Bud Norris can force a double play when no runners are on base.

Although the box score tells a different story, closer Jose Valverde didn’t actually get the save Sunday. Bud Norris changed into a Valverde-look-alike suit in between innings … just to make sure the Cardinals couldn’t rally.

Hmmm…sounds a lot like something I wrote last Sunday afternoon. To wit:

Bud Norris can induce a ground ball double play when no runners are on base.

Bud Norris climbed into a Jose Valverde suit today and collected the save himself. Out of charity, he gave the credit to Jose.

…after that, I don’t want to hear newspapers complaining about blogs using their articles.

I hadn’t seen your article on Norris’ first start, but apparently that Ft. Worth writer did. It IS exciting to see the Astros bring up a minor leaguer who someone in a different city is interested enough in that they pilfer story ideas. That hasn’t happened since Oswalt?

If you want another cautionary tale which supports the idea of conservatively managing Norris’ remaining innings to pitch….

It was announced last week that Edison Volquez, the promising young starting pitcher for the Reds, will undergo Tommy John surgery. Last year the Reds allowed Volzquez to pitch 50 more innings than he had ever pitched professionally. At this point, Norris has pitched approximately 30 more innings this year than he has ever pitched professionally.

but I should point out that the 30 more innings “than he has ever pitched professionally” is based on comparing this season to Norris’ 2007 season in Lexington (96 innings), which is 16 more innings than he pitched in Corpus last year. I don’t have his Arizona innings from last year immediately available, but since he was pitching in relief in Arizona, I don’t know if it changes my statement above.

Saw this under Fan Shots. Check it out if you haven’t seen it…

http://dodgerhater.blogspot.com/2009/08/interview-with-astros-rookie-hurler-bud.html