Take a look at this random recap from 2009. What do you think? What can be changed? What can stay the same?
Until we get an idea at what you, dear reader, want in game recaps, we'll try a few different things out.
What Happened?
Hunter Pence had the big day with two homers in the 4th inning - that's right, a solo shot and a three-run homer in the same inning - as part of a 21-hit barrage in a 15-5 win over the Nationals in the Spring Training debut. The Astros hit five home runs total - two by Pence, one each by Jason Michaels, Yordany Ramirez, and Chris Johnson.
Why They Won
The 9-run 4th inning. It's hard to lose a game when you score nine runs in one inning. And because four Nationals pitchers gave up 2+ ER (Martis, Peralta, Capps, and Guardado).
Astros pitching
For the most part it was solid. Things got off to a shaky start with Brett Myers walking three batters, and a throwing error by Kaz Matsui leading to two earned runs (three total), and the Astros were down 5-0, after Arias and Sampson gave up a run each. Then the pitching settled down, with Gervacio, Majewski, Corcoran, and Wright throwing scoreless innings.
Maybe the most remarkable stat of the day was in the groundball/flyball category: Astros pitchers induced 17 groundball outs, 1 flyball out, and six strikeouts.
Positional Battles
Catcher
Towles: 2x3, RBI (two 2Bs)
Castro: 1x3, RBI
Quintero: 1x1
OF5
Yordany: 2x2, 4RBI
Bogusevic: 1x2, K
Sullivan: 0x1
Man of the Match
Hunter Pence! 3x3 with 2HR, 4RBI
Goat of the Game
Brett Myers. His first start was rough, but it is the first game of the Spring.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
