Astros Squeak By Pirates With 1-0 Victory

This was a fun one to watch if you're into fielding and pitching. Both sides made several slick plays to keep the game as close it was. If you're not into fielding you probably dozed off until the bottom of the eighth inning when Brad Mills got ejected for a call that was reversed by the umpires.

With Clint Barmes at the plate attempting to bunt he pulled the bat back and got hit in the hand. Initially it was ruled a strikeout but after a Clint Hurdle appeal, the umpires reversed the call and called it a foul ball. Mills upset argued with Jim Joyce for several minutes before getting tossed.

The call really didn't hurt the Astros as immediately after the ejection Wilton Lopez picked off Josh Harrison at first base. With the runner gone, Barmes grounded out to Jed Lowrie.

Pitching

Bud Norris pitched a gem. In six innings he allowed three hits and zero runs, while striking out eight. He ran into a bases loaded no outs situation in the sixth and managed to get out of it unscathed with a strikeout, popout and strikeout. His Game Score for the evening was a 74. Easily his best outing of the season. Three relievers followed Bud allowing one hit and zero runs will striking out three. First it was Wesley Wright, then it was Wilton Lopez who allowed the hit and finally it was Brett Myers with his ninth save of the season. Overall that's a four hit, 11 strikeout, shutout.

Offense

Only Chris Johnson reached base more than once. Brian Bogusevic scored the only run when Justin Maxwell hit into a double, thus eliminating his RBI opportunity. Others with reached were Jed Lowrie, who got thrown on trying to streatch a double into a triple, Bogusevic via a hit, Jose Altuve and Jason Castro, who both reached via the walk. Overall the offense did just enough to win this one with four hits, two walks and eight strikeouts.

Fielding

Norris collected the error for the team when he fumbled a sac bunt with men on first and third. Lowrie made several nice plays at short and Castro threw out Andrew McCutchen to end the fourth inning.

Saturday

6:05 p.m. CDT J.A. Happ vs Charlie Morton.