Views of a game - Round Rock Express and New Orlean Zephyrs - August 21

My second visit at Dell Diamond Field in Round Rock, TX for Express/Zephyrs game felt different. Last I been was two years ago when it was Astros affiliate club. Now its Rangers affiliate club. More on that later on.

For the game its a wild affair with Zephyrs scoring total of 7 runs in first three innings. Express tries to make a comeback but fell short as Zephyrs won 7-5.

Rangers top prospect Martin Perez was out of control getting roughed in 2 innings with 6 runs all earned and 8 hits.

Zephyrs starting pitcher Darin Downs do no better as he dinged in 4 innings with 5 runs all earned and 10 hits. Reliever Garrett Parcell perform well in 2.2 innings to get the win.

Leonys Martin and Val Majewski are bright spots of Express offense.

Mike Cevernak is offensive player of the game for Zephyrs.

The game has appearance of Chris Coghlin and Logan Morrison.

As for the ballpark its a different feel. When I looked around it was all decked of Rangers with the banners, the logos, and the program. What it didn't mention is its past. Everything when they moved to Round Rock at 2000 to 2010 wiped out. Not one mention of it on game program. They just mention about 2011 acting like its a brand new team when its not. It disappoints me they refuse have anything do with the past.

When I used to live in Midland and go to the games the Midland organization acknowledge their past from the teams they used to be affiliated with along former team names, and the players that was on the roster. The past is shown on with the team logos on top of visiting club dugout and the programs.

I wish Round Rock Express, at least, show who they were in the past like Midland Rockhounds did. They choose to ignore like it never happened.

Views and shots of a game - Astros vs Giants - August 19

Drove to Houston on Friday for Astros game as they took of Giants. It was umbrella night so I got my souvenir giveaway. Starting pitchers of the game are Wandy Rodriguez and All-Star pitcher Ryan Vogelsong. My seat is from 3rd level of the stadium.

Murial of Jeff Bagwell 449 homeruns and Craig Biggio 3000 hits.

Retired numbers of Astros players.

Wandy Rodriguez pitching on the mound. He went 8 innings with 8 strikeouts, 5 hits, and no runs along going 1-2 with 2 RBIs.

Clint Barmes moving out of the way from inside pitch. He went 1-2 with 2 runs.

Carlos Lee swinging and missing being unproductive as usual. 0-4 for the big useless lug.

Made my way down at 7th inning to get these shots:

Guillermo Mota catching the ball during his warm on the mound

Jimmy Paredes at bat. Tries hard but swinging for strikes instead of hits. He went 0-4 with 3 striekouts. He will get better.

Brian Bogusevic big swing in the 9th which netted this:

Jeff Fulchino pitches a scoreless 9th with 2 strikeouts to end the game. After the game he gets sent down to AAA.

Astros beat the Giants 6-0. This includes fine performance from catcher Carlos Corporon, who was batting .176, went 3-3, RBI, and 2 runs against All-Star pitcher Vogelsong. J.B. Shuck went 1-3 driving in team's first 2 runs of the game. Brian Bogusevic throw at home plate nailed Aubrey Huff who end up throwing a huff afterwards.

I enjoyed the game cheering my guts out for the Astros. In season where there's hardly to cheer about call this one of bright highlights of the season. I saw a young team while raw played very hard on the field. To win one over All-Star pitcher and defending champs with 1/3 of Giants fans in attendance is a great feeling to Astros fan. It gave fans a glimmer of hope for next year improvement. Here's to Astros play and hope they play spoiler for rest of the season.

Thunder Thome enters the 600 Club

Jim "Thunder" Thome became 8th member of 600 Homerun Club as hit homeruns number 599 and 600 on Monday. I'm glad he reached no. 600 and been one of my favorites. The guy just goes on the diamond, practice, works, and play hard at his best. Even through and after the "steroid era" he continues to hit homeruns. He's a team player who never put himself above the team. Any team and player would love to have a teammate like him. No frills, no flash, no flamboyance, just hit, take names, and get ready for the next at-bat. A very classic hard worker of his craft. If Thome didn't make it to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot something is seriously wrong with the voting system. Congratulations to Jim "Thunder" Thome for history reaching achievement.

Houston Astros you got a major problems

Admission: I am Houston Astros fan. Another admission: there's nothing to cheer about the Astros this season or the next or the one following next year. Final admission: feeling like what the Pittsburgh Pirates fans went through over almost two decades.

In a weekend Houston Astros completely imploded the entire team, I mean the entire team, for a long reconstruction that last for few seasons or better yet over a decade and I'm being generous on it. On Friday July 29 Astros traded face of the franchise Hunter Pence to Phillies for three unproven minor league prospects and a player to be named later. On Sunday, July 31 Astros traded the team's second best player Michael Bourn to Atlanta Braves for Jordan Schafer and three unproven minor league prospects. Yep Astros got hosed on both deals thanks to dealings of GM Ed Wade. It wasn't over as they shockingly sent starting 3B Chris Johnson and 1B Brett Wallace to Triple A. Along with it the team have called up and purchased contracts from both of their Triple-A and Double-A teams.

I'm heavily disappointed with the moves. I knew both Pence and Bourn going be sent but to get little in return was a major slap in the face. Jordan Schafer, while at one time top Braves prospect, is pretty much AAAA player. Those five players? Four are pitchers when the team needed to most is offense not more pitching. Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton said to be have upside but I have heard that used so many times and half of the time never pan out. IMO, the only bright spot is Brett Oberholtzer who looks to be on track of making Astros roster in 2013. The rest are too much risk or lifetime minor league players.

Those moves ushered in a giant painstaking rebuilding process for the team. The moves involved calling players up from their Triple-A and Double-A teams trying figure out team potential roster for next seaon. Hopefully the moves of Jose Altuve, Jimmy Paredes, and J.D. Martinez from Double-A to majors is worth the risk. The move will make or break the players confidence within few years. Also along the way possibly Brian Bogusevic and rejuvenated Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace may finally jump start a much needed stagnant offense.

This season the Astros are a mess from ownership to GM Ed Wade to team's lack of play. I'm hoping the rebuilding period goes through smoothly. Wish they can able find a way get rid of immobile Carlos Lee and piece of shit Brandon Lyon.

I will still cheer Houston Astros because they are my team.