At some point we'll have to stop noting that Myers threw 6IP, right? Because at this point, it's about as silly as saying, "Hunter Pence had another at-bat." Astros win 10-7.
*So, we might as well go ahead and say that Brett Myers threw another outing of 6IP. Thanks to the offense, he got the win (more on that later) - which tied his career high of 14 wins, set in 2003.
*Myers' 6IP put him at 218IP - also a career-high, besting his previous 215.1IP in 2005. He has now thrown 148IP more than in 2009.
*He allowed 6H/5ER, 1K:4BB, and a solo home run. The 5ER are the most he's allowed since June 29, when he gave up 7ER at Milwaukee. He had allowed 4ER in his previous five starts combined (34IP).
*So what the heck happened? Garrett Jones happened. He had an RBI groundout in the bottom of the 1st, a two-run double in the 3rd, and a sac fly in the 5th. It was Jones' 20th multi-RBI game of the season.
*Fernando Abad allowed a triple to Garrett Jones in the 7th, and Pedro Alvarez hit a sac fly to score him. It was the first time Abad had allowed a run since September 10 (6 appearances).
*Wilton Lopez got in a game for the first time (also) since September 10, having allowed runs in five of his last eight starts. He emerged unscathed from the 8th inning, allowing a hit, but retiring four batters on seven pitches.
*And rounding out the pitching, Brandon Lyon got his 19th save, one shy of his second 20-save season in his career. Lyon also threw a scoreless 9th, giving him three straight 0ER outings - the first time since Sept 5-10.
*All in all, the Pirates got nine hits, four of them for extra bases, and their 100th loss of the season. 2010 is their 6th straight 90+ loss season, but their first 100-loss season since 2001.
*Aside from a typical 0x4 from Carlos Lee, playing LF (he must have lost concentration), every position player got a hit. To be fair, Lee did draw a walk, so he got on base, too. It's his 36th hitless night of 4ABs or more of the season. Going back to the 2nd game of the Nationals series, Lee has one hit in his last 15 ABs.
*Hunter Pence brought the big bat, going 3x5 with 3RBI, and 2x3 w/RISP. Since the All-Star Break, Pence has hit .306/.341/.514, an OPS increase over his pre-ASB split of 112 points.
*Jeff Keppinger was 3x4 w/2RBI on the night in the #5 spot, increasing his September line to .351/.420/.416. He also has increased his 2nd half OPS 100+ points (106, to be exact), from .720 to .826.
*Brett Wallace was able to shake off the rust and get two hits - his first multi-hit game since September 12 against the Dodgers, and matching his hit total from his previous four starts.
*The Astros got 15 hits on the night - but 13 singles. On the season, 28.6% of their hits have been for extra-bases. The Reds - just as an example (because they lead the NL in SLG) - have enjoyed extra bases in 34.1% of their hits.
*Still, the 15 hits are the 3rd-most of the season, and the Astros are 12-0 when getting 13+ hits.
*The Astros have gone three games without a home run, the first time since August 29-31.
*Pitch Count Hero: Jason Bourgeois (1x5, BB) - 30 pitches in six PAs.
*Pitch Count Punk: Hunter Pence (3x5) - 14 pitches in five PAs.
*Man of the Match: I think Pence is a fair nod here, don't you think?
*Goat of the Game: Carlos Lee.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
