Sh*itshow already underway in the bottom of the first. After the Owls went down 1-2-3 in the top of the first (no strikeouts, at least), we loaded the bases with walk-walk-bunt single. Error on Royo then led to two runs, then HBP reloaded the bases, still with no outs. Down already 2-0 with bases loaded nobody out. Mauricio coming in to pitch, so Urbanczyk recorded no outs, two runs, and all 3 runners are his.

Groundout drives in another run. Now 3-0, runners on 2nd and 3rd with only one out.

Infield single drives in another. Now 4-0 with men on 1st and 3rd, only one out.

Sweet! A double to right drives in two more. Now 6-0 in the bottom of the first, still only one out, with a runner on 2b. That’s the ballgame, folks. If only there was a mercy rule to end this disaster. No mas for me.

Sorry, while I was typing, the batting practice continues, with another double, making it 7-0, still a man on second with still only one out. Amazing. Also missed an error on the RF, so we have two errors in the first inning as well. Now the guy stole third. Just keeps getting better!!

They actually tried to steal home (might as well), but unsuccessful, and a groundout finally ends the nightmare. Down 7-0 going into the second… Goodnight and good luck, Owls

Hasn’t gotten any better. 1-9 going to T7. Owls have out hit HI 7-6, but Owls have 7 LOB while HI has only 2 LOB. The Owls continue to underwhelm.

Of course, 6 BBs and 3 HBPs by the Owls’ pitchers certainly hasn’t helped.

Owls staff up to 8 walks, 3 HBPs, and 3 WPs. Bases loaded B8 only 1 out. Owls on their 6th pitcher, Gallant, who walks the 1st two battershe faces. 1-11.

Surely we must lead the nation in opponents' ratio of runs per hits, if such a statistic were ever kept.
I agree with a post from a few days ago -- having been a mediocre baseball player as a teenager I find it hard to believe when collegiate pitchers can't place a ball inside the strike zone.

Rice pitchers have walked 5 batters and counting (still only 1 out) in the 8th inning alone.

(03-10-2024 08:42 PM)RiceOwls2019 Wrote:  Rice pitchers have walked 5 batters and counting (still only 1 out) in the 8th inning alone.

5? Up to 10 with 3 HBP!

Perkins in for Gallant and yields a SF. 1-12, 2 outs. And then walks the next hitter to re-load the bases. Up to 11 walks. Ground out end the inning. 3 runs on no hits in the B8. SMH.

(03-10-2024 08:44 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(03-10-2024 08:42 PM)RiceOwls2019 Wrote:  Rice pitchers have walked 5 batters and counting (still only 1 out) in the 8th inning alone.

5? Up to 10 with 3 HBP!

Inning finally ended after Rice walked 6 and allowed 3 runs.

1-12 final. Owls get a 2 out double in T9, but that’s it. Owls with 1 run on 10 hits. That’s hard to do. Their offensive inefficiency is mind boggling. Only 1 walk and 9 Ks certainly didn’t help.

(03-10-2024 08:55 PM)RiceOwls2019 Wrote:  

(03-10-2024 08:44 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(03-10-2024 08:42 PM)RiceOwls2019 Wrote:  Rice pitchers have walked 5 batters and counting (still only 1 out) in the 8th inning alone.

5? Up to 10 with 3 HBP!

Inning finally ended after Rice walked 6 and allowed 3 runs.

JP should work on his Harry Doyle impression for this season.

What a dismal year so far.

Rice is in danger of having only four players hitting above the Mendoza Line. Rank and Gallo are flirting with it (both at .204; 0-2 start next game would put them both at .193). Team BA of .220.

Someone had mentioned that our opponents are more efficient with baserunners than we are. Let's look at that using a completely made up metric I'll WHBPPR (Walk + Hit + Hit By Pitch Per Run).

Rice: 3.19
Opponents: 2.48

So it takes Rice almost three quarters of an extra baserunner to scratch out a run. This is despite the fact that our opponents have grounded into 12 more double plays than us. This actually seems pretty astounding given in MLB % of runners stranded is considered a stable metric and largely luck driven. You wouldn't expect there to be a particularly strong signal here (and maybe there will be regression to a mean on both sides moving forward).

I still find our pitching to be worrisome. Even Parker Smith, with his 2.86 ERA is averaging 6.5 BB+HBP/9. The staff is at 7.37 BB+HBP/9. We do strikeout a decent number and opponents are only hitting .225 against us....but we give up too many free passes for it to matter.

Overall, not a whole lot to like so far this season:-/