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Bud Norris is trying rebound from a horrendous outing in which he didn't get out of the first inning. So far so good as he's managed to make it to the third inning allowing only one run.
1st Inning
Raul Ibanez has trouble collecting a ball that rolled to the left field wall allowing Jason Castro to score from first base on what was ruled a single by Chris Carter. Lets go step by step, shall we.
Chris Carter "singles" to left but ends up on second when it's all said and done
Raul Ibanez has trouble collecting the ball so Dave Trembley decides to send Jason Castro home with two outs.
Which turns out to be a good call as Castro scores.
Hooray Trembley!
2nd Inning
The Mariners tie it on a double to right field by Endy Chavez scoring Dustin Ackley. Fortunately, for the Astros Chavez tried to take third on the throw home but was caught in a run down and was eventually tagged out to end the top of the second inning.
3rd Inning
Marwin Gonzalez hits a homerun to right field to give the Astros a 2-1 lead.
After the homerun Jose Altuve singles which is followed by a Fernando Martinez single but due to some hustle and good baserunning Altuve ends up at third and Martinez ends up at second
After Carlos Pena is intentionally walked Justin Maxwell is "hit by the pitch" which drives in the Astros third run of the game.
Justin Maxwell was replaced by Brandon Barnes in the top of the fifth inning. Brownie mentioned on air that Maxwell was going for x-rays on his left hand.
4th Inning
Rick Ankiel makes a nice diving play in right field
5th Inning
Brandon Barnes makes center field in Minute Maid Park look easy
8th Inning
Jose Altuve is taking all the way and it looks like he can't believe he got ball four called
9th Inning
Jose Veras closes out the game with a strikeout and Castro throws down to first to complete it.
Slap hands!
Game Thoughts
A good much needed win for the Astros tonight.
Bud Norris collects the win after pitching five innings and allowing only one run. Travis Blackley followed him with two perfect innings before giving up a solo shot in the eighth inning. He was replaced by Hector Ambriz who finished the eighth inning with two strikeouts. Jose Veras pitched a perfect ninth while striking out two batters for the save. That's how it's supposed to be done.
Offensively the Astros reverted to their strikeout ways, striking out 15 times. I know a lot of people are frustrated with the strikeouts but when a third of your lineup is filled with strikeout/power hitters there are going to be days like this. Still getting 15 strikeouts and winning the game should be proof that the team can win games while striking out a high rate.
Injury Update: Justin Maxwell was placed on the disabled list with a fractured hand. Robbie Grossman was called up to replace Maxwell in the outfield. David has more on the Maxwell injury and the Grossman call-up in this post.
