Chris Johnson does it again, and the Astros win 3-2.
*The Brewers took an early 1-0 lead, thanks to Ryan Braun's homer to the Crawford Boxes. It was the 17th homer Norris has allowed - a team high - and was the 4th 1st inning homer off Norris.
*But after that, he was cruising. Norris only gave up three hits in his 7.1IP, but walked five batters. It's a season-high in walks, and he has walked 3+ batters in five straight starts.
*In his last two starts, Norris has thrown 13.1IP, 6H/2ER, 14K:9BB.
*Of Norris' five walks, four of them were leadoff walks. Norris had only walked 10 leadoff batters all season long. None of those four leadoff walks came around to score.
*So, on to the 9th, where the Astros have a 3-1 lead (we'll get to those three in a minute). Brandon Lyon comes in for the save, and promptly gives up a leadoff homer to Casey McGehee on a 2-1 pitch. It was the 2nd homer that Lyon has given up all season, and his first since April 10 - a span of 294 batters.
*And now we get to the offense. It won't take long, really. In the first inning, with Michael Bourn on second and Keppinger on first, Chris Johnson came up with two outs. And deposited Chris Capuano's 2-1 pitch 415 away for his 9th homer of the year.
*It's Johnson's third homer in seven games, and his second 3-run homer in a week. Like his last three-run homer on September 9th, he provided all the runs in a 3-2 win over their opponent.
*Johnson also added a double for his third multi-XBH hit game of the year. He also had a 2B/HR game against Milwaukee back on July 30. And in 38ABs against the Brewers, Johnson is hitting .447 with five doubles and two homers for a .737 SLG.
*Jeff Keppinger was also 2x4, meaning that, in nine PAs against the Brewers in these two games, Keppinger has been on base seven times.
*Still, despite the win, the Astros were 2x13 w/RISP. Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee were a combined 0x5. Only Angel Sanchez and the aforementioned Chris Johnson got hits w/RISP. The Astros are hitting .251 w/RISP.
*Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn (0x3, BB) - 20 pitches in four PAs.
*Pitch Count Punk: Carlos Lee (1x4) - eight pitches in four PAs.
*Man of the Match: Gotta give it to Chris Johnson!
*Goat of the Game: Lee. 0x3 w/RISP and left five men on base.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
