What Happened?
Chris Johnson hit a walk-off homer to defeat the Pirates, 6-4. And Roy got hurt. But it might not be serious.
Why They Won
Well, you see, when you get an at-bat in the bottom of the 9th that ultimately gives your team a lead over the other team, you win. Aside from Johnson's homer, the Astros took advantage of the Pirates' bullpen, scoring four runs in the 8th and the two in the 9th.
Astros pitching
Oswalt gave up his first earned run of the Spring, but struck out six Pirates before exiting after the 4th with a tight hamstring. Brandon Lyon came on for 1IP, allowing just a hit. Bud Norris threw the final four innings, giving up 4H/3ER, 3K:1BB
Astros batting
Zach Duke dominated the Astros. In his 6.2IP, Duke only gave up two hits and a walk. But once the Astros got a hold of the bullpen, they went off. Duke faced 23 Astros, and three got on base. The bullpen as a group faced 13 Astros, and seven got on base. Aside from Chris Johnson's walk-off, his 5th homer of the Spring, only one Astro had a multi-hit game: T.J. Steele, who was 2x4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Drew Locke came in for one AB for Jason Michaels, and got himself a 3-run triple.
0-fers (more than one AB): Keppinger (0x3), Michaels (0x2), Lee (0x4), Feliz (0x2), Castro (0x2)
Positional Battles
Catcher
Castro: 0x2 (.310)
Quintero: 0x2 (.250)
IF6
Johnson: 1x2, 2RBI, K, BB, 2R (.326)
Maysonet: 1x4, (.333)
Man of the Match
Chris Johnson. For obvious reasons.
Goat of the Game
How about Bud Norris. In his second appearance since the stomach bug came and bit him, his ERA is now a nice little 9.28.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
