Astros Take Another Into Extras With Giants, Emerge Victorious 4-3

I don't know what it is about the defending World Series Champions San Franciso Giants but they seem to bring out the best in the Astros.

This was another low scoring affair due to both starting pitchers being on for their respective teams. For the Giants Matt Cain went 8 innings, struck out 6, walked 1, while allowing 2 earned runs on five hits. For the Astros Bud Norris facing his hometown team went 7 innings, striking out 10, walking 1, while allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits. After both starters exited it became a battle of the bullpens and one in which you'd expect the Giants to win. If you're looking at hits and walks you could certainly say the Astros should of lost the battle giving up 6 hits and 2 walks, while the Giants bullpen gave up only 2 hits and 1 base on balls. The difference though was that the Astros offense made those hits count.

In the top of the tenth the Astros scored a run on a Jason Michaels double that credited Jimmy Paredes with the run. The Giants answered in the bottom of the inning with a run scoring single from Mark DeRosa that scored Andres Torres. Unfortunately for the Giants DeRosa was thrown out at second after he over slid the bag and Angel Sanchez got close enough for the second base umpire to call him out. Bruce Bochy came out to argue the call and was tossed from the game. Carlos Beltran would of course follow with a single and Pablo Sandoval was put on when the count was put in his favor. Mark Melancon would fan Brandon Belt to end the inning.

Surprisingly the Astros scored again in the top of the eleventh on a Matt Downs single to center field that score Jose Altuve, Downs would be thrown out after the throw was cutoff. Brian Bogusevic would ground out to end the inning and his 0-5 night, which probably means he'll be sitting for tomorrow's game.

David Carpenter came in for the bottom of the eleventh hitting Aubrey Huff who was bunted over by Miguel Tejada. He then got Aaron Rowand to strikeout and Mike Fontenot to ground out for his first career save.

With the victory the Astros were able to split this series and take the season series 4 games to 3 and Astro fans were able to relish a small victory that have been few this season.  Up next for the Astros are the Pirates who have fallen from grace since the All-Star Break.

One thing to note is that in the top of the 9th Carlos Lee was injured on a double after sliding into second base awkwardly. He was replace by Jose Altuve in the inning, but you have to wonder if his injury is serious enough that he'll be replaced on the roster. I expect that at the very least he'll be given tomorrow's game off, which I'm sure will delight many of you.