloop single into LF; * B Ausmus walks; M Lamb moves to 2nd; * A Everett reaches 1st on E6 throw by SS J Disch; M Lamb to 3rd; B Ausmus to 2nd; bases full of space creatures; * R Oswalt drops looping opposite field single to RF; M Lamb scores from 3rd (Astros, 1-0) and B Ausmus scores from 2nd (Astros, 2-0); A Everett goe from 1st to 3rd; R Oswalt holds at 1st; * W Taveras singles to LF; A Everett scores from 3rd (Astros, 3-0); R Oswalt stops at 2nd, holding W Taveras at 1st; * C Biggio lines out hard to RF (2); runners hold; * M Ensberg hits towering fly ball to deep CF; K Burns drops it for an E8 play that allows R Oswalt to score easily from 2nd (Astros, 4-0), but W Taveras is retired 8-5 on play at 3rd (3); side retired; (Astros, 4-0).

Bottom of Third: Babies batting, Roy Oswalt pitching ~

* B Stevens doubles into the RCF gap; * R Mahoney singles into the hole on right side with infield playing in for the sac bunt; Red fools ’em; B Stevens scores from 2nd (Astros 4 – Babies 1); R Mahoney holds at 1st; * J Disch lashes third straight hit as an opposite field poke to RF; R Mahoney holds at 2nd; J Disch stops at 1st; * B Hale’s blooping bunt land safely; R Oswalt’s only play is 1-3 for the sac out (1); R Mahoney moves to 3rd; J Disch moves to 2nd; * P Holland lashes a 4th opposite field hit to right past C Biggio; R Mahoney scores from 3rd (Astros 4 – Babies 2); J Disch scores from 2nd (Astros 4 – Babies 3); P Holland holds at 1st; * LJ Miggins batting; P Holland steals 2nd; LJ Miggins lines a ball into the LCF gap, easily scoring P Holland to knot the game (Astros 4 – Babies 4); LJ Miggins holds at 2nd with a double; * A Hajduk strikes out (2); * K Burns flies out to L Berkman in LF (3); side retired; (Astros 4 – Babies 4).

Top of Sixth: Astros batting, Marie “Red” Mahoney pitching ~

* B Ausmus singles up the middle; holds at 1st; * A Everett strikes out (1); R Oswalt retired on a 3-1 sacrifice bunt (2); B Ausmus moves up to 2nd; * W Taveras drops a bloop single to RF; B Ausmus scores from 2nd (Astros 5 – Babies 4); W Taveras holds at 1st; * C Biggio batting: W Taveras out 2-6 on steal attempt at 2nd (3); side retired; (Astros 5 – Babies 4).

Bottom of Ninth: Babies batting, Roy Oswalt pitching ~

* A Hajduk crushes a home run to deep left – it is soon spotted flying over Missouri City, on its way to Pearland; (Astros 5 – Babies 5); Astros Manager Phil Garner pulls starter Roy Oswalt; Chad Qualls is now pitching for the Astros; * K Burns walks; * R Pena lashes a line drive out to 3rdbaseman M Ensberg (1); K Burns is at 2nd, having left early on the hit and run; M Ensberg retires K Burns on a quick 5-3 toss to 1st for the double play (2); * B Stevens strikes out (3); side retired; (Astros 5 – Babies 5).

Top of the Tenth: Astros batting, Tony Cavender pitching ~

* M Ensberg strikes out (1); * L Berkman walks; E Bruntlett enters the game as a pinch runner for L Berkman at 1st; * J Lane batting; E Bruntlett steals 2nd; J Lane doubles down the left field line, scoring E Bruntlett from 2nd (Astros 6 – Babies 5); * M Lamb draw an intentional walk; J Lane holds at 2nd; Babies Manager Bob Dorrill replaces Tony Cavender on the mound with reliever Ira Liebman; * O Palmeiro enters the game as a pinch hitter for B Ausmus; O Palmeiro lines a double into the RCF gap; J Lane scores (Astros 7 – Babies 5); M Lamb stops at 3rd; O Palmeiro holds at 2nd; * A Everett draws an intentional walk to load the bases and set up the double play; * C Qualls strikes out (2); * W Taveras strikes out (2); side retired; (Astros 7 – Babies 5).

Bottom of the Tenth: Babies batting, Chad Qualls pitching ~

* M Hudec doubles into the RCF gap; * R Martin grounds out 6-3 (2); Hudec stays at 2nd; * B Dorrill flies out to CF (2);M Hudec holds at 2nd; * P Holland singles to right; M Hudec rounds 3rd; J Lane makes E9 wild throw home; M Hudec scores on the error (Astros 7 – Babies 6); P Holland takes 2nd on the bad throw and now represents the potential tying run;  * LJ Miggins is retired on a 6-3 ground out (3); side retired; game over; (Astros 7 – Babies 6).

HB BOX 3

Social Note: Rumor has it that the headless time travel guest who accompanied Ichabod Crane through the time portal to watch this Series in our general time and space dimension may be planning to stay. We’re told by reliable sources that the unusual fellow was seen signing an earnest money contract for a nice grassy spread next door to the George Ranch. Speculation is that the land will have something to do with raising or riding horses. If any of these rumors prove to be  true, Sugar Land residents need to heed this advice: Next Halloween, folks, be careful what you wish for.

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Game Two: Babies @ Astros, 10/16/05

December 1, 2013
Andy Goes 7 for Astros; Gets Help from 2-run HR shots by Lamb and Taveras to turn back Babies, 6-3, and tie Series at 1-1.

Andy Goes 7 for Astros; Gets Help from 2-run HR shots by Lamb and Taveras to turn back Babies, 6-3, and tie Series at 1-1.

GAME TWO: BABIES @ ASTROS, SUNDAY, 10/16/05, 7:30 PM

MINUTE MAID PARK, HOUSTON, TEXAS

ANDY’S ARM AND ASTROS’ HOME RUN SWARM SPANK BABIES, 6-3

Andy Pettitte (1-0) didn’t have his best stuff for the Houston Astros in Game Two, but it was good enough to hold down the explosive offense that the Houston Babies’ other starting lineup showed in Game One. Pettitte went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs, but only 2 were earned. His 8 surrendered, but scattered hits came with no walks and 3 strikeouts before yielding the mound to closer Brad Lidge (Sv,1) in the 8th and 9th, an event that the cool Mr. Lidge celebrated by retiring all six batters he faced.

Babies starter Larry “Buffalo” Hajduk (0-1) didn’t pitch badly, but he was on the mound with a 3-2 lead in the 6th when he gave up the 2-run homer to Mike Lamb that recaptured a lead for the Astros that they never again surrendered. Marsha Franty pitched the bottom of the 7th for the Babies, but she also gave up a 2-run homer to Willie Taveras that took the score to its final count of 6-3, Astros. Patrick Lopez handled the bottom of the 8th for the Babies. Lopez gave up two hits, but no further runs. Concern exists that Lopez may have pulled something in the right shoulder of his pitching arm. He will be examined today and it is possible that he will be unavailable for further bullpen service.

Larry Joe Miggins was also unavailable today due to the pitch he took in the ribs in Game One, but he is expected back for Game Three. Deacon Jones was scheduled to start at 1st in Game Two, anyway, but he may now see additional service there, if Miggins isn’t good to go.

Things are what they are. According to Series rules, injured players cannot be replaced on the roster – and the 24-player Babies club already start with a two-player deficit to the 26-player Astros team. Babies manager Bob Dorrill is philosophical about any unfairness in the roster and injury rules. “If we survive this Series with nine players,” Dorrill Says, “the Babies’ will to win will have to carry us the rest of the way. – And that’s good enough an edge for me.”

On a lesser day of offense, Robert Pena and Deacon Jones both went 2 for 4 with a double each in Game Two, and Tom Murrah banged out the club’s second triple in the Series. Phil Holland got the first three-bagger in Game One.

The Series now moves to Constellation Field in Sugar Land, where the Houston Babies are borrowing the home of the Sugar Land Skeeters as their home field. The Babies first suggested the use of George Ranch as their home field, but the 2005 Astros quickly nixed that plan with an e-mail that simply read, “No way!” – So, Constellation Field, here we come. with Game Three, starting at 7:30 PM tonight!

Marie “Red” Mahoney, a Texas Baseball Hall of Famer and also a former player from the All Girls Professional Baseball League will take the mound for the Houston Babies in Game Three. She will be opposed by Roy Oswalt of the 2005 Houston Astros.

Now, let’s get into the scoring details of Game Two.

Here’s how the scoring went in Game Two by Inning (In these line summaries, each new batter is preceded by the “*” sign; outs (1) (2) and (3) are shown in parentheses as they occur; changes of pitchers are noted in bold type; and the new score is indicated in parentheses after each run crosses the plate and again, at the end of the half inning time at bat):

Bottom of First: Astros batting, Larry Hajduk pitching ~

* W Taveras flies out to CF (1); * C Biggio flies out to CF (2); * M Ensberg walks; * L Berkman doubles down RFL; M Ensberg scores from 1st; (Astros, 1-0); * J Lane laces a sharp single to RF; L Berkman scores from 2nd; (Astros, 2-0) as the ball is cut off by D Jones for a play on J Lane, trying for 2nd; J Lane is tagged out by J Disch (3); side retired; (Astros, 2-0).

Top of Third: Babies batting, Andy Pettitte pitching ~

* R Martin lines a single to RF; * L Hajduk sacrifice bunts R Martin to 2nd (1); * M Hudec grounds out on a 3-1 play (2); R Martin moves to 3rd; * R Pena smashes a double off LF wall; scoring R Martin from 3rd; (Astros 2 – Babies 1); Z Hajduk flies out to LF (3); side retired; (Astros 2 – Babies 1).

Top of Fourth: Babies batting, Andy Pettitte pitching ~

* D Jones beats out swinging bunt to right side for an infield single; * T Murrah triples to deep RF; D. Jones scores from 1st; (Astros 2 – Babies 2); Murrah tagged out by B Ausmus trying to stretch his triple into an inside the park homer (1); * A Schmelter flies out to CF (2); * B Dorrill grounds out 4-3 (3); side retired; (Astros 2 – Babies 2).

Top of Sixth: Babies Batting. Andy Pettitte pitching ~

* R Pena reaches 1st on bad throw by A Everett; E6; * Z Hajduk strikes out (1); * D Jones doubles to RCF; R Pena scores from 1st; (Babies 3 – Astros 2); D Jones thrown out 3rd, trying to stretch double into triple (2); * T Murrah hits long fly ball out to CF (3); side retired; (Babies 3 – Astros 2).

Bottom of Sixth: Astros batting, Larry Hajduk pitching ~

* M Ensberg strikes out (1); * L Berkman doubles to RCF; * J Lane pops out to SS (2); * M Lamb rockets HR to RF; L Berkman scores ahead of M Lamb; (Astros 4 – Babies 3); * B Ausmus strikes out (3); side retired; (Astros 4 – Babies 3).

Bottom of Seventh: Astros batting, Marsha Franty pitching ~

* A Everett beats out slow grounder to 2nd base for a single; * A Pettitte’s sac bunt (1) advances A Everett to 2nd; * Willie Taveras muscles a HR into the LF Crawford Boxes; A Everett scores ahead of him; (Astros 6 – Babies 3); * C Biggio is retired on fly out to deep LCF (2); M Ensberg strikes out (3); side retired; (Astros 6 – Babies 3).

HB BOX 2

Wrap Up: Brad Lidge’s perfect dismissal of all the six Babies batters he faced in the 8th and 9th held up as all the relief Andy Pettitte (1-0) would need for the Astros victory. Babies starter Larry Hajduk (0-1) fought a good fight, but took the loss for the Babies. Both clubs go into the Constellation Field phase of the Series feeling pretty good about their chances.

Social Note: When the media noticed in the stands that Jim Crane and his 18th century uncle, Ichabod, had been joined by a headless third guest for Game Two at MMP, of course, no one recognized the man. One press box wit suggested that the gruesome fellow probably was the same guy who would later come up with the Astros’ cable television plan in 2012-2013.

As for the Series, hang with us, fans. The competition is fierce and both teams are pulling out all the stops.

Look for a full report on tonight’s Game Three from Sugar Land in tomorrow’s Pecan Park Eagle!

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Game One: Babies @ Astros, 10/15/05

November 30, 2013
Bob Blair threw a complete game, 6-hit, 13-1, win over the '05 Astros.

Houston Babies ace Bob Blair threw a complete game, allowing  zero earned runs and only 6-hits in a 13-1 win over the 2005 Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park last night.The win came in Game One in the Best 4 of 7 Time Warp Series. HOO! RAA!

GAME ONE: BABIES @ ASTROS, SATURDAY, 10/15/05, 7:30 PM

MINUTE MAID PARK, HOUSTON, TEXAS

BABIES BLAST ASTROS IN FULL HOUSE SERIES OPENER, 13-1

42,876 fans showed up for the Series opener at MMP last night and, wanted or not, they got to watch the incredible local vintage ballists, the Houston Babies, thoroughly take apart the 2005 National League Champion Houston Astros, 13-1. Babies ace Bob Blair (W, 1-0) went the distance, limiting the Astros to only 1 unearned run on 6 hits while walking only 3, but striking out 9. Hall of Famer 0ughta-be Roger Clemens (L, 0-1) lasted only 1 and 1/3 innings for the loss, giving up 6 earned runs on 3 hits and 5 walks – and fanning only 2.

Babies batters Phil Holland and Jimmy Disch led all hitters with 3 for 5 games, as Kyle Burns also kicked in 2 hits and 2 RBI. Holland and catcher Jo Hale knocked in 3 RBI each. No Astro batter bagged more than 1 hit – and, other than Franco, Astros relievers Astacio and Springer were both ineffective.

1920s visiting writer Grantland Rice didn’t get to see much. Rice spent most of the evening looking for a typewriter. And that’s too bad. He missed a great show – one that beat to the heart pump of our eternal love for baseball.

Game 2 plays out at 7:30 PM tonight at MMP. Larry “Buffalo” Hajduk (0-0) goes for the Astros and lefty Andy Pettitte (0-0) take the mound for the Astros.

Here’s how the scoring went in Game One by Inning (In these line summaries, each new batter is preceded by the “*” sign; outs (1) (2) and (3) are shown in parentheses as they occur; changes of pitchers are noted in bold type; and the new score is indicated in parentheses after each run crosses the plate and again, at the end of the half inning time at bat):

Top of First: Babies batting, Roger Clemens pitching ~

*J Disch walks and B Hale strikes out (1); * P Holland triples down RFL and J Disch scores; (Babies, 1-0); * LJ Miggins drops bloop single to LF, scoring P Holland; (Babies, 2-0); * A Hajduk fouls out to catcher (2); * K Burns HBP; LJ Miggins to 2nd base; * J Hale strikes out (3); side retired; (Babies, 2-0).

Top of Second: Babies batting, Roger Clemens pitching ~

* B Stevens flies out to RF (1); * B Blair walks; * J Disch beats out infield hit to SS and B Blair advances to 2nd; * B Hale walks to load the bases; * P Holland walks, forcing in B Blair from 3rd; bases still loaded; (Babies, 3-0); * LJ Miggins HBP, forcing in J Disch from 3rd; bases still loaded; (Babies, 4-0); Injury to LJ Miggins forces his removal from the game; Deacon Jones pinch runs at 1st for LJ Miggins and will take his place in the lineup as 1st baseman for the Babies; * A Hajduk walks, forcing in B Hale from 3rd; bases still loaded; (Babies, 5-0); E Astacio replaces R Clemens as pitcher for the Astros;  * K Burns hits sac fly to left (2), scoring P Holland from 3rd; (Babies, 6-0); J Hale retired by J Lane on long fly out to RCF (3); side retired; (Babies, 6-0).

Top of Fourth: Babies batting, Ezequiel Astacio pitching ~

* P Holland lines out to CF (1); * D Jones singles over SS to LF; * A Hajduk walks, D Jones moves to 2nd; * K Burns flies out to RF (2); runners hold; * J Hale plunks an opposite field double down the RF line, scoring D. Jones from 2nd and A Hajduk from 1st; (Babies, 8-0); * B Stevens lines out to LF (3); side retired; (Babies, 8-0).

Top of Sixth: Babies batting, Ezequiel Astacio pitching ~

* P Holland to 1st on a bloop single to LF; * D Jones strikes out (1); * A Hajduk walks, P Holland moves to 2nd; * K Burns singles through infield to RF; P. Holland scores from 2nd (Babies, 9-0) and A Hajduk moves to 3rd; J Franco replaces E Astacio as pitcher for the Astros; * J Hale retired on a sac fly to deep RCF (2); A Hajduk scores from 3rd (Babies, 10-0) and K Burns holds at 1st; * B Stevens doubles down the LF line, scoring K Burns from 1st (Babies, 11-0); * B Blair lines out to 2nd baseman C Biggio (3); side retired; (Babies, 11-0).

Bottom of Seventh: Astros batting, Bob Blair pitching ~

* L Berkman walks; E Bruntlett enters game as pinch runner and left field replacement for L Berkman; * J Lane reaches 1st on infield topper to right side; Bruntlett advances to 2nd; * M Lamb singles to LF: A Haduk fields ball on one bounce; E Bruntlett rounds 3rd, trying to score; A Hajduk’s throw to the plate is wild; E; E7;  Bruntlettt scores; (Babies 11 – Astros 1); J Lane reaches 3rd on play; M Lamb makes it to 2nd; * B Ausmus lines out near the ground to D Jones at 1st (1); D Jones quickly guns the ball to J Disch at 2nd for a double play bag tag before M Lamb can get back (2); J Lane holds at 3rd; * A Everett lines out to LF (3); side retired; (Babies 11 – Astros 1).

Top of Ninth: Astros batting, Russ Springer pitching ~

* B Stevens strikes out (1); * B Blair singles to LCF; * J Disch reaches on a short single to LF, as Blair moves to 2nd; * B Hale is batting when Springer wild pitches B Blair to 3rd and J Disch to 2nd; B Hale then singles to right, scoring B Blair; (Babies 12 – Astros 1); J Disch is retired on a Jason Lane throw to the plate that gets him trying to score from 2nd (2); B Hale takes 2nd base on the throw home;  * P Holland doubles off the LF wall, scoring B Hale from 2nd (Babies 13 – Astros 1); * D Jones lines out to LF (3); side retired; (Babies 13 – Astros 1).

And Babies 13 – Astros 1 holds up as the final score in Game One of the Time Warp Series.

HB BOX 1

Please feel free to post your ongoing questions, comments, or cheers as the Series plays out. And try to keep track of which player from either team is deserving of our post-Series MVP vote when it’s all over and the time travel portal is closed again.

Social Note: Current Astros owner Jim Crane was on hand among the Houston sports people attending the Series. Like many others, Mr. Crane took advantage of the open time portal to attend the game with a long deceased ancestor. In the case of Mr. Crane, his guest was an ancient 18th century uncle named Ichabod Crane – from someplace called Sleepy Hollow in rural New York.

See you again tomorrow back here for the Game Two wrap on Hajduk v. Pettitte. – Meanwhile, the Babies lead the Astros in this best 4 of 7 match, 1 Game to Zero.

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Houston Babies in Time Warp Series vs. ’05 Astros

November 29, 2013
After signing to play a series with the 2005 Astros, one reporter asked Lance Berkman: "What do you think of the Babies chances against your club?"

After their signing to play a series with the 2005 Astros, one reporter asked Lance Berkman: “What do you think of the Babies’ chances against your club?”

The Pecan Park Eagle hopes that everyone of you had a a great Thanksgiving Day with friends, family and yourselves, in whatever way best served served your own needs in 2013.

Now, on Friday, November 29, 2013, its time for everybody to get ready for a little four to seven day trip through time.

Today, with the help pf APBA digital baseball, and your imaginations, you are on notice that the Best of Seven Time Warp Series between the 1860/2013 Houston Babies and the 2005 Houston Astros will get underway tonight, at the transposed time and date of 7:30 PM, Saturday, October 15, 2005, in Minute Maid Park before a packed house of 42,000 rabid local baseball fans and an international gathering of sports media writers from here to eternity. Even dear old revered journalist Grantland Rice has made the time warp journey from the 1920s to cover this first game of the series. – The games will be played in real time, meaning, that at this time, none of the games have been played – and that they will only be played one actual 2013 calender day at a time.

For purposes of reporting clarity, today’s column of 11/29/13 exists only to announce the start of things. Game One in transposed time (10/15/05) will be played tonight and reported here in our column of 11/30/13, after it is played.

Got it? – But what about the rule differences that separate the Babies and Astros once they take the field?

“The Babies are used to playing without gloves and to a set of 1860 rules that made one bounce catches an out,” Astros manager Phil Garner explained. “We didn’t think it was fair to either team to play by those rules. After all, the 2005 Astros are the team of the nearer real present for all home games at MMP – and we’re playing against a team that is seasoned by rules from the distant past, but manned by a club of players from even our near future of 2013.”

Totally ignoring the time zone centrality of Manager Garner’s reasoning, Babies manager Bob Dorrill has agreed to play the series by contemporary National League rules. There will be gloves and bigger bats in use – plus, or minus, no one-bounce outs and no designated hitters. With some help from the Time Warp Events Executive Committee, the Babies have also obtained permission from the Sugar Land Skeeters to play their series home games at Constellation Field in 2005, putting aside the incongruity that the venue did not actually exist as a finished product and open until 2012. The Time Warp Committee reasoned, as they often do, that “sometimes in life, we have to set aside the restrictions of reality to get what we want – and the people involved here seem to want this series.”

The playing schedule is very straightforward: It’s best four of seven wins; series ends whenever either team wins four games; as needed. the home game schedule of games, with no travel dates in between, starts with the Astros (A) at home and it proceeds in this home game pattern: A-A-B-B-B-A-A; all games are under lights, starting tomorrow, Saturday, October 15, 2005, @ MMP; winning club gets City of Houston bragging rights – and each winning club player gets two season tickets to watch the 2014 Houston Astros start fighting their way back to respectability

Here are the rosters for each team (Please note: The Babies feature three excellent female players in Texas Baseball Hall of Famer Marie “Red” Mahoney, Marsha “The Librarian” Franty, and that other redheaded pepper pot, the hustling Jo Hale.):

HOUSTON ASTROS (26):

Pitchers (12)

Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt, Brandon Backe, Wandy Rodriguez, Ezequiel Astacio, Dan Wheeler, Mike Gallo, Chad Qualls, Russ Springer, Brad Lidge, and John Franco.

Catchers (2)

Brad Ausmus and Raul Chavez.

Infielders (6)

Mike Lamb, Jose Vizcaino, Craig Biggio, Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett, and Eric Bruntlett.

Outfielders (6)

Lance Berkman, Willie Taveras, Jason Lane, Luke Scott, Orlando Palmiero, and Chris Burke

********************

HOUSTON BABIES (24)

Pitchers (9)

Bob Blair, Larry Hajduk, Marie “Red” Mahoney, Mike McCroskey, Patrick Lopez, Ira Liebman, Tony Cavender, Marsha Franty, and Matt Rejmaniak.

Catchers (2)

Jo Hale and Bob Dorrill.

Infielders (7)

Larrry Joe Miggins, Deacon Jones, Phil Holland, Bill Hale, Tom Murrah, Robert Pena, and Mark Hudec.

Outfielders (6)

Alex Hajduk, Kyle Burns, Bob Stevens, Zach Hajduk, Alex Schmelter, and Robby Martin.

********************

The Starting Pitcher Matches (pending the absence of injuries or other intervening; in the APBA game, even season ending injuries are possible.)

Game 1 @ MMP: Bob Blair, Babies vs. Roger Clemens, Astros.

Game 2 @ MMP: Larry Hajduk, Babies vs. Andy Pettitte, Astros.

Game 3 @ CF: Roy Oswalt, Astros vs. Marie “Red” Mahoney, Babies

Game 4 @CF: Brandon Backe, Astros vs. Mike McCroskey, Babies

********************

Those Uneven Roster Numbers: Yeah, that’s right. The Astros pulled a fast one in signing off their approval of this series. They insisted that the Babies agree to accepting both team rosters as they stood on the signing date of the approved contract. It was only later that the Babies learned that this agreement will also give the Astros two extra players. The Babies will just have to deal with it and move on. Besides, focus in a series is more important than numbers.

Check back tomorrow, 11/30/13, and we shall find out together the results of Game One.

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Happy Thanksgiving, Houston Sports Fans!

November 28, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

Top Ten Reasons for Houston Sports Fans to be Grateful on Thanksgiving Day, 2013

10) We are thankful that both Minute Maid Park and Reliant Stadium are air-conditioned when their roofs are closed. At least, we fans don’t have to be hot when neither our Texans or Astros are playing so hot.

9) We appreciate the fact that the three principal owners of our baseball, basketball, and football teams are originally from Missouri, Florida, and South Carolina. At least, they are better prepared by the absence of early Houston ties to handle the emotional screws of losing than those of us who grew up slopping through the Houston heat and gumbo soil of our great, and as of yet unrealized, heady hometown expectations.

8) From those of us who grew up thinking that soccer was just another name for the recess game of kick ball, and who also never thought of soccer as a synonym for football. thanks for the Dynamo. When the Houston soccer team got eliminated from the playoffs this year, it came about as painless, indifferent news of a season  ending for a team and sport in which hardly anyone ever scores and most games end up as ties. Or so it seems.

7) Thanks for the Sugar Land Skeeters, the biggest winning club in Independent League baseball, upon the completion of their second successful year of operation in our community. The Skeeters are the real deal – the personification of baseball for the love of the game it used to be – and still is – under the stewardship of their ownership and people like Tal Smith, Deacon Jones, Ira Leibman, and M.J. Burns.

6) Thanks for the hometown presence and ongoing impact of former sports icons like Earl Campbell and Dan Pastorini of the football Oilers, Clyde Drexler and Rudy Tomjanovich of the basketball Rockets, Jimmy Wynn and Craig Biggio of the baseball Astros, and Larry Miggins and Solly Hemus of the baseball Houston Buffs and St. Louis Cardinals. And thanks to all the others – from all sports – too numerous to mention here as ongoing and contributing Houstonians.

5) Thanks for Mickey Herskowitz – the greatest sports writer in Houston history.

4) Thanks for Bill Yeoman and Guy V. Lewis of UH, and Wayne Graham of Rice, three of the greatest college coaches in history in the sports of football, basketball, and baseball.

3) Thanks for the great Carl Lewis in track, Zina Garrison in tennis, and Mary Lou Retton in gymnastics.

2) Thanks for all the other personal favorites of your own choice who make Houston one of the strongest sports communities in the nation.

1) And from the sandlots of yesterday to the organized programs of today, thanks to all the positive forces that take sports to the kids. Our children are the lifeline to all that is important to growth and positive change – whether we are talking about sports – or our conscious better treatment of each other.

That’s our two cents. Let us hear from you too.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!

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1973: Jerry Lewis Gets a Hit as an Astro

November 27, 2013
Left to Right: (1) Jerry Lewis takes the field as an Astros first baseman, planting a hug on base umpire Hank Soar; (2) Jerry congratulates home plate umpire Greg Olsen for getting it right; and (3) Lewis ignores the Tigers catcher.

Left to Right: (1) Jerry Lewis takes the field as an Astros first baseman, planting a hug on base umpire Hank Soar; (2) Jerry congratulates home plate umpire Greg Olsen for getting it right; and (3) Lewis ignores the Tigers catcher.

Tom Hunter is fast becoming my best source on the memories of Houston Sports History that are so easily slipping away from all of us. Yesterday, Tom wrote the following as a comment upon my column about Billy Crystal’s one time at bat for the New York Yankees in the spring of 2008:

“Billy Crystal actually started college on a baseball scholarship, but the program was dropped during his freshman year. He also does a dead-on impression of Phil Rizzuto. Another Walter Mitty moment came in the Astrodome in late July 1972, when Jerry Lewis started at first base for the Houston Astros in an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers. Although I was never a fan of his humor, I was amazed at how well he played defense; he even got a hit off Tiger pitcher Mike Strahler. It was reported that he arrived at a party later that night still wearing his number ’9′ Astros jersey.”

The game and appearance by Jerry Lewis as an Astro took place on July 19, 1973 – and here’s how it was reported by the Baytown Sun:

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Pitchers, Lewis Steal Astro Show

Houston (AP) – Bob Gallagher’s inside-the-park grand slam home run won the game but a pair of pitching coaches in their 50s and a comedian stole the show in an exhibition game between the Houston Astros and the Detroit Tigers.

Gallagher’s eighth inning smash gave Houston a 10-7 victory Thursday night in the game as both clubs allowed their pitching coaches to pitch and comedian Jerry Lewis played four innings at first base for the Astros.

Lewis (age 47 at the time) got a single and a walk in his two times at bat.

Pitching coaches Hub Kittle, 56, of the Astros and Art Fowler, 51, of the Tigers finished on the mound to the delight of an Astrodome paid crowd of 11,955.

Fowler walked one batter after relieving Bob Miller in the eighth following Gallagher’s grand slam but got the next batter to hit into a forceout.

Kittle also walked the first batter in the Tigers’ ninth but retired the next three to end the game,

Gallagher’s grand slam poke climaxed a six-run eighth inning for the Astros, who were trailing 7-4 at the time. Gallagher’s drive eluded Frank Howard and Dick Sharon in left centerfield.

~ Baytown Sun, Friday, July 20, 1973, Page 11.

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