May 8, 2008 Washington Nationals at Houston Astros Play by Play and Box Score

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CHW 6
MIN 2 BOS 5
@DET 1 BAL 4
@KCR 1 NYY 6
CLE 3 TEX 5
@SEA 0 TBR 8
@TOR 3
(13) ARI 8
PHI 3 ATL 5
SDP 4 COL 9
STL 3 FLA 7
MIL 2 WSN 8
@HOU 3 PIT 5
SFG 4

Standings at end of play this day

Minute Maid Park, Attendance: 33,433

Thursday, May 8, 2008, 8:05pm
Time of Game: 3:01

Nationals

15-20

Won 1

5th, 5½ GB

Manny Acta

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Nationals       1  0  1   0  0  2   0  3  1    8 12  0
Astros          0  0  0   1  0  0   0  2  0    3 10  1

W: J Lannan (3-3), L: B Backe (2-4)

Astros

18-17

Lost 1

3rd, 3½ GB

Cecil Cooper

BATTING

Washington Nationals         AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit   PO   A  Details
W Harris CF                   4   1   1   1    1   2  .205  .726   20    3   0   HR
C Guzman SS                   5   3   2   0    0   1  .307  .780   17    3   7   
R Zimmerman 3B                5   2   3   0    0   2  .252  .687   20    0   2   
N Johnson 1B                  3   0   1   1    2   0  .216  .866   16   12   1   2B,GDP
A Kearns RF                   4   1   1   2    1   1  .216  .641   19    1   0   
R Belliard 2B                 4   0   0   0    0   2  .197  .621   14    1   2   
R Mackowiak LF                4   1   2   2    0   1  .214  .647   17    1   0   HR
W Nieves C                    4   0   1   0    0   1  .343  .867   14    5   0   GDP
J Lannan P                    2   0   0   0    0   1  .000  .000   12    1   2   
  A Boone PH                  1   0   1   0    0   0  .282  .851    4    0   0   2B
  S Rivera P                  0   0   0   0    0   0                     0   1   
  W Pena PH                   0   0   0   0    1   0  .235  .549    6    0   0   
  L Ayala P                   0   0   0   0    0   0                     0   0   
  J Rauch P                   0   0   0   0    0   0                     0   0   
Totals                       36   8  12   6    5  11              159   27  15

BATTING

2B: A Boone (2, off T Byrdak); N Johnson (8, off B Backe).

HR: R Mackowiak (1, off O Villarreal; 8th inn, 1 on, 2 outs to Deep LF); W Harris (1, off B Backe; 3rd inn, 0 on, 1 out to Deep RF).

TB: R Mackowiak 5; W Harris 4; R Zimmerman 3; C Guzman 2; N Johnson 2; A Boone 2; W Nieves; A Kearns.

GIDP: N Johnson (2); W Nieves (1).

RBI: A Kearns 2 (16); R Mackowiak 2 (2); N Johnson (18); W Harris (4).

2-out RBI: R Mackowiak 2; N Johnson.

Team LOB: 6.

With RISP: 1 for 10.

FIELDING

DP: 1. C Guzman-N Johnson.

Houston Astros               AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit   PO   A  Details
M Bourn CF                    4   0   1   0    1   2  .197  .585   20    1   0   2·SB
K Matsui 2B                   5   0   0   0    0   1  .257  .698   19    4   4   
M Tejada SS                   4   2   2   0    0   0  .336  .912   17    2   3   
L Berkman 1B                  3   1   2   0    1   0  .368 1.201   17    4   0   
C Lee LF                      4   0   2   1    0   0  .282  .860   13    2   0   
H Pence RF                    4   0   1   1    0   1  .256  .717   22    2   0   GDP
T Wigginton 3B                4   0   1   1    0   0  .238  .670   13    0   1   2B
J Towles C                    3   0   0   0    0   0  .164  .677   12   11   0   
  J Cruz PH                   1   0   0   0    0   1  .088  .380    5    0   0   
  W Wright P                  0   0   0   0    0   0                     0   0   
B Backe P                     2   0   1   0    0   0  .267  .800    4    0   0   
  T Byrdak P                  0   0   0   0    0   0  .333  .666         1   1   
  D Erstad PH                 1   0   0   0    0   0  .286  .667    2    0   0   
  O Villarreal P              0   0   0   0    0   0  .000  .000         0   0   
  B Ausmus C                  1   0   0   0    0   0  .189  .459    1    0   0   
Totals                       36   3  10   3    2   5              145   27   9

BATTING

2B: T Wigginton (2, off J Lannan).

TB: L Berkman 2; C Lee 2; T Wigginton 2; M Tejada 2; M Bourn; B Backe; H Pence.

GIDP: H Pence (3).

RBI: H Pence (18); T Wigginton (3); C Lee (22).

Team LOB: 8.

With RISP: 2 for 14.

FIELDING

DP: 3. M Tejada-K Matsui-L Berkman 2; T Byrdak-K Matsui.

E: M Bourn (2).

BASERUNNING

SB: M Bourn 2 (15, 2nd base off J Lannan/W Nieves, 2nd base off S Rivera/W Nieves).

PITCHING

Washington Nationals          IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
J Lannan, W (3-3)              6     7   1   1    1   3   0   3.40   25   93-54   34· 6·14   15· 4· 2· 0     56    -     1.46   0.24
S Rivera, H (5)                1     1   0   0    0   0   0   4.30    4   11-9     4· 0· 5    2· 2· 0· 0          0-0    0.88   0.05
L Ayala                        1     2   2   2    1   1   0   4.87    6   34-22   15· 2· 5    3· 0· 1· 0          0-0    0.67  -0.00
J Rauch                        1     0   0   0    0   1   0   3.31    3    6-5     2· 1· 2    1· 1· 0· 0          0-0    0.12   0.01
Totals                         9    10   3   3    2   5   0          38  144-90   55· 9·26   21· 7· 3· 0           -

Houston Astros                IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
B Backe, L (2-4)               6     6   4   4    3   9   1   4.64   26   98-61   30·14·17    5· 6· 3· 0     50    -     0.94  -0.16
T Byrdak                       1     1   0   0    0   0   0   0.00    3   10-6     3· 0· 3    0· 1· 2· 0          0-0    0.48   0.02
O Villarreal                   1     3   3   3    2   2   1   5.95    8   37-19    9· 5· 5    2· 1· 1· 0          0-0    0.21  -0.06
W Wright                       1     2   1   1    0   0   0   3.75    4   14-9     5· 0· 4    2· 2· 0· 0          0-0    0.07  -0.01
Totals                         9    12   8   8    5  11   2          41  159-95   47·19·29    9·10· 6· 0           -

Balks: None.

WP: O Villarreal (1).

IBB: None.

HBP: None.

OTHER

Umpires: HP - Angel Campos, 1B - Greg Gibson, 2B - Brian Runge, 3B - Charlie Reliford.

Time of Game: 3:01.

Attendance: 33,433.

Weather: 87° F, Wind 3mph out to Rightfield, Cloudy, No Precipitation.

LINEUPS

   Washington Nationals          Houston Astros                       
1. W Harris             CF    1. M Bourn              CF 
2. C Guzman             SS    2. K Matsui             2B 
3. R Zimmerman          3B    3. M Tejada             SS 
4. N Johnson            1B    4. L Berkman            1B 
5. A Kearns             RF    5. C Lee                LF 
6. R Belliard           2B    6. H Pence              RF 
7. R Mackowiak          LF    7. T Wigginton          3B 
8. W Nieves             C     8. J Towles             C  
9. J Lannan             P     9. B Backe              P

TOP 5 PLAYS (wpa explanation)

   Inn Out Score RoB  Pt wWPA  wWE  Batter          Pitcher         Play Detail
  +---+---+-----+---+---+----+----++---------------+---------------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
   b 6   0  4-1  12-  6   14%  86% H Pence         J Lannan        Ground Ball Double Play: SS-1B (Weak SS); Berkman to 3B
   t 1   2  0-0  1--  1   11%  58% N Johnson       B Backe         Double to RF (Fly Ball to Deep CF-RF); Guzman Scores
   t 3   1  0-1  ---  3   11%  70% W Harris        B Backe         Home Run (Fly Ball to Deep RF)
   t 6   0  1-2  1--  2   10%  80% R Zimmerman     B Backe         Single to CF (Line Drive); Guzman to 3B
   t 6   0  1-2  123  3    8%  91% A Kearns        B Backe         Single to CF (Line Drive); Guzman Scores; Zimmerman Scores; Johnson to 2B

PLAY BY PLAY (explanation)

Top of the 1st, Nationals Batting, Tied 0-0, Brandon Backe facing 1-2-3
  Scr/Out RoB  Pt  wWE  Batter          Play Detail
  +------+---+---+----++---------------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
          ---  4   53%  W Harris        Walk
   O      1--  2   50%  C Guzman        Groundout: 2B-SS/Forceout at 2B
   O      1--  3   47%  R Zimmerman     Strikeout Swinging
   R      1--  1   58%  N Johnson       Double to RF (Fly Ball to Deep CF-RF); Guzman Scores
   O      -2-  4   56%  A Kearns        Flyball: CF (Deep CF)
                  1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Nationals 1, Astros 0.

Bottom of the 1st, Astros Batting, Behind 0-1, John Lannan facing 1-2-3
          ---  4   52%  M Bourn         Walk
   O      1--  6   54%  K Matsui        Strikeout Swinging, Bourn Steals 2B
   O      -2-  6   57%  M Tejada        Flyball: CF (Deep CF)
   O      -2-  3   61%  L Berkman       Groundout: 1B-P
                  0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Nationals 1, Astros 0.

Top of the 2nd, Nationals Batting, Ahead 1-0, Brandon Backe facing 6-7-8
   O      ---  2   58%  R Belliard      Flyball: RF (Deep RF)
          ---  4   61%  R Mackowiak     Single to CF (Line Drive to LF-CF)
   OO     1--  5   56%  W Nieves        Ground Ball Double Play: SS-2B-1B (Weak SS)
                  0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Nationals 1, Astros 0.

Bottom of the 2nd, Astros Batting, Behind 0-1, John Lannan facing 5-6-7
   O      ---  2   59%  C Lee           Groundout: P-SS-1B (Weak SS)
   O      ---  5   60%  H Pence         Strikeout Looking
          ---  3   58%  T Wigginton     Double to LF (Line Drive to LF-CF)
   O      -2-  5   61%  J Towles        Groundout: SS-1B (Weak SS)
                  0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Nationals 1, Astros 0.

Top of the 3rd, Nationals Batting, Ahead 1-0, Brandon Backe facing 9-1-2
   O      ---  6   59%  J Lannan        Strikeout Looking
   R      ---  3   70%  W Harris        Home Run (Fly Ball to Deep RF)
   O      ---  4   69%  C Guzman        Strikeout Swinging
   O      ---  3   68%  R Zimmerman     Strikeout Swinging
                  1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Nationals 2, Astros 0.

Bottom of the 3rd, Astros Batting, Behind 0-2, John Lannan facing 9-1-2
   O      ---  1   70%  B Backe         Groundout: SS-1B (Weak SS)
   O      ---  4   72%  M Bourn         Flyball: CF (Deep LF-CF)
   O      ---  2   73%  K Matsui        Groundout: 2B-1B
                  0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Nationals 2, Astros 0.

Top of the 4th, Nationals Batting, Ahead 2-0, Brandon Backe facing 4-5-6
          ---  5   76%  N Johnson       Walk
   O      1--  3   73%  A Kearns        Strikeout Swinging
   O      1--  4   71%  R Belliard      Strikeout Swinging
   O      1--  7   69%  R Mackowiak     Strikeout Looking
                  0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Nationals 2, Astros 0.

Bottom of the 4th, Astros Batting, Behind 0-2, John Lannan facing 3-4-5
          ---  1   65%  M Tejada        Single to RF (Ground Ball)
          1--  5   57%  L Berkman       Single to 3B (Ground Ball to Weak SS); Tejada to 2B
   O      12-  3   58%  C Lee           Flyball: CF (Deep CF); Tejada to 3B; Berkman to 2B
   R      -23  5   52%  H Pence         Single to SS (Ground Ball to Weak SS); Tejada Scores
   O      12-  1   58%  T Wigginton     Flyball: RF (CF-RF)
   O      12-  4   64%  J Towles        Groundout: SS-1B (SS-2B)
                  1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Nationals 2, Astros 1.

Top of the 5th, Nationals Batting, Ahead 2-1, Brandon Backe facing 8-9-1
   O      ---  5   62%  W Nieves        Strikeout Swinging
   O      ---  6   60%  J Lannan        Groundout: 3B-1B (Weak 3B)
   O      ---  5   59%  W Harris        Strikeout Swinging
                  0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Nationals 2, Astros 1.

Bottom of the 5th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-2, John Lannan facing 9-1-2
          ---  3   53%  B Backe         Single to CF (Ground Ball thru SS-2B)
   O      1--  4   58%  M Bourn         Strikeout Swinging
   O      1--  7   61%  K Matsui        Groundout: 3B-1B; Backe to 2B
   O      -2-  2   66%  M Tejada        Groundout: P-1B
                  0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Nationals 2, Astros 1.

Top of the 6th, Nationals Batting, Ahead 2-1, Brandon Backe facing 2-3-4
          ---  5   70%  C Guzman        Single to RF (Ground Ball)
          1--  2   80%  R Zimmerman     Single to CF (Line Drive); Guzman to 3B
          1-3  6   83%  N Johnson       Walk; Zimmerman to 2B
   RR     123  3   91%  A Kearns        Single to CF (Line Drive); Guzman Scores; Zimmerman Scores; Johnson to 2B
   O      12-  3   88%  R Belliard      Flyball: LF (Deep LF)
   O      12-  1   86%  R Mackowiak     Flyball: LF (Deep LF Line)
   O      12-  2   84%  W Nieves        Groundout: SS-2B/Forceout at 2B (Weak SS)
                  2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Nationals 4, Astros 1.

Bottom of the 6th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-4, John Lannan facing 4-5-6
          ---  1   80%  L Berkman       Single to LF (Ground Ball thru Weak 3B)
          1--  6   72%  C Lee           Single to LF (Line Drive to Short LF); Berkman to 2B
   OO     12-  6   86%  H Pence         Ground Ball Double Play: SS-1B (Weak SS); Berkman to 3B
   O      --3  4   90%  T Wigginton     Groundout: SS-1B (Weak SS)
                  0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Nationals 4, Astros 1.

Top of the 7th, Nationals Batting, Ahead 4-1, Tim Byrdak facing 9-1-2
                  Tim Byrdak replaces Brandon Backe pitching and batting 9th; Aaron Boone pinch hits for John Lannan batting 9th
          ---  4   92%  A Boone         Double to LF (Line Drive)
   O      -2-  2   91%  W Harris        Popfly: SS (Deep SS)
   OO     -2-  4   88%  C Guzman        Line Drive Double Play: P; Boone out at 2B/P-2B
                  0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Nationals 4, Astros 1.

Bottom of the 7th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-4, Saul Rivera facing 8-9-1
                  Saul Rivera replaces Aaron Boone pitching and batting 9th
   O      ---  3   90%  J Towles        Popfly: 1B
                  Darin Erstad pinch hits for Tim Byrdak batting 9th
   O      ---  2   92%  D Erstad        Flyball: LF (Deep LF Line)
          ---  4   91%  M Bourn         Single to RF (Ground Ball thru 2B-1B)
          1--      90%  K Matsui        Bourn Steals 2B
   O      -2-  2   93%  " "             Groundout: P-1B (Weak 2B-1B)
                  0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Nationals 4, Astros 1.

Top of the 8th, Nationals Batting, Ahead 4-1, Oscar Villarreal facing 3-4-5
                  Oscar Villarreal replaces Darin Erstad pitching and batting 9th
          ---  6   95%  R Zimmerman     Single to CF (Line Drive to LF-CF); Zimmerman to 2B/Adv on E8 (throw)
   O      -2-  1   95%  N Johnson       Groundout: 2B-1B; Zimmerman to 3B
   R      --3  6   97%  A Kearns        Walk, Wild Pitch; Zimmerman Scores/No RBI
   O      1--  5   96%  R Belliard      Strikeout Swinging
   RR     1--  5   99%  R Mackowiak     Home Run (Fly Ball to Deep LF); Kearns Scores
          ---  2   99%  W Nieves        Single to RF (Ground Ball)
                  Wily Mo Pena pinch hits for Saul Rivera batting 9th
          1--  6   99%  W Pena          Walk; Nieves to 2B
   O      12-  6   99%  W Harris        Strikeout Swinging
                  3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB. Nationals 7, Astros 1.

Bottom of the 8th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-7, Luis Ayala facing 3-4-5
                  Luis Ayala replaces Wily Mo Pena pitching and batting 9th
          ---  8   98%  M Tejada        Single to SS (Ground Ball to Weak 3B)
          1--  8   97%  L Berkman       Walk; Tejada to 2B
   R      12-  2   93%  C Lee           Single to LF (Line Drive to LF Line); Tejada Scores; Berkman to 2B
   O      12-  6   96%  H Pence         Groundout: 2B-SS/Forceout at 2B (SS-2B); Berkman to 3B
   RO     1-3  5   98%  T Wigginton     Groundout: 3B-2B/Forceout at 2B (Weak 3B); Berkman Scores
                  Jose Cruz pinch hits for J.R. Towles batting 8th
   O      1--  5   99%  J Cruz          Strikeout Looking
                  2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Nationals 7, Astros 3.

Top of the 9th, Nationals Batting, Ahead 7-3, Wesley Wright facing 2-3-4
                  Wesley Wright replaces Jose Cruz pitching and batting 8th; Brad Ausmus replaces Oscar Villarreal playing C batting 9th
          ---  2   99%  C Guzman        Single to SS (Ground Ball to Weak SS)
          1--  6   99%  R Zimmerman     Single to RF (Fly Ball to Deep CF-RF); Guzman to 3B
   ROO    1-3  3   99%  N Johnson       Ground Ball Double Play: SS-2B-1B (Weak SS); Guzman Scores/No RBI
   O      ---  3   99%  A Kearns        Flyball: RF
                  1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Nationals 8, Astros 3.

Bottom of the 9th, Astros Batting, Behind 3-8, Jon Rauch facing 9-1-2
                  Jon Rauch replaces Luis Ayala pitching and batting 9th
   O      ---  1  100%  B Ausmus        Groundout: SS-1B (Weak SS)
   O      ---  4  100%  M Bourn         Strikeout Swinging
   O      ---  1  100%  K Matsui        Popfly: SS (Short LF Line)
        0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Nationals 8, Astros 3.

Play-by-Play Explanation

Scr/Out- This has a "O" for every out on the play and an "R" for every run that scored on the play. Some plays will have both in no particular order.
RoB- This gives the baserunner (Runners on Base) configuration at the start of the play. "1-3" would mean runners on first and third. Clicking on this will show the defensive players and baserunners on the field for this play. This is a subscriber feature, so non-subscribers are limited as to the number of times they can use this feature in a day.
Pt- When available, the number of pitches in this plate appearance. Clicking on this number will show the sequence of pitches thrown including, when available, things like runner going, ball blocked, attempted pickoffs and the like. We believe this data to be as accurate as humanly possible, but there are going to be some errors in the data, so please take it with a grain of salt. Clicking on this will show the defensive players and baserunners on the field for this play. This is a subscriber feature, so non-subscribers are limited as to the number of times they can use this feature in a day.
Batter- The batter at the plate when this play occurred. If the play is a baserunning event, then the batter's name will be repeated as indicated by quotes.
Play Detail- This is an explanation of the play that occurred. In some cases, batted ball location and type will be indicated within parentheses. Again, these are best efforts to the record the game as it happened. Also, plays made on the baserunners (including the batter as a baserunner) will be indicated in parentheses after the baserunner's name. Advancement of baserunners is given in cases where the advancement is not easily deduced or obvious from the play. For example, advancement for a walk will not be given, but for a single or double it will be given.

Please report any issues or strangeness you see with the description of plays given above. We have tested several hundred different types of plays, but, in all likelihood, there are still some errors or misinterpretations of the play-by-play data.

The information used here was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Interested parties may contact Retrosheet at 20 Sunset Rd., Newark, DE 19711.

In some cases, the results from play-by-play data will contradict results in the official record. The official record has many, many errors, but we have not undertaken to reconcile those errors. Pitch-by-pitch data should not be taken as completely accurate, though we believe it to be as accurate as is currently possible.


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BATTING

PITCHING

OTHER

LINEUPS

TOP 5 PLAYS (wpa explanation)

PLAY BY PLAY (explanation)

Play-by-Play Explanation