[Amazin69]

Bra's Open did a lovely job of relief. (He wins the Huascar for Too Little, Too Late.) And at least Lindor spared us the first shutout since Ernie Broglio.

Our Acuña redeemed himself for that poor throw by battling for that walk which not only loaded the bases, but clearly tired Hader out…oh, wait.

How the hell do we not have an emergency catcher on the roster? What would have happened if Hayden Senger, The Catcher [Near] the Rye had tripped on the steps or something? If there was somebody who was ready to cover for Senger in those circumstances, why couldn't we hit for Senger (who hits like Margaret Sanger) and go on from there?

(Maybe we shouldn't have pinch-hit for Torrens to start the 8th in the first place? His being thrown out on a ****ty dirt-ball read aside, Luis did have the only XBH we got all day.)

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Gary Cohen clearly needed more time in Spring Training, he was gaffing all over the place.

First of all, when Valdez was chugging along in the middle innings, Gary reassured us that last year, no Opening Day starter went more than 6 IP. Valdez went 7.

Then Gary tells us about Ernie Broglio shutting out the Mets to start 1963 and then claims Ernie (and Jack Spring! Don't forget Jack Spring!) went to the Cubs in the Lou Brock trade "later that year". No, Ernie was a Cardinal all through 1963, going 18-8 with a 2.99 ERA, which is why the Cubs were eager to trade a young CF who couldn't really play center and who hit big HRs (one of only 4 men to ever reach the CF stands at the Polo Grounds) but struck out waaaay too much in order to grab the 28-year-old Ernie, who surely had many more fine seasons in him. But that was at the deadline in 1964, not '63.

And then Gary capped the day by referring to the Astros' former home as "the late, unlamented Astrodome". Er, Gar, the Astrodome is hardly "late". It's right where it's always been. It's on the National Register of Historic Places. Harris County spent $105 million in 2018 to restore the Harris County Domed Stadium (its proper name). You can take a tour before you leave Houston. Yeesh.

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The good news is that apparently we are getting the free week of Extra Innings from DirecTV, since I was able to see the game.

The bad news was that I was able to see the game.

Well…most of it. During the pregame, I decided that it was a good idea to take a nap. So I hit the Pause (knowing that it would resume in 90 minutes) and snuggled under my blanket, pleasantly surprised that my cat perched on my upper chest, right below my chin. (He usually either goes for the lap or between my legs or just leaves me alone.)

90 minutes later, I woke up to a wonderful furry muffler within kissing range, and the dulcet tones of Todd Zeile coming from the TV. My first thought was "STFU, Zeile" since the TV seemed too loud, and I reached for the remote, looking to turn down the volume.

Alas, with my brain still somewhat asleep, I pressed the "change-channel" button instead, and there went all my carefully saved buffer. (I don't know why I didn't bother to record the game; I had DVR space.). One "Noooo!" later and a flip back, and we were in the 3rd inning already. The best-laid plans of Mice (or cats) and Men aft gang aglee, to quote Robbie Burns…