The Astros only got themselves five hits, but it was enough for a 4-2 win over the Royals.
*Roy got his 5th win of the season, and the 142nd win of his career. He's now two wins away from tying the all-time franchise lead (Joe Niekro).
*You'll love this: It's conceivable that Roy could tie the franchise lead on Sunday, June 27. The opponent? At Texas.
*In Roy's 14 starts, he has thrown quality starts in 12 of them, after throwing 7IP, 6H/2ER, 7K:1BB.
*Roy threw first-pitch strikes to 21 of the 28 batters he faced. In his last two starts (2-0, 14IP, 10H/4ER, 16K:3BB), he has thrown an FPS to 43 of 55 batters he has faced.
*Matt Lindstrom threw a scoreless 9th inning for his 15th save in his first appearance since June 8.
*The Astros' offense saw first-pitch strikes in 15 of their first 25 plate appearances from opponent (and former Astro) Bruce Chen. In the 10 PAs with a first-pitch ball, they were 2x8, 2K:2BB (both walks coming in the 6th), ROE.
*After seeing a first-pitch ball in 2010, (973 PAs) the Astros actually end up striking out more than they walk - 134K:117BB.
*Jason Michaels sure is benefitting from the playing time he's seeing, going 2x4 with 3RBI last night. It's the most RBI he's had in a game since going 2x3 with 4RBI (on 2HR) on August 7, 2009.
*During this round of interleague play, Michaels is 5x16 with 5RBI, and raised his batting average 42 points.
Pitch Count Hero: Jason Michaels (2x4) - 23 pitches in four PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Humberto Quintero (0x3) - 9 pitches in three PAs
Man of the Match: This one's going to Jason Michaels
Goat of the Game: Tommy Manzella. 0x4, and all four of his plate appearances ended innings.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
