Justin Smoak, nice power swing. 10-6 Mariners in the top of the 9th. They have hit four homers tonight.

Already updating the standings. Both the Astros and Marlins lost.

The race for the 1st overall pick in 2014

1. Astros 33-62
2. Marlins 35-59

Bring it on, Miami. You ain't going to get Mr. USA out of NC State, Carlos Rodon.

Brandon Barnes added another single in the bottom of the 9th and scored a run. The Mariners won 10-7

5-for-5 with the cycle for Barnes tonight: homer, triple, double, two singles.

He has sucked all year offensively. His batting average is up to .250 after a great offensive game tonight. He's been an awesome defensive center fielder making some spectacular web gems in the field. Still, I want to see George Springer called up already. He's our future in center field.

Barnes is 27 years old and his ceiling isn't as high as Springer even though he's in his prime.

The race for the 1st overall pick in 2014

1. Astros 33-63
2. Marlins 35-60

Astros and Marlins are both 0-2 in the second half of the season. Another loss today for both teams.
Extra kudos to the Marlins for being shut out again. They lost 2-0 last night and 6-0 tonight.

The Astros face King Felix Hernandez tomorrow (10-4, 2.53 ERA). Incoming sweep. I'll enjoy it anyways.
Ironically, the Astros have taken a no-hitter into the seventh inning with 1 out twice in the past week.

This team is atrocious to watch but I'm trying to have some fun with it. I'm ready for spring training.

Don't sleep on the White Sox...They might just tank a little more to steal that 1st pick from ya, and you KNOW the Cubs won't finish anything better than last in their div so look out for them and the Brauners.

LOL DAT ONE HIT

Astros remaining schedule is brutal. The Mariners and White Sox are the easiest games left and we're already losing these games. About to be swept by Seattle later today with King Felix on the mound. I think we'll go 0-20 in the 20 games left against Oakland and Texas.

It should be young stud Jarred Cosart, who tossed 8 shutout innings of two-hit ball in his MLB debut at Tampa Bay against a good Rays lineup and picked up a win against last year's AL Cy Young winner David Price, making the start today against Felix Hernandez, who will probably be this year's AL Cy Young winner.

But the bonehead Astros management sent him back down to Triple-A when he's clearly better than any pitcher we have in the organization with the exception of Mark Appel, who should also be up in the big leagues already. I think it's pretty embarrassing what the Astros are doing but hey, tanking is tanking. If it means having three future ace-like starters in Appel, Cosart and Rodon -- who we will definitely draft number one overall next June -- then so be it.

I'm going to enjoy the Mariners sweep later today. Go get 'em, King Felix!

Edit: The Astros just called up Jarred Cosart this morning to make his second big league start on Tuesday.
Just woke up and saw the news. Now we're definitely going to win on Tuesday against the Athletics. Crap!

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jul 21 2013 08:15am

35 minutes until King Felix tosses a gem against us. He's 1-0 with 0.00 ERA against the Astros already this year. LOL
He only pitched 6 innings in that previous win against the Astros but racked up 9 strikeouts (allowed 5 hits).
I'm expecting Felix Hernandez to go the distance today. Complete game shutout, double-digit Ks and maybe a no-no
As long as the Mariners and Marlins both win today, I'll feel good.

Really Marlins? They lost 1-0 in 13 innings. They were shut out in the past three games by the Brewers: 2-0, 6-0 and 1-0
That's 0 runs during the past 31 innings of that three-game series. They were playing so well for a full month before the all-star break.

1. Astros 33-64
2. Marlins 35-61

Astros lost 12-5 as expected so we're both 0-3 in the second half of the season.

Felix Hernandez pitched another 6 shutout innings, only 4 hits allowed this time. 7 strikeouts.
He's now 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA against the Astros this season. 12 innings pitched.

Only good thing are the White Sox and Brewers are falling way behind with the 3rd and 4th worst records - 56 losses each, which is why I don't include either.

3-0 Astros in the bottom of the 3rd. I hope Oakland comes back. They are making so many sloppy plays in the field, another error.
Please tell me the Marlins are beating the Rockies tonight. I don't even want to glance at that score. Miami hasn't scored in forever.